Robert M. Fuller '49

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Left to Right: Muriel Fuller Mills, granddaughter; Richard Mills, son-in-law, Robert M. Fuller '49, Margaret "Peggy" E. Fuller '74, Alex Fuller Mills, grandson

Lessons in Resilience - A Family's Legacy at Union

Robert M. Fuller '49 lived a long and full life when he passed away at the age of 95 in November 2019. From Johnstown, N.Y., Robert first arrived on the Union College campus in 1942. He walked into the Admissions office and asked for a scholarship.

Robert never forgot the scholarship he received. He memorialized this expression in his estate plans and will, by making a provision to include Union. His generosity to the Powering Union: The Campaign for Multiple Tomorrows will endow a scholarship in the Geology Department and will also create a research stipend for a female student – in honor of the 50th coed anniversary.

Robert's legacy gift reflects the immense value he placed on education, and his appreciation of the degree he earned at Union. The first person in his family to graduate from college, he made sure his children and grandchildren had the same opportunity. Robert's daughter Margaret "Peg" Fuller '74 also attended Union. 

Peg was among the first cohort of women who arrived at Union in 1970. While a psychology major, she found her "home" in the Modern Languages Department. Peg had William "Bill" Thomas for senior French seminar, and went on the study abroad term in France with Paul LeClerc.  Both instructors were hugely supportive and influential. Peg went on to earn an M.A. in educational psychology. She believes the accessibility of Union's brilliant faculty encouraged her to expand her intellectual and social horizons. 

Peg shared that when her father enrolled in 1942, he left the College in February of 1943 to become a B-24 bomber pilot in WWII.  Three years later, he returned to Union in 1946 and as a married student, he and his wife lived in Dutchman's Village. At the end of his life, Robert made the important decision to create a legacy at his alma mater through a scholarship fund that will provide generous support to future students studying Geology at Union.

Robert really appreciated his Union education as well as its impact on his life and his family.  This family legacy also lives on with one grandson who earned his PhD, a granddaughter with a CPA, a granddaughter who is a Master's candidate in linguistics, and a granddaughter who completed some graduate-level coursework -- all completed a four-year undergraduate degree. 

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Dr. Pete Savard '93

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Drs. Pete Savard '93 & Moitri Chowdhury with their two children.

Drs. Pete Savard '93 & Moitri Chowdhury Savard make his alma mater part of their family's legacy.

Pete is currently a pediatric anesthesiologist at New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell in New York City. While at Union, he majored in math/premed and was a member of the UC Choir, Psi Upsilon, the crew team, played intramural hockey, and had an incredible term abroad in Florence, Italy. After Union, he met his wife, Moitri, at the Stony Brook School of Medicine. Moitri is a family physician who also works for Weill Cornell. They currently live in Long Island City, NY with their two children.

The Savard's connection to Union culminated this past year when the couple named the College as a beneficiary of a charitable gift annuity.

"I am forever grateful for the opportunities I was given at Union...I want to make sure that other students are given the same opportunities through financial aid. At this challenging time for the college, alumni support is critical."

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Dr. David Falk '39

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Dr. David Falk '39 mourned; at 106, was Union's oldest alumnus

Dr. David Falk, who died recently at 106, never forgot that when he was out of money during his junior year in 1938, Union found a way. For his part, Falk always found a way to return the favor, giving millions to his alma mater.

Falk, a retired urologist in Bakersfield, Calif., is believed to have been Union's oldest alumnus.

"The College could have told me, 'Well, no tuition, no classes,'" Falk said in a 2008 interview. "They didn't do that. They made a deal with me where I could finish out my school year and pay them back as I could, which I did. That was very impressive to me. I feel that if I can help students who were feeling financial pressure, I should do so."

Like many during the Great Depression, Falk took whatever work he could find: deliveryman, truck driver, night watchman. That, along with financial aid, was enough to keep him afloat through Union.

The generosity of Falk and his late wife, Elynor, has totaled about $3.5 million. It has included the David and Elynor Falk Endowed Scholarship for majors in biology and the David Falk '39 and Elynor Rudnick-Falk Professorship in Engineering. He was a regular donor to the Annual Fund and a member of the Ramée Circle planned giving society. In 1975, he donated a harpsichord in memory of a mentor, Elmer Tidmarsh, professor of music.

A native of East Nassau who commuted to Union from his family home in Albany, he earned his Union degree in chemistry. He was junior class marshal. He received the Richmond Prize in Music Appreciation and the Fuller Medical Scholarship for study at Albany Medical College, where he earned his M.D. degree in 1943.

His generosity has extended to Albany Med, where he has created endowed chairs and scholarships for Union graduates.

While serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II, he was in a convoy en route to Japan when the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs. Falk's ship was redirected to New York City, leaving him with a major decision: return to New York's Capital Region for another winter or try California.

He chose the latter and never looked back. "The sun was blazing and the temperature was 86," he said. "I took off my overcoat and never put it back on again. I said, 'I am never leaving here.'"

In 1950 he settled in Bakersfield, Calif., where he went into private practice and became chief of the department of urology at Kern County General Hospital.

It was in Bakersfield that he met his wife and married in 1962.

The former Elynor Rudnick, an alumna of UCLA, was a helicopter service owner and pilot who was trained to ferry airplanes for the military in World War II. She was one of the first to use helicopters for spraying crops. In 1947, she trained a contingent of student pilots who would later become the first members of the fledgling Israeli Air Force. She was also active in managing an extensive portfolio of family farms in southern California, perhaps most notably a date farm in Coachella Valley. She passed away in 1996.

True to his word, Falk stayed mostly in sunny California. Records show only two campus visits in the early 90s. But gift officers and presidents have visited him in California. Following a visit with Falk in 1974, Union President Harold Martin wrote, "It's clear that western air and marriage to a vigorous woman have given you the entrepreneurial spirit."

When Cherrice Traver, the David Falk and Elynor Rudnick-Falk Professor of Computer Engineering, visited the benefactor in 2011, he was spending time at his local library studying up on the development of transistors and electronics. He spoke proudly of his wife's business acumen and tutored the professor on the process of raising and harvesting dates. He later sent her a box of Medjool dates. "I am not surprised that he lived to be 106," Traver said. "He was clearly still enjoying life very much at 97."

Throughout his life, he never forgot to pay it forward.

"Those who preceded me at Union, through their understanding and generosity, provided the opportunity for my education," he said. "I am deeply grateful. It is my duty, in like manner, to provide for our future. It is payback time."

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Cliff Mastrangelo '63

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Cliff Mastrangelo '63 gives in honor of his late son Christopher (pictured) who was also an alumnus of the College.

The loss of one's child is perhaps the most grievous experience one can endure. Just before age 40, Christopher Mastrangelo '89 contracted glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer that typically has less than one year of life expectancy. He survived for seven months after his diagnosis. His father Cliff recently decided to create a memorial gift in Chris's honor as a way for his wonderful legacy to live on.

During his senior year in high school, Cliff was confronted with selecting either Columbia University or Union College for his undergraduate education. Cliff chose Union. When recently reflecting on this choice, Cliff proudly stated, "To this day, it remains one of the best decision of my life."

Cliff designed, with the able assistance of Union's Planned Gift Office, a gift in Chris's memory that will provide one annual summer internship in perpetuity. Students seek summer internships to gain useful work experience. Many unpaid student internships are offered by non-profits, businesses and start-ups that require a student to self-fund living expenses during their internship. The summer internship award provides assistance for living expenses.

Additionally, Cliff spearheads the Class of 1963 summer internship announced in August, 2020 that has raised more than $200,000. This effort will provide funding for 6 student internships this summer, and is anticipated to provide funding for a minimum of 3 student summer internships in the immediate ensuing years. The Class of 1963 will continue to raise funds for this magnificent program, and will formally present its accumulated funds as a Class of 1963 Gift at their 60th ReUnion in 2023.

When speaking about the importance of giving back to Union, Cliff affirmed, "I look at gifts to Union as a thank you, a recognition to those in the past who have made generous contributions to the College that have provided alumni like myself a solid footing for life." Union has always been in the top echelons of collegiate education, and it is important to retain this position. A vital way to retain our historical position is through the loyal support of Union's alumni, parents, and friends.

Cliff Mastrangelo '63 is a Tri-Chair for Union's Ramée Circle Society. Your financial support, including planned gifts, is always welcome and always appreciated – please visit #raméecircle.org today!

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Carl George, Ph.D.

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After 30 years in academia, it is very clear that Carl George, Ph.D., left an indelible mark on Union College. As a member of the Union faculty, George was very interested in "the big picture of teaching."

From his very first moment on campus, George challenged his students' academic experiences and encouraged exposure to the new and unfamiliar. One memorable class was "World Agriculture" that he co-taught with Professor Tobiessen; student groups met local farmers as part of coursework. Back then, the majority of the Union students came from cities, and had never worked with cows before. George laughed, remembering that "There were some very shocking experiences for some, so this was definitely a different kind of course."

In addition to "Work Agriculture," another memorable class was "Illustration Organism" co-taught with Professor Walter Hatke. George believes that his greatest contribution to the College has been educating the community and broader audiences about the symbolism and significances of the Nott Memorial. George is well-known for his numerous lectures and tours of the iconic structure. His hope is that he will go down in history as the best ambassador for architectural appreciation of the Nott.

Professor George has a deep passion for Union College. He shared, "Union is a lovely place to be. Everything from Jackson's Gardens to our general location within reach of the Adirondacks." He finds importance in respecting the 227-year heritage of the College and the amazing alumni who have walked the quad. George believes that Union brings the best people together: "We've got top-notch faculty and students. So, you put those together along with synthesis and synergisms, the interactions between student to student, faculty to faculty, faculty to student, and student to faculty – the environment is uniquely special. I think there is an important intimacy in the Union experience."

Exposing students to new academic endeavors was Professor George's favorite part of his teaching career. To continue his legacy, George has donated many cultural artifacts and objects to the College's Permanent Collection. He recently donated an Asian cloisonné bowl; this bowl will be used by Professor Sherri Lullo in her Arts of China course. Lullo feels excited to include this bowl in her teaching, commenting, "I appreciate the ways that Carl's gifts to the College help steer my teaching in new directions. This gift offers another opportunity to consider the ways that Chinese artisans continually incorporate foreign styles and technologies into their craft."

Lullo continued, "Carl's gifts to the College's Permanent Collection have broadened and greatly enhanced my teaching. His curiosity of the histories, philosophies and religions of other cultures has inspired him to collect a fascinating range of art and material culture from important, but lesser known parts of the world, including the Middle East and Southeast Asia. I am so grateful that he has donated many of these items as teaching tools for the Union community."

Prof. George has traveled extensively around the world, and spent time in Indonesia. He assembled a significant collection of cultural artifacts and object through his travels. George's collection included masks from Bali (exhibited in Union's Taylor Music Center), and the Garuda sculpture that now hangs proudly on our campus. The Garuda is a bird creature from Hindu mythology that has a mix of eagle and human features; the Garuda represents both birth and heaven.

Union's Director & Curator of Art Collections & Exhibitions, Julie Lohnes said, "Carl's approach to life could be called transdisciplinary. Carl is a visionary who, long before current academic discourse, understood the educational impact of wide-ranging cultural collections in learning in and beyond the classroom. He has graciously gifted many objects to the Permanent Collection of the College over the years."

Lohnes continued, "His continuing legacy to the Permanent Collection can be seen throughout campus with many objects on display, some highlights of which are the Balinese masks housed in Taylor Music, Roman glass in the great room of Lamont House, and the Luristan bronzes featured on the third floor of Schaffer Library. Without doubt, the Permanent Collection is deeply indebted and grateful to Carl for these gifts as they make up some of the most utilized objects integrated into teaching from our collections."

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Prof. Thurston gives endowed chair for Asian Studies

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Robert Engelbach, left, and Don Thurston

Donald R. Thurston, professor emeritus of Asian Studies, spent his teaching career helping students fall in love with Asia just as he did seven decades ago.

With the establishment of an endowed professorship, he aims to continue that legacy for generations to come.

The Donald R. Thurston and Robert Englebach Professorship in Asian Studies, is named for Thurston and his late husband, both steadfast supporters of Union's comprehensive approach to Asian Studies.

Thurston's gift of $2.5 million is one of the largest gifts to the College from a faculty member.

Thurston, 93, taught Asian Studies at Union from 1966 until he retired in 1996. For those 30 years, he had a joint appointment in History and Political Science. He was on campus Nov. 1, 2022 to sign a gift agreement and attend a reception in his honor.

"Throughout his teaching career and beyond, Professor Thurston has continued to expand our curriculum – and our students' perspectives – literally around the world," said Union President David R. Harris. "His gift will ensure that his transformative impact continues well into the future."

"In a profound way, Don helped to lay the foundations for the interdisciplinary program that Asian Studies is today," said Sheri Lullo, associate professor of Asian Art History and director of Asian Studies. "He taught History and Political Science, but also initiated the study of Asian culture and art at Union. And now, this recent gift continues his legacy of expanding the many perspectives we can offer to students in the study of Asia."

"It is not a stretch to say that the first 1986 Union College term abroad to Nanjing, China changed my life," said James Sawyer '88. "Thanks to the passion and love of travel that Professor Thurston passed along to all of us, and his love for Japan and Asia, I had an incredible and unforgettable experience in China."

Through his gift, Thurston envisions a faculty member who is engaged with the people of at least one Asian country, is fluent in their language, and understands their culture from having lived with the people for a few years. The scholar would be based in a department ranging from music to history or anthropology, but with two-thirds of their courses each year in Asian Studies, which Union offers as a cross-disciplinary program.

In 1989, with the help of many faculty, Thurston founded the East Asian Studies program. Students could major in the program by studying Japanese or Chinese, taking required courses and a few electives. His goal: to open students to the great and different civilizations of Japan and China.

Englebach, who retired as a quality systems engineer at GE, established the Robert G. Englebach Endowed Fund for Asian Studies through his estate. Having traveled to Japan six times to see Thurston for two weeks each time, he knew the importance of supporting students to study there. The couple, who took major trips each year with destinations including China and India, was together for 37 years until Englebach's passing in 2015.

Falling in love with Japan

Drafted as an Army private in 1951, Thurston was bound for the war in Korea when he was one of two soldiers removed from a troop ship in Yokohama to learn typing. The ship carried 2,000 soldiers. "We were the only two who had graduated from college," he said. "The Army thought maybe we could learn how to type."

Thurston spent the next two months along Japan's Inland Sea. When he wasn't learning to type, he explored the small villages and cities in the area. Later, he was sent to Army headquarters in Korea, where he served as a clerk typist for a year and a half. He went to Japan twice for R&R.

"This was a crucial time when I fell in love with Japan," he recalled. "Before this, I knew nothing at all about that part of the world."

Around the world

Discharged from the Army in 1953, he asked to be discharged in Korea. "I figured the Army had gotten me halfway around the world," he said. "Why shouldn't I go the rest of the way?"

Thurston's parents surprised him by blessing his plan to travel the world. His enlightened grandmother had set aside $1,000 for each of her grandchildren to travel abroad. Thurston used his share to vagabond his way through Asia and Europe, sometimes sleeping in parks and on beaches. He carried only a knapsack, Olivetti typewriter and camera.

From Korea, his first stop was Japan, where he climbed Mt. Fuji before traveling through the Southeast Asian countries. Then it was on to India, Pakistan, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Yugoslavia, Italy, France, England and Scotland.

Back in the U.S. in 1954, he enrolled in Columbia University's East Asian Studies program to earn a master's in international relations. From 1956 to 1958, he was back in Japan to teach conversational English at Tohoku University and learn more about Japanese culture. From 1959 to 1961, he taught English at Tenafly (N.J.) High School, an experience he credits for making him a better teacher.

Teaching at the college level

By 1961, Thurston was intent on teaching about Japan and China at the college level. He returned to Columbia's East Asian Studies program for courses on Japanese and Chinese histories and political systems. He earned his Ph.D. with a dissertation comparing Japanese teachers' unions before and after World War II.

He joined Union in 1966. "When I arrived at Union, there were almost no courses offered on Asia," he said. His first course was Modern Japanese History, quickly followed by Chinese Modern History and courses on the political systems of Japan and China.

He was granted leave from Union in 1971 to return to Japan to update his dissertation. The result was a book, "Teachers and Politics in Japan" (Princeton University Press, 1973). Thurston's book explored the Japan Teachers' Union, a relatively radical group in direct conflict with conservative government policies, and concluded that the union was more influential at the local level.

In 1984, he led Union's first term to Japan at Kansai Gaidai University with each student living with a Japanese family. Two years later, he took 12 students on Union's first term in China at Nanjing Teachers College.

During his time at Union, the College has supported Thurston to attend seminars on topics ranging from Chinese landscape painting to Buddhism. "Union was very good to me to allow me to do these things, and it greatly helped my teaching," he said.

Of his gift, Thurston said, "I hope this will help students to respect all the peoples of Asia and stimulate them to maintain a lifetime interest in Asia."

Donald Thurston, who lives in Burnt Hills, N.Y., spends his summers at his seaside cottage in Brooksville, Maine. He is a regular on campus for music concerts and laps in the Alumni Gym pool.

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Giving starts with gratitude

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"Giving starts with gratitude then takes on an element of hope." -Rev. Dr. Victoria J. "Viki" Brooks

"Giving starts with gratitude then takes on an element of hope," says Rev. Dr. Victoria J. "Viki" Brooks, retired director of Religious and Spiritual Life and Campus Protestant minister at Union College and Ramée Circle member.

Viki's desire is that her gift will enable Union to sustain the kind of programming that involves spiritual life and helps students understand what it means to be successful, to love, to be a whole person. After spending 20 years on campus, she has seen what planned gifts can do, yet knows that it's not all about the size of the gift.

"Giving is not about the size of the gift. It's about your values. My gift says something about me, as well as the organizations that I find important," she says.

Viki documented a bequest intention for the Campus Protestant Ministry 25th Anniversary Fund at Union. When her advisor suggested designating percentages of her IRA to the organizations most important to her, Union was among her top choices. She encourages others to think about their priorities and make sure that their estate plans reflect the things most important to them.

As you think about what matters most to you, consider adding Union College as a beneficiary of your will or retirement asset. You'll be creating a meaningful legacy, helping the College build financial strength, and ensuring that Union will continue to offer an exceptional education to future students-without affecting your current assets or cash flow. (You can find the simple language you need to make this addition to your estate plans, at the link below, making the task even easier to check off your to-do list!)

As always, let us know if you have included Union in your plans, or intend to do so soon, so we can understand how you'd like us to use your gift and welcome you to the Ramée Circle.

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Gifts that save the world...

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"Education is so important for the next generation to save the world." -Joanne Milo '76

Joanne Milo '76 calls Union College the "calm in a storm of being a young adult, of being away from home." Grateful for her experience, she and her husband seek to provide that sense of calm and direction to the next generation of students through their mentorship program.

"Union is so nurturing, and strives for excellence in all departments," she says. "Including Union in our charitable plans was an easy process-and the decision to do so was even easier."

Through a gift to Union College in her trust, Joanne is helping students pay for their education. "We find educating and mentoring young people fascinating and fulfilling," says Joanne. "Our aim now is to pass funding to people striving to achieve. Education is so important for the next generation to save the world."

Joanne encourages her fellow alums to support the institutions that can change and adapt to what's needed, as Union does.

As you consider how your estate plans might include the causes most important to you, Union's Office of Gift Planning is a ready resource to help you and your advisors devise a strategy to align your personal financial situation with your philanthropic goals. We are here to help. Contact us to find the gift opportunity that's right for you.

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Regina and Jaap Ketting, parents of Class of 2021 graduate Juliana, feel like part of the Union family.

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"There’s such unity at Union," says Regina. "There’s a sense of permanence—it will be here for a long, long time, and it’s a place that when I’m gone, I’d like to continue their mission."

Education has always been important to Regina, and she credits Union College for Juliana’s ability to realize her dreams. "She became a leader—Union did that for her," she says. "It nurtured those qualities and gave her the forum and facilities to express her joy in making an impact." Regina decided to make a planned gift when she saw how great Juliana was doing.

As a tribute to the success their daughter found at Union, Regina and Jaap decided to make Union College a beneficiary of her IRA, a bequest that they documented a few years ago. "It’s a very easy thing to do," says Regina. "We wanted Union to know this future gift was in place for the College’s general purposes so they can plan for the future. It supports that feeling of permanence."

We encourage you to follow the Kettings’ lead by making a gift in support of the things most important to you. Consider adding Union College as a beneficiary of your will or retirement asset. Neither you, your heirs or your estate will pay income taxes on the distribution of the assets. "Every gift matters and can make a difference in a student’s or faculty’s or program’s success in the future," says Regina.

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Tim McCabe ’73 honors his time at Union with a gift in his will.

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Tim McCabe ’73 has seen firsthand how Union has grown and changed. A former trustee and current Tri-Chair of the Ramée Circle Society, he has seen the impact the College’s endowment has on everyday operations and forward growth. That’s why he has included Union in his will.

“Union has played a big part in my life,” says Tim. “I feel I have a debt to repay to Union, because of the financial aid I received when I was admitted. That aid was a very large reason I was able to attend.”

Since 1978, the Ramée Circle Society has grown to over 800 families. You can join them by including Union in your charitable plans to help the College’s endowment grow, allowing us to expand educational offerings, take advantage of opportunities and offer assistance to our students.

“The people who came before us made sure Union had what it needed to support its mission,” says Tim, “Now it’s our turn. Hopefully, people will really think, ‘What can I do? What might I do?’ and consider how they might impact future generations of young people by including something in their will that will contribute to Union’s endowment.”

Gifts of all types and sizes have a great impact on Union. No gift is too small or too big. You can include Union in your will for a specific amount, by a percentage or remainder-and it costs you nothing now. “Union College is an excellent place to support through your will or estate plan,” Tim reminds us. “Any gift amount helps build the College’s endowment.”

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