� 7 �

The SMA Alumni Association regrets toannounce the passing of these alumni.SMAAA and its members extend their

sincere condolences.

TAPSSylvan P. Stein, SMA �39, of Wash-

ington, D.C. died July 10, 2003 at hishome. Mr. Stein was the formerowner of a men�s clothing store indowntown Washington.

A native of the District of Colum-bia, he attended Roosevelt HighSchool and graduated from SMA in1939. He attended the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mr. Stein served in the U.S. ArmyAir Forces as a B-26 rear gunner inEurope. His honors included 11 Dis-tinguished Flying Crosses.

Survivors include his wife of 52years, Mary Sue Meyers �Soo-z�Stein of Washington, D.C.; two chil-dren, Steven Stein of Falls Church,Virginia and Sherry Stein of SilverSpring, Maryland, and three grand-children.

Patrick J. Parent, SMA �52, diedin March 1986. He was educated atSMA, Goddard College in Vermont,the University of Maine at Orono, andCentral Technical Institute in Kan-sas City, Missouri.

Mr. Parent moved to the Boothbayregion in 1965 and owned the SearsCatalog Store there for 10 years.

Editor�s Note: This obituary wasprovided by Waldo Keister, SMA �52.

Fred F. Pollard, SMA �54, ofGreenville, North Carolina, diedJune 28, 2003. Mr. Pollard, a lifelongresident of Pitt County and MartinCounty, attended the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill andEast Carolina

He served in the U.S. Army andwas later employed as a supervisorwith Carolina Leaf Tobacco Co.

Mr. Pollard is survived by his wifeof 40 years, Gray S. Pollard, twodaughters and a son, a brother, andgrandchildren.

Editor�s Note: This obituary wasprovided by Cleon W. Sanders, SMA�54, of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Harry E. Fusselman, SMA �44, ofAvon Lake, Ohio, died June 6, 2003after a long illness.

Raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Mr.Fusselman joined the U.S. Navy im-mediately following his graduationfrom SMA.

After World War II, he attendedKent State University and graduatedwith honorable mention in 1950. Mr.Fusselman worked for 25 years as atransportation agent with the Ford

Motor Co. in Lorain, Ohio, retiringin 1982.

Mr. Fusselman was a Master Ma-son, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Ma-son and York Rite Mason. He was amember of Al Koran Shrine and theLorain Senior Fellowship Club.

In addition to helping to raisefunding for the Lorain County Cys-tic Fibrosis Foundation and theLorain YMCA, Mr. Fusselman alsoraised funds for Shrine Children�sHospitals.

While attending SMA, Mr. Fussel-man was co-captain of the statechampionship swimming team, wasa company commander and seniorclass secretary.

Mr. Fusselman enjoyed figure skat-ing, competition archery, water ski-ing, alpine skiing and stunt kite fly-ing. He won the Mayor�s Trophytwice in Avon Lake for sailing.

During World War II, Mr.Fusselman was a Fireman First Classon a destroyer, the USS Heerman, aship that was awarded nine battlestars and a Presidential Unit Citationfor action in Leyte Gulf, where is wasnearly sunk.

Subsequently, Mr. Fusselmanearned three battle stars for actionin Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Em-pire raids on Japan.

Mr. Fusselman is survived by hiswife of 55 years, Bertha BrowneFusselman; daughters Heidi Fussel-man and Rebecca Compton; a son,David; two grandchildren and twogreat-grandchildren.

Henry Ralph Emerson, SMA �54,of Rochester, New York, died June 28,2003. He is survived by his wife, Mary,a brother, William; and a sister, BettyJane McMath. No further details areavailable at this time.

Jeff Zwicker, SMA �55, of Lockport,New York, died October 4, 2001.

Larry Marks, a longtime friend andformer classmate at SMA and Uni-versity of North Carolina, attendedthe services along with HenryEmerson, SMA �54 (see obituary thispage).

�I had remained friends with Jeffall through the years,� Marks said,noting that he and Mr. Zwicker at-tended University of North Carolinatogether and were on the swim teamthere and belonged to the same fra-ternity.

�Jeff got his Masters in PersonnelManagement and went into the cor-porate world for about 20 years�,Marks recalled, adding that Mr.Zwicker rose to vice president of hu-man resources.

Marks noted that Mr. Zwicker re-turned to the aquatic world andopened the Zwicker Swim Center inLockport, teaching and coachingmany collegian and Olympic swim-mers over the years, including sev-eral world record holders. Mr.Zwicker sold the business in 1999 andretired.

�The church in Lockport was fullas a testament to Jeff�s contributionto his community,� Marks said, not-ing that Mr. Zwicker �supported theSMA Alumni Association and all it�sefforts and served on the SMAAAboard for a while.�

�I�m going to miss my friend ofalmost 50 years,� Marks said. �We hadplanned to attend our 50th SMA atthe reunion in �05.�

Editor�s Note: Our thanks to LarryMarks for this in-depth look at the lifeof Jeff Zwicker.

It is with great sadness....that one third of this issue of The Kablegram is devoted to

the publishing of obituaries of SMA alumni. However, we believethese noticies, and in some cases testimonials, speak

volumes about the alumni who have passed on. We feel it isimportant to remember those we spent our ealy lives with,

remembering them for their accomplishments.

� 8 �

The SMA Alumni Association regrets toannounce the passing of these alumni.SMAAA and its members extend their

sincere condolences.

TAPSColonel Edward L.Dodge, SMA �42

Edward Lowell Dodge, 80, a 1942graduate of SMA and a former fac-ulty member at SMA, died May 16 athis home in Staunton, Virginia.

He was born February 15, 1923 atArlington, Massachusetts to Arthurand Charlotte (Lowell) Dodge.

Mr. Dodge was preceded in deathby his parents; his wife, DouglasMcKay (Goode) Dodge; and a sister,Mary. Survivors include two sons,Randolph Lowell Dodge and StevenGoode Dodge, both of Massachusetts;and a daughter, Debra Hutcheson,Orlean, Virginia. Also surviving aresix grandchildren. One grandson,Rev. Christopher Dodge, officiated atthe May 18 memorial service.

Memorial services were conductedMay 18 at First Presbyterian Churchin Staunton. Burial was private.

Honorary pallbearers were SMASwim Team alumni: Thornton �Doc�Saffer, SMA �57; Barry Goldwater, Jr.,SMA �57; John Dean, SMA �57; LaryMarks, SMA �55; Lee Lawrence, SMA�56; Arthur Stern, SMA �57; GeorgeSnyder, SMA �54; and Larry Steel,SMA �61.

Mr. Dodge served in the U.S. Navyduring World War II. He completedhis college education at the Univer-sity of Virginia and returned to SMAwhere he served as teacher, coach,Commandant and Headmaster. In1973, he accepted a position in theCity of Staunton School System asteacher and assistant principal at

Colonel Dodge as Headmaster

�Bebo� Dodge at the 2002 reunion

Robert C. Bowman, SMA �38, ofWilcox, Arizona, died November 22,2002. In a letter to SMA Alumni As-sociation, Mrs. Bowman, his wife of59 years, said that Mr. Bowman hadbeen hospitalized since September.

�He loved the academy,� Mrs. Bow-man recounted, �and talked about itall the time.�

Mr. Bowman joined the U.S. Armyin 1941 and in 1943 was transferredto the Air Force.

�We had a wonderful life and I al-ways enjoyed the tales of the time hewas in Staunton Military Academy,�Mrs. Bowman said.

�Bob encouraged many youngpeople to join one of the services. Itwas wonderful to have them comeback so we could see what they hadaccomplished,� she added.

�Sorry for the scribbling,� shewrote in closing, �...just thought youwould like to hear of another success-ful student.�

John Coleman, SMA �40, a landdeveloper and New Orleans honor-ary ambassador to Honduras, diedJanuary 12, 2003 in San Pedro Sula,Honduras. He was 79.

Mr. Coleman was born in SanPedro Sula and moved to New Or-leans in the late 1920s. He attendedRudby Academy and in 1937 enteredSMA, leaving in 1940. He subse-quently graduated from IsidoreNewman School and attended TulaneUniversity.

Mr. Coleman founded The Ameri-can School in San Pedro Sula in 1953and served as its president.

Richard T. Doty, SMA �59, diedApril 25, 2003 in an automobile acci-dent. Doty and his wife, Loretta re-sided in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Ernest Maas, SMA �30, died Feb-ruary 27, 1995, according to an e-mailmessage from his daughter, MelindaMaas Goodwin.

Mr. Maas was predeceased by hiswife of 50 years, Mary Virginia. Inreporting his passing, his daughtersaid: �I still have his Staunton ringand will cherish it always, as did he.�

George Jester Merritt, SMA �59,address unknown, died in 2002. No-tification to SMAAA was made by hisbrother, Albert S. Merritt ofWaynesboro, Virginia.

Emerson R. �Bud� Miller, SMA �46� Continued to page 9 �

After retirement, Mr. Dodge re-mained active as a dispatcher for theStaunton Augusta Rescue Squad andmaintained the flower beds at FirstPresbyterian Church, where he alsoserved as a deacon and a member ofthe Board of Elders.

Mr. Dodge acquired the nickname�Bebo� when in earlier years his sis-ter tried to say �big boy� in referenc-ing her brother. What came out was�Bebo�, and the nickname stuck withDodge for the remainder of his life.

A memorial web page has beenposted on the associations�s website� www.sma-alumni.org/id100.htm.Alumni who wish to add commentsto this memorial should e-mail themto WebMaster@sma-alumni.org.

Shelburne Junior High School untilhis retirement in 1988

Name:________________________________________ SMA Class Year:____________Address:______________________________________ City,____________________________State_______ZIP:__________________________________Telephone: Home: (________)__________________________ Work: (________)_____________________________

E-mail:__________________________________________

Line 1:__________________________________________Line 2:__________________________________________Line 3:__________________________________________

Mail this order form and your check (payable to SMA Foundation, Inc./Brick Paver) to:SMA Foundation, Inc. � Attn: SMA Walk of Honor � P. O. Box 958 Woodrum Station � Staunton, Virginia 24402-0958

As part of the SMA Legacy Projects, a paved brick �Walk of Honor� has been added in front of the SMA Memorial Wall. Thepurchase of individually inscribed commemorative bricks is a way to not only support your association but also to honor andrecognize SMA alumni, former faculty members, teachers, coaches, staff, graduating classes and SMA friends and support-ers. The blank bricks on the existing walkway will be replaced with each 100 orders of inscribed bricks. Each 4� x 8� brick costs$50.00 and can be purchased with a tax-deductible contribution to the SMA Foundation, Inc.

Inscription information (please print)Inscriptions may be up to three lines (maximum of20 characters per line). Punctuation marks count ascharacters. If multiple bricks are being purchased,please make copies of this form to submit orders forthe additional bricks.

Order your �Walk of Honor� bricks today!

� 9 �

� Continued from page 8 �died July 27, 2002 of a heart attack.Following graduation from SMA, heattended The Citadel. He was retiredfrom Modern Plastics and lived inFort Lauderdale, Florida.

Marvin Jackson Null, SMA �43, apost-graduate student who went onto a distingushed coaching career,died May 8 after suffering complica-tions from an aneurysm. He was 78.

Mr. Null attended Robert E. LeeHigh School in Staunton and SMA.Following graduation, he graduatedfrom the University of Richmond(UR) in 1947 as a three-sport athlete.He then joined the UR staff as afreshman coach for football, basket-ball and baseball.

He later held coaching positions atSMA and Virginia Military Institite(VMI). While his passion for athleticsnever waned, it was in the real estatebusiness and volunteer service wherehe made his mark.

Establishing his own firm, JackNull and Company, in 1964, he roseto be a leader in real estate as a direc-tor of the Virginia Association of Re-altors (VAR), the Richmond MultipleListing Service (MLS) and the Rich-mond Association of Realtors.

Mr. Null was named �Realtor of theYear� in 1987 and was the first chair-man of PRO, a group of real estatecompanies in Richmond.

The SMA Alumni Association regrets toannounce the passing of these alumni.SMAAA and its members extend their

sincere condolences.

TAPS

Mr. Null was described by associ-ates and peers as �a guiding light forso many decades� and �one of thebenchmarks that other realtors usedto judge their own professionalism.�

Mr. Null was a long time CARITASprogram coordinator at the SaintsConstantine and Helen Greek Ortho-dox Cathedral. He also establishedyouth softball and basketball teamsat the church.

A founding member of the Rich-mond Sports Backers, he was aformer director of the SMA Founda-tion and the Children�s Miracle Net-work Telethon, and served as a boardmember of the Richmond Chapterof the American Cancer Society.

Mr. Null is survived by five chil-dren and seven grandchildren.

Editor�s Note: Excerpts of thisobituary were taken from a RichmondTimes-Dispatch article written byJenifer V. Buckman and published inthe newspaper�s May 10, 2003 edition.

D. Lamar Pickett, SMA �29, oneof the oldest living SMA alumnus,died March 28, 2003. He had been along time resident ofAfrica, and had re-cently returned toAmerica and settledin Florida.

Following SMA,Dr. Pickett gradu-ated from college in1935, earning a Doc-torate in Chemistrywith a minor in Physics.

During World War II, Dr. Pickettwas employed by the Department ofthe Navy as a research chemist inthe Naval Research Lab. An inven-tor, he has many patents to hiscredit.These patents enabled Lamarto retire at a relatively young age.Lamar traveled extensively. Throughhis readings of South Africa, he be-came infatuated with the country.

By age fifty his travels found himin Durbin, South Africa, where he fellin love with a horse he named VonReign and bought a small holdingfarm. He spent the next 30 years inAfrica, returning to America forshort visits with his family. Eventu-ally he relocated his parents and hissister to Durbin. They each precededhim in death. Africa became theirfinal resting place.

D. Lamar Pickett

� Continued to page 10 �

The SMA Alumni Association regrets toannounce the passing of these alumni.SMAAA and its members extend their

sincere condolences.

TAPS

� 10 �

James S. Simmons, III, SMA �41,died December 25, 2001.

Lawrence G. Smith, SMA �47, diedseveral years ago according to anobituary notice received from DonaldStuart, SMA �43.

Mr. Smith died in the crash of aChina Airlines plane Taipei.

Mr. Smith was a veteran of theKorean War, after which he workedfor a number of New England firms.He founded Princeton Corp. in 1984.

Joel Shannon Timberlake, SMA�74 died of cancer December 15, 2002.His brother, John Minor Timberlake,SMA �68 died unexpectedly February16, 2003. Both were brothers ofStephen V. Timerlake, SMA �67. Bothdeceased brothers were from theStaunton area.

William G. Welsh, Jr., SMA �71,died at the home of his parents inMartinsburg, West Virginia on April29, 2003. At the time of his death, Mr.Welsh was working on his parent�sfarm in Jefferson County. He was amember of the National SkydiversAssociation and the Aircraft Ownersand Pilots Association.

Arthur Weinraub, SMA �50 died onJanuary 4, 2003.

Charles H. Ruth, Jr., SMA �30 diedin February 1963.

Thomas H. Saffer, SMA �52, ofBass Lake, California, died March 9,2003. He was 68.

A native of Middleburg, Virginia,he first came to California in 1957 af-ter being posted to Camp Pendletonas a Marine Second Lieutenant. Hegraduated in 1952 from StauntonMilitary Academy. Saffer attendedVirginia Military Institute, graduat-ing in 1956.

He wrote a best seller, CountdownZero, an account of his and otherMarines experiences as soldiers in theatomic testing in Nevada. His activ-ism and congressional testimony asa result of the book were instrumen-tal in gaining benefits for atomic vet-erans.

He moved to Bass Lake from Or-ange County in 1994 where he andhis wife, Barbara, operated a whole-sale computer hardware business.

Saffer was a member of the Oak-hurst Sierra Rotary Club, and wasinvolved in many of their communityactivities. He especially enjoyed read-ing to the elementary school children.Saffer entered the SMA JuniorSchool in 1947. In his senior year hewas a Cadet Captain and commanderof Company �E�. He participated injunior varsity football and basketball,was a member of the Howie Rifles,secretary of the senior class, and vicepresident of the Cotillion Club. Safferwas also a member of the SMA HonorCommittee.

In addition to his wife, he is sur-vived by stepsons Scott McGuffin ofCosta Mesa, California and MikeMcGuffin of Paso Robles, California,a sister, Claudia Young of Middleburg,Virginia and two brothers, Thornton(SMA �57), also of Middleburg and Stu-art of Laguna Beach, California.

Memorial services were held Sat-urday March 15, 2003 at St. RaphaelEpiscopal Church, Bass Lake.

� Continued from page 9 �A true renaissance man, Dr. Pick-

ett, like the gems he cut, was manyfaceted. Due to his interest in lapi-dary, he became quite skilled at gemstone cutting. Also included in hismany interests was falconry, andwood carving. He also enjoyed timeas a ham radio operator during histime in Africa. His decision to returnto America brought much sadness tothose he was leaving behind. On theeve of his departure, he celebratedhis 80th birthday. A party hosted byhis friends included among otherthings, a cake with candles thatstayed lit no matter how hard he blewon them. He returned home to Ameri-ca in 1990, settling in Dunnellon,Florida.

The computer age was expanding,and Dr. Pickett was not to be left out.The computer opened up a whole newworld for Dr. Pickett. Not only couldhe stay in contact with his friends inAfrica, but he enjoyed the fascina-tion of meeting and making newfriends..Several of these friends madetrips to meet and spend real time withhim.

An excellent cook, he was bestknown for his bathtub fudge. A giftedstoryteller, Dr. Pickett regaled hisfriends with stories of his incredibleexperiences.

Dr. Pickett is survived by TommyThompson, Dunnellon, Florida;Bernadine Laws, South Africa; Jen-nifer Lawrence, Ventura, California;Louise Starr, Tucson, Arizona; andDee Dee Murry, Centralia, Washing-ton.

Editor�s Note: The information forthis detail obituary was provided byJennifer Lawrence of Ventura, Cali-fornia. Much on the content is herown writing. SMAAA is grateful forthis generous assistance in relatingthe story of Dr. Pickett�s life.

Samuel Redman, Jr., SMA �33, ofSilver Spring, Maryland, died June29, 2002 at age 87. A banker all of hislife, he retired as a vice president ofRiggs National Bank of Washington,D.C. He was married to FrancesRedman, his wife of 62 years.

Robert Nelson Rodgers, SMA �52,Staunton, Virginia, died November13, 2002. Mr. Rodgers was retired fromSmith Transfer, where he had beenDirector of Construction.

Obituaries of alumni who havepassed away, regardless of whenthey died, are published in TheKablegram. We prefer to have theinformation transmitted electroni-cally, but will accept newspaper clip-pings and similar articles. If you sub-mit an obituary electronically, pleasesend it by e-mail to:kablegram@sma-alumni.org

or tocdlsma58@aol.com

Photos of deceased alumni arewelcomed. However, these photosmust be either digital images sentwith the e-mail or actual photosmailed to the SMA Alumni Office.An e-mailed digital image should bea medium or high resolution JPEGfile. Actual photos submitted will beimmediately scanned and returnedto the sender. Newspaper clippingphotos and photocopies cannot beused. Should you choose to senda copy, you may wish to have thephoto copied at a local photo shopprior to submitting it to The Kable-gram for publication.

Obituary Policy

_____ Baseball Cap $10.00 $________Navy blue with gold �Staunton Military Academy�

_____ Baseball Cap $10.00 $________Blue with green bill with �SMA-VWIL Museum� in goldlettering with crossed rifles._____ SMA-VWIL Video $50.00 $_____________ T-Shirt with shield $15.00 $________

Sizes M to XXL_____ Sweatshirt (blue with gold hat shield)

M to XXL $25.00 $________XXXL $30.00 $________

_____ Golf Shirts $30.00 $________(Not a stock item. To be filled on request.) Blue with mazecolor and sleeve trim with �Staunton Military Academy� ingold lettering, or optional lettering of �SMA/VWIL Mu-seum.�_____ Old Boys buckle (silver) $20.00 $_____________ Leather Belt $15.00 $________

Sizes 28, 32, 36 and 38 available_____ Car Window Decal $03.50 $________

�SMA Alumni�_____ Postcards $02.00 $_____________ SMA Shoulder Patches $02.00 $_____________ Coffee Mugs $05.00 $_____________ Rank Insignia $01.00 $________

S/Sgt. and PFC available_____ Blue Book (reprint) $10.00 $_____________ Artist Sketch $05.00 $________(Asphalt with South and North Barracks, Mess Hall)_____ Artist Sketch $05.00 $________Two available: [1] a 17� x 7¼� sketch of SouthBarracks, Administration Building, Mess Hall, Kable Halland North Barracks, or [2] a 14� x 9� sketch of theAsphalt, Memorial Hall, Kable Hall and North Barracks.

Shipping charges must be added:$00.00 to $30.00 $05.25 $________$31.00 to $70.00 $06.75 $________$71.00 and above $07.95 $________

Total: $________

Name:______________________________________Address:___________________________________City:__________________________State:________ZIP:_________ Telephone: ( ______) ___________E-mail:_____________________________________

Cadet Store Order FormQUAN. ITEM EACH TOTAL

Please print!Mail to:SMA-VWIL Museum

P. O. Box 958 Woodrum StationStaunton, Virginia 24402-0958

or FAX this order form to (540) 885-1366or e-mail your order to

SMAOffice@sma-alumni.org

Sweat Shirts

Golf Shirts

Baseball Caps

Several items have beenadded to the Cadet Storeinventory and others havebeen replenished. Picturedhere are a few items thathave become available sincethe last issue of The Kable-gram. Use the convenientorder form on this page torequest items and mail it tothe SMA/VWIL Museum atthe address shown below.Be sure to enclose yourcheck with your order. Youmay also contact the storeby e-mail, as shown below.

Belt Buckles and Shoulder Patches

� 11 �

(Gold belt buckle not currently available)

SMA Alumni AssociationP. O. Box 958Staunton, Virginia 24402-0958

NON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSTAUNTON, VAPERMIT NO. 96

Staunton Military Academy Alumni Association, IncorporatedP. O. Box 958, Woodrum Station, Staunton, Virginia 24402-0958

Telephone: (540) 885-1309 � Fax: (540) 885-1366E-mail: SMAOffice@sma-alumni.org � Website: http://www.sma-alumni.org

SMA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC. MEMBERSHIP DUES Amount enclosed: $_______________� Dues ($50.00) will be credited for fiscal year September 1, 2003 - August 31, 2004).� Dues are not tax deductible. Please make checks payable to: SMA Alumni Association.� Funds are used to maintain the office, publish newsletters, and help support the annual Reunion.

SMA FOUNDATION, INC. ANNUAL FUND Amount enclosed: $_______________� Contributions are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to SMA Foundation, Inc./Annual Fund� Donations are used for the SMA museum and scholarships, and related expenses.

Name:_____________________________________________________________________Class:_________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip:_____________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone: Home: ______________________________ E-mail:_____________________________________________

Complete this form, include your check(s) and mail to SMAAA. Your support andinvolvement are critical to the continued success of the association and the activities andprograms that have been developed and implemented in the memory of Staunton Military

Academy, the Corps of Cadets and staff.

▲

� 12 �