Category: 1938

Richard Beckman Vowles passed away on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013. He was born in Fargo, N.D., on Oct. 5, 1917, the only child of Guy and Ella (Beckman) Vowles. The family moved to Davidson, N.C., in 1925, where Guy Vowles joined the faculty as a professor of German. Richard “Dick” Vowles graduated with a B.S. in biochemistry from Davidson College in 1938, and did post graduate work at the University of North Carolina 1938-1939, and the University of Stockholm 1939-1940. He received an M.A. in English from Yale in 1942. He worked as a chemical engineer in war industry from 1941-1944, served as an economic consultant for the War Department in 1944, and as a Vice Consul in Gothenburg, Sweden, from 1945-1946.

 After the war, he sought employment with the newly created CIA, but was rejected, a providential outcome for both parties. Dick got his Ph.D. in English from Yale in 1950, and had a long career as a college professor, initially of English, and later of Comparative Literature and Scandinavian Studies. He taught at Southwestern University in Memphis from 1948-1950, Queens University in NYC from 1950-1951, the University of Florida from 1951-1960, and at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, from 1960-1985. He was a Fulbright fellow in Copenhagen 1955-1956, a Strindberg fellow in Stockholm in 1973, and a Norwegian government fellow in 1978.

 He served as a specialist in Scandinavia with the Department of State in 1963, and was a visiting professor at NYU, the University of Helsinki, and Stockholm University. He was a guest lecturer in Paris, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Australia, and at a number of American universities. He ran a Scandinavian film festival in Door County, Wis., in 1975, and was master of ceremonies at the Santa Fe Scandinavian Film Festival in 1984. He loved an audience.

 Dick Vowles married Ellen Noah Hudson in 1942, and they had two children, Elizabeth, 633 Eugenia Ave. Madison WI, 53705, and Richard, who both survive him. Dick and Ellen divorced in 1969, but remained friends. After Ellen left Wisconsin for a position at Yale Press, they reunited to travel in Europe and visit their children. Ellen preceded him in death in 2006.

 In his long career as an educator, Dick Vowles introduced a number of Scandinavian authors to an American readership. He lectured on all things Swedish, with a special interest in the plays of August Strindberg and the films of Ingmar Bergman. He was a mentor to many students who remember his warmth and generosity. He and Ellen opened their home to visiting colleagues, and hosted some memorable parties for faculty and students.

 Dick had a sense of humor and whimsy that owed much to the Marx Brothers. He loved word play, song lyrics of his youth, and limericks, for which he had remarkable recall. He played the banjo, guitar, piano, and tin whistle, and had a fine singing voice. A lifelong jazz aficionado, he went on a number of jazz cruises, where he was able to mingle with the musicians he admired and pursue another passion, photography. He loved travel, and after retirement, an interest in Mayan archeology took him to Mexico and Central America.

 Dick retained his remarkable memory, hearing, sense of humor, and lucidity to the end of his 96 years. He never lost the ability to amuse, to entertain, or to exasperate.

 Please share your memories at www.CressFuneralService.com.

Idzard John Tinga ’38, son of Eelco Idzard and Jessie Hinnes Tinga, died in Wilmington, NC on Oct. 3, 2013. Born on June 12, 1918, Mr. Tinga graduated from Davidson College in 1938. He married Mary Slocum on May 13, 1942.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1942-1946. From 1946-1985 he was engaged in the production of field grown cut flowers. He is known for sharing bouquets of peonies during his retirement years. He served as chairman of the joint Wilmington/New Hanover Planning Commission for 13 years, 1966-1979. He was also awarded the Silver Beaver Award from the Cape Fear Area Council for distinguished service to Boy Scouts in 1965. Mr. Tinga was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, where he taught Sunday School, served as a deacon, elder, and clerk of the Session, and was an active choir member for 45 years.

He is survived by his son, Dr. John H. Tinga, of New Bern, NC, with wife Nancy and two grandchildren, Anna Tinga Bright of Hanahan, SC, and Brian J. Tinga of Raleigh; his daughter, Mrs. Anna Tinga White, a nurse practitioner with UNC in Chapel Hill, with husband William; one brother, Eelco H. Tinga, Sr.; and a number of nieces & nephews. The funeral service will be at First Presbyterian Church 2 PM Friday, Oct.4, 2013. The family will greet friends in Gilmore Hall immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Presbyterian Counseling Center, 4810 Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington, NC 28403. Online condolences at www.andrewsmortuary.com Andrews Market Street Chapel

John Lester Ranson, Jr. ’38, a resident of the Cypress, passed away on August 17, 2013. He was born on March 31, 1917 in Steele Creek, NC, son of John Lester Ranson and Mary Query Ranson. A native Charlottean, he took pride in the city he loved, and he cherished the memories of growing up on Hermitage Court at a time when the street car was his ride to Myers Park Country Club and the neighborhood kids ran from house to house.

John graduated from Davidson College in 1938 and went on to attend medical school at UNC Chapel Hill and Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where he received his MD. After a one year internship, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a doctor in North Africa and Italy with the 88th Infantry Division. After the war, he completed his residency at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio where he met, fell in love with, and married Marilyn Charlotte Albrecht of Erie, PA. The couple moved to Charlotte in 1950 and John began his Internal Medicine Practice.

He became an active member of the North Carolina Association of Physicians and Surgeons and of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society. For 38 years, he served as physician and friend to countless patients in and around the Charlotte area and South Carolina. After retiring from his medical practice he became a regular at the Dowd YMCA and would proudly flash his original 1931 membership card on his way to spin class. Throughout his retirement golf became a great source of satisfaction and camaraderie.

Always curious about other countries, John and Marilyn traveled extensively around the globe, and John was eager to share the detailed list of his international trips that he kept in his shirt pocket. A devoted Christian, John joined the Myers Park Presbyterian Church in 1927 soon after it was established and was a loyal member serving as both Deacon and Elder and was active in the Friendship Trays Ministries for many years. A lover of music, John played piano and was always supportive of the music ministry at his church and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. He was on the Symphony Board of Directors and enjoyed season tickets for 63 years. He gave generously to his Alma Mater’s classical radio station WDAV and was on their Board of Directors for six years.

His circle of friends was forever expanding as he was engaged with and interested in people of all ages and circumstances, making friends wherever he went. He was preceded in death by his sister, Elva Ann Sarratt and her husband Reed; brothers William Alexander Ranson ’45 and Robert Query Ranson; his son-in-law Joseph Cook; and grandson Elliot Russell Cook. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marilyn Albrecht Ranson; children Bill and wife Allison Ranson, Becky Cook, Pam and husband Tony Joyner; grandchildren, Travis and Hayley Cook, Caitlin ’07, Whitney and Anna Ranson, Jackson and Carson Joyner; his sister Mary Emily Baesel; and sisters-in-law Margaret Ranson and Mary Nell Ranson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews [including Forrest Leonard Ranson ’85] and cousins. Adored by his family John’s optimism and zest for life were an inspiration for all who knew him.

A celebration of John’s life will be held at Myers Park Presbyterian Church on Saturday, August 24 at 4:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. A visitation will be held Friday, August 23 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Cypress Community Room, 3442 Cypress Club Drive, Charlotte, NC. Memorials may be made to the Music Ministry at Myers Park Presbyterian Church or to a charity of choice . Condolences may be offered at www.HarryandBryantFuneralHome.com.