In Memoriam

Richard W. Curtis, 73, passed peacefully on February 23, 2017 at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, CT. He was the husband of Claudia (German) (Green) Curtis. Richard was born on February 25, 1943 in Waterbury, CT., the son of the late William and Eleanor (Benedict) Curtis. He spent most of his life as a Connecticut resident. His early years were spent growing up in Waterbury. In 1965, he moved to Cheshire, where he lived for 20 years. He then moved to Prospect where he resided until retiring to Spring Hill, Florida in 2000. Dick Curtis, as he was known in the business world, had a lifelong career with Owens Corning in sales and later in management. He was acknowledged as the roofing expert to go to throughout his long career in New England. Those who had business dealings with him quickly became his friends. He was indeed the most affable human being you would ever meet. Rich was a gentle man, kind and thoughtful. His son once told him "Dad you are the man everyone likes." Many considered him to be the Pied Piper. Children were drawn to him, both in his early years when his son and daughter were young, as well as in his later years. As his family expanded with stepchildren and grandchildren, his ability to take time to listen when needed and to have fun when called for. He so enjoyed gatherings with friends and family. He loved sports of any kind, both as a spectator watching his children and grandchildren as well as a participant. Golf, biking and kayaking were high on the activity list. He was an avid reader and would often refer to the hundreds of books on his Kindle with enthusiasm. Richard was also fearless when it came to a political debate. He will be lovingly remembered for his great sense of humor, his kind heart, his gentle manner, his genuine concern and his loyalty. He was a gift to many. In addition to his wife Claudia, Richard is survived by his devoted daughter Deborah (Ubertalli) Curtis and her children Luke, Sierra and Sam Ubertalli of Cheshire CT; Stepdaughters Claudia (Green) (Rossi) Deemer (husband Michael) of Tampa FL; Kate (Green) Bryan (husband Stacy) of Pace FL.; stepson Brian Green (partner Lina Rocha) of Waterbury Ct. In addition, Jack and Jeremy Rossi; Aidan, Patrick and Shannon Bryan; and Emily and Katie Green will miss Pop-Pop. Richard is also survived by his former wife and friend MaryEllen (Deconinck) Curtis. Richard was predeceased by his beloved son, Thomas B. Curtis in 2009. Friends are invited to join in a celebration of life for Richard to be hosted on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 11:45 A.M. at The Waverly Inn at 286 Maple Ave, Cheshire, CT. To view these arrangements online, share a condolence, or an online photo, please visit www.fordfh.com. To honor his memory, we will do as he did and as he wished us to do….. BE KIND, ENJOY LIFE AND LIVE IT FULLY

John LeVind passed away on February 05, 2018. Funeral Home Services for John are being provided by National Cremation of Raleigh, NC.

William Colin MacNeil Wagner died suddenly on February 9, 2018.

William Barry Lorch, age 78, of Clifton Park, passed away on Monday, March 12, 2018, at Albany Medical Center, surrounded by his family. Born on May 11, 1939, in Cornwall, N.Y., he was the son of the late Wynne F. and Grace Lorch. Barry earned his B.A. in economics from Wesleyan University and spent his career with the N.Y.S. Dept. of Civil Service, retiring as director of the Classification and Compensation Division after 36 years. He was a longtime communicant of St. Edward the Confessor Church, in Clifton Park. Barry, along with his wife, loved traveling and was an avid bird-watcher, often combining the two in search of his next new bird. His favorite birding spots included Alaska, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, and his winter destination, Longboat Key, Fla., where he visited often since he was a young boy. His "life list" included 723 different varieties of birds. He also enjoyed golfing, and belonged to the Country Knolls Men's Golf League for many years. Above all, Barry loved his family, a source of great joy. During family gatherings, he delighted in playing cards and board games with his grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Barry was predeceased by an infant daughter, Catherine. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Brenda; children, Ellen Buchanan, Michael (Maria) Lorch, Steven (Jean) Lorch, and Nancy (Tony) Van Beusekom; grandchildren, Kaela, Christian, Adam, Kevin, William, David, Abigail, Grace, and Christine; and several cousins.

Douglas L. “Doug” Bard, 80 entered into rest, Sunday, February 18, 2018. He was part of a three-generation family-owned business, Bard Chevrolet in Newburgh. The son of the late Donald Leon and Finette “Chula” Elizabeth (Burton) Bard, he was born January 3, 1938, in Providence, RI.

Doug was an avid Ham Radio Operator (Call Sign W2ING), enjoyed photography (Camera Club), motorcycle and car racing, boating (member of Cornwall Yacht Club), computers, piano, travel, flying, was an animal lover, especially cats, and served his country in the U.S. Air Force.

Doug was the man, the myth, the legend, and all-around character was world renowned for his lack of patience, not holding back his opinion, and knack for telling it like it is, or rather how he thought it should be. With that said, he was genuine to a fault, a pussycat at heart (or lion), and yet he sugar-coated nothing.

“If I should die before the rest of you, break not a flower nor inscribe a stone. Nor, when I am gone, speak in a Sunday voice, but be the usual selves that I have known. Weep if you must: parting is hell, but life goes on so sing as well”.

Doug is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Bard; children, Nancy L. Bard of Lititz, PA, Jennifer Bard-Schouten of Lititz, PA, Jennifer Burns and husband, Curt of East Greenbush, NY, and Joan LoIacono and husband, Keir of High Bridge, NJ; his sister, Judith Bard of Newburgh; and grandchildren: Matthew Schouten, Grace Schouten, Dina LoIacono and Tara LoIacono.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh, with a Celebration of Life Service at 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Doug’s memory may be sent to Town of Newburgh Volunteer Ambulance Corps (TONVAC), 97 S. Plank Rd., Newburgh, NY 12550.

Jody spent her childhood moving from place to place, as her father traveled for his work with Ford Motor Company and then General Motors to locations including Chicago, South Bend, St Paul MN, Pontiac MI, Cleveland, and Atlanta. She met her future husband Thad Horton through his sister Tracy, who was Jody’s roommate at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. In July 1944, she married Thad shortly before he shipped off to Guam to serve as a bomber pilot in the Army Air Corps in the final year of World War II.

After the war the couple and their growing family lived in Atlanta until 1959, and then moved to Pound Ridge, New York. In 1968 they purchased a summer home on Little Diamond Island in Portland, where Jody spent time for more than 40 summers. With their four children all grown and upon Thad’s retirement, the couple moved in 1983 to the Ledgewood Condominiums in Portland. Jody lived there until several years after Thad’s death in 2001, when she moved to OceanView At Falmouth.  There she met Walther (Walt) Stephenson, who became her close companion for the rest of her life.

Jody loved many kinds of music, and sang in the church choir at Trinity Episcopal Church in Portland for three decades. She volunteered for many years as an usher at Portland Stage Company. She was a baker and a maker, baking sand dabs and making cheese straws every year at Christmastime, doing needlepoint with her “stitch and bitch” group, completing acrostics, and doing complex jigsaw puzzles without ever looking at the box covers.  She read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice nearly every year of her life. She loved traveling, especially in England and Scotland and was a dedicated gardener, especially at Little Diamond and then at Ocean View. She had a keen sense of propriety, but also a bawdy sense of humor that she hid behind her quick smile and revealed only to those very close to her.

Jody was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Thad Horton; and her brother Richard “Dick” Tomlinson. She is survived by her four sons, Scott L. Horton and his wife Leslie Richfield of Portland; Richard K. Horton and his wife Judith Mitchell of Waldoboro; Glenn T. Horton and his wife Carol of Seattle, WA; and Evan H. Horton of Portland; as well as four grandchildren, Nick Horton of Portland; Ashley Horton of Burlington, VT; Edan Horton Mohr of Brooklyn, NY; and Sarah Horton of Seattle, WA; three step-grandchildren, Peter Asen of Cranston, RI, Taylor Asen of Portland and Jonathan Asen of Portland; and five great grandchildren. She is survived by her companion of seven years Walther Stephenson, and his children, Roger and his wife Mona Stephenson of Stratham, NH, and Bruce and his wife Kelley Stephenson of Newport, Maine.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 17th at 11am at Trinity Episcopal Church, 580 Forest Avenue in Portland. For those who wish to make donations in Jody’s memory and name: Good Shepherd Food Bank or Project Feed.

As is customary, Mrs. Horton will be remembered at Memorial Rock on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at The Storm King School's Sesquicentennial Reunion Weekend.

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David Hasbrouck Van Dyck ’40
December 25, 2017

David Hasbrouck Van Dyck, 94 of West Hartford and Bolton Landing, New York, died peacefully on Christmas morning 2017.

Mr. Van Dyck graduated in 1940 and returned to SKS as a beloved history and math teacher, coach, and dorm parent from 1947-1959. In 2015, at his 75th Class Reunion, Mr. Van Dyck received the coveted Margaret Clark Faculty Excellence Award. 

David played football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and was captain of the track team at SKS. He was said to have accomplished the feat of earning a letter on every one of his five teams. "Pint-sized, his prowess on the track has been a source of constant amazement to those who have watched his effortless performance in the mile, his specialty” (The Quarry 1940).  Scholastically,  he also achieved a high place among his peers by graduating Cum Laude. Academically, he also earned high marks, graduating Cum Laude before attending Union College until World War II intervened. He served on a destroyer in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific, including battles at Leyte Gulf and Iwo Jima. After the war, he resumed his education at Union, graduating with honors in English and Economics in 1947. He then began a life-long career as a secondary school teacher and coach, returning to The Storm King School from 1947 to 1959.

The last of eight siblings, he leaves behind his wife of 69 years, Margaret "Peggy" Van Dyck, two daughters, Louise Van Dyck Shipway of Avon and Emily Van Dyck Frederick of Glastonbury, and three grandchildren, Claire Guild Frederick, James Bevier Frederick and David Emmet Shipway.

David was born in Schenectady, New York. After graduating from Storm King School in Cornwall, New York, he enrolled in Union College until World War II intervened. He served on a destroyer in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific, including battles at Leyte Gulf and Iwo Jima. After the war, he resumed his education at Union, graduating with honors in English and Economics in 1947. He then began a life-long career as a secondary school teacher and coach, at The Storm King School from 1947 to 1959, and at Kingswood Oxford School from 1959 until his retirement in 1988. David's acerbic wit and encyclopedic knowledge of American and European history inspired generations of students.

As is customary, David will be remembered at Memorial Rock on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at The Storm King School's Sesquicentennial Reunion Weekend.

Mr. Van Dyck was mentioned in our Fall 2015 publication of On The Mountain. To read it click here . . .

To Watch an interview with Mr. Van Dyck on his years at The Storm King School please click here . . . 

John H. Coulter Jr. ’51 of Oneida, FL, died February 1, 2017, at the age of 83. John was at SKS for two years. His senior write-up said that he had given much to the School both athletically and scholastically. He played on the varsity football team, was an asset to the hockey team, and played second-team baseball. He was a member of the Dramatics Club  and Glee Club, and he served on the Quarry’s board. He was one of the first seniors in his class to be accepted to college and selected to attend Pennsylvania Military College. On the Mountain, he was noted for being friendly and generous and having a good sense of fun (like removing the tires from a certain Headmaster’s car).

Kinsley "Kim" Woods ’55
December 27, 1988

Kinsley “Kim” Wood ’55 died December 27, 1988, at the age of 52. We discovered this when his SKS roommate, Robert Chen ’55, asked about him earlier this year. We wrote to his son, Kinsley Jr., and here’s what we learned about him:

Kinsley Sr. grew up in Oneida, NY, where he rebuilt cars and did what teenagers in that era did. He went to St. Lawrence and Alabama, obtaining a degree later in life when the Air Force was requiring all enlistees to have one. He served in the Air Force in Vietnam as a bird dog in what he called the “second most dangerous mission” there. He was required to fly a very visible, single-engine propeller plane (0-2 and 0-10) over the treetops to fire smokers (small signal bombs) to tell the bombers where they could bomb. He was so low that ground troops could possibly shoot him down, hence the danger.

Leaving the Air Force, he flew for Pan Am for many years and part-time for the New York Air National Guard (NYANG) in Syracuse, NY. He would fly fighter jets there, the A-10 mostly, becoming a full colonel and leading the Guard unit to be the top unit in the country (the first Guard unit deployed after the Air Force). At the time of his death, the process had been started to make him a general to continue leading the NYANG. He loved Skaneateles and being on his boat. We skied together, went to concerts, and played guitar, and he did everything he could for his children.

Bob Bowman ’59
November 9, 2016 

Bob Bowman ’59 of Holualoa, HI, died November 9, 2016, at Kona Community Hospital with his wife of 26 years, Coral, at his side. Born and raised in Tenafly, NJ, after attending Rutgers University, Bob moved to the Los Angeles area. He married Jane Lovell, and during the next 15 years, they carved redwood signs, owned residential real estate, and rode motorcycles. After moving to Eugene, OR, Bob met Coral at the Oregon Country Fair. They traveled to Mexico, Canada, Bali, Singapore, Nepal, India, Hong Kong, and Tibet and started a small charitable nonprofit, the Anicca Foundation. In 1992, they trekked the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal; in 1996 they circumambulated Mt. Kailash in western Tibet; and in 1999, they married. In 2000, after Coral retired from teaching at the University of Oregon, they bought a house in Holualoa and traveled to Tanzania, Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany. Bob learned to dive in Kailua-Kona, served on the board at Daifukuji Soto Zen Mission, and practiced Tai Chi. Bob, loved by many, will be remembered for his generosity.

Patrick Joseph Buckley
February 3, 2017

Patrick Joseph Buckley ’62 passed away February 3, 2017, at White Plains Hospital after a prolonged battle with cancer. He left this world surrounded by family, friends, and the music he loved. Born in the Bronx, NY, in 1943, he was the oldest child of Jack and Mary Buckley. The family moved to the village of Larchmont when he was eight. The village would remain his beloved home for over 60 years. He was a graduate of St. Augustine’s grammar school, The Storm King School, and Pace University. After serving in the US Navy, he began his career at New York Telephone and continued working in the industry for over 41 years. He was an active parishioner at St. Augustine’s Church in Larchmont, where he founded its now thriving CYO basketball program. An always enthusiastic coach, coworker, tennis partner, and all-around character, he will be remembered for his bellowing laugh, provocative dance moves, and undying devotion to his large family and even larger group of friends.

Kevin C. Lewis ’77
July 15, 2017

Kevin C. Lewis ’77 of Enid, OK, passed away July 15, 2017, in a truck accident. At SKS, Kevin “Lefty” Lewis played soccer, baseball, and basketball, and he was named one of the Athletes of the Year in 1977. Classmates said, “He was an extraordinary athlete, had charisma, and was liked by everyone. He could talk to anyone and fit into any group of kids at the School.”

After SKS, Kevin enlisted in the US Army as a medical corpsman. After moving to Columbus, OH, he was employed as a radio personality for WBBY FM 104 Jazz Station. He was the deli manager at Vance Air Force Base Commissary in Enid, OK, “providing energy like no other.” Kevin found his niche in long-haul truck driving for Forward Air Trucking with his dog and copilot, Missy. Kevin loved animals, was an avid horseback rider, loved music, and played the piano.

Paul McCann
History Teacher and College Counselor
June 26, 2017

Paul McCann, a past faculty and staff member, passed away at age 62 on June 26, 2017, at Duke University Hospital. Paul graduated from Dedham High School, Class of 1976. Following graduation, he attended the University of Massachusetts and received his BA in communications. During his high school and college years, he was a talented hockey goalie. Paul served in the US Army as an infantry officer until his retirement in 1994. While serving in the Army, Paul met the love of his life, Sue Ann (Rupe) McCann, in Wiesbaden, Germany. They celebrated 33 years of marriage and had three daughters. Following Paul’s retirement from the Army, he taught at the New York Military Academy; then he taught history and worked as college counselor at The Storm King School from 2000 to 2005. Paul was an avid New England sports fan, enjoyed political discussions, and was a gifted writer. His unwavering values and immense love for his family is remembered by all that shared in his joyful life.

Isaac “Rick” M. Pease, III, Class of '63 died on September 2, 2017.  His family wrote that he was a decorated Vietnam Veteran.  He served our country saving lives as a battlefield Navy Corpsman, serving with the Marines.  He received the Purple Heart for multiple crippling gunshot wounds while treating the wounded and was honored with the Navy Commendation Medal with V for Valor for sustained acts of heroism and valor. He was a member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church and the Disabled American Veterans.  His wife, Doris, said that Rick was always sorry he couldn’t attend a reunion at SKS but travel was very difficult for him.

Jonathan "Jolly" Sands Wolf

May 1, 2017

Jonathan “Jolly” Sands Wolf ’72 of Torrington, CT, died May 1, 2017, after a protracted battle with cancer. He was born July 13, 1953, in Sharon, CT, and lived and worked as a property manager in Falls Village his entire adult life. Jon was nicknamed “Jolly” as a toddler, and anyone who knew him understood why. He will be remembered for his remarkable spirit and positive outlook, even when illness overtook him. It was impossible not to be lifted by his presence. Jon’s joy of life was infectious. A true character in the very best sense of the word, he met everyone from every walk of life with a smile, a story, and a bit of fun.

John graduated from The Fay School, The Storm King School, and from Lyndon State College. He was not only an exceptional athlete, but a well-liked and respected leader on whatever team he was part of. He won numerous awards and was elected to the Storm King Athletic Hall of Fame in three sports: soccer, hockey, and lacrosse. His hockey jersey and helmet are in the award display area in the gym. Jon continued playing sports and coaching into his adult life. Jon was a four-year student at SKS, a prefect, and the recipient of The Storm King Cup. In the words of his classmate Brad Bronk, “Of course I remember Jon for his athletic excellence and his leadership, but mostly for his inclusiveness. Jon reached out to all and shared the mountaintop experience with honesty and sincerity. He never took the role of the jock or the cool guy when he could have with ease. Jon was the most natural of leaders; people wanted to follow his lead.”

Deborah Kaplan Sergi ’75 passed away on August 25th, 2017. She was 59 years old.  Deborah, the daughter of William Kaplan and the late Elaine Solomon Kaplan, was born in Newburgh, New York on November 5th 1957. She attended Balmville School in Newburgh before coming to The Storm King School as a sophomore.  She was described as vivacious and outspoken, was on the first girls’ field hockey team, and enjoyed playing Spades in the Commons with her friends during free periods.  After graduating from SKS, Deborah attended American University in Washington, DC.  Her family wrote:  “It was impossible not to fall in love with Debbie.  She was the beloved wife of John Sergi, the cherished Mommy of Alahna and Madison Sergi and best friend to her sisters, Joan, Sheila and Amy.  Deborah was truly an incredible daughter, sister, niece, aunt, great aunt, and cousin to her entire family. She was a devoted, loyal and loving friend.  Debbie was “Our Uptown Girl” and her passion for New York City, fashion and good food will remain unsurpassed.  Deborah believed in the city of Newburgh. She was a business owner and a philanthropist who continuously and quietly attempted to reach people that were truly in need.”  The family offered that donations may be made in Debbie’s honor and memory to INSPIRE, 344 Gidney Avenue, Newburgh, New York 12550.  “Our world was a better place with Debbie in it. She will be missed forever by all.”

Eric Tucker, Class of ’89 died on October 2, 2017.

John "Jack" Baxter Sinkhorn
English Department
July 16, 2017

John “Jack” Baxter Sinkhorn, a past faculty and staff member, passed away July 16, 2017. He was born in Manhattan, NY, on September 11, 1934. He moved to Bath, NY, to attend fifth grade, graduating from Haverling High School in 1953. Attending Colgate University, he sang with the Colgate Thirteen choral group. He was drafted in the Army and spent two years in Germany. Upon separation and a stint working in New York City, Jack left New York to attend Idaho State University and went on to get his Master’s Degree in English from the University of Montana. He began his teaching career at Central Methodist University in Fayette, MI; moved to Towson, MD, where he taught at Towson State University; then met his wife, Susan. They married in 1970 and went to Sandy Spring Friends School, a private school near Olney, MD. He was there 15 years, and then went on to New York where he taught English at SKS for 14 years, retiring in 1999. Jack moved back to Idaho where he wrote articles for Idaho Senior News, a small newspaper in Boise. He moved to Phoenix, AZ, where he passed away, to be near family in 2014. He is survived by his wife, Susan, and his sons David Sinkhorn (SKS Class of 1990) from the Phoenix area, Matthew Sinkhorn (SKS Class of 1990) from Palmdale, CA, E. Paul “Skip” Weidner from Philadelphia, and John F. “Jack” Weidner from Pasadena, MD.

Susan wrote, “We were with Storm King School for 14 years, and I still treasure so many memories of the area, the campus, the staff. [John] was very proud of his association with Storm King as Head of the English Department.” John is survived by 12 grandchildren. In his memory, his family asks that a donation be sent to the Finger Lakes Boating Museum (PO Box 575, Hammondsport, NY, 14850).

Shreveport, LA - James Thomas (Tom) Nesbitt Jr., 70, of Keachi, died at home on March 19, 2015, after living many years with the debilitating rare disease Multiple System Atrophy. Tom's legacy of manifesting his ideas in the world, making and maintaining lifelong friendships, his sense of humor and his 47-year marriage to his soulmate Mary are the gifts he leaves us to cherish.

Tom Nesbitt was born on August 25, 1944, in Laredo, Texas, and spent his childhood in Texas and in Caracas, Venezuela. He graduated from U.T. Austin with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1967 and married Mary Forrester shortly thereafter. Tom and Mary initially settled in Dallas, where the young engineer worked for Collins Radio. Family returned the couple to Shreveport, where Tom founded his own engineering firm, Nesbitt Engineering. He later took on partners and the business became NTB, which still operates today.

In 1990, honoring a pact they had made eight years earlier, Tom, Mary and children, Rebecca and J.T. surprised friends, family and colleagues by selling all they owned (including his business), moving aboard a sailboat, and cruising the Caribbean for a full year. Nothing gave Tom a greater sense of power and wonderment than captaining his ship Carpe Diem under a canopy of stars on an overnight passage. Tom and Mary would live aboard Carpe Diem intermittently for another 20 years, exploring Belize, Guatemala, Panama, and Mexico, befriending other sailors and locals alike. During periods ashore, the couple resided in Shreveport, Houston, Pensacola and Bayou la Batre, and Tom worked as a consulting engineer.

In 1999, Tom designed and built their home and many outbuildings on Mary's "old home place" in Keachi, which stands as another testament to his delight in making with his hands what he conceived in his brilliant mind. After his diagnosis, Tom valiantly played the hand he had been dealt by enjoying life as much as he could, nurturing tender friendships, laughing with his caregivers, and remembering to "carpe diem" every day.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the MSA Research Fund of The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition, (www.multiplesystematrophy.org), 9935-D Rea Road #212, Charlotte, NC 28277.

William Thomas Morris of Yardley, PA, formerly of Hilton Head, S.C., passed away Friday, November 21, 2014 after a long illness. He was 65. Bill was born on July 5, 1949 to Jeanne B. and William R. Morris and grew up in Haddonfield, N.J. 

While at SKS, Bill  was described as easy-going and conservative, but “his quiet manner suddenly changed when somebody handed “Joe Willie” a pigskin.  He would run for his famous white cleats and then choose teams for a quick scrimmage.  On Sunday afternoons, Bill could be seen tossing touchdown passes or traveling to Shea stadium to support the Jets.”  He played Varsity Lacrosse, was Headwaiter, Dorm Proctor, and a member of the Quarry staff.

Bill had a successful career as a sports agent, enjoyed historic restoration and later had several business ventures. 

Bill is survived by his wife, Margaret E. Coe; his father, William R. Morris and his wife, Barbara; his brother Thomas B. Morris and his wife, Debby, along with his niece, Jeanne M. Maurrasee and her husband, Flomar, and nephew, Thomas Morris.

Scott Faulkner '61 passed away in Colorado.