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Joan Durant Gass
Joan Durant Gass ’57, Oct. 6, 2012, in Port Chester, N.Y., at 78. She earned a master’s in nursing at Columbia University and was a registered geriatric nurse practitioner. She is survived by a daughter, a son, three grandchildren, and a brother.
Malcolm E. “Mac” Blanchard
Malcolm E. “Mac” Blanchard ’57, Aug. 11, 2012, at Sebec Lake, Maine, at 77. He worked for Oakhurst Dairy, ran a dairy operation in Newcastle, Maine, then became a branch manager for Bath Savings Institution. Later he worked in real estate, building houses and professional buildings and as an appraiser. He loved the Maine outdoors and travel. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dot, three daughters, a son, nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Maurice C. Libbey
Maurice C. Libbey ’56, July 23, 2012, in Neoga, Ill., at 83. He earned his master of science degree from Columbia and a certificate of advanced study from the University of Illinois. He worked at Booth Library at Eastern Illinois University for 28 years. His interests included biking and photography. Survivors include his wife, Donna Lou Rowe Libbey, a son, a daughter, a stepson, a stepdaughter, and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Martha Soto Libbey, and an aunt, Elizabeth Crawford ’29.
Natalie Harris Spina
Natalie Harris Spina ’54, Aug. 1, 2012, in Plymouth, Mass., at 80. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from Tufts University, worked in the Plimoth Plantation gift shop, and painted New England scenes. Predeceased by her husband, Joseph, she is survived by two daughters, a son, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Benjamin R. Duce
Benjamin R. Duce ’54, Aug. 14, 2012, in Westborough, Mass., at 79. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he worked more than 20 years at Astra Pharmaceutical and later at Serono Pharmaceutical as a research scientist and registered three patents. He was active as a volunteer, in theater, in patriotic organizations, in Colby’s Alumni College, and the Episcopal Church. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Diane Stowell Duce ’54, two daughters including Elizabeth Duce Sedlins ’80, a son, and six grandchildren.
Donald K. Martin
Donald K. Martin ’55, Sept. 1, 2012, in North Andover, Mass., at 78. He served in the Army prior to 35 years at the former Western Electric, where he retired in 1990 as department chief. He served the Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union, the Riverside Memorial Church, and the Riverside-Bradford Little League.
Sylvia Rice Bechtel
Sylvia Rice Bechtel ’52, Sept. 13, 2012, in Aptos, Calif., at 82. A lifelong learner, her interests included reading, painting, travel, writing, and old movies. Predeceased by her husband of 28 years, Laverne “Beach” Bechtel, she is survived by her two sons, Donald Carman Jr. and Russ Carman, and by members of her husband’s family.
Harriet Boyer Frost
Harriet Boyer Frost ’51, July 15, 2012, in Titusville, Fla., at 83. She had lived in Titusville for more than 20 years, enjoying birding, bridge, quilting, and Bible study. She is survived her husband, F. Warren Frost, two daughters, two sons, and 10 grandchildren.
John H. Butler
John H. Butler ’51, Aug. 21, 2012, in Myrtle Beach, S.C., at 84. He completed all coursework for a Ph.D. in chemistry from Brooklyn Polytech, was active in organic and polymer research, and retired as a technical patent liaison for American Cyanamid in New Jersey. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Dolores, two sons, two daughters, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife of 32 years, Helen, and a son.
Susan McPherson Tompkins
Susan McPherson Tompkins ’50, Sept. 30, 2012, in Spring, Texas, at 84. She grew up on a farm in Presque Isle, Maine, and taught school in Patten, Maine, after graduation and before becoming a full-time homemaker in Pearl River, N.Y. Predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Robert D. “Tom” Tompkins ’51, she is survived by two daughters and three grandchildren.
