Brandeis Magazine

Diane Kauders ’60 of Milford, Conn., a piano teacher and physical therapist, died on March 20. She leaves her husband, James; three daughters, Debbie, Jill and Ellen; her sister, Jane; and 10 grandchildren. She is also survived by a niece, Bonnie Gracer ’87.

Judith Gordon ’61 of New York, an assistant attorney general for the state of New York, died on May 1. A graduate of New York University School of Law, she also served as assistant corporation counsel for the City of New York and was an adjunct professor at the Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University. As an assistant attorney general, she was a senior member of the Litigation Bureau and represented the state and its citizens at all levels of the judicial system, including appearances in front of the Supreme Court of the United States. She leaves a daughter, Alicia, and a son, Anthony.

Thomas McEvilly ’61 of Clinton, Mass., an attorney, died on Feb. 8 after a lengthy illness. At the time of his death, he was managing partner of McEvilly & Curley Law Office in Leominster with his son, Michael, and a partner. In addition to his son, he leaves his wife of 54 years, Patricia; three other sons, Thomas, Peter and Patrick; a daughter, Nancy; two brothers, William and Peter; and eight grandchildren.

Darryl Jay Leiter Ph.D.’63 of Palmyra, Va., a theoretical physicist who taught at a number of colleges and universities, died on March 4 after a long battle against cancer. He taught at Boston College, the University of Windsor, Central Michigan University, George Mason University and, most recently, the University of Virginia. He published more than 100 papers and, with his wife, Sharon ’64, authored “A Biographical Encyclopedia of Physicists,” in which they explored the lives and works of the greatest modern physicists. He received numerous research grants, including two senior fellowships at NASA. In addition to his wife of 50 years, he leaves a daughter, Robin; and two sisters, Paula and Naomi. The family is establishing a fellowship in theoretical physics at Brandeis in Darryl’s honor.

Leonard M. Bloksberg, Ph.D.’66, of Newbury, N.H., professor emeritus of social work at Boston University, died of prostate cancer on Feb. 13. He joined the BU faculty in 1962 and taught courses in social welfare policy. He was appointed to the Massachusetts Commission on Mental Health by Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1988 and received the Beverly Ross Fliegel Award for Social Policy and Change from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers in 1995. He leaves his wife, Nancy; two daughters, Fran and Susan; a sister, Renee; and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Robin.

Judy Strong, M.A.’66, Ph.D.’70 of Moorhead, Minn., a professor in the chemistry department at Moorhead State University for 38 years, died of endometrial cancer on April 15. She also served as dean of natural and social sciences and associate vice president for academic affairs at the school. She enjoyed bowling and won the North Dakota singles division II title in 1992. She leaves six cousins.

Barry Jay Smernoff, M.A.’67, Ph.D.’70 of Canton, Ga., a consultant and fundraiser for the Jewish community, the medical industry and the U.S. Department of Defense, died on March 19 after a five-year battle with cancer. A graduate of MIT, he worked with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and helped launch the Cord Blood Center at Cleveland Clinic. He leaves his wife of 44 years, Barbara; a daughter, Michelle; a son, Jeffrey; and a sister, Rita.

Charles Bernard Scotch, Ph.D.’69, of Richmond, Va., a professor of social work at Virginia Commonwealth University for more than 20 years, died on Dec. 19, 2010. In addition to teaching and mentoring numerous graduate students, he was active in community affairs, taking a special interest in advocacy for the homeless and community mental health programs. He leaves a daughter, Amy; a son, Richard; a brother, Norman; and a granddaughter.