Obituaries: Spring 2021

Dana Evarts Low ’54 Th’55 of Hanover and Fairlee, Vt., died August 27, 2020. He graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth and earned his MS in civil engineering from Thayer. He served as chief engineer on the destroyer USS Hawkins from 1955 to 1958. Dana then joined engineering consulting firm TAMS Consultants Inc. in N.Y.C. in 1960, became a principal in 1973 and president in 1992, and retired in 1996. From 1980 to 2005 he was involved in the nonprofit International Road Federation and served as chairman of its world executive board. After moving to New Hampshire in 2012 he volunteered at the Upper Valley Haven. He was an avid hiker, completing the Appalachian Trail in his late 60s. Dana is survived by his wife, Anne, and children Richard ’84, Christopher, and Virginia.

Joel D. Ash ’56 Th’58 passed away at his home in Grantham, N.H., on September 10, 2020. He earned his MS in electrical engineering from Thayer School and married Marsha in 1958. He then started a long career that included extensive international travel as an executive with International Telephone and Telegraph. He then ran his own consulting firm. He is the author of two published works of poetic limericks. He retired to Connecticut and then moved to Grantham in 2002. Joel enjoyed membership in the Country Squires, fishing, magic, and travel. He was the ’56 class secretary at his passing. He is survived by Marsha; sons Kevin ’85 and Deron ’88 and their wives; grandchildren Aaron, Braelin, Ben, Andrew, and Aiden; and brother Robert ’52.

Richard D. Bugbee ’57 Th’58 died at his home in Wilmington, Del., on September 2, 2020. He earned a master’s in mechanical engineering from Thayer School. He attended Dartmouth on a Navy ROTC scholarship and served three years in the Navy on the destroyer USS Manley, achieving the rank of lieutenant. Dick’s 35-year career with the Dupont Co. included many moves before headquarters assignments in Wilmington, where he specialized in photo products. Upon retirement he worked at Right Associates providing career transition support. Dick had always wanted to work in a hardware store and enjoyed working at Brandywine Ace Pet and Farm in West Chester, Penn., for more than 10 years. He was predeceased by Ann Lee, his wife of 59 years. He is survived by daughters Elizabeth and Sarah.

John T. Blunt ’58 Tu’59 Th’59 died on July 19, 2020, at his home in Village of Golf, Fla. At Dartmouth he was a member of Zeta Psi, rowed crew, and participated in the Tuck-Thayer 3-2 program. John’s 55-year career began when he joined the Northern Trust Co. in 1960. He held a number of positions during his 30 years there in tax, trust administration, family business, and strategic planning. He retired in 1989 as president of Northern Investment Management Co. He served as director of a number of corporations, including Schwinn Bicycle. He was involved with numerous charitable and social organizations, including the Northfield Community Fund and United Christian Community Services. John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Susan, and children John Jr. ’82, Richard, Deborah ’90, and Barbara and their families.

Paul W. Drenkow ’64 Th’66 died of Parkinson’s disease at his home in McKinney, Texas, on August 25, 2020. At Dartmouth he earned his AB and MS in engineering sciences. He went on to receive an MBA from the University of Washington. Paul began his career working for Boeing in Seattle, Wash., and in the early 1970s moved to Ann Arbor, Mich., to work for the Ford Motor Co. In the early 1990s he served as Ford’s executive director of business planning for Asia Pacific and on the board of directors for Mazda Motor Co. Paul retired in 2001 and enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, Clarine, and frequent trips to the Hawaiian Islands with friends and family. Paul served on the board for Lutheran Social Services of Michigan. He is survived by Clarine and four children and their families.

Thomas M. Morton ’65 Th’66 Th’67 of Santa Cruz, Calif., died on September 5, 2020, after a long illness. At Dartmouth he was a member of Beta, Sphinx, and Green Key. After earning his bachelor’s and master’s in engineering from Thayer School, Tom enjoyed a distinguished 37-year career at Lockheed-Martin in Sunnyvale, Calif. He retired as vice president of the Fleet Ballistic Missile Program. He was involved in developing the Polaris, Poseidon, and Trident submarine missile systems, which he called “the nation’s most effective system deterring nuclear war.” He and his wife of 48 years, Karen, enjoyed worldwide travel. Karen survives, as do children Blake, Heather, Cheryl, and Kevin.

Fred Love “Pete” Krehbiel ’87 died October 19, 2020, in Chicago, Ill. He spent his career with Molex Inc., a worldwide leading manufacturer of electronic, electrical, and fiber optic interconnection systems. After earning his AB in engineering sciences, Pete joined Molex as a design engineer in the company’s America’s region automotive division. In 1994 he was named to Molex’s board of directors and earned the Molex Excellence in Product Design Award. When Molex acquired Cardell Automotive, Pete relocated to the new automotive division headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., and was named division president. In 2007 he was promoted to vice president of product development and commercialization for Molex’s new global divisions and in 2009 he was named senior vice president of technology innovation. He is survived by siblings John ’91 Th’92 and Margaret ’94.

Lance G. Brackee ’93 Th’94 of Chaska, Minn., passed unexpectedly from a heart attack on August 19, 2020. At Dartmouth he was a three-year starter at offensive tackle, helping claim the Ivy League title each year and setting numerous scoring, rushing, and passing records. In 2005 Lance was named to Dartmouth’s All-Time football team. He was also involved in student workshops and Theta Delta Chi. After graduating from Dartmouth and Thayer with degrees in engineering, Lance returned to his native Minnesota. He embarked on a successful career as a software engineer and platform manager for several companies. Lance also had a stint playing semi-professional football and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and trapping. Lance is survived by his wife, Melissa, and children Hunter, Logan, and Megan.