1940s
James Curtis Harding ’40
James Curtis Harding ’40, an attorney, was born in Albany, N.Y., on Nov. 26, 1917, the son of the former Mable C. Melious and Willard Harding, an accountant. After graduating from Chatham (N.Y.) High School, he entered Hamilton with the Class of 1939 and graduated with the Class of 1940, majoring in history and economics. He was a member of Psi Upsilon and played soccer and tennis on the Hill.
After two years at Cornell Law School, Harding was called to service in World War II where he rose to the rank of captain in the U.S. Army, serving in the Philippines and New Guinea. Following his military service he finished law school, graduating in 1946. He then spent three years in a law firm in Utica, N.Y., before landing a position as administrative law judge for the New York State Workers’ Compensation Court. In 1957, he formed the law partnership of Walworth & Harding in Albany, N.Y., and remained in private practice until 1983.
His sole entry in the 1940 Hamiltonian yearbook noted this quote: “A good heart’s worth gold.” That sentiment colored his life. He was a devoted family man who loved his summer home at Trout Lake, N.Y., and his residences in Delmar, N.Y., and Naples, Fla. He also enjoyed shooting sports, collecting clocks, woodcarving, boating, skiing and tennis. Apparently indefatigable, he wrote in the 50th class reunion yearbook that during the past two weeks of the submission for his page, he had spent time golfing, rowing a shell, trapshooting, bicycling and traveling, among other activities.
James C. Harding died at Saratoga Hospital in New York on Jan. 30, 2016, at the age of 98. He spent the last years of his life being cared for at various dialysis units in New York and Florida, and at the assisted living Home of the Good Shepherd in Wilton, N.Y. In addition to his wife, the former Marjorie A. Nees, whom he had married in 1944, he is survived by a son and a daughter.
Albert Morris Hartig ’42
Albert Morris Hartig ’42, a longtime financial broker and devoted Hamilton volunteer and benefactor, was born in New York City on April 25, 1921, the son of Morris Hartig, a stockbroker, and the former Jeannette Stern. He prepared for college at the Horace Mann School in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. A member of the Squires Club, he participated on Hamilton’s track team and served on the Winter Carnival committee. Early bitten by the travel bug, the 1942 Hamiltonian notes: “Al began to live when ‘cars for Juniors’ became a reality.”
While a sophomore at Hamilton, Hartig and his roommate enlisted as volunteers in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, undergoing six weeks of intensive training over two summers. In November 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and commissioned in the Quartermaster Corps in April 1943. During World War II, he served in the South Pacific and Manila in the intelligence branch. In the early 1960s, he transferred to the Army Reserve, achieving the rank of major.
Having studied economics and French at Hamilton, Hartig embarked on his professional career in September 1946 at the notable New York City securities brokerage firm Gruntal & Co., where he rose through the ranks to executive vice president. “Upon completing 41 years with the same firm and having commuted daily from Greenwich, Conn., I was very happy to accept retirement,” Al recalled in a Hamilton reunion yearbook.
In the same yearbook he noted that his wife, Linda, was “not elated that I travel locally on my Honda motorcycle, bedecked with a Hamilton pennant — it helps locate the bike in parking lots and malls, and hopefully serves the purpose of spreading the visibility of the College.”
Hartig’s dedicated loyalty to Hamilton included his unwavering volunteerism and endowment of the Linda D. and Albert M. Hartig Scholarship, established in 1993 and awarded annually to a student from the Mid-Atlantic or New England states. The Hartigs also supported the Class of ’42 Scholarship, the Edwin B. Lee Prize and several building renovations among other campaigns. In 1988, the College honored Hartig with the Bell Ringer Award in recognition of his work spearheading fundraising efforts and hosting events for prospective students and alumni with graciousness and generosity through the years. “Hamilton is fortunate to have many well-rounded alumni, those who, despite busy personal lives and demanding professional obligations, find the time to serve their alma mater in every possible way,” the citation read. “You, Al Hartig, exemplify our alumni at their well-rounded best.”
His local community also enjoyed the benefits of Hartig’s volunteer spirit. He was active in the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich, the Retired Men’s Association, the Greenwich chapter of the Red Cross and Meals on Wheels. Known for his humor, quick wit and generous spirit, he enjoyed playing bridge and traveling the world. He and Linda joined fellow Hamiltonians in 1987 on the College’s first organized trip to China.
Albert M. Hartig died on Feb. 12, 2016, at the age of 94. His obituary, published in the Greenwich (Conn.) Free Press, noted, “Many will remember Al’s appearance in the community walk for veterans in 2014, where he caught many an eye in his Army uniform as he glided down Greenwich Avenue in a vintage sports car, smiling and waving an American flag.” He is survived by his wife of 33 years, the former Linda Davidson, a daughter and a son; three stepsons; five grand-children, including Jennifer Gorzelant Weinheimer ’99, Kristen Anderson ’01 and Melinda Jones ’03; and two great-grandchildren. Hartig was predeceased by his first wife, Joyce Beeman, in 1965; by his second wife, Betty Harper, in 1975; and by two sons.
Perhaps the only thing that Hartig loved more than his alma mater was his family, and he took great pride in his granddaughters who carried on the Hamilton tradition. They once wrote to their grandfather: “Hamilton may be just a place, a college on a hill, but for us it was a way to follow in your footsteps; you’ve always been a reason to do better and try harder.”
Philip Paul Jones ’42
Philip Paul Jones ’42, a sales manager and market development specialist, was born on Jan. 23, 1922, in Elmhurst, Queens, N.Y., where he grew up. The only child of the former Helen Zenner and Philip Pinkney Jones, both school teachers, he graduated from Newtown High School before enrolling at Colby College, where he studied for a year before transferring to Hamilton. On campus the economics and political science major was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha and assisted with the Hamiltonian yearbook.
For his 50th class reunion yearbook, Jones noted that he matriculated at Colby inspired by the Rover Boys book series, where the boys attended Colby Hall. He also explained the alternate factor that led him to College Hill. Applying for information to schools like Hamilton within a 300-mile radius, “I was unable to visit even for a look-see. The selection was made solely from what was gleaned from the catalog and a hunch. HALLELUJAH for my careful research — and hunch!”
During the summer after his junior year, Jones met Alice Ryder in Sag Harbor, Long Island, N.Y., where their families spent part of the summer. She came to Clinton for houseparties, and the two married in July 1944.
After graduation Jones joined the U.S. Navy and graduated from Officer Candidate School. He served during World War II from fall 1942 until late 1945 on three ships. Most of his time was spent in the Pacific, including roles in the battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima, and serving on a ship that retrieved prisoners of war from camps in Japan and then housed the U.S. Bomb Survey Group studying Nagasaki after the atomic bombing. He reached the rank of lieutenant senior grade.
For most of his 35-year business career, Jones worked for the Addressograph-Multigraph Corp. in sales management and market development. He also planned and ran trade shows.
Philip and Alice greatly enjoyed returning to College Hill for Reunions, especially the Thursday evening gatherings at the home of Patsy Couper for alumni beyond the 50-year class. Jones’ reunions coincided with those of his late daughter-in-law, Susan Schmitz Jones K’72.
Philip P. Jones died on May 30, 2016, at the age of 94. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Philip Jones ’71, a daughter and two grandchildren.
Robert Garland Scott ’43
Robert Garland Scott ’43, a television engineer and cable television executive, was born on Feb. 16, 1922, in Rome, N.Y., a son of the former Mary Roberts and William Scott. He spent his childhood in Rome and in Lynchburg, Va. As a youth, he excelled in hockey and sailing and was known as a fearless goalie. He graduated from the LaSalle Military Academy, the former Catholic prep school in Oakdale, N.Y.
Scott went on to Hamilton, majoring in physics and mathematics. On the Hill, he was a member of the College Choir, the Charlatans, the cheerleading squad and Chi Psi. He also continued to play varsity hockey. In the 1943 Hamiltonian, he was remembered thusly: “Robo’s miraculous ability to throw an equally miraculous tenor voice into good barbershop harmony still has the boys wondering.”
During World War II, Scott served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant junior grade and was instrumental in developing mine-sweeping technology. He married the former Anne M. Smith in 1945. Scott began his professional career in the early days of television with the Dumont Corp. He finished that phase of his career at the age of 47 as president of National Video Corp., a manufacturer of color television picture tubes for TV pioneer companies Motorola, Admiral and Magnavox.
He and Anne moved to Hilton Head, S.C., in 1969 to pursue their passion for golf, sailing and travel. Scott returned to his television technology roots when Sea Pines Co. sought his expertise in developing a cable TV operation for the island. Scott became president of Plantation Cablevision of Hilton Head, the company he helped found.
Robert G. Scott died on Jan. 26, 2016, just shy of his 94th birthday. Those who knew him continued to marvel about his notable tenor voice, booming laugh, his competitive spirit racing his sailboat and his ability to tell a story. He is survived by his wife, a son, two daughters, eight grandchildren, including Brian Holt ’96, and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, William Scott ’38.
David Emerson Tower ’43
David Emerson Tower ’43, a longtime attorney, was born on Oct. 17, 1920, in Newburgh, N.Y. He was the son of the former Elizabeth Berney and David H. Tower, a teacher and plumbing contractor.
After graduating from Newburgh Free Academy in 1938, Dave Tower came to Hamilton where he focused his studies in political science and economics. He played football for three years and was a member of Emerson Literary Society. The 1943 Hamiltonian noted that at the College he was known as “Bubbles” and was admired for his snappy comebacks. The yearbook entry concluded with this notation: “Quit football his last year to save his strength for future Navy training.”
Dave was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946 and saw active combat in World War II. After the war, he attended Albany Law School of Union University, graduating in 1949. He practiced law for the next 49 years.
Tower was active in the leadership of numerous local community organizations, including the Newburgh Board of Education, the American Red Cross, Kiwanis Club and Calvary Presbyterian Church.
David E. Tower died on June 3, 2016, at the age of 95. He is survived by his wife, Irene, three daughters, four grand-children and three great-grandchildren.
Carl Fred Clemen, Jr. ’44
Carl Fred Clemen, Jr. ’44, an accountant, was born on March 13, 1923, in Tonawanda, N.Y., the son of the former Pauline French and Carl F. Clemen, Sr. A graduate of Tonawanda High School, he attended Hamilton from September 1940 until December 1942 before leaving to serve with the U.S. Army Air Corps in the South Pacific during World War II.
While at Hamilton, Clemen concentrated on science, following what he intended would be a career in medicine. He also played baseball and was a member of Squires. After his discharge as a staff sergeant in March 1946, he married his high-school sweetheart, Betty Driscoll. After the couple had been married 66 years, their hometown paper, the Buffalo News, published a story telling of how Clemen never had to use his parachute during his many bombing runs in Japan as a B-29 radio operator; however, the device was put to good use. His fiancée had a seamstress craft the parachute into her wedding gown.
After the war, Clemen opted for a different professional path and entered the University of Buffalo where he earned a degree in accounting in 1950. He began work at what was then known as the Niagara Savings and Loan Association, serving as secretary and later as treasurer. After navigating through a series of mergers, he retired from the world of finance in 1985.
The retirement years afforded the Clemens the opportunity to travel to New Zealand, Australia and Alaska, and visit with family in the ski country of Steamboat Springs, Colo. They also enjoyed spending summers at the family cottage at Morgans Point, Ontario, on Lake Erie. Clemen was a member of the Salem United Church of Christ, the American Legion and the Tonawanda Volunteer Firemen’s Association, and a volunteer at the V.A. Hospital in Buffalo.
Carl F. Clemen, Jr. died at age 92 on Nov. 21, 2015. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, a son, two daughters, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Robert Delmar Stone ’44
Robert Delmar Stone ’44, a longtime attorney for the state of New York, was born on May 17, 1922, in Lakewood, Ohio. The son of the former Marion Schiffert and Charles Stone, a businessman, he graduated from Binghamton (N.Y.) Central High School before making the trip north to Hamilton, where he majored in English and science. He participated in the Debate Club, with Hamilton Life and trouped with the Charlatans. Winner of the McKinney Prize in public speaking, he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon.
For his 50th-year reunion yearbook, Stone joked about his memories of the good old days at Hamilton: “Direct hit (from the third floor [of Carnegie]) on Dean Dixon with a water bag. Kitchen duty at DKE: eating Stanley Cook’s venison, pheasant and trout in the kitchen while the guys in the dining room were feasting on hot dog and beans.”
From 1942 to 1946, Stone served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, including combat duty in France, Belgium and Germany during World War II. During that time, he wed Betty Bonnewell on Dec. 23, 1945. He graduated from Columbia Law School with an LL.B. in 1948.
Stone practiced law in -Binghamton from 1949 to 1958 before joining the administration of New York Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller as executive deputy secretary of state. In 1968, he became deputy commissioner for legal affairs in the New York State Education Department, where he was principal legal advisor to the Board of Regents and commissioners of education until his retirement in 1987. During that time he also lectured extensively and published numerous articles on current developments in education law.
During his years in Binghamton and in the Capital District, Stone was active in many community organizations, including the Albany Symphony Orchestra, American Red Cross, Binghamton Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club. He also was a member of the Hamilton College Alumni Council and served his alma mater as a volunteer on behalf of the Annual Fund. In addition to several community achievement awards, he received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the trustees of Excelsior College in 2005.
In the same reunion yearbook, Stone reflected on his wish for the future: “Let’s hope — and work for it in any way we can — that our kids and grandkids will be able to look back on 50+ years of their lives with the warmth and gratitude that most of us enjoy.”
Robert D. Stone died at home on May 1, 2016, at age 93. Predeceased by his wife in 2008, he is survived by three daughters, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and his loving companion of recent years, Marguerite Schaefer.
David Lecour Parker ’45
David Lecour Parker ’45, whose talents as a pastor and a musician inspired many, was born on Dec. 20, 1923, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of James C. Parker, Class of 1912, an insurance agent, and the former Eleanor Lecour, a teacher. When he was 7 years old, his family moved to Ridgewood N.J., where he grew up and attended Ridgewood High School. Although Parker spent his freshman year at Middlebury College, he transferred to Hamilton in 1942 and became a steadfast Hamiltonian. Majoring in history, he participated in the College Choir, Band and Debate Club, and joined Delta Upsilon, the fraternity of his father and twin brother, Allan Parker ’45. In 1947, he was elected to the forensic honor society, Delta Sigma Rho.
Both Parker brothers found their Hamilton educations interrupted by World War II. David was serving in the Army when he learned that his battalion was destined for the Battle of the Bulge. “The night before the troops were set to ship out to Europe, nine men — out of thousands — had their names called. David was one of these nine sent to Guam instead of France to serve with the Army signal corps. In addition to being proud of his military service, he was also proud of his ability to fit into his Army uniform throughout his lifetime,” according to a memorial biography shared by his family.
Upon graduation from Hamilton in 1947 and thanks to the G.I. Bill, Parker enrolled at Union Theological Seminary where he studied with world-renowned theologians such as Paul Tillich and Reinhold Niebuhr. In 1948, he traveled to Amsterdam to attend the historic first meeting of the World Council of Churches as the secretary to Union’s president. After finishing his studies, he was ordained in the Methodist Church and began his long tenure as a pastor. For a decade he hosted immigrant families from Germany, some of whom stayed for a few months, while one family remained for three years, during which time Parker became fluent in German.
In 1959, he met Merolyn Graham. They were married in 1960 and together created a loving, hospitable home for family and friends. Both David and Merolyn faithfully attended Hamilton reunions, and he was delighted that all of their children, as well as a grandson, followed him to College Hill.
Throughout his 54-year career, Parker led 11 congregations in northern New Jersey, Staten Island and Long Island. He was deeply committed to creating joyful and meaningful worship services and blessed every church he served with his musical talents as he played the piano and organ and knew more than 300 hymns by heart. An early supporter of civil rights, women’s rights and gay rights, he was a community leader in interfaith relations. “Usually an easy-going, affable person, he was deeply upset by acts of injustice, and he joined in protests and reached out to individuals to help,” his obituary noted. He was also known for his boundless energy that continued well into his later years. Long a trustee of the East Meadow Public Library, he ran the New York City Marathon in his 60s, continued biking into his 80s and traveled to Alaska at age 90.
Parker retired to Lord’s Valley, Pa., where he continued his active church involvement as organist of the Church at Hemlock Farms. After the death of his wife in 2007, he went to live with his daughter Julie and her family in Larchmont, N.Y., before finally settling near his daughter Kate at Wesley Village in Shelton, Conn.
David L. Parker died on April 6, 2016, at the age of 92. “He leaves a strong legacy of love and memories of wonderful music, along with thousands of personalized poetic, acrostic and musical tributes that he wrote for colleagues, friends and family,” his family noted. Predeceased by his wife and his brother, he is survived by three daughters, Julie Parker ’83, Kathryn Parker-Burgard ’84 and Valerie Parker ’89; and six grandchildren, including Eli Parker-Burgard ’16.
Thomas George Smiley ’45
Thomas George Smiley ’45, an attorney with the Internal Revenue Service, was born on Dec. 11, 1923, in New York City. The son of Thomas Smiley, who worked in printing, and Elsie Leibel, he prepared for college at Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, N.Y. On the Hill, he was a member of the Debate Club and Tau Kappa Epsilon. He often spoke fondly of his experience at Hamilton, reflecting, “One often wonders, or has doubts, whether the right choice was made at the many forks in life’s road. But there never has been any question that choosing Hamilton College was the right direction and best route.”
Having majored in mathematics and physics, Smiley went on to receive preparatory training in those fields at Saint Lawrence University before entering mid-shipman’s school at Columbia University where he studied accounting. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and served for 20 years, including nearly five years of active duty during World War II and the Korean War. He served as an ensign aboard a destroyer escort in the Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines (1943-46) and later served as a lieutenant on a U.S.S. Cross destroyer escort (1951-52).
Smiley, who earned his Hamilton degree in 1947, went on to Harvard Law School where he received his LL.B. in 1949, followed by a certificate from Bentley School of Accounting in 1956. He began work in Washington, D.C., in the Treasury Department as an attorney with the Office of the Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service. In 1954, he relocated to Boston where he would spend the next 27 years as assistant district counsel and assistant regional counsel for the I.R.S. During that time, he married Carolyn Kelle, a registered nurse, on July 18, 1959.
In 1981, Smiley retired, earning the Treasury Department’s Albert Gallatin Award. He and Carolyn opted for more tropical climes, and he quickly launched back into the work world, assuming the position of assistant attorney general (tax) of the U.S. Virgin Islands. A year later, they moved again, this time to St. Petersburg, Fla. In his community, Smiley served as treasurer for the Lakewood United Church of Christ, past master for the Mt. Lebanon Lodge of the Boston First Masonic District, a V.I.T.A. tax volunteer and an officer in the St. Petersburg York Rite Masonic bodies. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, board and card games, and spectator sports. He also embarked on trips to South America and Mexico.
Thomas G. Smiley remembered Hamilton for its rigorous curriculum, which “fostered both oral and written communicative skills and … overall provided an excellent environment for maturity of the individual.” He died on March 14, 2016, while in hospice care, at the age of 92. Predeceased by one daughter, he is survived by his wife, two daughters and four grandchildren.
