Deceased November 4, 2021
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In Memory
John died on Nov. 4. A native of Grosse Pointe, Mich., John summered at his family’s home in Southwest Harbor, absorbing ocean views and his family’s conservative political values. One summer, he worked as a speechwriter for Congressman Gerald Ford.
At Amherst, John was a nearly permanent fixture at Frost, retreating at closing time to “his” carrel (toothbrush in hand). John loved sports and gravitated to Alpha Delta Phi, which housed an assortment of intellectuals and athletes. Senior year, his brothers begged John to lecture in preparation for comprehensive exams in American studies, for which they were woefully unprepared. His impromptu course filled the AD goat room and earned raves—and passing grades on comps for attendees (more than passing for John, whose class standing put him into the Bond Fifteen).
Amherst awakened John to economic and social inequality and led him to a lifelong position on the Left, which he defended with passionate intellect. Unwilling to serve in a war he despised, he curtailed plans for a Ph.D. at Columbia and earned a teaching deferment. Later, he received a Ph.D. in political theory at the University of Massachusetts.
While there, John met Susan Covino, his future wife. They reared three bright, talented children: Todd, Elisabeth and Tim. John was an editor of The Progressive and a popular teacher at College of the Atlantic. He wrote six books and hundreds of articles. A regular column was in preparation when he died. John swam daily and played tennis year-round. A sign for “Buell’s Sports Camp” hung above his garage, expressing his values and his sense of humor.
In his insistence on academic rigor, his lack of pretense, his commitment to social justice and his kindness and generosity, John represented the best of Amherst. We are better for having known him.
Ed Bradley ’67, Jerry Reneau ’67, Susan Buell, George McNeil ’67