In Memoriam

Sharing news about the passing of Williams faculty, staff, students and retirees.

In Commemoration of John Hyde ’56

To the Williams community, I write with the promised commemoration of our colleague John Hyde ’56, Brown Professor of History, Emeritus, who passed away peacefully at the age of 93 in late March. One of the most important things I can share about John, from a college perspective, is that… Continue reading »

The Death of Norman R. Petersen, Jr.

To the Williams community, I write to honor the memory of Norman R. Petersen, Jr., Washington Gladden Professor of Religion, Emeritus, who passed away on March 26 at the age of 90. Born in Chicago in 1933, Norman lived in several places as a child (when asked to name his… Continue reading »

The Death of Phyllis Cutler

To the Williams community, Williams mourns the death of College Librarian, Emerita, Phyllis Cutler, who passed away on March 5 at the age of 95. Born in Boston, the daughter of the late Louis and Sadie Nanes, Phyllis earned her B.A. in biology from Harvard in 1962 and planned to… Continue reading »

The Death of Dr. Frances Lippmann

Williams mourns the passing of Dr. Frances Lippman, retired director of the college counseling center, who passed away peacefully last Thursday at age 90. Doctor Lippmann joined Williams in 1993 and retired in 2010. At the college she held the titles at various times of director of psychological counseling; psychotherapist… Continue reading »

The Death of Professor John Hyde ’56

Dear Williams colleagues, I write with still more sad news. John Hyde ’56, Brown Professor of History, Emeritus, passed away yesterday at the age of 93. Maud will send a full commemoration in the days to come. In the meantime, our thoughts go out to John’s family, friends, colleagues and… Continue reading »

The Deaths of Norman Petersen and Phyllis Cutler

Williams colleagues, I write to inform you of the deaths of two Williams emeriti: Washington Gladden 1859 Professor of Religion, Emeritus, Norman R. Petersen, Jr.; and College Librarian, Emerita, Phyllis Cutler. Maud will send full commemorations for each of them in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we wanted to… Continue reading »

In Commemoration of Steve Sheppard

Williams faculty and staff colleagues, I write with the promised commemoration of our colleague, Steve Sheppard, Class of 2012 Professor of Economics, who passed away on March 2, 2024, at the age of 69. Steve joined the Williams faculty in 2000, after starting his career in faculty positions at Virginia… Continue reading »

In Commemoration of Bernie Bucky

Williams colleagues, I write, as promised, to commemorate the late Jean-Bernard (Bernie) Bucky, William Dwight Whitney Professor of Theatre, Emeritus. Bernie died on February 13 as a result of complications from an automobile accident and subsequent fall. He was 86. Bernie was born in Paris in 1937, to Gerhard and… Continue reading »

Remembering Toby Woods

Williams students, faculty, and staff, I am writing to share more information about Toby Woods, a first-year student and member of the class of 2027, from New Canaan, Connecticut, where he graduated from New Canaan High School. As I shared in an earlier message, Toby died… Continue reading »

The Death of Professor Emeritus Jean-Bernard Bucky

Williams colleagues, I write with the sad news that Jean-Bernard (Bernie) Bucky, William Dwight Whitney Professor of Arts and Theatre, Emeritus, passed away yesterday. I will send a full commemoration soon. In the meantime, my thoughts go out to Bernie’s loved ones and his many friends, former colleagues and students. Continue reading »