Amherst, Arnold Friedmann passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in his home on Thursday, February 17. After being diagnosed with pneumonia, he elected Fisher Home’s home hospice. He was surrounded by family in his remaining days. 

Friedmann was born in 1925 in Nuremberg, Germany. His parents Max and Else, and his sister Lotte, lived in Germany until 1939. After Kristallnacht (Night of the Broken Crystal) the family fled Germany for British Palestine. To earn money and develop a trade, Arnold apprenticed as a cabinet maker at age 14. At 18, he enlisted in the British Army and served as an ammunition specialist throughout the Middle East during WW II, attaining the rank of Sergeant. 

Throughout his time in Palestine and in the British Army, Arnold continued his high school studies and passed the London Matriculation in 1947. He then immigrated to the United States to study interior design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He put his studies on hold in 1949 to return to Palestine to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces as a Sergeant Major in the Israeli War of Liberation.  

During his one year of service in the Israeli Army, Arnold married his long-time love, Susi Kirsch. After the war, she joined him in the United States in 1950, where she worked in the garment district to support his pursuit of a Bachelors of Fine Arts, which he earned in 1953 from Pratt. 

In the 1950s, Arnold worked as a furniture designer, cabinet maker, and interior designer while teaching at Pratt and continuing his studies there. In 1960, he earned a Masters of Fine Arts from Pratt. After that, he focused his energy on teaching. In the 1960s, he became a Full Professor and Chair of the Design Department. 

In 1972, Arnold moved his family to Amherst, MA to create an interior design program in the Fine Arts Department at the University of Massachusetts. During his 20 years of work and service at UMass, he grew the design department, mentored many students, and served on many committees. He became Chairman of the Department of Interior and Environmental Design and was the Associate Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts until he retired in 1990. 

Throughout his 40-year career, he was very actively involved in several interior design professional associations and a prolific author. As an active member and leader of IDEC, NCIDQ, and other organizations, he played a key role in turning interior design into an accredited academic pursuit and in establishing national qualifying examinations for interior designers.

He authored or co-authored four books, 60+ professional journal articles, and an Encyclopedia Britannica entry. He was also proud to receive numerous professional awards; including from the IKEA Foundation and IDEC. His favorite award was the Distinguished Teaching Award from UMass in 1980. 

After his retirement, he continued to teach part time for five years as Professor Emeritus. In retirement, he remained an active volunteer at the University Fine Arts Center and in numerous local organizations, including the Survival Center, Learning in Retirement, and foster care.  After his move to the Applewood retirement community, he continued in true form and became very involved in numerous committees and activities, including organizing an ongoing lecture series covering a wide range of topics. 

Most important to Arnold were the relationships he forged during his career. Many students saw him as both a mentor and a close friend, and he continued many relationships beyond graduation. 

Arnold’s leisure time was just as busy as his professional life: he traveled frequently with his beloved wife, Susi, played tennis 2-3 times per week until the age of 90, and entertained friends often at their home. From 1960 onwards, he collected a wonderful set of balancing toys many of which continue to grace their home.

Arnold Friedmann is survived by his wife Susi, of Applewood in Amherst, his sons, Dan of Chappaqua, NY and Ron of Arlington, VA, his much-loved grandchildren Tim and Jillian of Chappaqua, NY and Ron’s husband Stuart. He was pre-deceased by his daughter-in-law, Laurie Fessler. 

A memorial service will be organized this summer. Donations in his memory can be made to Learning in Retirement; the Institute for Holocaust, Genocide, and Memory Studies at UMass; or the Massachusetts General Hospital. 

Amherst, EUGENE A. WAGNER – Wikipedia defines a superhero as “a type of costumed heroic character who possesses supernatural or superhuman powers and who is dedicated to fighting crime, protecting the public, and usually battling supervillains.” Amherst lost one of their superheroes on February 14, 2017. Eugene A Wagner, 73 of North East St. met his kryptonitic battle with CJD. The fight was the first war he was unable to conquer, the battle lasted a short two and a half months, but thankfully he was at peace at the time of passing. 

Gene, aka Poppa Gene, aka Genie, aka Grizzle Bear, was a superhero dressed as a farmer, who really could care less about what image he portrayed. He maintained a humble, practical costume – with his sense of humor shining through his suspenders, equipped with his pocket knife and pliers. No matter what differences he had with someone, it was simple, either you’re a good person or not. If you had a true heart he was able to detect it – he would give you the shirt off of his back and pump you up no matter what you were battling. If you were deceitful, vindictive, or out for no good he would strike vengeance upon you and you’d never see it coming. Despite being a former all American football player, who spent time playing for the army, his size did not prevent him from sneaking up on you ninja style. 

His passion for horses and equipment was comparable to the size of his heart… the bigger the better. He loved working with his herd of draft horses, from working in the tranquil woods logging, to providing moon-lite sleigh rides or hay rides for a cluster of kids and adults reliving their childhood. Aside from his ability to manipulate true horse power, he was also an amazing operator. His on the job training really began when he spent time overseas throughout Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. Fresh out of high school he was sent on the mission to fight for his country and fight for his family to maintain their freedoms. He accepted the job presented and created the paths for all those who followed to use. 

For those who were fortunate enough to know Gene, please remember when sadness strikes because he is no longer physically with us, he wouldn’t want you to wallow in that emotion. Instead carry-on the saying “a hero never dies”. Continue his legend by appreciating the moments you have with the loved ones that are still around you. Take the time to enjoy family dinners without arguments or technology. But don’t forget to get your work done too! And most importantly – be careful out there. To him, family didn’t mean you had to be blood related, it simply meant having an understanding and unconditional love from one soul to another. 

Funeral services will be private at a later date with a memorial service to take place in the spring. Since plans have not been set for the memorial service, please send email inquiries to poppageneservices@gmail.com. For those who aren’t internet/computer savvy, simply track down a Wagner from North East St. and they can help with details. And remember that he’s finally able to rest with all the loved ones who’ve passed before him. 

Amherst, Lawrence “Larry” Kelley, a lifelong Amherst resident died suddenly Friday February 17, 2017. His family is grateful for the outpouring of support from so many these past few days and the gracious news stories that have been published. Larry is a graduate of St. Michael’s High School, Northampton and the University of Massachusetts.

He is survived by his beloved daughters, Kira and Jada Kelley and his former wife Donna Kelley of Belchertown. He is also survived by his brothers Tom Kelley of Hadley, Marty Kelley and sister in law Charleen of Endicott, NY and sister Margaret Garcia and husband Pedro of Ashburn, VA. Larry was pre deceased by his parents, Lawrence T. and Mary Kelley.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday February 24, 2017 at 10:00 am at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst, with burial following in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. Calling hours will be Thursday February 23, from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The Kira and Jada Kelley Memorial Fund, C/O Easthampton Savings Bank P.O. Box 81 Hadley, MA 01035 

AMHERST – Thomas Henry Lindeman, 84, of Applewood, Amherst, MA died peacefully at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton, MA on February 11, 2017. 

Born in Duluth, Minnesota, son and first child of D. N. and F. Belle (Jones) Lindeman, he attended grade and junior high schools in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and senior high school in Billings, Montana. He graduated from the University of Montana with honors in international relations in 1954. During his university years, he was active in the Student YMCA-YWCA, serving as chair of the Pacific Northwest Student YMCA, and also was active in the Methodist Student Movement.

He attended seminary at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, graduating magna cum laude, while serving student appointments in three churches. 

He was ordained in 1955 and 1958 in the United Methodist Church and began a career in ministry in higher education, working with the interaction of the church and higher education as a locus of social change. From 1958 to 1966, he served as the Methodist campus minister on the staff of the College Y/College Religious Center at Fresno State. 

During that time, he also served as Fresno District director of social concerns for the organizing years of Cesar Chavez’ United Farm Workers, and brought about the first face-to-face meeting between Chavez and churchgoing growers. He was state issues development chair in the California Federation of Young Democrats. 

From 1966 to 1974, he worked as a staff member of the United Christian Foundation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His work in organizing the Undergraduate Education Conference – a faculty movement focused on raising the priority of undergraduate education at a time when research and publication were being emphasized – helped drive the establishment of the UMass Center for Teaching and played a part in improving UMass Amherst’s standing among Commonwealth students. 

In 1972, he earned an M.A. in history from UMass, with emphasis on the interaction of religion and culture. 

During this time he was a member of the personnel committee of the New England United Ministries in Higher Education, conducting on-site evaluations of campus ministries across New England. Involved in Amherst-area adult faith education events and in white racism training events, he also participated in the on-campus Martin Luther King Jr. Social Action Council following the civil rights leader’s assassination. 

In 1974, he returned to parish ministry, with special emphasis on organizational development, leadership training, adult education and financial stewardship. 

From 1974 to 1981, he served as half-time pastor of historic St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Newport, RI, and half-time staff for the Rhode Island United Methodist Association, providing consulting for Methodist churches across the state and leadership for the Urban Ministries Division of the RI State Council of Churches. He was a member and sometimes co-chair of the Consultants Network, serving some 300 Methodist churches across Southern New England. St. Paul’s moved from half-time to full-time pastoral leadership during his tenure. 

From 1981 to 1988, he served as senior pastor of First Methodist Church, Westfield, Massachusetts. During these years, he was chair of the Southern New England Methodist Department of Ministry. 

From 1988 to 1995, he was pastor of the Arnold Mills Methodist Church in Cumberland, RI, and co-chair of the Faith and Order Commission and member of the governing board of the RI State Council of Churches. 

He “retired” from ordained ministry in 1995 and returned to Amherst, where he resumed friendships and activities with university faculty, staff and administrators. In 1996-97, he served as public events coordinator for the first effort at a Springfield-UMass partnership. In addition, he chaired the committee which created the first university-wide effort at a diversity program for UMass. 

During those years, he did organization development consulting with several UMass and Five College agencies. He was also active at First Congregational Church, Amherst, and then Goodwin Memorial AME Zion Church, and involved in community affairs. 

Beginning in 1996, he led a variety of learning experiences in Bible for adults, church school teachers, children and various church boards, the major one being a seminar for adult learners titled Exploring Scripture, which met weekly for 20 years. He became a member of the Society of Biblical Literature. 

Active in Jewish-Christian dialogue beginning in 1967, he expanded that work to Muslim-Christian relations in the 1980’s. 

Through it all, he maintained a long-time interest in jazz and gospel music, attending concerts and festivals throughout the region and building an extensive music collection. His family and friends also knew him as a careful listener, an engaging conversationalist with a ready laugh, and a quietly fanatical devotee of Mille Bornes and other games.

In 2010 he and his second wife Joan Wright Lindeman moved from their North Amherst home into Applewood, a small retirement community in South Amherst. Active in its life, he created a program series on discussions of religions, served as a steering committee member for a Black Lives Matter/Promoting Diversity initiative, and took up hiking and clearing trails in the nearby Holyoke Range. 

He is survived by his deeply beloved wife, and by other loved and admired family members: his sisters and their husbands, Kathryn and Gilbert T. Bremicker Jr. of Toledo, Ohio and Dorothy and Lauris Eek Jr. of Vienna, Virginia; by his three sons and their wives, Robert and Teresa Lindeman of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania and their children Thomas and Elinor, David Lindeman and Jennifer Werth of Columbus, Ohio and David’s children Magi and Alec, and Mark Lindeman and Lucy Miller of Kingston, New York, and their children Margaret and Harriet; as well as by Joan’s children Susan Baust, Janet Stevens and her husband William, and Britt Godsell and his wife Stephanie, Joan’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and Joan’s brother Kenneth Wright and his wife Pamela. His first wife Margaret died in 1992. 

A memorial service will be held at First Congregational Church in Amherst at 2:30 pm on February 25, with a reception following. His body is to be cremated and buried at Wildwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Peace Development Fund, PO Box 40250, San Francisco, California 94140.

AMHERST – Thomas Henry Lindeman, 84, of Applewood, Amherst, MA died peacefully at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton, MA on February 11, 2017. 

Born in Duluth, Minnesota, son and first child of D. N. and F. Belle (Jones) Lindeman, he attended grade and junior high schools in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and senior high school in Billings, Montana. He graduated from the University of Montana with honors in international relations in 1954. During his university years, he was active in the Student YMCA-YWCA, serving as chair of the Pacific Northwest Student YMCA, and also was active in the Methodist Student Movement.

He attended seminary at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California, graduating magna cum laude, while serving student appointments in three churches. 

He was ordained in 1955 and 1958 in the United Methodist Church and began a career in ministry in higher education, working with the interaction of the church and higher education as a locus of social change. From 1958 to 1966, he served as the Methodist campus minister on the staff of the College Y/College Religious Center at Fresno State. 

During that time, he also served as Fresno District director of social concerns for the organizing years of Cesar Chavez’ United Farm Workers, and brought about the first face-to-face meeting between Chavez and churchgoing growers. He was state issues development chair in the California Federation of Young Democrats. 

From 1966 to 1974, he worked as a staff member of the United Christian Foundation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His work in organizing the Undergraduate Education Conference – a faculty movement focused on raising the priority of undergraduate education at a time when research and publication were being emphasized – helped drive the establishment of the UMass Center for Teaching and played a part in improving UMass Amherst’s standing among Commonwealth students. 

In 1972, he earned an M.A. in history from UMass, with emphasis on the interaction of religion and culture. 

During this time he was a member of the personnel committee of the New England United Ministries in Higher Education, conducting on-site evaluations of campus ministries across New England. Involved in Amherst-area adult faith education events and in white racism training events, he also participated in the on-campus Martin Luther King Jr. Social Action Council following the civil rights leader’s assassination. 

In 1974, he returned to parish ministry, with special emphasis on organizational development, leadership training, adult education and financial stewardship. 

From 1974 to 1981, he served as half-time pastor of historic St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Newport, RI, and half-time staff for the Rhode Island United Methodist Association, providing consulting for Methodist churches across the state and leadership for the Urban Ministries Division of the RI State Council of Churches. He was a member and sometimes co-chair of the Consultants Network, serving some 300 Methodist churches across Southern New England. St. Paul’s moved from half-time to full-time pastoral leadership during his tenure. 

From 1981 to 1988, he served as senior pastor of First Methodist Church, Westfield, Massachusetts. During these years, he was chair of the Southern New England Methodist Department of Ministry. 

From 1988 to 1995, he was pastor of the Arnold Mills Methodist Church in Cumberland, RI, and co-chair of the Faith and Order Commission and member of the governing board of the RI State Council of Churches. 

He “retired” from ordained ministry in 1995 and returned to Amherst, where he resumed friendships and activities with university faculty, staff and administrators. In 1996-97, he served as public events coordinator for the first effort at a Springfield-UMass partnership. In addition, he chaired the committee which created the first university-wide effort at a diversity program for UMass. 

During those years, he did organization development consulting with several UMass and Five College agencies. He was also active at First Congregational Church, Amherst, and then Goodwin Memorial AME Zion Church, and involved in community affairs. 

Beginning in 1996, he led a variety of learning experiences in Bible for adults, church school teachers, children and various church boards, the major one being a seminar for adult learners titled Exploring Scripture, which met weekly for 20 years. He became a member of the Society of Biblical Literature. 

Active in Jewish-Christian dialogue beginning in 1967, he expanded that work to Muslim-Christian relations in the 1980’s. 

Through it all, he maintained a long-time interest in jazz and gospel music, attending concerts and festivals throughout the region and building an extensive music collection. His family and friends also knew him as a careful listener, an engaging conversationalist with a ready laugh, and a quietly fanatical devotee of Mille Bornes and other games.

In 2010 he and his second wife Joan Wright Lindeman moved from their North Amherst home into Applewood, a small retirement community in South Amherst. Active in its life, he created a program series on discussions of religions, served as a steering committee member for a Black Lives Matter/Promoting Diversity initiative, and took up hiking and clearing trails in the nearby Holyoke Range. 

He is survived by his deeply beloved wife, and by other loved and admired family members: his sisters and their husbands, Kathryn and Gilbert T. Bremicker Jr. of Toledo, Ohio and Dorothy and Lauris Eek Jr. of Vienna, Virginia; by his three sons and their wives, Robert and Teresa Lindeman of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania and their children Thomas and Elinor, David Lindeman and Jennifer Werth of Columbus, Ohio and David’s children Magi and Alec, and Mark Lindeman and Lucy Miller of Kingston, New York, and their children Margaret and Harriet; as well as by Joan’s children Susan Baust, Janet Stevens and her husband William, and Britt Godsell and his wife Stephanie, Joan’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and Joan’s brother Kenneth Wright and his wife Pamela. His first wife Margaret died in 1992. 

A memorial service will be held at First Congregational Church in Amherst at 2:30 pm on February 25, with a reception following. His body is to be cremated and buried at Wildwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Peace Development Fund, PO Box 40250, San Francisco, California 94140.

LEVERETT — James Douglas, PhD, 83, passed away at home Feb 15, 2017.  In attendance was his beloved wife of 59-years, Betsy Douglas.  James was the Patriarch of Clan Douglas and is survived by his children Bob Douglas and Lynn Swain; and 5 grandchildren, Emily Douglas, Robyn Douglas, Erika Douglas, Gordon Swain and Katie Swain, and sister Jean Kirk.

James was born in Aurora Illinois on July 27, 1933, He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Johns Hopkins University and in 1960 earned his Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware. He worked in industry for 5 years before beginning a long and notable career in Academia.  Dr. Douglas served as a full professor at the University of Massachusetts for over 30-years.  He enjoyed teaching undergraduates and mentoring in the graduate program.  His former students work in many countries all over the globe.  While at UMass, he was active in research, published many papers, articles and text books which revolutionized some specific areas of the field.  Jim earned many honors including being elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

Jim loved good jokes, clever pranks, sailing, the sunsets in Cape Cod, dark chocolate, conservative politics, and watching the Patriots win football games. 

Burial will be private and a memorial celebration will be held in the Spring.  Contributions may be made to Cooley-Dickinson VNA and Hospice.

Amherst, Susan S. Panzer, 84, a longtime Amherst resident, died peacefully with her family at her side, Friday February 3, 2017, after enduring a long illness. She was born in Medford, MA July 6, 1932, to the late Alfred and Doris {Spellman} Squires. Susan spent her early years in Belchertown. She was a long time member of the South Amherst Congregational Church and was employed at many of the local hospitals as a LPN. Susan loved animals, especially birds, but her most enjoyment was her husband Frederick, and daughter Ellen.

She is survived by her husband Frederick, daughter Ellen and son John. She was predeceased by her son Christopher.

The family would like to offer their thanks to Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice and the Palliative care unit at Cooley Dickinson Hospital for their compassion and care.

Calling hours will be Wednesday February 8, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A graveside service will be 10:00 AM Friday at Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst.

          Shutesbury, On January 31st  2017, at 2 a.m., around the time she would typically fall asleep, Janet Claire Koester, 70, left behind a body that no longer served her spirits purpose. She also leaves the love of her life, her husband Robert Ball, and only daughter Amanda Marta Koester Ball. She wants all of the wonderful people in her life to know that she stayed with us as long as she could, and that she didn’t want to depart, until we learned the true power of our love, how to forgive, and that it is okay to let go.

          Janet was and will continue to be a great inspiration to those closest to her. And she does not want us to mourn the loss of her, but to rejoice in the joy of life; to breathe deeply and to live without regret! 

          We will carry her heart in our hearts! Always!

          Janet’s family will have a private service in the spring or early summer and asks that in-lieu of flowers you could send a donation to the Cooley Dickinson VNA or hospice the Fisher home.

Hadley, Virgil William (Bill) Hawes, 86, of Hadley, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2017. He was born on August 9, 1930, in St. Ignatius, Montana to the late Hazel and Willard Hawes. Virgil was raised in Ohio and served in the Navy during the Korean War. He retired from AT&T after 30 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Belchertown, a charter member of the Amherst Jaycees, a member of Hadley American Legion and a member of First Baptist Church of Amherst.

Virgil had farming in his bones and loved to garden. He especially enjoyed his award-winning gladioli. Virgil enjoyed square dancing with his wife, Clare, and was a member of the Jumptown Twirlers (Orange). He was a devoted family man who was outnumbered by the females in his family. He spent countless hours flooding the backyard so his little girls would have a place to ice skate. In his later years he took joy in spending time with his grandchildren. He was a devoted fan of UMass softball. Virgil had a passion for music and sang in his church choir and also played the harmonica. In his final months he spread joy to the nursing home staff and guests with his singing.

Virgil is survived by his sister, Dorothy Friend, of Troy, Ohio. He leaves his wife of 63 years, Clare (Gooch) Hawes of Hadley, and his four daughters: Nancy Hawes of South Portland, Maine; Mary Allen of Bucksport, Maine; Karen Chauvin and her husband Lou of Gurnee, Illinois; and Sarah Darling and her husband Roy of Greenfield, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his grandchildren Rebecca Labonte (Zachary), Jason Chauvin, Katie Allen (Ryley), Rachel Ketchum (Eli), Kristen Chauvin, Stacy Darling, step-grandchild Cathi Hagar, and great grandchildren Kash, Dylan, Heather, and Samantha.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday February 2, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church of Amherst, there are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant St, Amherst, MA, 01002.

Hadley, Marilyn Spillane Judah, died peacefully at home on January 4, 2017 from cancer. Born in 1949, she was raised in Staten Island by her parents Edward and Jessie Spillane.

Marilyn’s inquisitive nature launched a life-long fascination with quantum physics, math, geometry and spirituality. She was an art student, flight attendant and fashion model in NYC in her twenties. She owned a home in the foothills of the Alps in Northern Italy, and held dual citizenship between the U.S. and Ireland, the country of her heritage. As a member of the Flight Attendant Volunteer Corps, she helped transport children being adopted from Korea. She also volunteered at the Navajo Reservation in NM, teaching cultural awareness programs to Navajo children. 

Marilyn lived in Boston before her marriage and worked as a Landscape Expressionist painter throughout her life. She graduated cum laude from UMass Amherst with a double BFA in painting/studio arts and art education.  She received a Masters of Technology in Education at Lesley University. She pioneered the use of technology and the internet as a teaching tool for students and teachers at Hopkins Academy. She was the sole art teacher for over 3,000 students from 1995 until February 2016. Marilyn was twice rated Exemplary Teacher. She was a fierce champion of her beloved students. She will be remembered for two large murals that she designed and installed at Hopkins. They depict the history and beauty of Hadley, and were a true community effort. She was also one of the original co-founders of the Hadley Art Association, and twice served the Town of Hadley as a member of the Cultural Council,  Marilyn loved photography, kayaking and skiing. She cherished walks to the Connecticut River, mountaintop hikes, trips to the ocean and her family home in Glen Spey, NY. She was an avid gardener, and helped grow and deliver organic food to local survival centers.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter Jessica Judah, her grandson Deagan Michael, and ‘adopted’ son Josh, by her three older siblings, Richard Spillane of Los Angeles, Sheila Michaud of Manchester, NJ, and Regina Von Bevern, of Staten Island; as well as wonderful, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, Feb 4, 2017 at the Most Holy Redeemer Church, 120 Russell St, Hadley, MA with a church reception immediately following.

 In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund is being set up for Marilyn’s grandson Deagan in her memory.