There have already been many memories posted on the Class Listserv. These have been compiled by Hans Bergmann and posted here.
From Neale Adams
Tod Houghtlin died early Saturday, March 14, in hospital near Washington DC while on a trip home to New Lebano NY after spending February and the first half of March in Florida. Tod was an active member of our class alumni and attended the 55th reunion. His wife Helen Burton and other family members were with him when he died.
Only because of the times we’re in, I add that it appears that Tod’s death was not from COVID 19 but due to a number of chronic issues which he had been suffering.
From Hans Bergmann (Tod’s roommate)
In her e-mail the morning after Tod died, Helen ended by writing, “God rest his sweet soul. Amen.” She, wonderful woman, has it exactly — a sweet soul has left us behind. It seems unbearable. I remember so much, sixty years worth. I cannot characterize all those years. Some items. For Tod, there was always great religious faith. There was also uncomplaining persistence despite health problems that seemed designed for Job. He loved the children and grandchildren from two families, attentive to all. He had an immense, seemingly supernatural, capacity for recollecting very specific historical and geographical detail. He loved his Amherst friends and the Amherst “gang of eight” who
did dinners and trips together (Tod and Helen, Hans and Harriet, John and Carol, Kent and Scottie and sometimes Beach Conger and Trine Beck).
Tod and Helen traveled widely in the world. They loved great music at venues local and international. They encouraged others of the Amherst gang to go with them. Next Fall was supposed to be Dresden. Tod could be delightfully goofy. I have a strong memory of driving back from Northampton with him standing on the passenger seat of my VW beetle with half his body out the sunroof. He was Rommel advancing on Alexandria, giving absurd orders in
German. Then he asked me what was that rotating red light reflecting on the trees ahead. (It was the Hadley police).
HIs daughter Vannesa reports that Tod told her and her daughter silly jokes the night he died, about who should inherit the ugly gnome someone had bought as a joke. He was easing their pain knowing he was dying. He and Helen listened to Bach’s “St. John’s Passion” the night he died. “It is finished,” Christ says. Tod died accepting his own finishing. I cannot accept it yet. A sweet soul.
From Bob Bosworth (Tod’s roommate)
Oddly, some of my favorite memories of Tod are playing pickup basketball at the Amherst gym, a great getaway with the expenditure of lots of pent up energy. He was always fun to be with, the kind of guy that made every conversation, group, or just five guys who didn’t know each other off the court better for being there. One of his favorite moves was to drive the baseline, pick his man off and score from the other side of the basket. That, and the short pull up jumper. Big grin. I wish I’d seen more of him after school: reunions don’t really cut it on keeping up.
From John Hay (Tod’s roommate)
Tod Houghtlin’s life was woven through mine in many ways. We roomed together at DKE. A year after graduating, we were at Yale Divinity School together. After dinner in the refectory, we would retire to the common room, sit in large leather chairs watched over by the portraits of renowned theologians and smoking cigarettes. One evening, I was grumpy but unaware of why. Tod pressed me about it, then picked up on the fact that the first year student with long blonde hair who had gotten back from work camps in Yugoslavia was going to the Rolling Stones concert. (The other guy was a Williams grad) Tod said, “You should ask her out.” Nine months later Carol and I were married.
A couple of years later at Div School, my wife and I would go over to Tod and Tinny’s apartment and watch “Mission Impossible” while doing our laundry there. I performed the weddings for both of his children, Vannesa in the Adirondacks, Jaimie’s outside in Vermont while rain threatened. In recent years, we did bike trips together on rail trails in Ontario and on Cape Cod with Helen and Tod, Hans & Harriet Bergmann and Kent and Scottie Faerber. Two years ago, at Tod’s instigation, we spent a marvelous ten days in Berlin together. Regularly we would get together for dinner. And now our marvelous eight are only seven.
Tod’s mind was compassionate and copious. In many discussions he’d bring out or ask a question about the other guy, the underdog or the point of view left out. And he knew the zip code of Casper, Wyoming. And he never let out how he knew it.
From Onnie Mackenzie
I have just heard from Scottie Faerber that Tod Houghtlin died yesterday in Washington D.C. He developed pneumonia and other complications when returning from a vacation in Florida. What a loss to our class. Tod was one of the nicest and kindest people I have very known. I am sure that Scottie and Kent can give you more details.
From Hugh Price
How very sad. Tod was a wonderful and gentle soul.
From Jack Hawley
Oh dear, such deeply sad news. There was simply no one like him—no one more genuine, more welcoming. That smile, that laugh, and that deep desire to do good, even though he would have been the last to trumpet it so.
From James Shearwood
Seconded. Both at Amherst and at reunions his warmth radiated.
From Tycho von Rosenvinge
I am also saddened to hear of Tod’s death. I particularly remember him getting up at the class dinner of our 25th reunion and telling us about how he had been punished by Dean Porter after he went home for Thanksgiving. Someone offered him a ride and he took it. Apparently, Porter had told him that he had to stay on campus.
From Bill Amend
Dear friends; Connie & I offer a thought - Tod was, indeed, among the most genuine & humble of us. It is so important to remember him in this time of loss. I’d say: A life well lived.
From Ted Truman
Well said.
From Laurie Osborn
Wonderful man and treasured classmate, who will be missed
From Leon Gibbs
He was a good man who will be missed. Fond memories of him many years later.
From Ralph Hanna
I’m so saddened. What a truly benign soul, who radiated benevolence, even when the rest of us didn’t deserve it.
From Burton West
I am so sorry to learn of Tod’s abrupt death while en route home. His unique personality did permeate that Freshman floor at Morrow, helping to give it distinct character and memories. A warm fist bump to all, including Helen.
From Mal Johnson
I always enjoyed visiting with him at our reunions. He will be missed at the 60th
From Tad Larrabee
As I have been reading the many tributes in honor of Tod, every comment brings up his face in my memory, and it always has a warm, friendly smile! Many fond memories of a wonderful classmate.
From Allen Swartz
My reaction is just like Tad’s: one warm Spring day, Tod strode toward the Valentine doors, paused, turned, and smiled that smile. Now, every time one of you recalls him, he turns again and smiles at me, at us.
From Kent Faerber
(And Scottie Faerber to Onnie )Wanted you to know that dear Tod died in DC yesterday, and Helen and family were right with him. He developed. pneumonia and other complications on his way back from vacation in FL. We will all miss him so much, a lovely and sweet soul. May be be in blessed peace with Our Lord!
From Andy Leader
Ouch! I didn’t really know Tod but I admired him from a distance. I don’t feel I knew him well enough to send condolences but his passing saddens me. I felt similarly. about Toby McLeod’s passing. As I’ve said before, like Edna “Vincent” Millay, “I am not resigned.” I just hope the new crop of the best and the brightest at Amherst College will
understand the importance of working on the mortality problem and will contribute to solving it, as I did not. STEM must be made a priority at Amherst if it is not already. Social engineering is very far down on my list of what makes a college great, though I would like to see people of every complexion and gender participate in humanity’s great