1970s
Robert A. Ziegler, Jr. ’72
Robert A. Ziegler, Jr. ’72, a professional photographer, was born on Dec. 15, 1949, in Buffalo, N.Y. The son of Robert A., a sales engineer, and Virginia Summers Ziegler, a secretary, he grew up in Alden, east of Buffalo, and was graduated from Alden Central High School, where he had been president of the Science Club. Already drawn to photography, Bob Ziegler devoted time to studying photography techniques as a teenager. He entered Hamilton in 1968, joined the Emerson Literary Society and majored in English. He acquired his A.B. degree in 1973.
Having begun his career as an assistant to photojournalist Allen J. Green ’63, Bob Ziegler went on to settle in Richmond, Va., in 1975 and do photography work for such publications as Newsweek and The New York Times Magazine. He later turned to the creation of neon art and curated exhibits of neon signs. He was principal owner of Neon Displays, a small, privately held company in Richmond. The College has no additional information about his activities.
Robert A. Ziegler, Jr. was residing in West Palm Beach, Fla., when he died on Aug. 3, 2013, as verified by a brief newspaper obituary. He is survived by his mother and a sister, Cynthia Ziegler.
Peter Shaffer Watrous ’73
Peter Shaffer Watrous ’73, a retired clinical psychologist, was born on June 4, 1951, in New York City. A son of Joseph B. Watrous, Jr. ’42, an obstetrician and gynecologist, and the former Katharine S. Couper, he was a grandson of Edgar W. Couper ’20 and nephew of Richard W. Couper ’44. Peter Watrous grew up in Binghamton, N.Y., and was graduated from Binghamton Central High School. He enrolled at Hamilton in 1969 and joined Chi Psi. Majoring in psychology, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and received his diploma with honors in psychology in 1973.
Peter Watrous went on to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he entered the doctoral program in clinical psychology. Awarded his Ph.D. in 1983, he was appointed an assistant professor and interim director of the university’s psychological clinic. He subsequently became clinical director of Cherokee Mental Health Center in Morristown, Tenn., and later a partner in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy Associates in Knoxville. In 1989, he was named Psychologist of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Psychologists.
Married to Pamela J. Walker in 1985, Dr. Watrous retired from his psychology practice in 1996 and returned to his “rural roots,” his family’s farm home in Hallstead, Pa., just south of Binghamton. There he concentrated his efforts on “being a good father” to his son Seth and “performing improvements on my property.” He also enjoyed an occasional hunting trip.
Peter S. Watrous, a faithful alumnus who once credited Hamilton with facilitating his capacity “to occasionally glimpse wisdom,” died at his home in Hallstead on June 10, 2013. Remembered in that community as a “wise, helpful and generous neighbor and friend,” he is survived by his son, Seth Walker Watrous, as well as his former wife, Pamela Walker. Also surviving are three sisters, Janet C. K’72, Eleanor W., and Carolyn C. Watrous; a brother, Charles C. Watrous; and nieces and nephews.
Jan Carson Cheezem K’75
Jan Carson Cheezem K’75, an attorney-at-law, was born on Dec. 9, 1953, in Charleston, S.C. The eldest child of James A. and Peggy Carson Cheezem, she grew up in Greenwood, S.C., where her father, an orthopaedic surgeon, had his practice. Jan Cheezem enrolled at Kirkland College following her graduation from Greenwood High School in 1971. She majored in French and participated in the Junior Year in France program. Soon after earning her B.A. degree in 1975, she returned to Paris, where she acquired a diplôme in economic policy from the Institut d’Études Politiques in 1977.
After obtaining her J.D. degree from Cornell University Law School in 1981, Jan Cheezem established her practice in Miami. Associated with the firm of Kirkpatrick, Lockhart, et al., she later became a founding shareholder in the firm of Cohen/Ruiz, P.A., also in Miami. There she specialized in business, real estate and international law. With her passionate love for the law and dedication to the service of her clients, she earned their loyalty and friendship as well as their respect for her analytical acumen. Intellectually curious, her wide-ranging interests beyond her profession encompassed literature, history and the arts, as well as French wine.
Jan C. Cheezem died while hospitalized in Miami on Sept. 30, 2013. She is survived by her mother; two sisters, Kathryn Henderson and Josephin Abney; and a brother, James A. Cheezem, Jr.
