To: The Hamilton Community
From: Joan Hinde Stewart
I write with deep personal sadness to inform you that Life Trustee Richard W. Couper '44 died early this morning with his wife of 59 years, Patsy, at his side. He had been in declining health for several years but remained active and engaged with the College he cherished.
Few people loved Hamilton College more than Dick Couper and few did more to nurture and sustain it. In simple and gracious ways, he and Patsy welcomed many of us into this community. During my two-and-one-half years as president, Dick was for me a trusted confidant, a patient advisor and someone with whom I talked often about Hamilton. He was warm and generous, witty and learned, a prolific writer and an exemplary orator. Dick's love of words is evidenced by his passion for books and his lifelong association with libraries. Many of you know that he was the first full-time president and chief executive officer of the New York Public Library and that the head librarian position at Hamilton is endowed in honor of Dick and Patsy.
His death is an immense loss for Hamilton.
Rather than recount Dick's many accomplishments here, I encourage you to visit the College's Web site where a biography, photographs and an article about his family's Hamilton connections will be posted this afternoon.
A memorial service will be held this Saturday, January 28th, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel, with a reception afterwards in Dwight Lounge. You may wish to send expressions of sympathy to Patsy at P.O. Box 345, Clinton, NY 13323. The family has asked that gifts in Dick's memory be sent to the Trustees of Hamilton College, 198 College Hill Road, Clinton, NY 13323, or to the President's Office, The New York Public Library, 42nd and Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018.
J.H.S.
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Joan Hinde Stewart
President
Hamilton College
From: Joan Hinde Stewart
I write with deep personal sadness to inform you that Life Trustee Richard W. Couper '44 died early this morning with his wife of 59 years, Patsy, at his side. He had been in declining health for several years but remained active and engaged with the College he cherished.
Few people loved Hamilton College more than Dick Couper and few did more to nurture and sustain it. In simple and gracious ways, he and Patsy welcomed many of us into this community. During my two-and-one-half years as president, Dick was for me a trusted confidant, a patient advisor and someone with whom I talked often about Hamilton. He was warm and generous, witty and learned, a prolific writer and an exemplary orator. Dick's love of words is evidenced by his passion for books and his lifelong association with libraries. Many of you know that he was the first full-time president and chief executive officer of the New York Public Library and that the head librarian position at Hamilton is endowed in honor of Dick and Patsy.
His death is an immense loss for Hamilton.
Rather than recount Dick's many accomplishments here, I encourage you to visit the College's Web site where a biography, photographs and an article about his family's Hamilton connections will be posted this afternoon.
A memorial service will be held this Saturday, January 28th, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel, with a reception afterwards in Dwight Lounge. You may wish to send expressions of sympathy to Patsy at P.O. Box 345, Clinton, NY 13323. The family has asked that gifts in Dick's memory be sent to the Trustees of Hamilton College, 198 College Hill Road, Clinton, NY 13323, or to the President's Office, The New York Public Library, 42nd and Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018.
J.H.S.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Joan Hinde Stewart
President
Hamilton College
