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John H. Sutherland
John H. Sutherland, English professor emeritus, died January 31, 1995 in Vassalboro, Maine, at 71. He was born in Boston, Mass., and received his B.A. from Swarthmore College in 1948 and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1951. Over the next 35 years he served the College as instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, professor and chair of the English Department. His lifelong commitment to social justice, beginning with his service as a conscientious objector during World War II, and the spirit of the Friends' meeting were always apparent in his awareness of world concerns and in his patience, tolerance and search for consensus among his faculty colleagues. When he retired in 1986, he was known for his work on William Blake and as editor of the Colby Quarterly, which had broadened during the 11 years of his guidance to include larger issues of literature and culture. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, two sons and a sister.
Ida Phoebe Keen '05
Ida Phoebe Keen '05, most senior of Colby's alumni, died September 24, 1994 in Pomona, Calif., at 110. She was born March 1, 1884, on a farm in Unity, Maine, and attended Waterville High School. After Colby she taught modern languages in secondary schools in Maine and Delaware. In 1919 she joined the National City Bank of New York as a translator for French, German, Spanish and Italian customers, then became a secretary in the department of religion and psychology at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She retired in 1949 but continued working as a secretary in the graduate English department at Columbia University for nine more years. She had resided in Pomona since 1961. No immediate relatives survive.
Mildred Greeley Arnold '17
Mildred Greeley Arnold '17 died October 21, 1994 in Connecticut, four days before her 100th birthday. She was born in Rumney, N.H., and attended high school in Plymouth, N.H. At Colby she earned a B.S., then became a high school science teacher. While raising three children she earned certificates in psychology and child psychology from Columbia University in 1930 and 1931. For a number of years she was employed by the Episcopal Diocesan House in Hartford, Conn. Her sister, Winifred B. Greeley '18, predeceased her. She is survived by three daughters, a sister, eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
Harold C. Marden '21
Harold C. Marden '21, a former justice of Maine's Supreme Court, died September 30, 1994 in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, at 94. Born in East Vassalboro, Maine, he attended Oak Grove Seminary. He interrupted his College studies to serve as a second lieutenant in the Army during World War I. Following graduation from Harvard Law School in 1924, he had his own law practice for a time, then associated with the late Cyril M. Joly Sr.'16. In 1942 he enlisted in World War II as a staff officer in the 43rd Infantry Division and received the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit before leaving the service in 1947 with the rank of colonel. He was mayor of Waterville from 1946 to 1948. In 1953 he was appointed to the Maine Superior Court, and in 1962 he moved up to the Maine Supreme Court, where he served until his retirement in 1970. He is survived by a daughter, Roberta Marden Alden '47, three sons, including Robert A. Marden '50 and Harold C. Marden '50, 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Mary Watson Flanders '24
Mary Watson Flanders '24, a retired teacher, died October 16, 1994 in Fort Myers, Fla., at 93. She was born in Littleton, Maine, and attended Ricker Classical Institute. She was a member of Chi Omega and was involved in several athletic teams at Colby, where she also excelled academically and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and to Delta Sigma Chi, the journalism honor society. For three years before her marriage she taught at Ricker. After returning to the classroom in 1945, she earned a master's degree from Columbia University and taught in Bridgewater, N.Y., until her retirement. Survivors include her son and daughter, her sisters, Elizabeth Watson Gerry '27 and Jean Watson '29, and six grandchildren.
Mona Herron Erickson '28
Mona Herron Erickson '28 died September 9, 1994 in New Bedford, Mass., at 87. She was born in Brownville, Maine. At Colby she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. After receiving her degree in English, she taught for two years at Bridgton (Maine) High School. She pursued graduate studies at both the University of Vermont and Bates College, earning a master's degree in education. Until her retirement in 1972, she was employed by the Dartmouth (Mass.) school department along with her husband of 61 years, the late John N. Erickson '28, who was a school principal. Several of her relations, including her sister, Maude Herron Holt '24, also attended Colby. She is survived by three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Pauline Gay Ryder '31
Pauline Gay "Polly" Ryder '31, a retired draftsman, died January 25, 1995, in Oak Ridge, Tenn., at 83. She was born in Manchester, Mass., and attended Hopkinton High School. A sociology major, she met and married Sterling C. Ryder '29 while at Colby. In 1944 they moved to Oak Ridge, where she was employed by the Union Carbide Nuclear Department and later by EGG ORTEC as a draftsman until her retirement in 1972. She is survived by her husband, four children, 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Theodore H. Packard '33
Theodore H. Packard '33, a retired college professor, died December 23, 1994 in Holden, Mass., at 83. He was born in Boston and educated at Canton (Mass.) High School. After Colby he earned a B.S. at Tufts University in 1934 and an M.F.A. from the Yale University department of drama in 1941. He held a succession of teaching positions from 1937 until 1948, then joined Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he served as a professor of English for 27 years until his retirement. He is survived by his wife, Mar- ion, four sons, one daughter, two brothers, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Louise Smith Velten '33
Louise Smith Velten '33 died November 11, 1994 in Oakland, Calif., at 83. She was born in Skowhegan, Maine, the youngest daughter of George Otis Smith and Grace Coburn Smith, both members of the Class of 1893, and she attended schools in Skowhegan and Washington, D.C. At Colby she belonged to Sigma Kappa sorority and the Kappa Alpha senior honor society and was active on the Colbiana board and as a delegate to the New England Co-ed Student Government Conference. She continued her education at Hunter College and New York University, where she earned a certificate in women's law. Her experience with the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. in New York City enabled her to become executive secretary to Lewis Cotlow, an executive of the firm who became known as an explorer and author. A relative of many prominent Colby alumni--including her aunt, Louise Helen Coburn, Class of 1877, for whom Coburn Hall is named, and her brother, Joseph Coburn Smith '24--she remained active in the Colby Alumni Association and was a regular donor to the rare books collection of the library. Survivors include her sister, Helen Coburn Smith Fawcett '27, and her nephew, George I. Smith '49.
Albion L. Farnham '35
Albion L. Farnham '35, a resident of Brownville Junction, Maine, died October 20, 1994 at his home. He attended Brownville Junction High School and Higgins Classical Institute. At Colby he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, served on the student council, played basketball and was the star pitcher on the baseball team. After graduating with a degree in history, he taught at Waldoboro High School and Brownville Junction High School, then took a position as sales regional manager for Fresh Silks in Worcester, Mass. In 1946, after returning from Army service as a first sergeant, he was employed by the Canadian Pacific Railroad. In 1978 he was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame. He was a lifelong enthusiastic supporter of the College. Survivors include his brothers, Roderick Farnham '31 and Raymond Farnham '36, and his nieces Patricia Farnham Russell '62 and Jane Farnham Rabeni '66.
