In Memoriam

I am writing to share the sad news that life trustee David Mason ’61 has died, just eight months after his wife Peggy passed following a lengthy illness. 

I am saddened to have to inform you that John Wesley Chandler, the 15th president of Hamilton College, died Friday morning. 

I am writing to share the sad news that Michael Wratten, who joined our community as a carpenter in 2013, died suddenly on Sunday.

I am writing with heartbreaking news. Associate Professor of German & Russian Languages and Literatures John Bartle, a member of the faculty since 1989, died suddenly on Friday.

The flags in front of Siuda House and at Facilities Management are flying at half staff to honor the memory and service of David Smith, master maintenance mechanic, who died Tuesday.

Robert Parris Moses ’56, an icon in the civil rights movement and one of Hamilton’s most distinguished alumni, died yesterday in Florida at the age of 86.

With great sadness and a heavy heart, I write to inform you that Life Trustee Elizabeth McCormack died this morning. She lived 98 full and influential years and was most recently on campus in March for the quarterly meeting of the Board of Trustees.

I am writing with the sad news that Life Trustee Drew Days ’63 died Sunday at the age of 79. Drew was one of Hamilton’s most accomplished public servants. He was a prominent civil rights attorney who became U.S. solicitor general in the Clinton Administration and is one of the alumni for whom the Days-Massolo Center is named.

We are writing with deep sadness to inform you that Josh Biltekoff ’19 died on Sunday, March 22. Josh was described by a faculty member who knew him well as “one of my favorite students, and truly one of the most fascinating young minds I have ever worked with,” and a friend said Josh was “a real ray of sunshine on campus, an irreplaceable leader in the music community, and a beloved friend to many, many students.”

I’m writing to share the sad news that Life Trustee Bob Howard ’46 has died. Bob, who was 95, and his wife, Janet, celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in February.