Sep/Oct 2009
We have lost four classmates since the last regular column. This column is devoted entirely to them. Classmates may want to provide further details or memories. I will get back to the happier news, of which there is plenty, in my next column.
“Timothy Lambert McDaniel, professor of sociology at the University of California, San Diego, died in San Diego on March 10 after a brave fight against colon cancer that lasted more than a decade. He was one of the leading comparative-historical sociologists of his generation, an inspiring teacher, and a man of unwavering probity and extraordinary erudition. A dedicated scholar, he contributed greatly to the growth of the university during his three decades on the faculty.”—from the UCSD website.
Bradley Nitkin died on March 29 after a courageous battle with gastric cancer. Beloved husband of Helen Nitkin, father of Sophie and Andrew, son of Gaby Nitkin and brother of Roger, Leslie, and Regina. Bradley graduated from Yale College and Cornell Law School and became a successful owner and developer of real estate through his company, the HB Nitkin Group. His loss has been felt by many but leaves a legacy of greatness behind him. Gifts can be made to the Gastric Cancer Research Fund, c/o Dr. Manish Shah, at MSKCC, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065.—from an obituary registry.
Subrata Chakravarty reports on the death of Linwood Lawrence: “ Lin Lawrence died March 26 of kidney failure. Lin got his degree in psychology and lettered in sailing at Yale. He moved to Ossining, New York, after graduation and spent five years as an elementary school teacher in Irvington, New York. He earned his master’s in education at Columbia at night before going on to law school at the University of Virginia. He then joined Shearman & Sterling in New York before he was hired away by Pepsico. In recent years, he became an excellent amateur photographer, mainly of nature, and e-mailed the pictures to his friends. There was a memorial meeting for Lin at the Ethical Society of Northern Westchester in Ossining on April 4. Randy Tankoos, Dave Coit, and his younger brother Dan ’71 represented the Yale sailors. Steve Wilkinson and I, Lin’s freshman-year roommates, stood in for Lin’s friends at Branford College.” Lin is survived by his wife, Cheryl, who would like to hear from those with memories of Lin.
David G. Smith died of cancer at his home in Westlake, California, on May 4. Henry Fuller writes: “David was a special person and my Yale roommate for three years. He was born on January 20, 1947. David grew up in Concord, Massachusetts. He graduated from Middlesex School in 1965. After Yale, David served two years (1970–72) in the Peace Corps in Micronesia. He devoted his life to the teachings of Maharaji (RAJI) and worked for his organization for close to 35 years.” Henry sent on a goodbye from one of David’s close friends, who wrote movingly of the effect of David’s passing: “I aspire more diligently now to live in gratitude for life—and not just so I can write my book, or watch another sunset, or further the relationships that matter, but so I can enjoy the contentment that comes from knowing that life is indeed a gift. A force that comes mysteriously into a being and just as mysteriously leaves—its fleeting presence a reminder of its power to those of us left behind.” Amen.
“The only way to have a good death is to lead a good life. Lead a good one, full of curiosity, generosity, and compassion, and there’s no need at the close of the day to rage against the dying of the light. We can go gently into that good night.”—William Sloane Coffin (memorial service sermon, 1999 reunion).