Hobart College - Echo of the Seneca Yearbook (Geneva, NY)

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 Math, plain ordinary math, that was my first class.' About four years old. Early in December, 1958, a notice appeared on the Coxe Hall bulletin board requesting the return of a radiator cap missing from a Mercedes-Benz automobile. It was signed simply W. H. Durfee. Seemingly a request from any member of the college community, we know of course that this small announcement came from Walter Hetherington Durfee, Dean. By such typically unassuming means as this has this man effectively carried out his many great responsibilities and duties in his long association with Hobart. On Wednesday, June 17, 1908, Walter H. Durfee received a B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Hobart College, with honors in Greek and Mathematics. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and gave both the Latin Salutatory and Class Prophecy. He was also the recipient of the Intercollegiate Greek and Mathematics Prizes. His undergraduate activities at Hobart included membership in Sigma Phi, the Dramatic Club, Lacrosse Squad, and, in his junior year. Associate Editor of the ECHO, this publication then being an effort of that class. Durfee also held the position of class vice-president. From the 1908 ECHO we quote: Walter is our small boy with a superabundance of brains. We call him our 'Prize Package,' and there is no fake about it either. Walter wishes to give the readers of the ECHO a problem: 'If a man starts to walk to Penn Yan and back and walks twelve miles an hour going and eight miles an hour coming back, in what month will he reach Geneva?' In 1911 Dean Durfee received his M.C.E. degree at Harvard, and later earned his Ph.D. at Cornell in 1930. His career varied considerably before his return to Hobart. From 1911 to 1913 he Graduation, June, 1908 was a draftsman for the McClintick-Mar- shall Construction Co. in Pittsburg. In Turners Falls, Massachusetts, he was En- gineering Designer for the Turners Falls Power Electric Co., from 1913 to 1917. He was Assistant to the Engineer, Proprie- tor of the Locks and Canals, Lowell, Mass- achusetts, from 1917 to 1921. He re- turned to Hobart in 1921 where he was made Assistant Professor of Mathematics, and has been full Professor since 1930. In 1937 and 1938 he was Acting Dean, and became Dean in 1938. In 1947 and 1948 he was Acting President, and was made Provost in 1948, a position he still holds. Dr. Durfee reassumed the post of Dean in 1955. Wedding day, April, 1914. 10 With a grandchild, 1945.

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 i. k V I r DR. WALTER H. DURFEE In addition to Phi Beta Kappa, Dr. Durfee is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the Mathematics Association of America, the American Mathematical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a contributor of publications to the London Mathematical Society. He is actively engaged in the work of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Rochester. Walter H. Durfee was born in Geneva on January 31, 1889, the son of Dr. William Pitt Durfee, the first Dean of Hobart. Thus, for most of his life, Dr. Durfee's home has been in Geneva, and his existence has cen- tered around Hobart College, as has that of his family. His sister. Miss Elizabeth R. Durfee, is registrar. Dr. Durfee and his wife now live on South Main Street, next to the old Durfee House which continues to bear the family name. One son, William H., graduated from Harvard in 1936. All members of the Hobart family regret to learn of Dr. Durfee's coming retirement from active work at Hobart. His plans for the future remain uncertain at this writing. We are sure, however, that Dr. Du'fee's life will continue to be most successful and rewarding. We count ourselves at Hobart fortunate that Walter Durfee has favored us with so much of his energy, time, and patience. Therefore, it is with great humility that we dedicate this book to our Dean and Pro- vost, Walter Hetherington Durfee. I I