Author Archives: classnews

Charles B. Marvin ’59

We regretfully inform you that Charles Burger Marvin ’59 died from ampullary cancer in the early morning of October 29, 2017. Charlie was born in Peoria, Illinois, grew up in Illinois, and graduated as a philosophy major from Illinois Wesleyan University. In what proved to be an impactful decision, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1959, attended intensive Russian language classes at Syracuse University and was stationed in Pakistan and Germany. Upon his Air Force discharge, he moved to New York City where he met his wife, Mary Jo Van Kirk when both were working for Colliers’ Encyclopedia. They were married in St. Paul’s Chapel, Trinity Parish, in New York City in June 1965.

Guided by his Air Force experiences in intelligence analysis, he was accepted into the Central Intelligence Agency Training program in 1966 and moved to the Washington, D.C., area. Charlie stayed in the intelligence business for the rest of his career, except for a brief stint as a real estate broker in Capitol Hill. He worked for the CIA, experimented with real estate sales, and then joined GTE Government Systems as an analyst of foreign communications systems until retirement.  At the same time, the Marvins bought and renovated eight houses in Georgetown, Capitol Hill, Arlington, Bethesda, and Potomac, Maryland.  Charlie was an avid motorcyclist from the time he was 19 until his early 60s; he renovated several antique motorcycles and was a member of the Classic and Vintage Motorcycle Association in Washington area.

Charlie retired in November of 1997 and  moved to Jaffrey Center, NH where he and Mary Jo bought and restored another old house. Charlie served three terms as Trustee of the Trust Funds in Jaffrey, as Treasurer of the Jaffrey Center Village Improvement Society, and a Trustee of the First Church in Jaffrey. The Jaffrey board of Selectmen named him Volunteer of the Year in 2011. In addition to volunteering in Jaffrey, Charlie was the treasurer of the Window Shop at the Monadnock Community Hospital for 18 years. Soon after moving to Jaffrey, Charlie was invited to join the OFC men’s lunch group and became a regular attendee. In 2012, the Marvins reluctantly downsized, selling their house on Thorndike Pond Road and moving to Governor Square in Peterborough. Charlie was a member of its condo board until illness forced him to resign. In later retirement, his passions included tackling the New York Times crossword puzzles, having a good craft beer with lunch, listening to the music of Gustav Mahler, and genealogy research.

Charlie will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched.

 

Delores (Worazek) Colton ’59

Delores Colton, a pioneer in women’s athletics at The Benjamin School, is retiring after 44 years of coaching. Colton became the first female coach at Benjamin after being hired in 1974 to assist with swimming and track meets. During her time at TBS, Colton has coached volleyball, girls soccer, cheer-leading and girls and boys tennis. In 2017, she retired as the head varsity coach for girls soccer and volleyball, but continued on as the girls and boys tennis coach. Under her tenure, the girls volleyball team took home 411 wins. Colton’s team’s have won a combined 43 district titles, 18 regional championships, and many final four or state championship appearances. Six of her tennis athletes went on to win individual state championships.

“Delores Colton has been an incredible coach and mentor at The Benjamin School for over the last 40 years. Her records as coach of volleyball, tennis and soccer are truly remarkable, but most importantly she has been a fantastic mentor to all her student-athletes. The Benjamin School and athletic department benefited tremendously having her lead these teams,” said athletic director Ryan Smith.

Delores Colton ’59, pictured second from left, shares a fun moment with former student athletes and colleague.

Congratulations, Delores, on your lasting legacy!

Read the full article here: https://www.thebenjaminschool.org/page/news-detail?pk=953611&fromId=194005

Homecoming Veterans Service 2017

As IWU celebrates Titans Around the World at Homecoming this weekend, we will also honor our alumni who served worldwide as veterans and first-responders, including Captain Ryan A. Beaupre ’95. We will remember Ryan and all veterans and first-responders who have given their lives in the service of others and our country. Presenting the colors will be American Legion Color Guard Post 635 Normal and Post 56 from Bloomington. The ceremony will take place this Saturday, October 14th at 12:45 p.m., prior to the Homecoming Football game at Tucci Stadium and will include the National Anthem sung by Wayne Messmer ’72.  Classmates and friends can view the ceremony on streaming video live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/iwu/.

William “Bill” T. Bringham ’48

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Bill Bringham, Sr ’48. Bill lived an extraordinarily long life of service to his family, the community and to Sigma Chi Fraternity in which he served as CEO for 36 years and was honored with selection as a Significant Sig and to the Order of Constantine, working with tens of thousands of Sigma Chi’s throughout the world.

During his collegiate years at Illinois Wesleyan, Bill joined the Navy and was stationed during World War II on Palymra Island in the Pacific Theatre. After graduation from IWU, Bill and his late wife, Ruth, moved to Nashville in pursuit of his Law Degree from Vanderbilt University. They then relocated to Falls Church, Va. for Bill’s service to the FBI, then to Chicago in the Trust Department at Continental Bank where he became re-involved with local Sigma Chi’s and started a 36 year career with Sigma Chi Fraternity and 30 years with the Sigma Chi Foundation.

You may read more about Bill’s life here: http://www.donnellanfuneral.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=2021645