Andover Newton Theological School

We acknowledge with sadness recent losses in the Andover Newton community. Please click on the name below for the full obituary notice if one is available. Please to send us any notices or news concerning Andover Newton alumni/ae. Thank you.

Rev. William Cooper B.D. '47

Dear Colleagues,

I have learned that Rev. William Cooper (1947) has died. He was a prominent pastor and civil rights leader. Later I will send a short biography for him, but now I ask you to pray for his family, including his daughter, Rev. June Cooper (2001). A memorial service will be held for Rev. Cooper on Sunday, February 28 at 4 p.m. at Myrtle Baptist Church, 21 Curve Street, West Newton, Massachusetts.

Michael Harvey

Carol Doty Wilson

The Andover Newton Community mourns the death of Carol Wilson, wife of lifetime-trustee Al Wilson. It was to honor his beloved wife, Carol, that Al gave the leadership gift which enabled Andover Newton to build the beautiful Wilson Chapel, in which the glory of God is celebrated through many traditions every day of the week. We ask the Andover Newton community to keep the Wilson family in their prayers, and for those who are able to pass through Wilson Chapel, to pause and offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the inspirational life of this cherished friend of Andover Newton Theological School. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 7, at 3 p.m. at Hancock Church in Lexington, MA.

Tadaaki Kikugawa B.D. '56

Resident of Moraga, CA, Tadaaki "Tad" Kikugawa passed away on Oct. 8, 2009 with his family by his side. He was 81 years old. Tad was born on March 31, 1928, on the island of Lanai, and grew up in Wahiawa, HI. He graduated from Leilehua High School and Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX. He also graduated from seminaries in New Orleans, LA, New York, NY, as well as Andover Newton in 1956.

After graduation, Tad and his wife Elinor settled in the Bay Area. He then obtained his teaching credentials from San Francisco State University and began his career teaching mathematics at De Anza High School, Richmond School District. Tad had a lifetime interest in pottery, woodworking, brush painting, and bonsai. His pottery graces the homes of friends and family in parts of the world.

A man of great warmth and friendliness, Tad was always striking up conversations with strangers, who would then become lifelong friends. He was generous with his time and loved to spend time with his grandchildren, sharing with them his love of pottery. Tad is survived by his wife Elinor, sons Michael and David, daughter Carole, and their families. He also leaves behind his brother Reggie of Tulsa, OK, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made in Tad's memory to the UCSF Foundation to further research on prostate cancer: UCSF Foundation, Attn: Ann Carollo, UCSF Box 0248, San Francisco, CA 94143-0248.

Paul R. Gleason, Jr. B.D. '53

Rev. Paul R Gleason, Jr (ANTS 1953) died on October 5, 2009. Paul served ABC/USA churches in Millbury, MA, Norwich, NY, Lockport, NY and Rochester, NY.

Ed Tuller, trustee emeritus

Richard R. Rangoon B.D. '57

The Rev. Richard R. Rangoon, whose ministry included the local church, housing development for minority and impoverished people, and hospice chaplaincy, died on July 24 after a long illness. He was 76.

Rev. Rangoon grew up in Waterbury, the son of Danish immigrants Hans and Anna Rangoon. He was educated at the University of Connecticut and Andover Newton Theological School, and was ordained in 1957.

During the 1960s, Rev. Rangoon served one of the first integrated churches on Long Island in South Hempstead, New York, and traveled to the Deep South on voter registration drives as a Freedom Rider. He served the Horace Bushnell Congregational Church (now Liberty Christian Center International) as Associate Pastor from 1971-1973 and worked extensively with the Christian Activities Council to improve the quality of live of those living in the newly rehabilitated Vine Street housing development.

Rev. Rangoon took that experience and let it inform a new ministry of developing housing options for low to medium income residents of Hartford. He founded the Housing Services Corporation in 1975, which specialized in managing and rehabilitating apartments, and also developed real estate and even expanded into new construction.

After his retirement in 1993, he worked to attain certification as a chaplain and volunteered with the East Hartford Visiting Nurses Association as a Hospice Chaplain, working with those who suffered from Alzheimer's disease or facing the end of life.

Rev. Rangoon is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty (Gardner), and three children: Richard Reade Rangoon of West Simsbury; Katherine Rangoon Doyle, Ph.D., of Succasunna, NJ, and her husband Michael; and Cynthia Rangoon Grant of West Hartford; and two granddaughters: Megan Katherine Grant, of West Hartford; and Elizabeth Anne Doyle, of Succasunna, NJ.

John Willard Ames B.D. '56

John Willard Ames, 78, of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of Belfast, Maine, and Springfield, Mass., died July 14, 2009.

John was born December 4, 1930, in Belfast, and graduated from Bates College and Andover Newton Theological School. He served as pastor of churches in Wilton, Maine, Great Barrington, Mass., Rockledge, Fla., and Springfield before relocating to Sarasota. John was the Associate Executive Director at Plymouth Harbor until his retirement.

John was active as a community volunteer for many organizations in every city where the family lived, especially in his retirement. He enjoyed singing with the Key Chorale, as well as at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sarasota.

John died peacefully after a difficult fight with cancer. He will be long remembered for his life, his caring, his mentoring, and his grace. Services will be held at a later date.

Survivors include his wife, Susan Martin; a daughter, Katherine Ames-McCormick of Longmeadow, Mass.; a son, J. Craig of Atlanta; and a brother, Wilbur Stanley of Tucson, Arizona. Donations may be made to the John W. and Susan M. Ames Scholarship Fund, Bates College, 2 Andrews Road, Lewiston, ME 04240-6028 or to TideWell Hospice, 1751 Mound St., Sarasota, FL 34236.

T. Willard Hunter M.Div. ’73, S.T.M. ‘77

T. Willard Hunter died on July 29, 2009. He was 93.

Hunter was educated at Carleton College and Harvard Law School. He received an M.Div. from Andover Newton Theological School in.

His family moved in 1959 to Claremont, CA. His career included the Christian ministry and higher education. He was an author and a noted orator and a charismatic and well-known presence in the Claremont area.

In the 1984 and 1985 Guinness Book of World Records, Hunter's oratory skills were recognized for his 34-hour and 8-minute address at Independence Hall in 1982.

Hunter was a champion orator and debater, president of the student body, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa and captain of the Midwest championship cross country team.

In the 1940s and the 1950s, he served in Africa, Washington, D.C. and Michigan as the associate of Frank Buchman, an "initiator of Moral Re-Armament (formerly Oxford Group), which gave rise to Alcoholics Anonymous."

In 1959 he took a position with the Claremont University Center and Claremont Graduate School (now University) as the coordinator of development.

He took a one-year sabbatical as guest scholar as the Brookings Institution in Washington DC in 1966 and was the executive vice president of the Independent Colleges of Southern California from 1967-70.

Rev. Hunter then served as a minister with the United Church of Christ in New Hampshire until 1976, returning to work in communications at the School of Theology at Claremont (now the Claremont School of Theology) until 1980.

He wrote as a syndicated weekly columnist for newspapers in California and Illinois and authored several books including The Spirit of Charles Lindbergh: Another Dimension.

In 1977, he founded Claremont's Fourth of July Citizens’ Oratory Program, the Good Friday Way of the Cross in Claremont in 1980 and the annual Labor Day Walk to Los Angeles from San Gabriel in 1981.

At Claremont's 2009 Fourth of July celebration, the city presented a brief tribute to him.

Hunter's funeral was held on July 7, 2009, at Claremont United Church of Christ.

He is survived by one son, Willard. Two other sons predeceased him.

Rosemary Hensley-Weir M.Div. ‘87

Local pastor and community activist Rosemary Hensley-Weir passed into her Savior's arms on Thursday, June 25, 2009 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, surrounded by family and friends. Rosemary had battled metastatic breast cancer for several years, but her recent health decline came unexpectedly fast. A memorial service was held Sunday, July 5, 2009, at First Baptist Church, 260 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie.

Rosemary would want first to be remembered as Mom to her two sons, James, 15, and Michael, 14. She was also spiritual mom to friends, family and a global village. Blessed with seemingly boundless vitality and energy, she crammed into each day enough love and adventure to exhaust those who journeyed with her.

Rosemary served during the last 17 years in many roles in the Hudson Valley area - interim pastor of First Baptist Church in Poughkeepsie and at the United Church of Christ in Stanfordville, Chaplain at Vassar College, Adjunct Professor at Marist College, Pastoral Counselor at Foundation of Religion and Mental Health, board member of the Vassar Warner Home in Poughkeepsie and member of American Association of University Women. Since 1997, "Chaplain Rosemary" has been the half time Protestant Departmental Chaplain at the Beacon Correctional Facility (BCF) for Women in Fishkill. Since 2006, she simultaneously served as the half time chaplain at the Fishkill Correctional Facility for Men.

In the corrections system, Chaplain Rosemary had a particular heart for family issues, supporting inmates' relationships on the outside. She began the "Mom and Me" program at BCF, bringing children to visit their mothers. She started the Christian Women's Library at the facility. She brought to the system the Kairos Prison Ministry program, which brings church groups to the facility twice a year to hold spiritual retreats for inmates. She also facilitated the Hour Children organizations' efforts to provide women monthly phone calls to their children, and a group home to stay with their children upon discharge.

Rosemary grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, graduating from Westport High School. She attended Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, graduating in 1970. After college, Rosemary traveled extensively, working in London and Munich before signing on as a Flight Attendant with Pan American Airways. She flew out of New York and for a time Hawaii, with regular routes to Europe, South America and Asia. In her off time, her spirit of adventure took her on African safaris, trips with her mother to Israel and other locations, and a yearlong round-the-world jaunt with a friend. She studied at a Costa Rican seminary and made friends around the globe. When living in the DC area, she was part of the Church of the Savior community and Sojourners.

Rosemary received her Masters of Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University in Baltimore and her Master of Divinity degree from Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1987. She was ordained into the American Baptist Church in 1992 while serving at the Second Baptist Church in Providence, Rhode Island. Rosemary and her husband, a United Church of Christ pastor, came to Poughkeepsie in 1992.

Rosemary is survived by her sons, Michael Kessler Hensley Weir and James Hensley Weir, by her mother Jessie Maxine Hensley, 89, of The Pines in Poughkeepsie, by her former husband Todd Weir, and by cousins and friends throughout the country and around the world.

Interment of ashes will be at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made in her name to the Kairos Prison Ministry, 230 Wilcox Street, Wilson, NY 14172; Hour Children, 3611A Twelfth Street, Long Island City, NY 11106; or any of the numerous charities she supported.

(Submitted by Carol Mitchell, Sherborn, MA.)

Charles Ludeking B.D. '49

Cedric Kirkland-Harris M.Div '81

Lucy Alexander M.Div. '02

Rev. Lucy Alexander '02, the associate pastor of First Parish Church in Derry, NH passed away April 29, 2009 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after struggling with cancer. Lucy was responsible for recruiting several new students to Andover Newton, so in addition to missing her leadership and Ministry, we will miss her as a mentor to prospective students.

Paul A. Barnes

Paul A. Barnes, 49, died unexpectedly Monday, April 27, at the Brigham and Women's Hospital after being stricken ill on Friday. He was the Beloved Husband of 23 years of Dana L. (Welsh) Barnes. Born in Norwood, he was a lifelong resident of Avon and a graduate of Avon High School, Class of 1978. He also attended UMass Amherst. He recently enrolled in the Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre. Mr. Barnes worked as a shipper and receiver for several area businesses, including WW Grainger, the Christmas Tree Shop and C & P Architecture in Boston. He was a member of the First Congregational Church in Stoughton, MA. His true passion was his work with area youth groups. For over 25 years, he was a youth leader at the Hancock United Church of Christ in Lexington, MA, and then at Avon Baptist Church in Avon, MA.

Memorial services were held in the First Congregational Church, 76 Pierce St., Stoughton, MA, 02072 on May 2. Donations in Paul's name may be made to the First Congregational Church, Stoughton, Youth Group at the above address or to the Avon Baptist Church, 119 N. Main St., Avon, MA 02322 or to Metropolitan Cooperative Ministries, 474 Centre St., Newton, MA 02458.

Claude Black B.D. ’43

Andover Newton notes with sadness the passing of Rev. Claude Black ’43 of San Antonio, TX. He once said he was considered “rebellious against the establishment and trouble for society.” Former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros called Black the “conscience of the community” in leading the difficult battle against racial injustice in the 1960s

Black was born into a segregated San Antonio in 1916, and after receiving degrees from Morehouse College in Atlanta and Andover Newton, he became pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Over the course of his career, Black was an associate of Martin Luther King Jr., A. Phillip Randolph, Thurgood Marshall and Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

(Based on reporting by Gary Martin, San Antonio Express-News)

Paul W. Zeckhausen, Jr. D.Min. '77

The Rev. Dr. Paul W. Zeckhausen, Jr., Associate Minister for Pastoral Care at the First Church of Christ in Suffield, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, February 25, 2009. He was 77.

Dr. Zeckhausen had a long and distinguished career in the ministry, serving for thirty years as senior minister of t Wilbraham United Church in Wilbraham, MA, and eighteen years as the August minister at Union Chapel in Hyannisport, MA. Following his retirement, he served several congregations as interim pastor, and was planning to conclude his service in Suffield in April.

Members of the Suffield church describe Dr. Zeckhausen as "a gentle, warm and caring pastor." He was affectionately known there as "Dr. Z."

Among the highlights of Dr. Zeckhausen's career, he named:

• Directing the first religious drama, "Billy Budd," at Union Theological Seminary;
• Organizing Civil Rights Meetings in New Haven;
• Establishing the Wilbraham Counseling Center for Families; and
• Having a book of his sermons published: When Things Don't Go Your Way.

Born in New York City, NY, in 1932, he was educated at Williams College (BA), Union Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Yale Divinity School (STM), and Andover Newton Theological School (D.Min.). In addition to First Church in Suffield, Dr. Zeckhausen served the First United Church of Christ Congregational in Milford and the Northford Congregational Church in Connecticut, early in his career.

Dr. Zeckhausen greatly enjoyed golf, achieving five holes-in-one in his lifetime. He played varsity football at Manhasset High School and hit over .400 on the Williams College varsity baseball team. He played semi-professional baseball in the Cape Cod League. He was also an accomplished trumpet player, bringing that talent to worship services many times over the years.

Dr. Zeckhausen leaves his beloved wife of 50 years, Suzanne (Ross) Zeckhausen; and two children, Paul Wesly Zeckhausen, III, of Springfield, MA, and Tracey Evelyn Zeckhausen of Coventry, RI; and three grandchildren, Benjamin, Alison, and Amanda Poole; and a brother, the Rev. Dr. William Zeckhausen, Sr., of Laconia, NH.

A service of celebration of his life and ministry was held on March 28 at Wilbraham United Church, Wilbraham, MA. Memorial contributions may be sent to Wilbraham United Church, 500 Main St., Wilbraham, MA, or to the First Church of Christ, 81 High St., Suffield, CT. 06078.

Donald N. Valentine B.D. '62

Pastor Donald N. Valentine, 72, of 368 Valleybrook Drive, Lancaster, formerly of Grafton, experienced his physical death on February 21, 2009, and is now living in the nearer presence of his Lord. He was the beloved husband of Carol L. Valentine, with whom he celebrated Fifty Years of Marriage on June 28, 2007.

Rev. Valentine was a devoted husband and father, a cherished friend, and compassionate Pastor. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of Norman M. and Ethel Benson Valentine. He graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia, Eastern Baptist College in St David, Pa, and Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, Mass.

He was Licensed to Preach the Gospel by the Willow Grove Baptist Church on Nov. 10, 1958; and Ordained to the Christian Ministry on May 28, 1961 in the Beth Eden Baptist Church of Waltham, MA. It was his honor and privilege to serve his Lord as an American Baptist Pastor for forty-one years in the Beth Eden Baptist Church, Waltham, MA; the Grafton Baptist Church, Grafton, MA; Shawomet Baptist Church, Warwick, RI; Grace Baptist Church in Meriden, CT; and returned to his beloved congregation in Grafton, MA, for the last seven years of his active ministry.

Following his retirement in 2002, he and his wife moved to their home at Valleybrook Estates and enjoyed sharing the ministry of hospitality with their many friends from New England.

He enjoyed worshipping his Lord in many of the different churches and denominations throughout Lancaster County. For eighteen months, he served as the Minister of Visitation at the West Shore Baptist Church in Camp Hill. It was at this time his beloved congregation of The Baptist Church of Grafton honored him as their Pastor Emeritus.

He became fascinated with the simple life and deep commitment of the Amish and cherished friendships with many of them. With his beloved wife at his side, they became visitors throughout Western PA for their American Baptist Pension Board, bringing greetings to many former pastors, missionaries and spouses. Throughout these retirement years, Don and Carol have enjoyed each other and the world about them as they traveled by land, plane and sea to places near and far. Don was seldom seen without his camera and enjoyed sharing the gift of his pictures.

Beside his beloved wife, he is survived by his children: Robert, husband of Debbie of Auburn, MA; Roger, husband of Alyson of Royal Oak, MD; The Rev Doug, husband of Jackie of Overland Park, KS; Lisa, wife of William Maynard III of Quaker Hill, CT; and Lindie, wife of Peter Cambi of Fair Lawn, NJ; and fifteen beloved grand-children including baby Cambi's imminent arrival. He is also survived by a sister Lois, wife of Harry David Marks of Lititz, PA and was predeceased by a sister Doris Bogan.

A Celebration of Life Service was held on February 26 at the Baptist Church of Grafton, Grafton, MA. The service was concelebrated by Pastor Philip Goff of The Baptist Church of Grafton, Don's son The Rev. Doug Valentine, and The Rev. Christopher Stevens. Memorial gifts may be made to "Good Samaritan Hospital, LaRomana, DR", c/o Carol L. Valentine of 368 Valleybrook Dr., Lancaster, PA 17601.

Shirley Ross Baggs B.D. '44

Shirley Ross Baggs of Ocean Park, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt passed away Jan. 6, 2009, at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

Shirley was born May 13, 1919, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the daughter of Stewart B. and Minnie Carr Ross. Shirley graduated from Marblehead High School in Marblehead, Mass. and Gordon College in Wenham, Mass. She also attended Andover Newton Theological Seminary in Newton Centre, Mass.

On June 25, 1942, Shirley was married to the Rev. Robert E. Baggs, who predeceased Shirley on Feb. 7, 2000. Shirley was a kind, loving and generous person to all who knew her. Her life revolved around her family and her church. She will be sadly missed by all.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband; a brother Robert Ross of Marblehead, Mass., her sister Marion Nickerson of Marblehead, Mass.; and her great-grandson Jacob Miles Raben in 2007. She is survived by her sons Robert E. and his wife Cheryl Baggs of Oxford, Mass., Douglas K. and his wife Barbara Baggs of Shapleigh, her daughter Ruth Elizabeth and her husband Albert Terrones of Merriam, Kan.; and her brother Donald Ross of Marblehead, Mass. She is also survived by a granddaughter Pamela Ruth Raben and her husband Chris of Rogers, Ark., and their son Logan Cy; a grandson Miles D. Mooney and his wife Julie of Glendale, Mo., and their children Jackson Ryan, Mason Robert and Piper Elisabeth.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their wonderful care and kindness to Shirley and the family. Donations in Shirley's memory may be made to: The Robert E. and Shirley R. Baggs Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 7458, Ocean Park, Maine 04063

Lincoln Stanley Manierre B.D. '52

A true Baptist hero, Lincoln Stanley Manierre, died peacefully after a valiant battle with Parkinson's disease. His devoted wife and partner in ministry and his loving family were at this side.

Stan was born on September 6, 1920 in Hartford, Connecticut. During World War II Stan served with distinction in the U.S., Army Air Corps in the southern Pacific. After his plane was shot down by the Japanese he was captured and was a Prisoner of War for 15 months. After the war he led youthactivities at the First Baptist Church of Hartford, Connecticut. During that time God called him into ministry. He graduated in 1952 from Andover Newton Theological School. In 1949 he married the love of his life, Evie.

Stan was ordained an American Baptist Minister in 1951 at First Baptist Church of Hanson, Massachusetts, where he served as pastor for three years.In 1953, he and Evie were commissioned to serve as American Baptist missionaries to Japan. They shared the Good News of Jesus Christ in Japan for twenty years. In 1974 they returned to the United States and Stan became the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Weston, Massachusetts. From 1981 until he retired in 1989, Stan served as an Area Minister fro the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts.

Stanley Manierre's life was dedicated to building bridges of understanding and peace. His love of life was evident in his work and in his being a husband and father. He also loved to read. He was a musician, especially loving jazz.

A celebration of his life was held on November 29, 2008 at the First Baptist Church, Worcester, MA

Robert Scott Walker B.D. '52

Robert Scott Walker, (AKA Bob & Scotty) born May 20, 1922, died at his home in Seattle on October 12, 2008. He is survived by his wife Patricia; siblings Bettie Buty, David Walker, and Lewis Walker; children Wendy Walker, Mitzie Carr, Douglas Walker and Marcus Walker; many grandchildren and a great-grandchild on the way. Bob will be remembered for his rusty jokes, sharp intellect and colorful well-elaborated stories, often followed by his favorite saying, “Don’t ruin a good story with the truth.”

Bob was born to George and Lucy Walker in Seattle. A center of his early life was First Baptist Church where his grandfather, Beniah Longley Whitman had been a founding pastor. He graduated from Franklin High School in 1940, earned his BA in Sociology from the University of Washington in 1947, and completed seminary at Andover Newton Theological School in 1951. On August 20, 1948 Bob and Patricia Kelly were married. Reverend Robert and Reverend Patricia were both ordained as Baptist ministers at First Baptist Church in Seattle in 1951.

The couple’s first pastorate was the First Freewill Baptist Church in Danville, New Hampshire. They move in 1954 to the Ashland, New Hampshire, First Freewill Baptist Church. The cold winters in New Hampshire produced their four children (all summer babies). The family spent many summers driving across the country to visit relatives in Seattle. In 1964 the kids got too rowdy in the car, so they decided to move back west permanently. Bob and Pat ministered at Laurel Community Baptist Church north of Bellingham from 1964 until 1973 when they moved back to their roots in Seattle at Fremont Baptist Church. Bob retired as pastor of Fremont Baptist in 1986. After retirement, he and Pat spent a decade roaming the country as Ministers At Large for Baptist churches.

Bob was a founding force behind Fremont Public Association, now known as Solid Ground. He had many interests, jobs and passions in his life as an amateur farmer, fisherman, school bus driver, surveyor, tour guide, and all-around curmudgeon. A joy in his life was reading books of all genres; libraries were some of his favorite places. A wonderful day for Bob was riding the Metro bus lines to far reaches of Seattle and visiting a library branch he hadn’t been to in awhile.

The Walkers’ open arms embraced many friends and international students. Bob had an ability to welcome people from all walks of life with his contagious smile and wry wit. He made each person feel important. As an uncompromising pacifist, Bob registered during World War II as a conscientious objector. All of his life he stood for the cause of world peace, attending a peace conference the last week of his life.

Richard F. Wilcox, Sr. B.D. '61, S.T.M. '73. D. Min. '73

Richard F. Wilcox Sr., affectionately called "Big Dad, Uncle Dick, and The Rev." passed away on August 12, 2008 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, following a brief illness. He was 82 and resided in Eaton, NH.

Son of Lucy Osborne French and George Lester Wilcox and brother of Francis Wilcox Percy, Dick Wilcox was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, on Nov. 24, 1925. He enjoyed being distantly related to Lizzie Borden and the still life painter, Robert Spear Dunning. He served in World War II as a navigator and U.S. Naval Reserve Surface Division Officer and attended Boston University.

He married Jean Ferguson of Fall River in 1945. The couple went on to have four children.

In his early married life, Dick was a composer, song-writer, and popular radio personality and DJ on WSAR-Fall River. In 1958, he made a life changing decision to attend Andover Newton Theological School and received a Bachelor of Divinity in 1961, a Master of Sacred Theology in 1973, and a Doctor of Ministry in 1973.

He pastored the Rehobeth-Dighton Congregational, the Middleton Congregational, the Fall River First Congregational, and the Conway Village Congregational churches and was often an invited guest preacher. He became "Pastor Emeritus" at the Conway Village Congregational Church. He created the "Middleton Pastoral Counseling Center" and led the first internationally recognized ecumenical service between Catholics and Protestants in the 1960s.

A leader in the education of clergy during the '60s and '70s, Dick was a lecturer in the Andover Newton Psychology Department and leader of the Pastoral Counseling Training Consortium and Andover Newton's CPE establishment. He subsequently served on the Board of Trustees. Notable honors include: "The Lex King Souter Humanitarian Award," several "Official Citations" from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "The Silver Bowl" in recognition of promoting Portuguese culture in Fall River, "The Cutting Gold Medal for Religion and Medicine," and was co-founder of "Dollars for Scholars," which has provided billions of dollars in scholarships.

Dick was one of the original campers at Tohkomeupog of East Madison, NH. His love of the mountains led him to trek the Himalayas with wife Jean and son Rick in 1988. He was an active member of the VFW, the Rotary (Paul Harris Fellow), the Romeos, and the Masons.

He is survived by his wife, Jean, his children, Richard F. Wilcox, Jr., Robert Ferguson Wilcox, Jane Stewart Wilcox Hively, and Benjamin Edward Wilcox, his grand-children, Heather Adams, Rebecca Ferguson, Douglas Robert, Mariah Einstein, Russell Ferguson, Gillian Gahagan, and step-grandchildren, Devin and Megan Friel and Jacob and Reed Davis.

Elton Bertsch B.D. '57

Good afternoon!

Your e-mail detailing the activities of graduation weekend has stirred me, finally, to tell you of the death of Elton Bertsch on July 4, 2008. He was a graduate of Andover Newton (the Andover side) in the spring of l957. He did his field work at Central Congregational Church in Newtonville and at Tabernacle Church in Salem. Late in his senior year he decided that perhaps the pastoral ministry wasn't for him after all. He was never ordained or continued in that profession but returned to South Dakota where he was in the life insurance business with Northwestern Mutual for almost 39 years. He never lost his interest in Andover Newton and enjoyed receiving communications from the Hill. We both agreed that our years on campus were among the best years of our lives. Elton was 77 years old at the time of his death from Parkinson's Disease.

I send my best wishes for a great weekend coming up. Even I would enjoy being there for that event. It looks so interesting. Thank you, Andover Newton for all you have been to us in years past as a student and wife of a student.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Bertsch

Joseph C. Williamson D.Min. '64

Joseph C. Williamson, compassionate author, scholar, and preacher who sought to reveal truth through activism, died of heart failure in Maryland on June 7, after a prolonged battle against Alzheimer’s disease. He was 75.

Williamson served as Princeton University’s dean of religious life and dean of the chapel from 1989 to 2001. An advocate for an open church and uplifting the poor, Williamson’s life work on the intersection of religion and politics often provoked action and controversy.

“The Rev. Dr. Joseph C. Williamson was an extraordinary man whose prophetic witness in the world transformed the landscape of humanity,” said Deborah Blanks, associate dean of religious life at Princeton. “He did it by standing in pulpits, behind university lecterns, and marching during civil or human rights movements sounding the trumpet, to those who dared to listen, encouraging us to live lives that mattered and always do that which would lift and liberate all people…”

Raised in Massachusetts, Williamson spent formative years in Kansas City, Missouri, graduating from Southwest High School in 1950. He received his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Nazarene College in 1954 and his bachelor of divinity degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1958. He received a master’s degree from Andover Newton in 1964, and remained as assistant professor of theology and preaching for six years. After receiving a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1968, Williamson served as pastor and co-pastor of the federated Presbyterian and Congregationalist Church of the Covenant in Boston. He also was a member of the faculty at Boston University from 1973 to 1983.

Before moving to Princeton, from 1983 to 1989, he served as senior minister of the Plymouth Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Seattle.

“He answered Martin Luther King, Jr.’s call to the clergy,” said Donna DiSciullo, Williamson’s wife of 26 years. “He believed the church and society are so intimately related that they inform each other. Social justice was his heart, his passion. He was a sweet man.”

Williamson is survived by his wife, Donna DiSciullo. They both had adult children from previous marriages. Survivors include: sons Gregory and Brent; daughters and their spouses Pia and Alfred May and Elise and Peter Goodwin., two grandchildren, Benjamin Joseph Shay Matt and Eva Clarissa May; a brother, Nazarene pastor (Olathe, KS Christ Community) John Williamson; and a sister, Maylou Cook. His middle son, Clayton, preceded him in death.

A memorial service was held Aug. 9 at 3 P.M. at the Church of the Covenant in Boston, MA. The family asks that donations be made in Williamson’s name to the: Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.

Hampton Eugene Price B.D. '36, S.T.M. '77, D.Min. '73

I received a letter from Harvard Divinity School recently regarding my father [Hampton Eugene Price (June 9, 1904- June 3, 1991)], and requesting biographical information for an alumni directory. I was surprised to receive this communication after so many years!! It occurred to me that there may be people in the ANTS community who also remember my father and who have not heard about his death. I am sending this to you so that ANTS and Harvard have the same information on file if you wish to use it.

Education:

Family records show that he graduated from Furman University in 1924 with a B.S degree in chemistry. Nine years later he moved to Boston and entered the ministry, earning his B.D. degree at Andover Newton in 1936. He completed some graduate work at Harvard Divinity School in 1941-1942 while living in Allston, MA, and later earned S.T.M. (1971) and Doctor of Ministry degrees (1973) at Andover Newton.

Work History: