Deceased September 24, 2015

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50th Reunion Book Entry

In Memory

George Clapp passed away Sept. 24, 2015. George was a son of George Ewing Clapp ’13 and Ella Blanche (Townsend), born Dec. 16, 1918, in Westhampton, Mass.

He attended Deerfield Academy before Amherst. At Amherst he was a member of Theta Xi but left college after only two years, to take up minor employment and begin his lifelong love of flying. He signed up for the Aviation Cadet program and got his own wings in January 1943.

In the service, he was at Selman Field, Louisiana, as an instructor for almost two years, finally getting some combat missions in B-17s in England. He was training in B-29s for duty in the Pacific arena when the war ended. At a terminal leave party, he happened to be introduced to a local kindergarten teacher, Carolyn Baldelli, and on June 22, 1946, they were married. The couple spent the first two years of their married life teaching at the Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Mass. But George loved flying, and in 1949 he requested recall to active service.

Daughter Betsy was born in Guam in 1952, son George Jr. (Chip) in Alabama in 1954 and son David in California in 1959. In 1960, based in Japan, George spent three years flying all over the western Pacific. Then he spent two years flying Atlantic transport runs, finally retiring at Dover AFB in October 1965.

Turning to civilian life, George started an equipment rental business in Dover, which over the years proved to be very successful. George Jr. and David, both living in Dover, took over the business in 1987, while George Sr. and Carolyn continued traveling—e.g., six trips to Australia in eight years. George is survived by his wife, three children and five grandchildren.

Rick Ward ’42

50th Reunion

George Clapp
By the end of my sophomore year it became evident that Amherst had higher standards of scholarship than I, so we mutually agreed to part company, but on friend.ly terms. Then came two years of unremarkable employment during which time I joined a flying club and began a lifelong love affair with flying. I signed up for the Aviation Cadet program in the Fall of '41, passed the physical on December 8th, and in the following August was fully involved in navigation training. I pinned on my own wings and gold bars in January '43 and was retained as an instructor at Selman Field, LA for almost two years. During that period Bruce Dein showed up at the base as a cadet and at our first meeting neither of us knew what to do first: shake hands, hug or salute. So, we did all three, but not in that order! I finally did get in some combat missions in B-17s in England, and was training in B-29s for duty in the Pacific Ocean when the war ended. I was separated in January '46. While I was on terminal leave Pierce and Lillian Taylor arranged a welcome home party for me and introduced me to a local kindergarten teacher. The matchmakers were successful, and on June 22, 1946 Carolyn Baldelli and I were married. We spent two years at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, MA super vising a dormitory of 26 teenage boys in addition to teaching and coaching. I remained active in the Reserves, and although the campus life was stimulating, I missed "The Wild Blue Yonder" and requested recall to active duty in 1949.

George Clapp 2
The next 16 years had us relocating for eight major moves. Guam was our first overseas assignment, and it was there that Betsy was born in 1952. George, Jr. (Chip) was born in Alabama in 1954, and in 1959 David arrived in California. In 1960 we went to Japan where I spent three years flying all over the western Pacific. I completed my military career at Dover AFB flying the Atlantic transport runs, and retired in October '65. Retirement was only temporary, however, since additional income was needed for my growing family. In May '66 I started an equipment rental business which over the years has grown to be a very successful venture. Betsy, now Mrs. Peter Meyer, is in Sydney, Australia where Peter is a partner in a law firm. They have two daughters: Laura (6) and Carmel (2). Chip married Eileen Nuttall and is the father of Meghan (7) and Maureen{2). David married Jan Turner and they have produced Alexandra (1). Both sons live in Dover, and after serving their apprenticeship with me they let me retire again in 1987 when they bought my business. During the past eight years we have made six trips to Australia, which might be some sort of record. Now the only continent I haven't visited is Antarctica. I have been very fortunate, not only in having a wonderful family, but also in having not one, but two very satisfying careers. Carolyn and I enjoy good health, play golf and occasional bridge, and spend a lot of time enjoying our five granddaughters. Life has been very good to us and we are most thankful for our blessings.