Brandeis Magazine

Inga Mahler, Ph.D.’61, of Newton, Mass., the first woman to receive a doctorate in biology from Brandeis and a longtime researcher at the university, died on Nov. 12, 2011, of pancreatic cancer. “Inga loved the challenges of research,” professor emeritus Chandler Fulton told The Boston Globe. “Inga preferred laboratory research to other tasks and never sought an independent position. Yet in each lab where she worked, she provided leadership that helped that lab thrive during her years there. She mentored many students and befriended and helped hundreds of colleagues.” Inga’s family moved to the United States after fleeing Nazi persecution of Jews in Germany and Poland. She leaves her brother, Herbert. Her husband of 59 years, Donald, died in 2009.

Warren Jay Blackstone, M.A.’63, of Winter Park, Fla., a director and actor who founded theater companies in Seneca Falls, N.Y., and Fort Worth, Texas, died on Oct. 31, 2011. He also taught at Eisenhower College and the Trinity Valley School. He leaves a sister, Eleanor.

Sydney Erwin Bernard, Ph.D.’65, of Ann Arbor, Mich., a longtime professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work, died on Nov. 7, 2011. He joined the Michigan faculty in 1964, was promoted to full professor in 1970 and retired in 1991. In his professional career, Sydney gained recognition as an expert on values and ethics issues in the social work profession, conflict resolution, and issues related to dependency and public welfare systems. His publications include articles on the prevention and reduction of dependency, rehabilitation in a public assistance agency, fatherless families, and Medicaid. He was actively involved in the Jewish community in Ann Arbor, participating in the evolution of the Beth Israel Congregation, Hebrew day school, Jewish Federation of Washtenaw County, Hillel, and other organizations and initiatives. He also started several adult-education programs and groups. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; a daughter, Hannah; a son, Aaron; a brother, Norman;
a sister, Janet; and five grandchildren.

Harold Demone, Ph.D.’66, of East Falmouth, Mass., whose long career in the field of social work included positions as dean, administrator, teacher, researcher and advocate, died on Sept. 1, 2011. A veteran of World War II, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was a prisoner of war for four months. During his 43-year career in social work, he was a driving force behind federal and state legislative initiatives related to services and research in the areas of mental health, mental retardation and alcoholism, adult corrections, parole and probation, mental health commitment procedures, and vocational rehabilitation. He served as chief executive officer for the Medical Foundation in Boston (1960–67) and the United Community Planning Corp. in Boston (1967–1977). He was also dean of the School of Social Work at Rutgers University (1977–1987). He was a prolific writer, with eight books and dozens of articles to his credit. After his retirement in 1992, he served as a visiting lecturer at the School of Public Health at Harvard. He leaves his wife, Marguerite, and a daughter, Deborah.

Susan Shapiro Martling ’68 of Greenbrae, Calif., who practiced medicine in Marin County for more than 30 years, died on Oct. 20, 2011, after a short battle with cancer. She was an active participant in many community organizations, including the Ross Valley Auxiliary for the Fine Arts Museum, the Marin General Hospital’s volunteer group Kid’s Way, and Grace’s Kids. She leaves two daughters, Jennifer and Stephanie; a son, Sperry; her mother, Marcy; a brother, Stephen; and a sister, Sherry. Trustee

Alex Barkas ’68 of Los Gatos, Calif., a prominent life-sciences venture capitalist who gave generously of both of his time and resources in support of his alma mater, died unexpectedly on Nov. 21, 2011. At the time of his death, Alex served as a managing director at Prospect Venture Partners. He joined the firm in 1997 after leaving Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Alex became a member of the Brandeis Board of Trustees in 2001. He was re-elected in May 2006 and again in May 2010. He played a major role in the formation of the university’s Office of Technology Licensing. Beginning in 2000, Alex served as chair of the Brandeis University Science Advisory Council, which advocates internally and externally to sustain and grow the sciences at Brandeis. He and his wife, Lynda Wijcik, strongly supported a number of important Brandeis programs, including the sciences, the International Business School and the Rose Art Museum. His giving to the Rose established the Student Committee for the Rose Art Museum (Scram), which works closely with museum staff to organize events for the Brandeis student body. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two young daughters, Alina and Johanna. Gifts in his honor may be made to the Alex Barkas ’68 Fund for Innovation, Brandeis University, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, P.O. Box 549110, MS 126, Waltham, MA 02454-9110. (See tribute to Alex above).

Lynda Demuth Plante ’68 of West Brookfield, Mass., a business executive, died on Oct. 12, 2011. Following her graduation from Brandeis, she taught school in Leicester, and went on to work for Model Cities and the Office of Human Service Programs, both in Worcester. She returned to school and earned an M.B.A. from Clark University. She joined the Norton Co. in Worcester, where she worked in a variety of financial, marketing and systems positions. After retiring from Norton, she worked for a number of small and startup businesses specializing in accounting and finance. She also served on the boards of directors of the Worcester Chapter of the American Red Cross and Family Planning Services of Greater Worcester and was a member of the West Brookfield Board of Selectmen. She leaves a sister, Lauren, and a brother, Jonathan.

James Callicutt, Ph.D.’69, of Arlington, Texas, a founding faculty member of the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), died on Sept. 15, 2011. He entered social work as an undergraduate student in his native Tennessee and continued to help others throughout his 40-year academic career as a dean and professor. He served as a board member or chair of at least 24 agencies and organizations, including the North Central Texas Council of Governments’ Alcoholism Advisory Committee. In 2007, the National Association of Social Work Foundation honored him as a Social Work Pioneer. He leaves his wife, Ann; two daughters, Frances and Cyndie; two sons, Jack and Daniel; and three grandchildren. Edward Devore ’69 of Newton, Mass., died on Nov. 26, 2011. He leaves his mother, Irma, and a brother, David.

Bruce Campbell ’69 of Okemos, Mich., a composer who taught music at Michigan State University for 25 years, died on Dec. 29, 2011. After graduating from Brandeis, he earned a master’s degree from the Juilliard School and a doctorate from Yale University. He was an associate professor of music theory at Michigan State from 1985–2010 and served as organist and music director at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Lansing for 17 years. He was also a composer whose published works included music for band, orchestra, choir and many solo instruments. He leaves his wife, Sulin; two daughters, Melody and Fiona; two sons, Irvin and Andrew; his mother, Pauline; a brother, Scot; and a sister, Ellen.