Benjamin Sandipher Smith, Class of 1943
(From the Ft. Myers, Florida News-Press.com on July 29, 2009) Benjamin Sandipher Smith, age 88 a retired Detroit businessman and fine amateur golfer died on July 21, 2009 in the Naples Community Hospital, Naples, Florida. Ben was born to the late Mr./Mrs. Amos Tuttle Smith of Fort Myers, Florida and was preceded in death by his brother A.T. Smith Jr., and his sister Caroline Thayer.
Ben is survived by his wife of 58 years Ann Pierce Smith, his children Benj. S. Smith Jr., Robert M. (Susan) Smith, David P. (Tracey) Smith and Janetha M. Smith; grandchildren, Christopher (Rebecca) Leimbach, Jacob Mathew (Nicole) Smith, Rebecca Lamb Smith, Benjamin Richard Smith, Graham Hamilton Smith, Miranda Beth Smith, Lindsey Devlin Smith, Elena and Gianna Spatoulis; two great-granddaughters, Alayna Marie Smith and Paton Ann Smith. A nephew and two nieces- Tuttle Smith, Nancy Schemenauer and Molly Thayer also survive.
Ben was a member of the very first Fort Myers High School golf team started in 1937 and, among other things he became a two time winner of the Florida High School state golf tournaments in 1938 and 1939. Upon graduating Ben went to the University of Michigan arriving in Ann Arbor on Sept 1, 1939 the day Hitler invaded Poland.
Ben became a key player of the Wolverines 1942 and 1943 Big Ten championship golf teams. As the 1943 team captain, Smith shared the big ten individual championship. He was president of the National Intercollegiate Golf Association in 1943 and worked closely with "Chick" Evans (one of the finest amateur golfers of his time) in his caddy scholarship program. This program is known today as the Evans Scholars Foundation of Western Golf Association.
After graduating from Michigan in 1943 Ben served three and one half years in the U S Navy, attaining the rank of first Lt. before his discharge. He joined Fife Electric Supply Co. in 1946 assuming ownership in 1973. He is a past president of the National Association of Electrical Distributors 1975-1976. Smith is a past governor and vice president of the Golf Association of Michigan, a past president of the Michigan Seniors Golf Association, member of the Society of Seniors and, the U.S. Seniors. Ben is a member of Imperial Golf Club in Naples and a member of the Detroit Golf club where, he not only served as President, but was also club champion seven times. Ben won the Michigan Amateur golf championship in 1950, three Golf Association of Michigan titles and has shot 8 holes in one. He has been inducted into the University of Michigan Hall of Honor, the state of Michigan Golf Hall of Fame and in 1995 was inducted into the inaugural Ft. Myers High School Green Wave Golf Hall of Fame. This last was as exciting to Ben as any honor he has ever received.
There will be a Memorial Service at 10:30 AM on Friday, August 14th at the First United Methodist Church, 1589 W. Maple Rd., Birmingham, MI. (248) 646-1200.
Donations may be made to the Evans Scholars Foundation, 1 Briar Road, Golf, Illinois 60029, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are being handled by : Naples Memorial Funeral Home & Cemetery, (239) 597-3101
Richard M. Courtney, D.D.S, Class of 1956
(From the Ann Arbor News): Courtney, Richard M. D.D.S. Grosse Pointe Farms, MI (Formerly of Ann Arbor) Age 74, passed away peace-fully June 4, 2009 at the Beaumont Hospital with family at his side. He was born on July 27, 1934 in Highland Park, MI to Isabelle and D. Laverne Courtney and married Joanne M. Pauschert August 9, 1957. He received his D.D.S. in 1959 and M.S. in 1967, both from the University of Michigan. He was a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Dental Corps from 1959-1962 serving aboard the USS Princeton. The majority of Dr. Courtney's career was spent at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry as a professor of oral pathology, serving as department chairman from 1977-1987. He was president of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillo- facial Pathology in 1982 and the American Board of Oral Pathology in 1990. He retired from the U of M in 1991, and was granted emeritus status as professor of dentistry and assistant professor of path-ology. He joined the faculty of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry as professor of oral pathology from 1991-1996, and was a consultant at St. John Clinical Pathology Labs until 2000. Dr. Courtney was an avid fly fisherman with favorite spots on Michigan's Au Sable and Manistee Rivers. He also enjoyed reading, Michigan football, traveling with his wife and spending time at their condo on Lake Charlevoix. He maintained an extensive collection of jazz and classical music and was a longtime stamp collector. Dr. Courtney is survived by his wife Joanne; daughters, Pamela (Robert) Montgomery and Kristen (Ronald) Evers; brother, David Courtney; and four grandchildren. Memorial service and reception will be held 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24 at Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lakeshore Dr., Grosse Pointe Farms. Memorial donations may be made to Anglers of the Au Sable, 403 Black Bear Dr., Grayling, MI 49738 or to a charity of the donors choice. Arrangements: Hamilton Funeral & Cremation Society of Grosse Pointe.
David Krupp, Class of 1953
(From Detroit News, March 15, 2009): David Krupp, age 78, was born in Fremont, Ohio on February 2, 1931, the son of Walter and Mary Krupp. He spent most of his early life in Port Clinton, OH, where he graduated from HS as a member of the National Honor Society. He earned 12 varsity letters in football, basketball and track and was named to the second All-Ohio teams in two of these sports. He attended U of M on a basketball scholarship and was a member of the varsity basketball team for 3 years. He as a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Afterwards becoming publicity mgr. at Greenfield Village, and later spent 35 years in public relations with Ford Motor Co. including 9 years as regional mgr. of its west coast PR office where he kept a home in Newport Beach, CA. After retiring from Ford, he was a consultant for J. Walter Thompson. In his later years he kept homes in Bloomfield Hills, MI, and Rancho Mirage, CA, where he was a member of The Springs Country Club. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jacqueline; son David Krupp Jr. and daughter-in-law, Cindy; daughters, Katherine Frasher and Claire Brull, son-in-law, Douglas Frasher, and grandchildren, Garrett, Olivia, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Grace; sisters, Elizabeth Fagan and Jane Ewers, and brother-in-law, Conrad. A funeral mass was held at Sacred Heart Church, Palm Desert, CA followed by a reception at The Springs Country Club. Donations to The Women's Committee for Hospice Care, www.wchcinc.org
Donald Byrne Johnston, Class of 1957
(From the Ann Arbor News, December 28, 2008): Donald Byrne Age 74, born in Ann Arbor, MI, November 10, 1934 to Harold and Mary Johnston, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2008 at home with his loving family and friends at his side, after fighting a long and determined battle with pancreatic cancer. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Rosemary "Rosie" and beloved son, Michael Byrne, earlier this year. Donald attended University of Michigan Elementary and High School, Mercersburg Academy, and went on to the University of Michigan graduating with a Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts. He began his career at the family owned business, Trojan Laundry, and from there spent 20 years as the marketing director for the Institute of Industrial Launderer's in Washington DC. Don was also a master franchisor for the Packaging Store, Inc. As a lifelong resident, he loved Ann Arbor and was one of the "maize and blue faithful" never missing a Michigan football home game. For more than 50 years, Don and Rosie opened their home to old friends, and new, for post game parties. He was a dedicated competitor and athlete, playing football at U-High and the University of Michigan. The friendships he maintained with his teammates was a special part of his life. His competitive spirit followed him through city tennis tournaments, and as he rallied his family to run with him for many years in the annual Dexter-Ann Arbor Run. His heart was bigger than life and he lived everyday to the fullest. He cared deeply for his family and was a daily inspiration to them. His selfless, positive outlook was contagious and touched all who knew him. Heaven and earth will never be the same! Survivors include Daughters: Susan Colleen (Kevin) Vivian, Mary Kathryn Stasiak. Son, Daniel Kevin Johnston; grandchildren: Michael Thomas, Erin Kathryn, and Kelly Roth Vivian, Courtney Rose, Alexander Byrne and Connor William Johnston, Sarah Vivian, and Ryan Michael Stasiak. Brothers: Thomas, and William (Donna) Johnston. Brother in law: Walter Roth. Nephews: Patrick (Wendy) Johnston, Sean Johnston, and James Roth. Niece: Lindsey Roth Case. Cousins: Norman and Dustin Johnston. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10:30 a.m Saturday, January 3, 2009 at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 530 Elizabeth Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, Rev. Fr. Charles Irvin officiating. Visitation will take place at the Muehlig Funeral Chapel on Friday, January 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial donations may be offered to the American Pancreatic Association.
