Andrew “Andy” passed away on July 25, 2022. He died after an over-a-decade-long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

He was born in Worcester, MA to Dorothy (Stein) and Philip Hahn, brother of the late Lewis Hahn and beloved brother to Lisa Hahn Kessler. Andrew met his wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Whitman, in 7th grade, who became his loving partner and best friend for the next 60 years.

Andrew received a B.A. from American University in 1969, an Ed. M. from Harvard University in 1971 and his Ph.D. from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University on January 4, 1978.

Shortly thereafter, his first daughter was born, and his second daughter arrived five years later. For the next 38 years, he and Liz joyfully dedicated themselves to family, friends and work.

Andrew saw the inequities in the world and fought to temper them through a career in academia and social justice. He was a professor, author, and lauded leader in his field. Andrew taught evaluation and research courses at Brandeis University, served as the Associate Dean of the Heller School of Social Policy and Management and created research centers there.

He was a consultant for the Clinton Administration and built countless partnerships with organizations across the globe. He proudly served as a founding board member for local foundations like The Steppingstone Foundation, The Greenlight Fund in Boston, and YouthBuild USA, where he was on the national board.

Andrew was a “connector,” and never ignored a request for help from a student, colleague or stranger. Andrew had friends for life, including classmates, colleagues, and the “Worcester Four Families” who were a part of his life from childhood.

He strongly believed in family traditions and never missed a milestone or gathering. Andrew’s last decade of life was spent in and out of hospitals and yet, he rarely complained. Whenever he was asked if he had any pain, his answer was almost always a confident “No, not at all.”

Andrew displayed incredible respect and kindness to the amazing aides who took care of him and the family for the last two and a half years of his life. Andrew loved coffee and scones. He listened to the music of his hippie generation. He took great pleasure in talking about the weather and parking. He would make quirky jokes that would make him laugh and then, by default, everyone else would follow. He was famous for sitting in a chair in a separate room and spontaneously participating in a conversation when no one thought he was listening.

He loved brooms and was an excellent under-the-kitchen-table sweeper. More than anything, Andrew enriched others’ lives as a dearly beloved father, grandfather, family member, a caring professor, and a loyal friend.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Whitman Hahn; daughters Jillian Hahn Kohl (Bryan Kohl) and Shira Hahn Rice (Andrew Rice); grandchildren, Ori, Talia, Milo and Etta; sister Lisa Hahn Kessler (Adam Kessler); sister-in-law Marika Hahn and many dear brothers and sisters-in-law; nephews, nieces, cousins and extended friends and family.

His funeral was at Temple Beth Elohim, 10 Bethel Road, Wellesley, MA on Thursday, July 28th, with burial at Beit Olam East Cemetery, 42 Concord Road, Wayland.

Andrew was an active volunteer and believed strongly in supporting nonprofit organizations. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: The Heller School of Management at Brandeis University, Care Dimensions Hospice, The Steppingstone Foundation, The Greenlight Fund or any charity of your choice.

(text adapted from: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bostonglobe/name/andrew-hahn-obituary?id=36014035)

Worcester History

June 8, 2022 admin

Jerry Morse recommended an article he found

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/opinion/tracing-where-worcesters-grit-comes-from/

Diane Epstein RIP

May 24, 2022 admin

Diane Epstein, a genuine supernova, returned to earth on May 19, 2022.

Seventy four years ago, Diane was born to Charlie and Sarah Epstein (both deceased) of Charlie’s Surplus in Worcester, MA.

Diane is predeceased by her brother Robert Epstein (wife Trudy Epstein and nephew Matthew of Worcester). Diane relocated from her hometown of Worcester to Brewster to spend her last years with her daughter Dawn Sternlieb and husband Donald Poole. Diane is also survived by daughter Faith Sternlieb and husband Bryan Baker of Phoenix, AZ, brother Mark Epstein (wife Barbara) of Charleston, NC (nieces Brooke and Karli and families), sister Beth Epstein of Manhattan, NY. Diane is predeceased by her partner of many years, Richard Cappotto of Provincetown, MA.

Diane graduated from Classical High School in Worcester in 1965 and went on to receive an undergraduate degree from Worcester State, a Master of History from Wilkes University, Wilkes Barre, PA and a Master of Linguistics from Framingham State University. Diane started her teaching career in elementary school in D.C. and concluded it teaching educators English as a second language internationally. Her travels took her to many countries where she embraced learning about the history, culture, and local food and customs. Diane left a wake of close friends, students, and colleagues she encouraged, supported, and mentored around the world.

Diane could be found taking adventures and exploring new places at every opportunity. She had an appreciation for all of nature’s wonders, from the detail of a blooming flower to the aspen trees in the Rocky Mountains and was never one to miss a rainbow or a sunset. Diane had a seemingly endless knowledge and knack for knowing the highlights of ANY PLACE you might want to visit, from her love of her hometown and state Worcester Massachusetts to the Faroe Islands. When she wasn’t traveling you could find Diane snuggling her grand puppies.

Diane’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Marsha Campbell, Caran Williams , Nadine Rodney-Smith, and Kim Murray for their daily devotion and extraordinary care and to our team (Jane Perkins, Jenna Goode and Cantor Malin) from Broadreach Hospice for their support through her end of life journey. Donations in honor of Diane may be made to the two organizations close to her heart, Jewish Healthcare Center, Heifer International or Operation Smile or to a charity of your choice.

A memorial will be held at a later date.

Posted online on May 21, 2022

Published in Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Cape Cod Times, The Cape Codder

WEBSite honor roll

March 29, 2022 admin

The following people are helping fund the hosting of this website and our zoom sessions.

Susan Sigel Taffet (2021, 2022)
Mike Backer
Eva Silver
Cynthia Cohen
Judy Michaud Delisle
Jeff Green
Liz Frem
Joel Palley
Chaya Bergstein (Karen Plotkin)
David Tinsley
Ben Bachrach
Rick Sandler

Contact BenBachrach@gmail.com if you would like to be added to this honor roll.

A ‘Special’ Classical Class of ’65 Virtual Reunion

January 19, 2022 admin

TUESDAY JANUARY 18 2022 at 730 pm via ZOOM

“From WNEB to Network TV” – a talk by Jim Laurie

Classmate Jim Laurie talked about his new book, a career in network news, and his lifelong passion for global travel.

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Helicopter-Two-Lives-Indochina-ebook/dp/B08GQ768FW

Does anybody remember Worcester’s “HI-FI station” W-N-E-B?

In Spring 1964, Jim went on the radio reading the news. He was one of the worst newscasters in radio history.

The only person to be honest about his performance was the marvelously inspirational English teacher, Anna Shaughnessy (Classical High 1921 to 1966.) Taking the 16-year-old aside, she suggested he might want to work much harder – first on his writing – and develop his broadcast skills later.

Six years later, Jim was on the air again – this time from Vietnam and Cambodia. He plunged into war, developed his obsession with global adventure, and landed his first network job at NBC News.

Jim will talk about his early years in Asia – as detailed in his memoir “The Last Helicopter: Two Lives in Indochina” (2020). The book, available at Amazon.com, is a story of war, love and survival. TV broadcaster Ted Koppel describes it as “a love story on so many different levels… memories of a young war correspondent learning his craft and falling in love. Cambodia and Viet Nam are, first the backdrop and ultimately the essence of the story. A wonderful book.”

It was the beginning of an exciting career – later reporting from Beijing, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Moscow, London, Sarajevo, Beirut, Belgrade, Berlin, Baghdad, Kabul, Jerusalem, Johannesburg, Mogadishu and dozens of other datelines.

Jim showed video and sound from his earliest adventures. Hope you can join us!

Jerry Morse was the moderator for the evening, while Ben handled the technical issues.

Classical ’65 Zoom Committee

Rick Sandler – rick@insgrp.com
Ben Bachrach – benbachrach@gmail.com
Mike Backer – salitube@aol.com