Obituaries

1944

Paul S. Sandhaus, writer, New York City and Santa Fe, N.M., on June 27, 2017. After the College, Sandhaus served in the Army as first lieutenant during WWII and was in Japan during its occupation. He was a gifted writer. A published novelist, Sandhaus’ teleplays were produced during the early days of live television. He was an advertising executive at General Electric and J. Walter Thompson, and the owner and president of Paul Sandhaus Associates for more than 30 years. He got his pilot’s license at 70. Sandhaus is survived by his wife of more than 70 years, Helen; son, Richard; and daughter, Ellen.

Albert L. Seligmann, retired Foreign Service officer, Alexandria, Va., on April 5, 2017. Born in New York City, Seligmann attended Townsend Harris H.S. After the College, he served in the Army as a Japanese Language Officer during the Occupation. He earned an M.A. in 1949 from SIPA and joined the State Department. Seligmann’s assignments took him to Japan, Thailand and Germany, and he served as director of the Office of Japanese Affairs, counselor for Political Affairs in Tokyo, senior Asian affairs officer on the Policy Planning staff, executive director of the United States-Japan Advisory Commission and deputy director of the Defense Department’s Office of Policy Planning and NSC Affairs. Following retirement, Seligmann became The Asia Foundation’s representative in Japan. His deep knowledge and love of Japan fostered many exchanges and partnerships between the countries. The Japanese government honored him with the Order of the Rising Sun, one of the highest decorations bestowed on foreigners. Seligmann is survived by his wife, Bobbie; daughters, Susan, Linda, Ann and Wendy; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Memorial contributions may be made to DACOR Bacon House Foundation, 1801 F St. N.W., Washington, DC 20006.

1949

Rodman B. Funston, retired advertising and executive recruitment executive, Tubac, Ariz., and New Preston, Conn., on August 1, 2017. Funston lived with his family in Scarsdale, N.Y., 1963–93, where his five children attended Scarsdale schools and he was active in community affairs. Funston was in the advertising and executive recruitment business in New York City for more than 40 years and served on numerous nonprofit boards. He was a decorated WWII pilot. Funston is survived by his wife, Sidney Reid Funston; sons, Rodman Jr., David and Reid; daughters, Meredith Funston and Courtenay Price-Gallagher; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Waramaug Task Force or the Lake Waramaug Association.\

George R. Lenz ’49

George R. Lenz, retired attorney and rare book dealer, Huntington, N.Y., on August 1, 2017. Lenz earned a degree in 1952 from the Law School. A WWII veteran, he had a distinguished career in law as a Wall Street partner, where he represented, among others, the old Bank of America. He was chosen a Fellow of the Bar, comprising the top 1 percent of all attorneys. In the mid-1970s, Lenz was alumni chair of the Columbia College Fund and was very proud to be honored by Columbia for his work. The father of seven, including one Columbia graduate, he became a well-known rare-book collector and made that his second career in Huntington.

Chester A. “Chet” Nedwidek Jr., retired engineer, Pollocksville, N.C., on May 18, 2017. Nedwidek was born November 1, 1927, in Bayside, N.Y. He earned a B.A. from the College, followed in 1952 by a B.S. from Columbia Engineering and in 1992 by a master’s in civil engineering from NC State. Nedwidek moved to Aiken, S.C., and his position at the Savannah River Plant was intermediate reactor department engineer. DuPont transferred him to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he was the senior engineer at the nylon plant. Nedwidek then moved to Cary, N.C., to work for Beaunit, and when it was sold he opened General Personnel. His last job before retirement was at the NCDOT, GIS Unit as assistant director. A WWII veteran, Nedwidek was a medic in the 20th Army Air Corps in Guam. His passion was woodworking, and he was a member of several Raleigh woodworking clubs. Nedwidek is survived by his sons, Chet III, John and his wife, Carolyn, and Michael “Ned” and his wife, Sheri; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made to The Cary High School Marching Band, Cary Band Boosters, PO Box 91 Cary, NC 27512; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 221 Union St., Cary, NC 27511; or Covenant House, 160 Mine Lake Ct., Ste 200, Raleigh, NC 27615.

1950

Dan Neuberger, retired research chemist, Rochester, N.Y., on January 23, 2017. Born in 1929 in the former Yugoslavia, Neuberger, his parents and brother immigrated to the United States in 1940. As an 11-year-old who spoke almost no English, Neuberger solo-navigated the 1939–40 New York World’s Fair; it was one of his happiest childhood memories. Neuberger earned a Ph.D. in chemistry in 1953 from the University of Rochester, then served in the Army. He was a research chemist for Eastman Kodak from 1955 until retirement in 1986. Neuberger’s passion for photography then blossomed: He saw wit, humor and beauty in his often offbeat subjects. He was a founding partner of Rochester’s Image City Photography Gallery. Neuberger is survived by his wife, Isobel; and daughter Lisa and her husband, Cristian. He was predeceased by a brother and a daughter, Suzy.

Edwin W. Peters, retired insurance broker, Sarasota, Fla., on October 12, 2016. Peters was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Edwin and Clara Peters. He served in the Air Force in WWII as a link trainer. At the College, Peters was on the debate team and participated in the Columbia-Oxford Debate. His working years were spent in New York, where he achieved the position of VP of a brokerage insurance firm specializing in foreign credit insurance. In 1989, he and his wife, Olga, retired to Sarasota, where Peters was on the board of Pelican Cove, was an active Democrat, and enjoyed playing bridge and traveling. He is survived by Olga, his wife of 66 years; brother, Lawrence; daughter, Marilyn; son, Ralph; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made to Tidewell Hospice or Planned Parenthood.

1951

Harvey M. Krueger, attorney, financial executive, New York City, on April 23, 2017. Raised in Hackensack, N.J., Krueger was legendary in Israeli business circles and was the first banker to bring Israel to the international capital markets. A 1953 alumnus of the Law School, he was with Cravath, Swaine & Moore, then Kuhn, Loeb & Co., where he became CEO. Krueger later was a vice-chair of Lehman Brothers and most recently was a vice-chair of Barclays Capital. He was presented a John Jay Award for distinguished professional achievement in 1985. Krueger was an active board member and leader of numerous charitable and philanthropic organizations in the United States and Israel. After the passing of his son Peter of AIDS in 1988, Krueger and his wife, Constance Alexander Krueger, founded The Peter Krueger Center for Immunological Disorders at Mount Sinai/Beth Israel. Krueger was predeceased by his wife in November 2016 and is survived by his brother, Stuart, and his wife, Jill; sister-in-law, Pamela Schlenger; daughter Cathy Cohen and her husband David; daughter Liz Krueger and her husband, John Seley; daughter Abigail Bialer and her husband, Arthur; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to The Peter Krueger Center for Immunological Disorders (philanthropy.mountsinai.org/donate or 212-659-8500).

1952

Dennis C. Cronin ’52

Dennis C. Cronin, retired attorney, Killingworth, Conn., on June 19, 2017. Formerly of New York City, Cronin was born on June 21, 1930, in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., and attended Brooklyn Technical H.S. After the College, he served in the Army during the Korean War. Cronin earned a degree in 1957 from the Law School and had a long and productive legal career. Following law school, he joined the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., as part of the Honors Program. Cronin was recruited by the firm of Hahn, Loeser, in Cleveland, and he spent several years there. In 1965, he returned to NYC to join the firm of Reavis & McGrath, working in civil litigation. In 1975, Cronin joined Wertheim & Co. In 1998, he retired as legal/compliance counsel. In retirement, Cronin was an arbitrator for the Financial Industries Regulatory Authority. He had a lifelong love of boating, the sea, fine food, art, music and nature. Cronin was an avid reader of nonfiction and was a rock for his family. Memorial contributions may be made to Connecticut Hospice in Branford or the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

A. Thomas Houghton, retired educator, Manahawkin, N.J., on May 1, 2017. Houghton was born on July 16, 1931, in Mount Kisco, N.Y. After moving to Harvey Cedars, N.J., in 1939, he attended the one-room schoolhouse in Barnegat City for grades 4 and 5, and graduated from Barnegat H.S. After Columbia, Houghton served as an officer in the Navy amphibs 1952–57. He began his career with Connecticut General in Bloomfield, Conn., before returning to Harvey Cedars in 1961. Houghton and his family operated Houghton’s Rowboats and Clam Bar on 83rd Street for 25 years. He also taught school in Lacey Township for 27 years, until retiring in 1987. Houghton was active in the Exchange Club of Beach Haven and the Harvey Cedars Zoning Board, and was a Little League Baseball coach. He and his wife of 63 years, Joy Pflueger Houghton, enjoyed travel and spent winters in Deerfield Beach, Fla., for more than 20 years. Houghton is survived by his wife; son Richard and his wife, Elizabeth, son Timothy and his wife, Michele, daughter Holly Gallagher and her husband, Tim, and son Eric and his wife, Carol; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Meridian Hospice South (Manahawkin, N.J.) or Grace Calvary Chapel (Ship Bottom, N.J.).

1953

Frank McCauley Jr., retired financial executive, Vero Beach, Fla., and Surry, Maine, on March 20, 2017. McCauley was born on June 22, 1931, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was a longtime winter resident of Vero Beach. He was a graduate of Carson Long Military Academy in New Bloomfield, Pa., and in 1954 earned an M.S. from the Business School. McCauley was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the Army. He was VP for 25 years at Chemical Bank (later JPMorgan Chase). McCauley was a member of the New York Yacht Club and Narrasketuck Yacht Club, Amityville, N.Y. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean B.; nephews, John and Todd; niece, Deborah; and their families. Memorial contributions may be made to VNA/Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Ln., Vero Beach, FL 32960.

1957

Joseph Feldschuh ’57

Joseph Feldschuh, physician and inventor, Bronx, N.Y., on January 31, 2017. After his family left Nazi-occupied Austria for Brooklyn, N.Y., Feldschuh became a Westinghouse Science Talent Search finalist and received a Regents Scholarship to Columbia, where he lettered in football and was captivated by Shakespeare. He earned an M.D. in 1961 from NYU and obtained board certification in both cardiology and endocrinology, always rising to meet the challenge of treating the most complicated medical cases. He raised a family with his then-wife, Roxanne BC’62, whom he met at a Columbia/Barnard soirée when he cut in on her dance with Art Garfunkel ’65. As a father to sons Jonathan, Stephen and Michael ’91, Feldschuh emphasized the importance of education and innovative thinking. He led by example: In the 1960s, he worked alongside Nobel Prize winner André F. Cournand to develop a blood-volume analyzer — a device that has since been used in treating more than 40,000 patients. His legacy also lives on through his fertility research, which resulted in more than 20,000 births. Feldschuh left an indelible mark not only on the future of medicine, but also on the hearts of all those he enlightened with his passion, brilliance and enduring spirit.

Stephen S. Fybish, weather historian and teacher, New York City, on August 30, 2017. Fybish was a devoted alumnus; at his 60th reunion, held last June, he led attendees at the class dinner in song, selecting Sans Souci. He is survived by his brother, Ira; stepdaughters, Emily Prager and Nora Elcar-Verdon; and numerous other relatives and friends.

William R. Schwartzman ’57

William R. Schwartzman, retired physician, San Francisco, on April 25, 2017. In 1961, Schwartzman earned an M.D. from P&S. He fell in love with San Francisco on a visit in summer 1955 and in 1960 he married and then relocated there. Schwartzman was dedicated to the medical profession, psychiatry and helping people. He worked throughout the Bay Area, including at Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics (UCSF), San Francisco General Hospital, Mount Zion Hospital and Napa State Hospital. From the mid-1980s until he retired, Schwartzman turned his professional talents to working on behalf of the disadvantaged in community clinics. He was a gifted pianist and could be found regularly at the opera, symphony or at the latest Broadway hit. Other hobbies included backgammon, chess, stamp collecting, book collecting, poetry and tennis. Schwartzman enjoyed living life in the company of other people, telling jokes and sharing stories. He had strong opinions and was a passionate crusader for improvements within the mental health system or against unfair immigration policies. Schwartzman is survived by, among others, his daughters Karen and Tamsen.

1958

Esmail Koushanpour ’58

Esmail Koushanpour, emeritus professor, Mundelein, Ill., on February 12, 2017. Born in Tehran, Iran, on June 9, 1934, Koushanpour was an emeritus professor at Northwestern University Medical School, where he worked for 36 years in the Department of Physiology. He authored two editions of a textbook on renal physiology and many scientific papers, with particular interest in mathematical simulation of physiological systems. He retired in 1999. A leader in the Chicago Muslim community, Koushanpour was active in POWER, an interfaith coalition of diverse community groups. He was on the Board of Directors of several organizations, including Gilead Sciences, which worked with the State of Illinois to establish the KidCare program, extending access to health care for thousands of low-income people in Illinois. An outspoken advocate of social justice, Koushanpour received an honorary degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation. Memorial contributions may be made to the Islamic Foundation North (Libertyville, Ill.), the Graduate Theological Foundation (Mishawaka, Ind.), or the American Physiological Society.

1959

D. Patrick Mullins ’59

D. Patrick Mullins, insurance executive, Bumpass, Va., on May 28, 2017. Mullins was an active community and business leader. He was one of the leading Equine Insurance executives in America after having built his own business, which was acquired by one of the largest insurance companies in America. Mullins was a sports reporter during his time at Columbia, becoming Spectator’s sports editor in his senior year. He moved to Washington, D.C., after college, married and had four children. During his professional career, Mullins was also heavily involved in the community, serving as president of many local organizations, including Fairfax County Council of PTAs, Annandale-North Springfield Little League, Turnpike Basketball Club and Annandale Rotary Club, and was a district governor of Rotary. Mullins served as chair of the Virginia Republican Party 2009–14.

1960

Carlos E. Otálvaro ’60

Carlos E. Otálvaro, retired investment banker, Miami, Fla., on August 18, 2017. Otálvaro was born in Bogotá, Colombia, on March 30, 1940. A 1961 alumnus of the Business School, he pioneered the online trading industry in the early ’90s with the establishment of the trading platform WallStreet*E. The firm went on to be recognized by Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal as one of the leading platforms for 11 consecutive years in their annual reviews of “Best Online Brokers.” While at Columbia, Otálvaro was on the wrestling team, was president of his class and led a Latin-American band he started, Carlos Ota: Columbia Lions. He pursued graduate studies at the Menéndez Pelayo International University in Santander, Spain. Otálvaro then moved to Madrid where he met his wife, Sonia. They started their family of six in Spain and eventually relocated to the United States. In Miami, Otálvaro worked for firms such as Bear Stearns and Shearson Lehman Brothers, using his expertise in Latin-American markets, before starting his own firms. In the 1990s, he and his wife began Vintage Rolls Royce Limousines of Coral Gables, a luxury transportation company based in their city of residence. Otálvaro is survived by his wife; children, Carlos, Noe, Francisco, Antonio, Nena and Gigi; six sons- and daughters-in-law; and 13 grandchildren.

1961

John H. Cleveland III, retired attorney, Sackets Harbor, N.Y., on June 1, 2017. Educated at Watertown City schools, Cleveland earned a J.D. in 1963 from the Law School. He was an Army veteran, serving during the Korean War. Cleveland began practice as a maritime lawyer in 1963 with Haight, Gardner, Poor & Havens in New York City. Upon retiring from the practice of admiralty law in 1997, he returned to Sackets Harbor. An attorney by trade, but a musician by love, Cleveland organized the Sackets Harbor Jazz Festival. He was a former board member of North Country Library System and was on the new building committee of Hay Memorial Library. As a past president of the Sackets Harbor Historical Society, Cleveland was a supporter of Concerts on the Waterfront and historic architectural preservation. With family and those who knew him well, he was known as a generous host and a world traveler who loved to share stories and share a meal. Cleveland is survived by his wife of 44 years, Margaret Harris Cleveland; their son, Thacher; his daughters from his first marriage: Erika Cleveland Marks, Britta Cleveland and Ingrid Cleveland Gori; six grandchildren; and two sisters.

Andrew S. Levine, engineer, Stockbridge, Mass., and Bonita Springs, Fla., on July 19, 2017. Levine earned a degree in 1962 from Columbia Engineering, in the 3-2 program. He was elected to Junior Phi Beta Kappa at the College and went to MIT, from which he earned a master’s, and Northeastern, from which he earned a Ph.D.; both degrees were in mechanical engineering. Levine worked for Raytheon and MIT Draper Laboratory in Boston, where he and his wife, Toby, lived 1964–78, and for SAIC, The Aerospace Corp., Grumman and HP in the Washington, D.C., area after 1978. The family lived in Potomac, Md., 1978–2001, after which they moved to the Berkshires. Levine loved classical music and enjoyed many concerts at Tanglewood. He and his wife participated in the Tanglewood Music Center Fellows Lunch program for more than 10 years. Levine was also a passionate believer in social action; he was an active member of Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, for which he was treasurer and chairman of the Finance Committee for many years. He is survived by his wife of 53 years; daughters, Amy Levine, and Caren Pelletier and her husband, Michael; one grandson; and a sister.

Theodore H. Stanley, anesthesiologist and medical entrepreneur, Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 13, 2017. Stanley was born on February 4, 1940, in New York City. He earned a bachelor’s in zoology, chemistry and music from the College and in 1965 earned a degree from P&S. Studying under a fellowship at the University of Utah, Stanley planned to become a cardiac surgeon but added anesthesiology as a specialty. He served in the Air Force at the medical center of Lackland AFB in San Antonio and then joined the University of Utah faculty in 1972, becoming a professor of surgical research and director of research at the university’s School of Medicine. There, Stanley was a member of the team that in 1982 implanted the first permanent artificial heart in a human. He later became managing director of UpStart Ventures. Stanley wrote or contributed to scores of books and was frequently published in medical journals. He is best known for, with colleague Brian I. Hague, creating in 1983 the fentanyl lollipop, a palatable means of delivering a synthetic opioid analgesic, mostly to cancer patients, but also to relieve migraine and cluster headaches, severe back and bone pain, arthritis and other chronic conditions. It was approved by federal regulators in 1998 to treat cancer pain under the name Actiq.

1969

Barry A. Hamilton, retired judge, Rockville, Md., on May 24, 2017. Born on September 23, 1947, in Hagerstown, Md., Hamilton graduated from the McDonogh School and after the College earned a J.D. from NYU. He played saxophone in the United States Army Band during the Vietnam War. Hamilton was a prosecutor in the Montgomery County (Md.) State’s Attorneys Office for 20 years before serving as a judge in the District Court for Montgomery County until his retirement in April 2017. Hamilton had a passion for musical theater and cherished his time directing and playing the piano for numerous organizations throughout the Washington, D.C., area as well as for the Broadway Artists Alliance in New York City. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Diane; daughter, Erica and her husband, Nathan Hilburger; son, Brett; and two grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery’s Miracles, c/o Jenna Dempsey Davis, Drug Court Coordinator, 50 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850.

1983

Richard D. Shin, physician, Burr Ridge, Ill., on March 13, 2017. Shin went to the NYU School of Medicine and was a busy hand surgeon in private practice. He was affiliated with several hospitals in the Chicago area, including Rush University Medical Center. Shin is survived by his wife, Nora; children, Kyler, Kiana and Kedrick; brother, Tom ’84; sister, Linda BC’86; and his parents.

1999

James M. Stephenson, humanitarian aid worker, Danville, Calif., on July 25, 2017. Stephenson earned a degree in 2007 from SIPA. As a career humanitarian aid worker, he worked for the International Rescue Committee, Save the Children, and International Relief and Development, which assigned him to Baghdad’s “Red Zone.” There he worked to increase employment and political stability by helping ordinary Iraqis develop businesses. After his service in Iraq, Stephenson moved on to Mercy Corps in Sri Lanka, where he pursued economic development programs as the nation concluded its long civil war. He was instrumental in gaining the release of 300,000 Tamil civilians from POW camps and securing their return to farms and fields cleared of mines. Stephenson’s last employer was Danish Demining Group. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, but largely working in Somaliland, he designed programs to reduce armed violence among and within Somali clans. After successfully establishing a model for local government structures for nonviolent dispute resolution, he adapted this model to address similar challenges in South Sudan, Tunisia, Mali and Nigeria. At the time of his death, Stephenson was preparing to leave for a new assignment in Northern Nigeria.

— Lisa Palladino