IN MEMORY loyal alumnus was a member of of Furman University for 36 ifrst wife, Shirley Wassong, in Hodges is survived by his wife Trinity’s Elms Society. years, and atfer three years of whose memory Trinity’s Shirley of more than 45 years, June; Blumstein is survived by his retirement, resumed teaching at G. Wassong Memorial Lecture children Scott Hodges (Diane), wife, Judy; children Howard Greenville Technical College. Cheryl Barbarotto (Anthony), in European and American Art, Blumstein, M.D., ’86 (Wendy Fairbanks is survived by his Culture, and History was esta-b Christine Avery (Darren Sautor), Slingerland), Debby Bragg (RJ wife of 50 years, Brenda; chil - lished by Wassong, friends, and Jonathan Hodges (Sheila); Reno), and Alyssa Fiederer dren Melanie Chamberlin (Eric) and family. 18 grandchildren; and 15 (Lee); and seven grandchildren. and Mark Fairbanks (Emily); great-grandchildren. and four grandchildren. 1959 Harold L. Weil, 86, of 1958 Diggory D. Robertson, 84, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, died 1961, M.A. 1969 S. Robert Italia, of Stamford, Connecticut, died 1959 Laurence M. Morgan , 82, of on November 19, 2020. 80, of Wilton Manors, Florida, on March 12, 2021. Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, died Weil earned a B.S. in engi- died on May 5, 2020. Robertson earned a B.A. on October 21, 2020. neering from Trinity before Italia earned an interdis - in philosophy from Trinity, Morgan earned a B.A. in his - moving on to the University of ciplinary B.A. from Trinity, where he was a member of tory from Trinity, where he was Pennsylvania for additional where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi and worked at a member of Alpha Delta Phi. studies. He worked as a senior Brownell Club and the Newman WRTC. He went on to earn an He went on to serve in the U.S. electrical engineer at Ford Club. He went on to earn an M.B.A. from the University of Coast Guard before embarking Motor Company. M.A. in Spanish from Trinity, Virginia. Robertson served in on a three-decade career at IBM, Weil is survived by children as well as degrees from the the Connecticut Army National working in sales and marketing. David Weil, Michael Weil University of Connecticut and Guard for 35 years, retiring with The loyal Trinity alumnus was a (Jeanette), and Robert Weil the University of Hartford. Italia the rank of major; at the time, member of the Elms Society. and a granddaughter. He was was a teacher of languages he was a labor relations special - Morgan is survived by his predeceased by wife Geraldine, and later served as chair of ist at the Hartford Armory. children, Elizabeth Pendleton son William Weil, and brother the Language Department in Robertson is survived by his (Nathaniel), Samuel Morgan Thomas Weil. Windsor, Connecticut, schools. wife, Margaret; children Mary (Dawn), and David Morgan Italia is survived by his hus - Robertson and Laura Robertson (Vanessa); six grandchildren; 1960 Robert E. Landry, 83, of band, Joseph Gilbert, and his (Wes); and two grandchildren. and brother David Morgan Somers, Connecticut, died on sister, Rose Italia. He was pre- (Gail). He was predeceased by February 25, 2021. deceased by siblings Sebastian 1959 George E. Backman , 83, of his wife of 58 years, Harriet. Landry earned a B.S. in Italia and Sally Italia. Canton, Connecticut, died on biochemistry from Trinity, August 16, 2020. 1959 Joseph F. Wassong Jr. , 83, where he was a member of 1962, HON. 2003 William C. Backman earned a B.A. of Thomaston, Connecticut, Pi Kappa Alpha. He went on Richardson , 81, of Hickory in English and educational died on May 18, 2021. to serve in the U.S. Air Force Corners, Michigan, died on studies from Trinity, where he Wassong graduated Phi Beta before embarking on a 30-year May 18, 2021. was a swimmer. He went on to Kappa with a B.A. in history and career as a contract manager at Richardson earned a B.A. in earn an M.A.T. from Wesleyan educational studies. He was a Combustion Engineers/ABB/ history from Trinity, where he University. Backman began his member of the Newman Club. Alstom Power. was a member of Theta Xi and swim-coaching career at West Wassong went on to earn an Landry is survived by his worked at WRTC. He went on Hartford’s Fernridge Park, later M.A. from Columbia University wife, Beverly; children Deanna to earn an M.B.A. and Ph.D. serving as the town’s aquatic and a sixth-year certiifcate Rivera (Esteban Jr.) and from the University of Chicago. director for two decades and from Trinity, and he completed Michael Gauvine; seven grand- Richardson held several posts as a founder of Charter Oak fellowships at the Universities children; two great-grandchil- at the University of Washington Aquatic Club. He also worked of Virginia, Washington, and dren; and sister-in-law Phyllis before being named executive as a dealer of antique silver and Florida. The lifelong educator Landry. He was predeceased by vice president and provost art glass. taught at Glastonbury High daughter Pamela Roberson, sis- at the Pennsylvania State Backman is survived by his School before serving as a ter Evelyn Kucia, and brother University. He later served as daughter, Autumn, and his for - history professor at Mattatuck Joseph Landry. the 11th president of Johns mer wife, Barbara. He was pre- (later Naugatuck Valley) Hopkins University. In 1995, deceased by son Odin, brother Community College for more 1961 Christopher A. Hodges, 81, Richardson letf academia to David, and sister Elsie. than three decades. Wassong of West Suiffeld, Connecticut, become president and CEO of was a dedicated alumnus; his died on March 5, 2021. the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a 1959 Gilbert W. Fairbanks , 82, of support included membership Hodges earned a B.S. in post he held for a decade. The Greenville, South Carolina, died in Trinity’s Elms Society. engineering from Trinity before loyal Trinity alumnus, a member on October 30, 2019. Wassong is survived by his moving on to the University of of the Elms Society, served on Fairbanks earned a B.S. in wife, Rebecca Skinner; children Washington, where he earned Trinity’s Board of Trustees for biology from Trinity, where he Joseph F. Wassong IV, John an M.S. in mechanical engi- many years. In 1997, he received was a member of the Political Wassong (Tina), and Jean Lynch neering. He also served in the the college’s Eigenbrodt Cup, Science Club. He went on to (Paul); stepdaughters Kathryn U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam. and in 2009, he and wife Nancy earn a master’s from Wesleyan Borgatti (Dan Evans) and Rachel Hodges worked as a mechanical were inscribed on Trinity’s University and a Ph.D. from the Borgatti (Tristan McNamara); engineer for Boeing and UTC/ Wall of Honor. Richardson University of South Carolina. and four step-grandchildren. Pratt & Whitney for more than also served on many other Fairbanks served on the faculty He was predeceased by his 35 years. boards, including those of Pew FALL 2021 73