Brandeis Magazine

Dirk A. Kuyk Jr., PhD’70, of Chester, Massachusetts, on Jan. 22. Known to his friends as “Dutch,” he was for 40 years a professor of English and American literature at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where he founded the Writing Center, helped launch the interdisciplinary Tutorial College and was awarded the Brownell Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Survived by wife Betty and a son.

Malcolm S. Krongelb, MA’71, of Acton, Massachusetts, on March 8. Along with his international marketing work for Digital Equipment Corp., he traveled to all 50 states, 137 countries and every continent, enjoying the beauty of varied landscapes and cultures, and viewing 10 solar eclipses. Survived by wife Judy Kronwasser ’68.

Dennis Lloyd Byrnes, MA’72, PhD’73, of Weymouth, Massachusetts, on Jan. 21. A retired professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston who co-authored “The Psychology of Human Memory” (1981), he is remembered for his kindness and sense of humor. Survived by a sister.

Patricia Laurie Field ’73, P’05, of Burbank, California, on Dec. 7. A licensed clinical psychologist specializing in treating patients who had suffered emotional or other forms of abuse, she described herself as a staunch feminist with strong liberal values and beliefs. Survived by a daughter, Sarah Perry-Marx ’05.

Barry S. Harsip ’73, of Acton, Massachusetts, on Dec. 3. A former co-captain of the Brandeis men’s soccer team who was inducted into the Joseph M. Linsey Brandeis Athletics Hall of Fame, he was an attorney who, in his work in family law, was noted for his keen mind, and his ability to resolve contentious cases calmly and fairly. Survived by wife Lisa and two children.

Paul Robert Trusten ’73, of Midland, Texas, on Dec. 5. A pharmacist for more than 20 years at Midland Memorial Hospital, he served as vice president of the United States Metric Association, loved motoring the open roads of America and researched his father’s World War II military service in the South Pacific. Survived by a sister.

Betty Jane Cleckley, Heller PhD’74, Brandeis National Committee, of Montgomery, Illinois, on Jan. 7. Remembered as the “queen of multiculturalism” at Marshall University, she established the multicultural affairs office, created scholarships, launched a fellowship program to recruit Black faculty, and left a legacy of dismantling barriers and bringing people together. Survived by family and friends.

Murray L. Sackman ’74, of Arlington, Massachusetts, on March 12. An attorney and businessman, he coached youth sports and was known for his patronage of the arts in the Boston area. Survived by two sons.

Henry L. Zacchini, MFA’74, of Manchester, Massachusetts, on Jan. 19. A talented writer, intellectual and playwright who was working on new plays, he led a varied professional life, from taxi driver to college professor, that reflected his wanderlust and lifelong spiritual questing. Survived by partner Kathi L. Benson, two children and three grandchildren.

David L. Markell ’75, of Tallahassee, Florida, on March 22. Professor emeritus of law at Florida State University, he published six books and more than 50 articles and book chapters on environmental law, served as associate dean, and was active in the Jewish community. Survived by wife Mona and three daughters.

Dr. Joyce M. Doonan ’76, of Wytheville, Virginia, on Jan. 27. Widowed at 22 with two small children but determined to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor, she graduated from the Medical College of Pennsylvania and practiced as an anesthesiologist, and is recalled for her passion for helping others. Survived by husband William Ferguson, two children and four grandchildren.

Joel Levine ’76, P’14, of Swampscott, Massachusetts, on Nov. 9, 2020. A Springfield, Massachusetts, native and longtime social justice advocate, he and wife Ellen sold Black Lives Matter flags in their neighborhood to raise funds for the Southern Poverty Law Center, and, according to a tribute in the Jewish Journal, he “never uttered a word of gossip or derogatory speech about anyone, and was always present when someone needed to make a minyan to say kaddish.” Survived by his wife and children, including Rachel (Levine) Podhorcer ’14.

Hazel M. McFerson, PhD’76, of Silver Spring, Maryland, on Feb. 27. A scholar of critical race theory who taught at George Mason University from 1992-2015, she wrote or co-authored five books and more than 20 journal articles examining the way policies and laws perpetuate systemic racism, and was a past board chair at the Albert Einstein Institution, advocating peaceful resistance to oppression. Survived by husband Salvatore Schiavo-Campo, three children, seven grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Robert W. Pritchard ’76, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, on Feb. 25. Nicknamed “Flash” for his speed on the track as a Boston English High School athlete, he became a library specialist at Polaroid and the Boston Public Library’s Dudley Square branch, and in his spare time loved playing and teaching the guitar. Survived by wife Roberta and a daughter.

Dorothy F. Donnelly, PhD’79, of Providence, Rhode Island, on Dec. 23. A longtime professor and chair in the University of Rhode Island’s English department, she worked for civil rights, helped start two faculty unions and believed strongly in helping others. Survived by a large extended family of nieces and nephews.