Table Talk With Robert "Ozzie" Willett '93 (Hon.)

During his 25 years at Phillips Exeter Academy, Robert "Ozzie" Willett '93 (Hon.) estimates that he has visited almost every country in the world: "And it hasn't cost me a dime," he adds good-naturedly. Willett, a mason in the Facilities Management Department, is well known around campus for his congenial personality and colorful sense of humor. Exeter is his home; the staff, faculty, and students an extension of his family. He makes it a point to get to know people. "I'm the type of guy who stops students along the walks and asks, 'So, where are you from? Where are you going? What are your plans?' " says Willett. "We often lose sight of the fact that these students come from all parts of the world; they don't go home after class. It's good for them to have an adult show interest. And it's good for me: I get to learn about where they're from."

Willett got to know members of the class of 1993 so well that they made him an honorary class member at their 5th reunion, a first for anyone on the facilities crew. Willett was also the recipient of the Blair Brown Staff Award in 1992 for his outstanding service to the Academy.

Seven years ago, as part of his ongoing efforts to build community on campus, Willett also helped institute what is now an annual softball game between members of the facilities management crew (AKA the Over the Hill Gang) and the JV baseball team. "It's a good time and the students really seem to enjoy it," says Willett. "The problem is, one team gets older every year, the other doesn't." For the record, the Over the Hill Gang is ahead in the stats four games to three.

Willett recounts his time at Exeter with the pride of a father talking about his children. It is clear that he cherishes the Academy, its history, and traditions, and above all else, its people. "The Academy is my place as much as it was Daniel Webster's," says Willett. "People will moan if I say I 'love' the Academy, but it gets into your blood and I'm not afraid to admit it." The familial relations are not merely metaphorical in Willett's case, as two of his sons, Gregg and Paul, are currently employed in the Academy's facilities department, and another son, Gary attended as a postgraduate in 1983.

Born and raised in the town of Exeter, Willett unofficially began his career at the Academy back in 1953 as a part-time "pot walloper" (dishwasher) at the Grill while still in high school. He didn't officially begin as a full-time employee until some 20-odd years later, after several years in the Army and 21 years working in commercial construction. "I started at the Academy on April 13, 1976, to be exact-not that I'm counting the days," laughs Willett. "I took a job in the boilerhouse and then moved on to the paint shop. In 1980, an opening came up in the mason shop, which was my trade. I loved it; it was my kind of work."

As part of a two-man crew that maintains all the plaster, ceramic tile, quarry tile, and concrete found on campus, Willett sees very little downtime. Keeping the dormitory showers in grime-free, working order is a full-time job unto itself, but then there are also the brick sidewalks that need frequent attention and the graffiti that needs to be removed. In years past, he has also worked on a wide variety of other projects both big and small, from installing the sarcophagus cover of John Phillips' on the wall outside Phillips Hall (it's really there, go take a look) to replacing the great marble stairs outside the Academy Building.

"I enjoy what I do, taking something that has been damaged and putting it back the way it was intended," says Willett. "When I retire-which a lot of people are hoping will be soon-I hope to be remembered first and foremost as a good craftsman. Secondly, as someone who cares."

-Bill Ewing

New Trustees

Beginning terms as Academy trustees this September are Leigh A. Bonney '76, John R. Ettinger '69, and two members of the class of 1972, Alan R. Jones and S. Kimberly Welch. They fill terms formerly held by Anne Jackson P'82, Michael Kennedy '75, Larry Palmer '62, and Willard Reynolds '66.

Bonney

Leigh A. Bonney '76 served as a trustee from 1994-98. For much of the time, she was the president of the General Alumni/ae Association.

Currently senior vice president, finance, for Pfizer Global Research and Development, she has global responsibility for finance and procurement. She joined Pfizer in 1996 as director of planning in the corporate strategic planning and policy group. Prior to joining Pfizer, she spent seven years with McKinsey & Company, Inc., a management consulting firm in New York City. Bonney earned her M.B.A. from Harvard, a master's from Stanford, and a bachelor's degree from Yale.

Bonney is married to Dr. Larry Ritzhaupt, who works for Pfizer developing veterinary medicines.

Ettinger

John R. Ettinger '69 is the managing partner of the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell. His legal practice is in the areas of mergers and acquisitions and securities law. He joined Davis Polk in 1979, after earning his J.D. at Harvard Law School. Ettinger graduated from Yale summa cum laude and attended Merton College, Oxford University, as a Rhodes Scholar (1973-75). Currently he is a partner, New York City Partnership and Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the board of directors of Communities in Schools, Inc.

He and his wife, Linda Simpson, have three children and live in New York City.

Jones

Alan R. Jones '72 of Novato, California, who was elected a director of the General Alumni/ae Association in 1996, is the association's new president. In January, he left Morgan Stanley Dean Witter in San Francisco to found Rampant Venture Group, LLC with two Exeter classmates. He is a managing member of this venture capital/financial services company. He had been with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter for 15 years, as a vice president in institutional fixed income sales, and earlier with Salomon Brothers, Inc., as an associate in institutional fixed income sales. He received his bachelor's degree in government from Dartmouth College in 1976 and an M.B.A. in finance from Wharton Graduate School of Business in 1981.

Welch

As a director of financial institutions for Hartford Life,
S. Kimberly Welch '72 leads and manages the product development efforts of the nation's third-largest life insurance group. Prior to joining Hartford Life, she was a principal in Korn Ferry International's Boston office, where she specialized in executive search assignments for the financial services industry.

he began her career with Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company and later moved from commercial lending to private banking and investment management with First Chicago, where she spent the majority of her banking career. She received her Certified Financial Planner certification in 1987 and is an honors graduate of Brown University.

Welch, the current vice president of the General Alumni/ae Association, lives in Simsbury, Connecticut.


Exoniana

Who is this? Be the first to identify this mystery photo and its location. Send (via U.S. mail only) the correct answer and win a grand prize. Mail to: Exoniana, Phillips Exeter Academy, 20 Main Street, Exeter, NH 03833. It's always a pleasure to hear from you.

Responses to last issue:

Have we stumped you? Or should we feel dispirited by the fact that not one response was received regarding the Exoniana mystery photo in The Exeter Bulletin Summer 2000 issue?

and the answer is:

The angels appeared in Phillips Church in 1899, the gift of Mrs. Cora K. Bell at the dedication of the church named in memory of John Phillips. The original church was founded in 1744; the parish became incorporated in 1755, and reorganized in 1813.

An article from The Congregationalist describes the "new" Phillips Church as, "rich and beautiful. The lofty timbered roof presents a succession of great arches, each resting on stone corbels, delicately carved with figures of singing angels, the gift of Mrs. Cora K. Bell."

The architects were Cram, Goodhue & Fergusen. In 1899, the total cost of building the church, including furnishings and land, was $50,000. The Academy purchased Phillips Church in 1922, and to this day, the angels remain with their songs.

On your next visit to Exeter, walk down the middle aisle of Phillips Church, look up to the right or the left, and there you will observe the singing angels.

-Alice Ann Gray

Faculty Retirees The four members of the faculty who retired in June had lasting influences on the students they taught during their years at Exeter. As classroom teachers and advisers, coaches, and individuals with strong passions, they won the respect of their colleagues and devotion of their students.

Retirees in 2000 include:

Alan H. Estey, who since 1977 has been the director of special athletics, where he determined that first and foremost the Phillips Exeter Academy summer sports program is a classroom with a mission to develop athletic skills, provide a knowledge of the game, and promote an awareness of teamwork in the thousands of young men and women who have attended the programs through these many years. For 18 years of dorm service, primarily in Main Street South, Estey ruled "with a wonderful sense of humor and always with a good heart." He arrived at Exeter in 1969 as head football coach and continued as a mainstay in the football program for 31 years, providing continuity and expertise.

Frank T. Gutmann, who contributed to the growth of the mathematics department as the department moved into the 21st century and whose patience and dedication to teaching every student, regardless of ability, brought honor to the position of George Wentworth Professor of Mathematics, a professorship he had held since 1989. Gutmann was known not only for his talent in the classroom but also for service to the Academy that extended far beyond the walls of the classroom. He served as head of Hoyt, Soule, and Merrill Halls during his dormitory years, coached crew, where he taught important lessons of teamwork and dedication as well as an appreciation of the outdoors, which, along with choral singing and photography, remain longtime interests of his.

Barbara H. James, who created a family atmosphere in Wentworth Hall beginning in 1973, when she moved there with her husband, Bud, and their three sons, and who encouraged students to put opinions and values into active service of others. Long before 1993, when she officially accepted the position of director of student activities and became a member of the faculty, James, with a rare and sustained commitment, raised student and colleague consciousness on issues of civic responsibility and community service. Through her work on committees and, particularly, her work with the clubs on campus, she reached countless individuals with her message and sent them forth from Exeter determined to make the world a better place for all people.

John D. Wharton, whose reputation as an artist and a leader in art education preceded his arrival on campus 25 years ago. At Exeter, Wharton championed art as an academic endeavor-his aim, in the studio, being to develop the person as a whole and speak to the senses as well as the mind. He chaired the department of art three times and recognized that the Lamont Gallery was a way of bringing the art of the world to our students. In an unusual pairing of enthusiasms, he continued his work as an active artist while immersing himself in Academy activities, chiefly sports such as track and field and the scuba club; for many years he also shepherded the cycling team.

Still Looking Good in Maroon

Exeter standouts who took their talent to Harvard were captured recently rowing on the Charles River in this Boston Globe photo. Heavyweight crew stroke is Sam Brooks '97; seat 5, Neil Holzapfel '96, this year's team captain; seat 7, Hugo Mallinson '98. Not photographed is Exeter's fourth varsity team member, David Molnar '98.

Staff Awards At the annual staff picnic in June, the Academy presented the following awards:

Blair Brown Achievement Award Irene Alie, Information Services Patrick Brideau, Dining Services Stephanie MacInnis, Bookstore Paul Sanborn, Facilities Management Lynda Young, Facilities Management

Class of 1964 Awards Mark Bodnar, Telecommunications Tracy Dustin, Accounting Beverly Gamble, Facilities Management Donald McElreavy, Physical Education Janice Trueman, Student Activities

Correction

In our Summer 2000 issue, we mistakenly identified a photograph of Phil Beals '38 as Joe Bain '41. The photo, which shows Mr. Beals talking with Principal Ty Tingley '48, '64 (Hon.), P '99 at the March 10 Worcester regional dinner, caught the eye of many of Phil's friends and classmates, who wrote to point out our confusion. We regret the error.

Home | On Campus | Exonians in Review | From Every Quarter | Finis Origine Pendet About the Bulletin | Comments and Suggestions | Index

©1998-2001 by the trustees of Phillips Exeter Academy