Edward V. Merrell '46

Deceased March 22, 2013

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50th Reunion Book Entry

In Memory

My good friend, roommate and fellow freshman basketball team member passed away in March after a long illness. Ned followed his brother, Bob “Mouse” Merrell ’43, from Shortridge High School to Amherst in the summer of 1942. In January 1943 he entered the Army Air Corps. Stationed in Foggia, Italy. He flew 28 B-17 missions as a bombardier/navigator and received several decorations (including the DFM) and promotion to captain. Ned returned to Amherst in the winter of 1946 and was elected to the student council and Sphinx. That spring he met Peggy Nix, Smith ’48, and they were married in September 1948. After graduation, Ned earned an MBA at Indiana University. His principal business career was as vice president and director of operations of the Graham Paper Co. in St. Louis. In 1985 the Merrells retired to Albuquerque, N.M., where Ned became a trophy hound, ranked #1 in New Mexico, Arizona and West Texas senior tennis. He also participated in Rotary, Meals on Wheels, Hospice and church activities, as well as serving as president of the Cottonwood Gulch Foundation, which had generated his instant love affair with New Mexico in 1939.

Ned is survived by his brother, Bob; wife Peggy; five daughters; 10 grandchildren; and their various spouses and significant others. His youngest daughter, Katie ’82, graduated magna cum laude from Amherst. Her older sisters had to make do with Smith, Hampshire, Wesleyan and Colorado College.

Ned was a man who found very few people he could dislike. The class extends deepest sympathy to Peggy and the family.

Ed "Josh" Watkins '46

50th Reunion

Importance of an Amherst Education:

I continue to appreciate my very good liberal arts education, not only for the wide range of subjects (courses) available, but also for the intimate setting (no.of students), which exposed me to the interests and talents of a wide range of fellow students. Peg and I had similar liberal arts college experiences and have been able to pass that pattern on to our five daughters (Smith, Hampshire, Wesleyan, Colorado College, Amherst). Four of them have graduate degrees in their chosen fields -education, business, law, and occupational therapy. The fifth (Amherst '82) works half time for the U. S. Congress Physicians Payment Review Board, and halftime as a senior researcher on the staff of the Dean of the University  of Chicago Medical School (she learned so much at Amherst she hasn't yet seen a need for anything more).

There are many good small liberal arts colleges producing well-rounded good citizens; I'm glad to see Amherst remain at the top.