In Memoriam (as of March 2013)
WILLIAM ROSENBLATT SHS Class of 1963 passed away Nov.14,2008
(reported by Ann Rosenblatt Arbeit SHS 1974)
ROSENBLATT--William. ROSENBLATT--Bill. Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP mourns the passing of its partner Bill Rosenblatt, who led the Firms Insurance Transactional and Regulatory Practice. Bill earned his B.A. from Yale University in 1967 and his J.D. cum laude from Columbia University School of Law in 1971. Bill was well-liked and respected by all. The Firm extends its condolences to Bill's family and many personal and professional friends. ROSENBLATT--William W., of Short Hills, NJ. Beloved husband of Roberta Marks Rosenblatt; cherished son of Helene Scheuer Rosenblatt; loving father of Casson, Charles and Carrie Rosenblatt; brother of Ron and Susy, David and Robyn, Larry and Linda Rosenblatt and Stuart and Ann Arbeit; and devoted grandfather of max and Harrison Rosenblatt. A graduate of Riverdale Country School, Yale College and Columbia Law School, he was a prominent lawyer in the field of corporate insurance law for the past 37 years. Formerly a partner at Le Beouf, Lamb, Leiby and McRae and at Dewey Ballantine, Bill was currently a partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan where he was the head of the firm's Insurance Industry Transactional and Regulatory Practice.
Donald P. Wilderman SHS class of 1947 Passed away May 11, 2011.
Richard May (1917 - 2011) SHS class of 1935
May, Richard Jr.
Richard May, 93, an Urban Planner who was Rockland County's first planning director in the 1950s, died at his home in Nyack on July 1st. His career included local, regional and international planning, teaching and advocacy in public affairs. He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Columbia University School of Architecture and Planning and was a Fulbright Scholar at the London School of Economics. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard in World War II. He is survived by his wife Joan, his son Peter, daughter, Julie and 3 grandchildren. A memorial will be held the last weekend in July.
Published in the The Journal News on July 4, 2011
Norma Jean Gisser
Scarsdale High School Symphony Orchestra conductor during the 1970s
Former teacher Norma Jean Gisser died April 6 in Manhattan. She was a well-loved music teacher and the conductor of the Scarsdale High School Symphony Orchestra during the 1970s as well as the mother of Scarsdale students Michael Gisser and Marsha Shyer (formerly Gisser).
Born in Charleston, West Virginia and a graduate of Marshall University, Mrs. Gisser started her music teaching career in West Virginia’s Kanawha County public school system, where she served as that state’s first female band director. She later taught and conducted symphony orchestras in junior and senior high schools in Scarsdale and South Orange, N.J. In addition, Mrs. Gisser was a prominent cellist and member of Frank Sinatra’s orchestra for more than 16 years. In addition to playing for Sinatra as well as the other members of the famous “rat pack,” Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., Mrs. Gisser performed with many leading popular musicians, including Diana Ross, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, the Lennon Sisters, Donna Summer, Jerry Vale, Jennifer Holliday, Rosemary Clooney, Bobby Vinton, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Danny Thomas, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Connie Francis, Ben Vereen, Julio Iglesias, Mel Tormé, Lou Rawls, Smokey Robinson and Neil Sedaka. As a classical musician, Mrs. Gisser performed with several orchestras, including the Westchester Philharmonic, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, playing with soloists such as Leontyne Price, Roberta Peters, Artur Rubenstein, Claudio Arrau, Rudolph Serkin, Robert Merrill, Mischa Ellman, Yehudi Menuhin, Itzhak Perlman, Van Cliburn and Andre Watts.
Mrs. Gisser is survived by her husband Philip Gisser of New York City; her daughter Marsha Shyer and her husband John D. Shyer and their children Allison and Michael, also of New York; her son, Michael Gisser, and his wife Cynthia Torres, of Santa Monica, Calif., and their sons Spencer and David. She was 83.
Submitted by Michael Victor Gisser SHS 1974
Dr William R.Darrow SHS 1956
Dr. William R. Darrow of Basking Ridge, NJ passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2011 from complications related to cancer. He was 71. He is survived by his wife of 46 years Janet Swan Darrow, his brother John H. Darrow of Norwalk, CT, his three children and their spouses James and Sally Darrow of Wallingford, CT, Susan Darrow and Andrew Jaques of Rockville, MD and Margaret Darrow Williams and Benjamin Williams of Thetford Center, VT, four grandchildren upon whom he doted, and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved dog Millie.
Dr. Darrow was born in 1939 in Ohio, raised in Scarsdale, NY (Scarsdale High School class of 1956), graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1960 where he was an active member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and received his medical degree from Western Reserve Medical School in Cleveland, OH, in 1964 and was awarded the Roche Award and membership in Pi Delta Epsilon, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Phi Rho Sigma honor societies. He received his Doctorate in Pharmacology in 1969 from Case Western Reserve University and moved to NJ with his family to begin work at Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals, now part of Novartis. He spent most of his remaining career at Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals until his retirement in 1994. From 1991 to 1999, he was a member of the US delegation to the International Conference on Harmonization and from 1990-2008 was a member of and served in various roles, including Chairman, of PhRMA. He was a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Clinical Research Center at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center from 1990-2000. Over the years, he has coached Little League, was active in Boy Scout Troop 54 in Liberty Corner, chaired the Bernard's Twp Board of Health, was Chair of the NJ Arthritis Foundation and recently enjoyed being a Docent at the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum in Hammondsport, NY on Keuka Lake where Bill and his family spent many happy summers.
Dr. Darrow was a resident of Basking Ridge for over 40 years. He and his wife were very active in the community and many charities. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of the American Medical Association. In 1994, Dr. Darrow received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Arthritis Foundation for his contributions to the Foundation, and recently received the Distinguished Achievement Citation for "his professional accomplishments and outstanding service to humankind" from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2010.
Dr. William R. Darrow of Basking Ridge, NJ passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2011 from complications related to cancer. He was 71. He is survived by his wife of 46 years Janet Swan Darrow, his brother John H. Darrow of Norwalk, CT, his three children and their spouses James and Sally Darrow of Wallingford, CT, Susan Darrow and Andrew Jaques of Rockville, MD and Margaret Darrow Williams and Benjamin Williams of Thetford Center, VT, four grandchildren upon whom he doted, and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved dog Millie. Dr. Darrow was born in 1939 in Ohio, raised in Scarsdale, NY (Scarsdale High School class of 1956), graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1960 where he was an active member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, and received his medical degree from Western Reserve Medical School in Cleveland, OH, in 1964 and was awarded the Roche Award and membership in Pi Delta Epsilon, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Phi Rho Sigma honor societies. He received his Doctorate in Pharmacology in 1969 from Case Western Reserve University and moved to NJ with his family to begin work at Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals, now part of Novartis. He spent most of his remaining career at Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals until his retirement in 1994. From 1991 to 1999, he was a member of the US delegation to the International Conference on Harmonization and from 1990-2008 was a member of and served in various roles, including Chairman, of PhRMA. He was a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Clinical Research Center at Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center from 1990-2000. Over the years, he has coached Little League, was active in Boy Scout Troop 54 in Liberty Corner, chaired the Bernard's Twp Board of Health, was Chair of the NJ Arthritis Foundation and recently enjoyed being a Docent at the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum in Hammondsport, NY on Keuka Lake where Bill and his family spent many happy summers. Dr. Darrow was a resident of Basking Ridge for over 40 years. He and his wife were very active in the community and many charities. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and a member of the American Medical Association. In 1994, Dr. Darrow received the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Arthritis Foundation for his contributions to the Foundation, and recently received the Distinguished Achievement Citation for "his professional accomplishments and outstanding service to humankind" from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2010.
Frank Greenwood - SHS 1941
Frank Greenwood died of natural causes in late 2010. He was living in Bloomfield, MI. He is survived by his wife Mary. Frank was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in March 1924. He claimed that his family was distressed because his birth interfered with their attending Carnival festivities. The family returned to North America in 1934 enabling Frank to attend Scarsdale High School. In his senior year, Frank was elected GO President. After SHS, he briefly attended Cornell University followed by service in the US Army Air Force. Frank eventually graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University, followed by an MBA from the University of Southern California, and a PhD in Business Economics from UCLA. He later received honorary doctorates for his work in developing curriculum for on-line universities.
Frank’s academic career included teaching at the University of Georgia, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Central Michigan, and the U. S. Coast Guard Academy. His business experience involved working for oil companies in Nigeria and Alberta, Canada, and professional consulting in Malaysia, Taiwan, and Singapore.
Frank, often in collaboration with his wife Mary, published numerous scholarly books and articles, frequently on project management. Frank also was awarded professional credentials as Certified Project Manager Professional and Certified Computer Consultant.
Submitted his surviving younger brother, John Greenwood, SHS 1947, of Fullerton, California, February 19, 2011.
Anne O'Brien Babcock
SHS Class of 1946
Died October 13, 2005
James G Kreder SHS Class of 1956
Died February 20, 2010
Obituary in the Princeton Magazine.
Doris Anne Franke Hurdman'52
Born May 5, 1934 – Died January 5, 2010
Born and raised in Scarsdale, NY, the daughter of Paul and Anna Franke, Mrs. Hurdman was the wife of the late Robert L. Hurdman, also of Scarsdale. Doris graduated from Scarsdale High in 1952 and always spoke of her high school years as an idyllic time. She graduated from Smith College in 1956, with a BA in English Literature and reading was a life long passion. In her twenties she worked in New York City at Booz Allen Hamilton and later at Radio Free Europe, a job that shaped her future world views. In 1961, shortly after their marriage, Doris and Robert moved to Wilton, CT where they started their life and family together and established strong roots in the community.
Doris was an active member of the PTA, the Wilton Riding Club and the Junior League of Stamford-Norwalk. After Robert died in 1972 she went on to raise her four children alone, always putting their needs ahead of her own. When her children were older she became a founding partner in a local wallpaper shop, The Paper Connection, in Ridgefield, CT. She later specialized in interior decorating, an interest she enjoyed throughout her adult life. Doris had a flawless eye and impeccable taste and always kept a beautiful home.
In 1991 she relocated to Kennebunk, ME, and became a dedicated volunteer for the Friends of the Kennebunk Library, where she served as a Board Member and fundraiser. She was an active participant in various local Republican political campaigns, offering support all the way up to the national level. In her free time she loved to cook, bake, needlepoint and sew. She also had a love of classical music, books, the arts, animals (especially dogs), politics and everything British.
Doris was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, through which she worshiped over the years at St. James the Less in Scarsdale, NY, St. Matthew’s in Wilton, Ct, St. David’s of Kennebunk, ME and, most recently, St. Mary’s of Falmouth, ME. She cherished time spent celebrating holidays and special occasions with family and friends--especially Christmas and birthdays.
Doris was predeceased by her only (and much beloved) older brother Robert Franke, an American Decorative Painter whose paintings and lithographs have been exhibited, and are included in private collections, throughout North and South America. Doris leaves behind four children, Charles & his wife Meg and their four children of Falmouth, ME, Thomas and his fiancé Evelyn Lightwood of Jacksonville, FL, Andrew and his wife Wendy and two daughters of Chester, NJ, and Elizabeth and her husband Michael McCord and new daughter Vivian of NYC -- all of whom will miss her deeply. They were blessed by her devoted role as both a mother to her children and “Grandy” to her grandchildren.
A Holy Eucharist in celebration of Doris’ life was held at The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 43 Foreside Road in Falmouth, Maine on Saturday, January 9, 2010. Commemorative gifts can be made to the Animal Welfare Society, West Kennebunk, ME, the Kennebunk Free Library or the American Lung Association.
May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
John McNair (SHS 1949)
This appeared in the Lowell, Massachusetts SUN on Monday Nov. 30th.
Dr. Marian Markowitz Haber '79
Age 47, Professor of Pathology died October 6 at the Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, after waging a fierce battle against mantle cell lymphoma.
Dr. Haber was a Professor of Pathology at The Drexel University College of Medicine. Dr. Haber was a recognized authority in the field of gastrointestinal pathology. She published extensively and lectured internationally. She was a dedicated mentor to many.
Daughter of Mrs. Sydell Markowitz, a long-time Scarsdale resident, and the late Dr. Alfred Markowitz, Marian attended Fox Meadow Elementary School and Scarsdale Junior High School, and graduated from Scarsdale High School in 1979. She was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, from where she graduated with high honors in 1983. In 1987, she graduated from The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University in New York, New York.
She served her internship and residency at The Columbia University Medical Center and her fellowship in gastrointestinal pathology at Yale University. Dr. Haber and her husband, Dr. Alan Haber, were members of the Beth Hillel-Beth El congregation in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania and participated actively in the vibrant community life of that congregation.
Her greatest pride was her four children: Jonah, Leora, Gideon and Rafael. She loved traveling with them, biking with them, baking with them, but most of all simply spending time with them at home. She rejoiced in their uniqueness and they all rightly feel that their relationship with her was like no other. Their friends and family continually commented on the remarkable nature of her bond with her husband, Dr. Alan Haber. They complemented each other so well and through their deep love, each of these exceptional people became an even better person. Marian Haber is also survived by her mother, Mrs. Sydell Markowitz, and her siblings: Dr. Arlene Markowitz, Dr. David Markowitz and Ms. Amy Rosen. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Dr. Marian Haber to The Residents’
Education Fund of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine.
Audrey McGinn
1943 - 2009
McGinn - Audrey, died of cancer on Friday, May 8, 2009 in New York.
Born on May 4,1943 in Jersey City, NJ, Audrey graduated from Cabrini College and received two Masters Degrees, one in Elementary Education from Lehigh University and one in English from the City College of New York. She taught in East Harlem for several years, then fashioned a distinguished career in the English department of Scarsdale High School from 1976-2005. At Scarsdale, Audrey was know as "Miss McGinn" long after the honorific was popular.
Audrey was a devoted daughter to her parents Leo J. McGinn and Casimer (Devlin) McGinn; sister to her brother Jim and his wife Gretchen; and aunt to their children, Alexandra, Ben and Catherine. Audrey did not marry or have children; she was family to countless friends, colleagues, and students. Audrey's Christmas parties were a 30-year tradition, enabling people from all walks of life (including teachers, students, poets, doctors, journalists, artists and others) to share a day that was at once festive, traditional, and stimulating.
Audrey's teaching career at Scarsdale High School was marked with several yearbook dedications in her honor. She guided hundreds of students through English class and the broader challenges of the high school teen years, and dozens through the struggles and joys of adulthood. Audrey knew that punctuation and reading comprehension were important, but that true teaching and learning transcends the classroom. She was invigorated by her annual trip to Mexico with her former colleagues, her monthly book-club Tertulia, and her annual week in Maine with her brother's family and her friends Carla, Chuck and their children.
Audrey was proud to be a published poet, a scholar of the Great War (inspired by her grandfather's service), and a fan -- in good times and bad -- of the New York Knicks, Liberty, and Mets. She attended game 7 of the 1986 World Series.
Family and friends will miss Audrey's love, guidance, support, and friendship, as well as her iconic red clogs. Audrey is survived by her brother Jim McGinn of Maine, his wife Gretchen, their three children, and a close-knit group of friends, former students, and colleagues.
A memorial service will held at Scarsdale High School on June 12th, 2009 from 3-5pm.
John Frederick Cone
John Frederick Cone, 82, died on May 30, 2009.
Dr. Cone was a resident of Highlands, New Jersey from the mid 1970's.
He was a graduate of Salem High School in Ohio in 1944, received his AB and AM degrees at Rutgers University and his PhD degree from New York University in 1964.
He taught at Montclair Academy in New Jersey from 1949 to 1952, Scarsdale High School from 1952 to 1969, and Red Bank Regional High School from 1970 to 1988 where he attained the position of departmental supervisor of English, Art, Music and Foreign Languages. Dr. Cone was the former academic dean of the North Carolina School of the Arts, and for many years adjunct associate professor of English at Fordham University's Ignatius College where he received the Teacher of the Year award for 1992-1993.
He had a life long interest in opera, regularly attended the Metropolitan Opera at both its old and current venues for many years and was a weekly listener to its radio broadcasts.
He authored several books on opera related topics including Oscar Hammerstein' s Manhattan Opera Company" (University of Oklahoma Press, 1964), "First Rival of the Metropolitan Opera" (Columbia University Press, 1983), and "Adelina Patti, Queen of Hearts" (Amadeus Press, 1993).
He also was associate editor of "The World's Love Poetry" (Bantam Press, 1960), contributor to "Melba: A Contemporary Review" (Greenwood Press, 1985), contributing editor and commentator of "Magnum Shakespearean Series" (Lancer Books, 1968), and contributor to the "New Grove Dictionary of American Music" (Macmillan, 1986) and "The New Grove Dictionary of Opera" (Macmillan, 1992).
Ronald Shiftan ‘62