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Jean Hawes Anderson '55
Nov. 24, 2019, in Grafton, Mass., at 86. Her life centered around the 1740 Colonial house in Grafton, where she raised her children, created a home, and tended the grounds as a talented gardener. A lover of sports, she played competitive tennis and enjoyed swimming; she taught physical education early in her career and later refereed girls’ basketball and field hockey. She also enjoyed a career in real estate. She leaves her husband of 64 years, Reginald “Archie” Anderson ’55, three sons, including Richard ’85, and seven grandchildren, including Emily Anderson ’14.
Adam F. Berluti '55
May 6, 2020, in Southbury, Conn., at 87. He earned an M.A. in English in 1957 from the University of Connecticut, where he later completed coursework in economics. After two years as an intelligence officer in the Army, he studied French and Italian at Yale’s Summer Language Institute. His career included work in the Library of Congress as an economic analyst, researching and writing speeches and reports for congressmen; as an editor for McGraw Hill compiling reports on federal environmental programs; translating articles for foreign affairs news services; and in positions with the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, including public information officer for the state police. In honor of his Italian heritage, he established the Patsy and Peppa Berluti Memorial Scholarship Fund at Colby for students studying Italian. The last of his large family, he leaves nieces and nephews.
Joanne Stearns Graaskamp '55
Jan. 4, 2020, in Eau Claire, Wis., at 86. After two years at Colby, she left to attend nursing school but changed her mind and attended Katherine Gibbs School instead. Her life revolved around her children, home, and community, where she volunteered, served in her church, and helped found a regional arts center. Her hobbies included knitting, painting, golfing, and collecting art and antiques. Three children and eight grandchildren survive her.
Robert A. Hale '55
Feb. 28, 2020, in Middletown, Conn., at 87. An insurance underwriter with Connecticut General (later CIGNA), he rose through the ranks to eventually become vice president, head of underwriting. He volunteered in his community and was an active benefactor of his Congregational church, where he established the Robert A. Hale Memorial Fund. He was an avid golfer and a fan of the UCONN women’s basketball program. He leaves three children, five grandchildren, and his beloved beagle, Barney.
Robert S. Johnson Sr. '55
Nov. 8, 2019, in Augusta, Maine, at 86. Following service in the Korean War, he enrolled at Colby, graduated, then settled in nearby Canaan, where he farmed, raised pigs and other livestock, and started the Family Sawmill that he ran for 47 years. He loved taking his grandsons to the Fryeburg Fair, faithfully met his friends for weekly lunches, and rooted for the Red Sox and Patriots. He leaves his wife, Nancy, five children, 19 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.
Virginia Morra Davio '56
Dec. 4, 2019, in Waterbury, Conn., at 84. After leaving Colby, she completed her studies at Tufts University, where she earned a master’s in education. She taught elementary school in Thomaston, Conn., until her retirement in 1996. She was an animal lover, connecting especially with cats. Her husband, David, and two step-daughters survive her.
Robert C. Erb Jr. '56
March 30, 2020, in Center Sandwich, N.H., at 87. Bob served in Germany with a tank battalion during the Korean War, after which he worked in the textile business until 1978. A second career in land development and construction followed until he retired in 1990, when he focused on what he loved the most: golf. He also devoted himself to restoring and keeping up his 200-year-old home on 36 acres in Center Sandwich. He leaves his wife of 63 years, Judith Merrill Erb ’58, two children, including Susan Erb Pittenger ’80, and four grandchildren.
Donald G. Dinwoodie '57
Nov. 17, 2019, in Colorado Springs, Colo., at 83. He served with the U.S. Army 1959-61 and was stationed in Germany. A career with multiple jobs followed: director of YMCAs in three states, city planner for Colorado Springs, leadership development coach, and real estate broker. Along the way, he earned two graduate degrees: an M.Ed. from Springfield College and an M.A. from the University of Colorado and stayed active with his community and church. He founded EDUCO Colorado, a school wilderness training and leadership development for youth, participated in a Parkinson’s support group, and belonged to a men’s group for more than 40 years. In 2017 he won an AARP community service award. Gardening, Nordic skiing, and travel were among his other passions. Survivors include his wife, Elaine Gagne, three sons, and 10 grandchildren.
Richard G. Stratton '57
Oct. 12, 2019, in Getzville, N.Y., at 83. A 1958 Woodrow Wilson Fellowship allowed him to study English at Cornell, where he was also an instructor of English. In 1960 he started teaching English and history at Hebron (Maine) Academy, also coaching swimming and football. He earned a master’s in liberal studies in 1970 from Wesleyan. In 1973 he came to Nichols School and taught English for more than 40 years. Known as a tough but thoughtful grader, he won every award given at Nichols and had the yearbook dedicated to him three times. He served as English Department chair twice and was awarded the first Austin Fox Endowed Faculty Chair in 1997. Drawing from his acting days with Powder and Wig, he directed student plays at Nichols and even had students act out plays in class. Renowned for his yearly recitation of “Casey at the Bat”, he had a scoreboard on the school’s baseball diamond donated and named for him. Survivors include his extended family.
Sara Stewart Johnson '58
May 8, 2020, in Salem, Ore., at 84. Drawing upon her English degree from Colby, she spent time as an editor for Good Housekeeping magazine early in her career, and then later became a teacher of English and journalism. She taught in Eureka, Calif., and in Bend, Ore., where she was part of the inaugural staff at Mountain View High School. In retirement, she volunteered with Trinity Episcopal Church and with Central Oregon Art Association, helping to restore the Rademacher House into an art gallery. As a single mother, she provided exciting and memorable adventures for her children, including time in Waimea on Hawaii’s Big Island. Pastimes included learning Italian, traveling, reading, watercolor painting, cooking, and entertaining. Left to continue her joie de vivre are three children, four grandchildren, and a brother.
