In Memoriam

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

The Passing of Ransom H. Jenks Jr.

With sadness, Williams notes the passing of retired Director of Campus Security Ransom Jenks, who passed away in Wilmington, Delaware, on June 24, 2022. In addition to his career at the college, Ransom was a U.S. Air Force veteran and served as a Williamstown Selectman. For a full tribute to… Continue reading »

The Passing of Robert Dalzell Jr.

Williams faculty and staff, I write, with sadness, to announce the death of Robert F. Dalzell Jr., the Frederick Rudolph ’42 Class of 1965 Professor Emeritus of American Culture. Professor Dalzell passed away late last week after a brief hospitalization. Bob earned his B.A. from Amherst College and his Ph.D. Continue reading »

The Passing of Colleen Little

Williams faculty and staff, With a heavy heart I write to share the news that Colleen Little, special assistant to the vice president for the Office of College Relations and director of principal giving strategy, passed away this morning at the age of 48. Continue reading »

The Passing of Andrea Danyluk

Williams faculty and staff, I write, with sadness, to honor the memory of Andrea Pohoreckyj Danyluk, Mary A. and William Wirt Warren Professor of Computer Science, Emerita, who passed away yesterday at the age of 59, after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer. Andrea, who only retired from active teaching… Continue reading »

The Passing of Bill Lewis

Williams mourns the loss of retired staff member Bill Lewis, who passed away at age 83 at his Williamstown home on Monday, February 14, 2022. Bill joined Williams in 1991, as a custodian in what was then known as the Building and Grounds Department. This followed… Continue reading »

The Passing of Don Beaver

I write to share the sad news that Donald Beaver, Professor of History of Science, Emeritus, passed away last weekend. Don came to Williams in 1971 and soon after founded our Department of History of Science—“one of the college’s first interdisciplinary departments,” to quote his retirement citation. His… Continue reading »

The Passing of Bob Buckwalter

With sadness, Williams notes the passing of retired College Chaplain Bob Buckwalter on Saturday, January 15, 2022. Bob arrived at Williams as college chaplain in July 1991, after having served as pastor of the Japanese American Ethnic Church in Alameda, CA, and of Congregational churches in… Continue reading »

The Passing of Jim Hodgkins

Williams mourns the passing of retired staff member Jim Hodgkins on Monday December 27, 2021 at Crescent Manor in Bennington, VT. Jim joined the college as assistant director of food services in 1970 and retired 31 years later after a distinguished career as director of dining… Continue reading »

The Passing of Paula Tabor

Williams faculty and staff, I write with sad news that Paula Moore Tabor ’76, who worked in the Alumni Relations Office for two decades, died on Friday, October 22.  A pioneer of coeducation at Williams, Paula returned to the college in 1992 and served… Continue reading »

The Passing of Bob Peck

Williams faculty and staff, It is my sad duty to inform you that retired Director of Athletics Bob Peck passed away last Friday, October 15. Bob ran our athletics program from 1971 to 2001, a time of enormous change at Williams. Most notably he oversaw the transformation of our athletics… Continue reading »