AMHERST, MA. – Dr. Bernhard (“Berni”) Leidner, a social psychologist, 39, resident of Amherst, Ma. born in Bonn, Germany and died November 19, 2022 at BayState Medical Center in Springfield, Ma. due to complications from his lifelong disability.

Berni was predeceased by his mother, Irmgard Leidner, of Germany. He is survived by his brother, Andreas Leidner and his wife Christiane, their sons Julian and Jakob, two nephews which Berni cherished, also of Germany. Berni leaves many Colleagues of UMass Amherst and many dear friends. He also leaves his caretaker and confidant, Christie Fournier, of 6 years.

Berni graduated from the Free University of Berlin in 2006, and received his PhD from the New School of Social Research (NSSR) in 2010.

Berni devotedly taught at UMass Amherst for 11 years, achieving tenure in 2017 and promotion to Full Professor in 2022. He touched the lives of many colleagues, students and staff, and he was grateful for the ability to do what he loved for a living.

He carried out wide-ranging and multidisciplinary research on social identification processes, morality, peace, the role of collective trauma and narratives in the perpetuation of violent intergroup conflict, political polarization, science communication and public trust in science. Berni was a devoted mentor who cared deeply about his students, and he will be deeply missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

Calling hours will be held Monday, November 28, 5pm-8pm at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of his commitment to pluralism, open inquiry and viewpoint diversity be made to Donate – Heterodox Academy

Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Germany at a later date.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneralservice.com

 

 

AMHERST, MA. – Dr. Bernhard (“Berni”) Leidner, a social psychologist, 39, resident of Amherst, Ma. born in Bonn, Germany and died November 19, 2022 at BayState Medical Center in Springfield, Ma. due to complications from his lifelong disability.

Berni was predeceased by his mother, Irmgard Leidner, of Germany. He is survived by his brother, Andreas Leidner and his wife Christiane, their sons Julian and Jakob, two nephews which Berni cherished, also of Germany. Berni leaves many Colleagues of UMass Amherst and many dear friends. He also leaves his caretaker and confidant, Christie Fournier, of 6 years.

Berni graduated from the Free University of Berlin in 2006, and received his PhD from the New School of Social Research (NSSR) in 2010.

Berni devotedly taught at UMass Amherst for 11 years, achieving tenure in 2017 and promotion to Full Professor in 2022. He touched the lives of many colleagues, students and staff, and he was grateful for the ability to do what he loved for a living.

He carried out wide-ranging and multidisciplinary research on social identification processes, morality, peace, the role of collective trauma and narratives in the perpetuation of violent intergroup conflict, political polarization, science communication and public trust in science. Berni was a devoted mentor who cared deeply about his students, and he will be deeply missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

Calling hours will be held Monday, November 28, 5pm-8pm at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of his commitment to pluralism, open inquiry and viewpoint diversity be made to Donate – Heterodox Academy | Heterodox Academy.

Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Germany at a later date.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneralservice.com

 

 

AMHERST, MA. – Dr. Bernhard (“Berni”) Leidner, a social psychologist, 39, resident of Amherst, Ma. born in Bonn, Germany and died November 19, 2022 at BayState Medical Center in Springfield, Ma. due to complications from his lifelong disability.

Berni was predeceased by his mother, Irmgard Leidner, of Germany. He is survived by his brother, Andreas Leidner and his wife Christiane, their sons Julian and Jakob, two nephews which Berni cherished, also of Germany. Berni leaves many Colleagues of UMass Amherst and many dear friends. He also leaves his caretaker and confidant, Christie Fournier, of 6 years.

Berni graduated from the Free University of Berlin in 2006, and received his PhD from the New School of Social Research (NSSR) in 2010.

Berni devotedly taught at UMass Amherst for 11 years, achieving tenure in 2017 and promotion to Full Professor in 2022. He touched the lives of many colleagues, students and staff, and he was grateful for the ability to do what he loved for a living.

He carried out wide-ranging and multidisciplinary research on social identification processes, morality, peace, the role of collective trauma and narratives in the perpetuation of violent intergroup conflict, political polarization, science communication and public trust in science. Berni was a devoted mentor who cared deeply about his students, and he will be deeply missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

Calling hours will be held Monday, November 28, 5pm-8pm at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of his commitment to pluralism, open inquiry and viewpoint diversity be made to Donate – Heterodox Academy | Heterodox Academy.

Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Germany at a later date.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneralservice.com

 

 

William Saylor, 67, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, November 13th after a brief illness. He was born on November 12th, 1955 to Thomas Saylor and Joyce (Kellogg) Saylor in Northampton MA. He was a lifelong resident of Hadley and attended Hadley schools. Willie worked as a mechanic for over 50 years. He was the owner of WEL’S Place Automotive in Hadley for many years. He also co-owned Northern Performance in Greenfield and owned a garage/car sales center in Holyoke. He began his career as a teenager with his father at Tom and Willie’s VW Service in Amherst during the 1970s. He also worked for Mike’s Speed shop, Automania, the town of Greenfield, and various other businesses over the years. He was a beloved husband, loving father, devoted brother and uncle. He is survived by his wife Lori Saylor of Hadley, MA, his daughter Ember Whitworth of Westfield, MA, his sister Bonnie Dutcher of Turners Falls, MA, his brother Thomas Saylor of Cameron, NC, sister Debbie Brochu and husband Kevin of Whitingham, VT. He is also survived by his nephew Mike Chudzik and his wife Linda of Gill, MA, his nephew Walter Chudzik and his wife Davina of Virginia Beach, his niece Stephenie Hubert and her husband Jason of Colrain, MA, his niece Jennifer Dalton and her husband Eddie of Durham, NC and nephew Thomas Saylor of Fayetteville, NC. In addition, he is survived by his brother-in-law Timothy Fleury and his wife Patricia Halpin of Sunapee, NH, his sister-in-law Maria Fleury of Wilbraham, Ma, his nephew Jonathan Fleury of State College , PA, his niece Gina Fleury Vavrek and her husband Frank of Saugus, MA, his nephew Frank Fleury of Wilbraham, MA and his nephews Connor Fleury and Ryan Fleury of Sunapee, NH. Willie is also survived by his chosen family of many friends. He had a heart of gold underneath his gruff exterior. He would help anyone who needed it whether it was a friend or a stranger and cared deeply about others. He enjoyed hosting his 4th of July parties and his holiday dinners with friends. He loved to drag race and go to cruise nights with his classic cars. He was a member of the Over The Hill Gang car club. He will be missed by many people. He had a deep love of animals especially dogs and loved his rescue dogs Mini, Shadow and Moose. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Bobby, his brother Marty, his mother and father-in-law Janet and Leo Fleury and his brother-in-law Charles Fleury. Calling hours will be on Monday, November 21st at Douglass Funeral Home from 5 -7. There will be a graveside service at the Old Hadley Cemetery in Hadley on Tuesday, November 22nd at 11:00. Reception to follow at the Hangar Pub and Grill in Amherst. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shriners Hospital, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA, the T.J. O’Connor Animal Shelter, 627 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA or St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

Carol Frances Chunglo, 82, passed away peacefully at her home in Pelham, Massachusetts, on November 1, 2022. She was born November 26, 1939, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Victoria Chunglo Greenough. She was the step-daughter of the late George Kenneth Greenough.

 

She retired in 2015 from Interface Precision Benchworks in Orange, Massachusetts, where she was honored as the company’s longest-serving employee, and one of its most productive workers. In 1997, she was featured by The Boston Globe Magazine in a cover story titled “Ready, Willing, and Disabled.”

 

Carol loved her job and the ocean, vacationing often on Cape Cod. Most of all, she loved coffee and ice cream.

 

She grew up in Florence, Massachusetts, and lived for several years at the former Belchertown State School until its closing in 1992. For the past 25 years, she has lived in a group home operated by Almadan, Inc., where other residents and loving caregivers became her extended family.

 

Carol is survived by her devoted sister, Gail Greenough Orzechowski of Florence, who advocated for Carol her entire life. Gail and her husband Ed were Carol’s co-guardians for many years. She is also survived by her brother Kenneth George Greenough of Chandler, Arizona. She leaves her nephews Darren and Scott Orzechowski, both of New Hampshire; nieces Donna Cantalupo and Lisa Rossiter of  South Carolina, Kenna Smith of California, and Sheila Cyr of Missouri; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

 

There will be a calling hour at Douglass Funeral Service, 87 No. Pleasant St., Amherst MA at 10:00 AM on November 9, with graveside service to follow at 12:00 pm at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Northampton.

 

Donations may be made to: Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton MA 01060-9938; or Trees of Love & Thanksgiving, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 30 Locust St., PO Box 5001, Northampton MA 01061-9915. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

            Rhoda Honigberg, a native New Yorker who came to Amherst as a young UMass faculty wife in 1950 and lived in the town the rest of her life, passed away on November 2 at age 96.

            In her 72 years as a town resident, Mrs. Honigberg and her many friends enthusiastically took part in a variety of civic endeavors. She taught in elementary school prior to becoming a mother. She was active in the League of Women Voters, including service as president, and remained interested in politics and campaigns her entire life. She served on the Amherst School Committee as a member and then chair from 1968-71. She was a member of the school building committees for Wildwood Elementary and Crocker Farm Elementary. This experience enabled her to write the chapter entitled “Public Education in Amherst,” which appeared in Essays on Amherst History (Vista Trust, Amherst 1978).

She served on the town solid waste commission, which selected the site and oversaw the opening of the transfer station and recycling center on Belchertown Road. She also supported the proposed change to the town’s government structure in 2018 and, at age 92, recorded a telephone message urging residents to support the change.

            Mrs. Honigberg was born on November 13, 1925, and grew up in Brooklyn, the daughter of Michael and Sylvia (Bien) Springer. She advanced at an accelerated pace through the City’s public school system, graduating from high school at age 16. She received her bachelor’s degree in Economics from Queens College and her master’s degree in Shakespearean Literature from Columbia University.

            Mrs. Honigberg was predeceased by Bronislaw M. Honigberg, Ph.D., her husband of 44 years, who was a Professor of Zoology at UMass from 1950 until his death in 1992. Mrs. Honigberg worked as her husband’s editorial assistant on several prestigious scientific journals. She also helped acclimate the many doctoral students and post-doctoral scientists from around the world who worked in Dr. Honigberg’s laboratory.

            Mrs. Honigberg traveled extensively. She accompanied Dr. Honigberg on sabbaticals and to international conferences in, among others, France, Scotland, Germany, and Kenya. She also traveled with friends throughout Europe and North America, including Alaska, Hawaii, and passage through the Panama Canal. She was an avid reader and solver of crossword puzzles.

She was devoted to her family, her friends, and her town until the end.

Mrs. Honigberg is survived by her sons Paul Honigberg, of McLean, Virginia, and Martin Honigberg, of Concord, New Hampshire; her daughters-in-law Carol Honigberg and Ann Honigberg; and five grandchildren.

            Mrs. Honigberg will be laid to rest in a private ceremony. The family requests that donations in lieu of flowers be made in her name to the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, Inc., for the purchase of periodicals and monograph serials in the biological sciences; the Jones Library, Inc. (Amherst); or the League of Women Voters Education Fund (Amherst). Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Paul A Vlach, 68, of Shutesbury passed away on November 1, 2022. Beloved husband of Mari Vlach (Kellogg). Loving father of Christine Lemoine and her husband Sean Lemoine of North Adams, MA. He is survived by his siblings, Jan Denomy, Louise Alvado, Ken Vlach (Deonna), and Deb Comeau (Edward). He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Paul was born and raised in Amherst, MA, as one of five children of the late Francis Vlach and Georgette Vlach (Asselin). He is a graduate of Amherst Regional High School and the Massachusetts MPTC Academy in Agawam. He served as a crossing guard for the Town of Amherst, and was one of the first Community Service Officers for the town. After attending the police academy, he was sworn as an officer for the Umass Police Department in 1976. Paul served as an officer until 1995, including time with the bike patrol and mounted units program, following his promotion to Sergeant and later Accreditation Manager until his retirement in 2010, after 34 years of service. In his time with the department, he served many roles, including running bike safety rodeos and other community related programs in the family housing complexes, and leading several event and program initiatives.

Paul was an avid lover of the outdoors, especially biking and canoeing, animals, photography, billiards, and later working with his tractor “Elbow Grease”. He was a dedicated member of his community, serving as a selectman and dog officer for the town of Shutesbury, and later serving on multiple town committees in varying roles.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Dakin Humane Society in Springfield. Calling hours will be held Thursday November 10, 4pm-6pm at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst. A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

Philip Earl Shumway, 100, of Amherst Massachusetts, born July 27, 1922 passed away on Friday, November 4th, 2022. Philip was a husband to the late Dorothy Czeczot, and beloved father to their children, Alan, Jayne, and the late Scott Shumway. Philip remarried and was a husband to the late Ilse Shumway and beloved father to Philip, Spencer, Jennifer, Clarissa, and the late Geoffrey Shumway. Philip also leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren that he had the joy of watching grow in his lifetime.

 

Beyond his family, Philip found great love in flying and carpentry. He joined the US Army Air Corps (known today as the Air Force) during WWII where he flew on the front lines of a medical evacuation and supply mission piloting the DC-3 transport. Much of his tour was spent in the  China Burma Hump where he earned the rank of Captain. Philip received many accolades (including the distinguished flying cross) for his efforts during his time in the service. Upon his return home, Philip attended Wentworth Institute. Following graduation, Philip worked as a carpenter and general contractor. He was a perfectionist in his work and his eye for detail never faded with time. He constructed many buildings in the Amherst area, including the visitor center on Mount Sugarloaf in Sunderland, MA. Philip was a true gentleman and he will be greatly missed by all the lives he touched during his 100 years, which he happily celebrated surrounded by family and friends.

 

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, November 9^th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Boston Children’s Hospital or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

Linda Littenberg Terry passed away with loved ones by her side at the Hospice of the Fisher Home, on Oct. 28, 2022. Linda was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1942, to doting parents, Cyrus and Mary Littenberg. Linda’s tremendous love for her family and deep sense of social justice guided her throughout her life.

            She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1963. That same year, she married Stuart Terry (div. 1976). After a brief time in Ithaca, NY, they settled in Longmeadow, Mass. They had two children, Marc and Robin.

Linda first lived in Amherst, MA, from 1976-1985, where she raised her children and worked at the Springfield College Counseling Center, in Springfield. MA.

With much determination and hard work, Linda earned a doctorate in marriage and family therapy from UMass Amherst, at the age of 43. She and her family moved to Hamden, CT, in 1985, when Linda became director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Fairfield University, in Connecticut. In 1990, she moved to the West Coast for her dream job at San Diego State University (SDSU), where she developed a master’s program in marriage and family therapy with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion and providing mental health services to  underserved communities. In 1996, Linda married DeWayne Guyer (div. 2002).

After retiring from SDSU in 2007, Linda moved back to Amherst—the place she had always felt most at home. For several years, she served as director of the Family Therapy Training Clinic at Central Connecticut State University’s (CCSU) Klingberg Family Centers, where her work was grounded in social justice training and practice. Linda also held many professional leadership positions throughout her career, including serving on the board of directors for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

After her second retirement, from CCSU, Linda served on the board of directors for the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Mass., was a member of the Jewish Community of Amherst (JCA) Reproductive Rights and Justice Committee, and helped found Amherst Neighbors, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting older adults to age well in their community.

Throughout her life, Linda’s travels took her all over Europe, with a special love for Paris and the French language. In more recent years, she also traveled to China and Israel. She loved to cook and had an artist’s eye for design, which she poured into ambitious home renovation projects in her retirement.

Everyone who knew Linda admired her boundless energy and intelligence, her deep commitment to social justice, and her love for her friends and family.

She is survived by her two children and their spouses: Marc Terry (Tracy), Robin Terry Brown (William Brown); her two grandchildren, Matthew and Cate Terry; and her many beloved cousins and friends. Linda spent her life trying to make the world a better place, and she will be dearly missed.

A funeral will be held on Friday, Nov. 4, at 10am, at the Jewish Community of Amherst (JCA), 742 Main St, Amherst, MA, with burial to follow at the JCA Cemetery, in Shutesbury.

Donations in Linda’s memory can be made to Amherst Neighbors, www.amherstneighbors.org, 413-345-2555, amherstneighbors01002@gmail.com.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Edward James “Ted” Rising, 95, passed away September 25, 2022 in Amherst, surrounded by his children.  Born November 10, 1926, in Troy, New York to Mildred (Horton) Rising and James S.  Rising, both from upstate New York, Ted graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, pursued graduate study at University of Kansas, and received his doctorate In Industrial Engineering from University of Iowa. He completed his military service in the US Army Air Corp during World War II and was honorably discharged at the end of the war. He met and married Joan Troyer in Syracuse, New York shortly after his discharge from the Army. Their marriage of over 60 years was a partnership that supported a rich life of family, careers, civic engagement and political activism. Ted was Professor of Industrial Engineering at UMass/Amherst from 1960 until his retirement in May, 1989. His area of expertise was Systems Engineering in health care delivery to optimize quality and efficiency while maintaining equal concern for the time of patients and health care providers. Ted researched and consulted world-wide on this topic, receiving recognition and awards. Ted held the George Lucas Honorary Chair at the University of Birmingham, England, where he served on the faculty 1967-68, and a second honorary chair in Vienna, Austria 1981-82.

Throughout his life, Ted enjoyed outdoor adventure and suffered a severe case of wanderlust. He hiked and camped throughout the US, Great Britain, and Europe.  He nurtured a love of the outdoors and travel in his children and friends. He led a tribe of Amherst families on week-long canoe camping and skiing expeditions. Ted skied well into his 90’s. After a knee replacement at age 84, Ted confessed to allowing himself the use of a H/C parking spot at Berkshire East where he found that his new knee would perform for only three good runs if he carried his skis up from main the parking lot!  True to his professional mission, he was efficient! Ted valued his extended family, which included many not related by blood.   Surrounded by family and friends, often beside a campfire, he would be overheard remarking, “I am a rich man!”

Ted was civic minded and cared deeply for community.  His commitment took many forms and usually included an enthusiastic physical component.  He served on several Amherst town committees and councils. Ted led the North Amherst Boy Scouts on hiking, camping, canoe and skiing trips.  He played banjo for many years with the Horse Mountain Jazz Band and took special joy in playing for the annual Puffers Pond Breakfast and at local nursing homes.  From its inception, Ted was a generous supporter of the Amherst Survival Center; for more than two decades he found delight carving turkeys and serving guests at the annual Survival Center Thanksgiving dinner.  Ted traveled to Georgia to volunteer with Jimmy Carter’s Habitat for Humanity project rebuilding burned churches.  He had a passion for adding value to every moment and encouraged others to do the same.

Ted is predeceased by his wife and partner Joan Troyer Rising, his parents, his brother, Donald Rising, and his grandson Andrew Musgrave. He leaves his 3 children and their spouses, James Sinclair Rising and Krista Oesterling Rising of Amherst, Elizabeth Rising Musgrave and Alan Musgrave of Amherst, and Kathryn Rising Baldor of Westminster, MA. He leaves his grandchildren, Anthony Baldor, Jocelyn Fykes, Daniel Baldor, David Musgrave, Jessamyn and Lisa Rising and their spouses and significant others. He leaves five great-grandchildren, Layla, Lennon, Ponder, Emma and Reiter. He leaves many nieces and nephews, as well as an extended tribe of family friends.  

 A Celebration of Life for Ted will be held on Friday, November 25^th at 2:30 pm at The Women’s Club, 35 Triangle Street, Amherst Massachusetts.  All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please spend time outdoors with your family and friends, and/or make a donation to a charity of your choice, the Amherst Survival Center, or Habitat for Humanity.  Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com