College news
• Bobby Stevenish III of Stratton was named to the fall 2025 Dean’s List at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.
• Kaylee Unruh of Vernon was named to the fall 2025 Dean’s List at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.
• Elijah Saddlemire of Brattleboro was named to the fall 2025 Dean’s List at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island.
• Cassidy Fusco of Windham was named to the fall 2025 Dean’s List at Fairfield (Conn.) University.
Military news
• Ben Lane of Vernon, currently serving in the U.S. Army, was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant. Lane is an 88M truck driver, serving at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
Obituaries
• W. Henry Alderfer, 80, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully at home, held in loving prayer and surrounded by family, on Feb. 5, 2026. He was born Sept. 4, 1946, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and lived a life guided by service, spiritual devotion, adventure, and a deep, abiding reverence for the natural world. Henry’s bond with Brattleboro reached back generations. His grandmother, an artist who kept a summer cottage here, first introduced him to this land. He knew Route 30 when it was still a dirt road and spent summers swimming in the West River, forming a lifelong connection to Vermont’s natural rhythms. After more than 40 years living and working outside the U.S., he returned with his wife, Lauren, and built a fully off-grid straw bale home—an expression of his commitment to simplicity, sustainability, and living in harmony with the earth. Henry dedicated his professional life to humanitarian service. A conscientious objector guided by principle, he worked with organizations including CARE, USAID, and numerous USAID implementers, serving communities across Latin America and South Asia. A defining chapter of Henry’s work unfolded in India, where he lived for more than a decade and served as Country Director for Project Concern International. There, he helped build community-led programs addressing public health, women’s and children’s rights, disaster recovery, and poverty alleviation. He also lived and worked in Bangladesh, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Afghanistan. He earned a doctorate in international development and leadership, as well as a master’s degree from the London School of Economics. At the heart of Henry’s life was his spiritual practice. A devoted meditator and lifelong student of Paramahansa Yogananda, his spiritual life served as his guiding inner compass. He died as he lived, in prayerful stillness, mala beads in hand. Henry is survived by his wife and spiritual companion of 45 years, Lauren Alderfer, whom he met in Cuenca, Ecuador; his daughters, Daya and Sarah Alderfer; sons-in-law Ray Newal and Markus Thessing; his beloved grandchildren Sanai, Remi, Ariya, Layla, and Nico; his sister Hannah Alderfer; and his brother Jonathan Alderfer. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held at his home in Brattleboro in May and is open to all. Details will be shared at mykeeper.com/HenryAlderfer, where friends and loved ones may also wish to leave a tribute. Those who feel moved are invited to make a donation in Henry’s memory to the Retreat Farm at donorbox.org/retreat-farm.
• Richard Field “Dick” Jackson, 102, of Townshend. Died Feb. 4, 2026. Born Oct. 14, 1923, he was a World War II veteran with the 399th Regiment of the Army’s 100th Infantry Division. He fought through the Ardennes, Alsace, and the Rhineland, helping liberate France. He earned two Bronze Stars for exemplary conduct during combat and, at age 100, he was presented with France’s highest honor, the Légion d’Honneur, in 2024. After the war, he went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in food technology from the University of Massachusetts. Hired by the Campbell Soup Company of Camden, New Jersey, he helped develop such products as frozen dinners and dry soup mix. He moved to Vermont upon his retirement in 1978, and served as a Townshend selectboard member, assistant town clerk, town moderator, and town lister. Memorial information: None provided.
• Steven Edward “Steve” Jones, 74, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 1, 2026, at his home in Eatonton, Georgia, after a short illness. Born to Edward F. and Donna (Taylor) Jones, Steve was raised in Brattleboro. As a child, he played baseball and football, and was an avid skier. As a young teenager, he took his first job at Molly Stark Nursery in West Brattleboro, an experience that sparked his lifelong love of horticulture and landscape design. He graduated from Castleton State College in 1973 with a degree in biology. Around that time, his father was ready for a new chapter in his career, and together Steve and his father, Ed, founded Mettowee Mill Nursery in Dorset. They were fortunate to build the business side by side until Ed’s death 13 years later. Steve’s relationships with his employees were rooted in teamwork and respect. He knew they were the backbone of the nursery’s success. Many worked alongside him for decades and became like family. His loyal customers also became treasured friends. After 44 years, Steve sold the nursery in 2017. Steve loved to travel and experience other cultures and ideas. He felt especially fortunate to have explored the world with his wife, Lee, close friends, and his family. Steve’s heart and soul were firmly rooted in his beloved Vermont. He found joy in hiking the woods, bird hunting in northern Vermont with his Brittany Spaniels and buddies, Winter Club dinners, the bustle of spring in the nursery business, meetings of the Dorset Zoning Board, lunches at the Corn Exchange, and the steady rhythm of the changing seasons. He was happiest in the Green Mountains. Above all, his greatest joy was his children, whom he adored. He felt grateful to have participated fully in their lives — teaching them to ski, coaching their soccer teams, and guiding them as they navigated life and careers. Steve was known as “Dad” to many. He is survived by his wife, Leslie (“Lee”), of 48 years; Lauren Sandberg (James) of McLean, Virginia, and their children Bryn, Benjamin, and Ryan; Kristin Buchanan (Andrew) of Laguna Niguel, California, and their sons William and Harrison; Matthew Jones (Knarik) of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and their sons Hogan and Mason; and sister Malisse (Daryl) Warner of Potrero, Costa Rica. If family and friendships are the true measures of a life well lived, Steve knew he was a very lucky man. Memorial information: A private family burial will be held in Vermont this summer.
• Constance Mary “Connie” Kimball, 82, of Dummerston. Died Feb. 9, 2026, at Bradley House in Brattleboro. Memorial information: At her request, there will be no obituary and no services. Instead, to honor her memory, she asked for donations to your local food bank.
• Lenore Anne Larkin, 83, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully Jan. 30, 2026. Lenore was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Leonard and Anne (Kletecka) on June 6, 1943. She grew up in Woodside, New York, later attending City College of New York, earning a B.A. in art. She continued her education in Maryland at the College of Notre Dame, earning an M.S. in education. Lenore spent much of her career in art education from pre-school to college level. In later years, she focused on art and design businesses. She loved to draw and paint, sharing much of her artwork with friends and relatives. Lenore volunteered and supported many local organizations. She was a member of the Brattleboro Women’s Chorus, and the Maxi Tappers tap dancing group. She will be remembered in her neighborhood as friendly and welcoming to each new neighbor, with a smile and acceptance, regardless of who they were or where they came from. Lenore was predeceased by her parents and sister. She is survived by many cousins, relatives and friends. Memorial information: Services will be private, as per her wishes. Donations in her honor to support choral singing, which she so loved, to Brattleboro Harmonia, P.O. Box 2591, Brattleboro, VT 05303. To offer condolences, visit phaneuf.net.
• Pamela Long, 69, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 6, 2026, in the comfort and peace of the Oak Crest home she shared with her husband, Richard Foley. Pamela was a real estate professional, serving the Brattleboro and broader New England communities for many decades. She was a fierce tennis player, a brilliant entertainer and chef, and a loving wife. In addition to her husband, she leaves her mother, Nancy Long of Brattleboro, her brother, Christopher Long of Halifax, her three stepchildren, Amy, Rider, and Maggie Foley, and their spouses, and her two grandchildren, Eli and Leia Welch. She was predeceased by her brother, Timothy Long, and father, Donald Long. Memorial information: A full obituary will be shared soon. A celebration of life, inspired by Pamela’s sense of style and worthy of her deep appreciation for the ongoing support from her beloved friends and community members, will be held this spring. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Ainslie Eyre Robertson, 74, of Halifax. Died peacefully Dec. 27, 2025, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, after a brief illness. A longtime resident of Halifax, she leaves a brother, Brian Robertson, and a sister, Julia Still. Ainslie was an extraordinary person whose life was a frequent challenge and a deeply explored adventure. She harnessed its highs and lows with creativity and a thirst for knowledge. She also was passionate about horses, their power and true nature. Ainslie was fiercely independent, intense and not bound by traditional limitations. She remained a devoted Vermonter and will be warmly remembered by those whom she held dear. Memorial information: None provided.
• Melvin F. “Mel” Shakun, 97, of Brattleboro. Died at home Feb. 7, 2026, with his family by his side. He leaves behind a legacy of learning, music, love, and connection — along with stories that filled many loving family dinners. A visionary scholar, gifted pianist, caring family man, and spiritual thinker, Mel devoted his life to bridging intellect and heart. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Claire and Frank Shakun, Jewish immigrants from Russia and Poland. Mel grew up with his siblings Elaine and Walter. Their upbringing was shaped by values of resilience, ethics, education, and Jewish culture. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School, where he sang in the glee club and edited the newspaper. Afterwards, he earned degrees from City College of New York and Columbia University. At Columbia, he completed his Ph.D. in operations research. Mel met his beloved wife, Norma, over cookies at a social reception there, which was the start of a sweet, 68-year marriage together. Mel spent many years teaching at New York University’s Stern School of Business, later becoming professor emeritus. He founded the international journal Group Decision and Negotiation (1992), launched a related annual international conference, and authored Evolutionary Systems Design (1988). His contributions advanced new ways of thinking about decision-making, systemic adaptation, and negotiations rooted in connectedness. Beyond academia, Mel was a jazz and blues pianist who could turn a living room into a dance hall. He loved poetry and haiku, and he had a gift for transforming everyday moments into stories worth sharing. Mel and Norma built a marriage rooted in love and shared purpose of tikkun olam. They raised their children, Laura and David, with a deep sense of spirituality, philosophical inquiry, and openness to other peoples and cultures. He was a devoted grandfather to Talea and Rafael, sharing stories and meaningful conversations. France held a special place in Mel’s life, inspired by Norma’s love of her French “adopted” family, friends, language, and culture. Their shared passion cultivated lasting friendships, hiking and skiing adventures, and a never-ending appreciation for croissants dipped in café au lait. Mel will be remembered for his warmth, wisdom, and sense of wonder. He was a bridge between generations, cultures, and ideas — a man who sparked inspiration and nudged minds toward new horizons. He is survived by his beloved wife; his sister Elaine and husband, Lou; brother-in-law, Paul; his children, Laura and David; and his grandchildren, Talea and Rafael. Memorial information: To offer condolences to Mel’s family, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Peter Thomas Smith, 83, died Feb. 6, 2026. Born April 3, 1942, in New Britain, Connecticut, he lived in Ohio, Japan, France, California, New Jersey, and Vermont, before returning to Connecticut. Peter grew up in Plainville, Connecticut. His mother, Alice, managed the house and raised Peter and his four sisters, Rachel, Eileen, Christine, and Barbara. His father, Vinton, was a helicopter pilot for Pratt and Whitney who ferried executives from various locations to and from the East Hartford facilities and plucked stranded homeowners off their roofs during the flood of 1955. Plainville was home to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. In addition to home life and gatherings with extended family, Peter’s childhood revolved around school, Little League, Boy Scouts, and playing with neighborhood friends. Every chance they got, he and his pals played pick-up games of baseball, basketball, football and hockey. They also created adventures in the nearby woods along the Farmington Canal and at Usher’s Pond. During winter, they lived for snow days when upwards of 75 kids would sled down hill from the Robert’s Street Extension until dark. As he grew up, Peter identified that financial self-sufficiency was his ticket to freedom. He found work early and often. His jobs included a large paper route and being an altar boy (tips came at weddings and funerals). Peter attended Plainville High school where he excelled academically, wrote for the school paper, and played for the basketball team. During his junior year he was asked to be the student correspondent for the Plainville News with a focus on sports. He remained a dedicated member of his Scout troop, cherishing his summers at Camp Kemosabe and ultimately achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Medill-Northwestern’s School of Journalism Summer Institute before his senior year of high school and was recognized as an outstanding student. Soon after, he was accepted into Northwestern’s Class of 1964. In addition to his course work, Peter held a work-study job with campus dining. He was a proud member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and was named to the Deru honors fraternity. During his sophomore year he met and fell in love with Jean Reinhart and, during his senior year, he accepted her marriage proposal. They married in June 1964, three days after graduation. His marketing career took them to Cincinnati, Ohio, where their daughter, Lindsay, and son, Davis, were born. Peter had always aspired to travel and happily accepted a posting to Tokyo in the summer of 1969. After three years there, the family moved on to Paris for three years, then to Marin County, California. In Tokyo, he avidly followed sumo wrestling and loved weekend getaways with Jean to nearby ryokans. In France, they studied wine by visiting local vineyards and took family trips across Europe. In California in the 1970s, Peter grew his hair (and sideburns) and bought himself a motorcycle. He also developed a feminist consciousness, taking over many household tasks so that Jean could follow her calling to seminary and eventual ordination as an Episcopal priest. Peter’s international marketing experience and business connections led him to a number of positions, including at Johnson & Johnson, Intercontinental, and Scanticon Hotels. He also had a short stint co-managing his own firm and ended his career with perhaps his most satisfying role, senior vice president of marketing for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. Throughout his working years, Peter was proud to participate in various community activities. After retiring to Brattleboro in 2007, Peter continued as a marketing consultant for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. He also took on a leadership role at the Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity. During their years in Brattleboro, he spent time writing his memoir, playing tennis, following UConn basketball, and keeping the house and yard exceedingly well-organized. He is survived by his wife, Jean Reinhart Smith, daughter Lindsay Smith, son Davis Smith, son-in-law, Sean Kirk, daughter-in-law Kendra Lawrence, granddaughters Jacqueline and Eliza Smith Kirk and Emma and Sydney Lawrence Smith. He is also survived by sisters Rachel DeAngelo, Eileen Litwin, Christine Saretsky and Barbara Kaczinski. Peter loved his dogs and is survived by his sweet poodle, Hannah.Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday, March 7, at 11 a.m. Donations to Groundworks Collaborative in Brattleboro.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.