Frederick Jeffrey was born in Trauger, Pennsylvania, received his BS from Pennsylvania State University in '32 and his MS from the University of Massachusetts in '34. From '35 to '44, he was professor of Poultry Science at Rutgers University, leaving that position to come to the University of Massachusetts. He authored seven books, including two best sellers in poultry circles, Bantam Chickens and Chicken Diseases. He maintained his interests after retirement, serving ten years as secretary of the Bantam Association and ten years as secretary of the Old English Game Bantam Club of America. Besides his wife Olive, he leaves 2 sons, a daughter, 8 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Jack was born in Harrison, Maine on April 20, 1927, and was raised on a poultry farm there. He graduated from Bridgton Academy and received his baccalaureate degree from the University of Maine at Orono. Later, he obtained both his master's and doctorate degrees from the University of Massachusetts. He served in the Navy during WWII, and returned to Maine to run his poultry farm. A disastrous fire put the farm out of business. Then, in 1954, Jack and his family moved to Greenfield where he became a salesman and serviceman for Wirthmore Feed Company. In 1961, he began working for the University as the first regional extension agent in Middlesex and Essex counties. He moved to Amherst in 1963, and started teaching poultry science in the University's Department of Poultry Science, later the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. In 1971, Jack was appointed associate dean of the College of Food and Natural Resources and Director of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, a position from which he retired in 1987. He was awarded the Chancellor's Medal at the 1987 Stockbridge Commencement.

He was a member of the Crooked River Lodge of Masons, a member of Local Sheriffs, the American Legion, the Harrison Fire Department and a Boy Scout leader, all in Maine. Locally, Jack was a member of the First Congregational Church of Amherst. He was a Maine humorist who performed as a banquet speaker or master of ceremonies at meetings all over New England and occasionally at gatherings more distant. A number of people knew he was a wrestler of some note both in the Navy and in school, but what is not as well known is the fact that Jack was an accomplished violinist, although he enjoyed "fiddlin'."

Jim joined the faculty of the Pomology Department of Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1948 and retired from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences of UMass in 1988. For many years, Jim was involved in the evaluation of new fruit varieties; he was an expert at identifying fruit varieties by their vegetative characteristics. However, his primary responsibility during these years was teaching, and he was honored by selection for a number of Outstanding Teacher Awards by Stockbridge School students.

In an interview at the time of his retirement, Jim said, "You can't really learn about trees from books. You have to get out there with the trees." Many alums will remember their orchard pruning experiences with Jim in the dead of winter because that's when and where pruning is done. "But the students were all good about it; they never ambushed me," Jim said. "They'd know that I'd be out there in the cold with them."

Jim leaves his wife Edna. He also leaves his former colleagues who are saddened by the loss of a true gentleman and friend, and by generations of alums who learned much more from him than what is written in books.

We are sorry to report to alumni, particularly Animal Science and Laboratory Animal Technology graduates, that Professor Peggy A. McConnell died January 18, 1997 in a tragic accident. She was preparing to attend a dog show in Boston that afternoon and, with her Dalmatians warmly and safely stowed in her van, apparently ran back to the house for one more thing (perhaps her coat?). Authorities theorize she slipped on the icy fieldstones of her porch and fell striking her head. She laid there coatless and alone all day in minus four degree temperatures until a friend, responding to concerns for friends from Boston, found her at 9 p.m. An autopsy determined that she had died of exposure. People of thin, very small stature, as was Professor McConnell, are much more prone to hypothermia.

Professor McConnell was a widely known breeder of Dalmatians and active on the dog show circuit for many years. She traveled extensively with her dogs in this country and overseas. Associates said she was a helpful friend to every dog breeder in the area; she was often called on for advice and assistance that she willingly gave. She was also active in the Animal Rescue League, in 4-H and in area youth groups.

In 1956, Peggy McConnell came to the University and became involved in research with Dr. Wallace Black, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. Together they pioneered work in super ovulation of domestic animals and embryo transfers. Although her research work was important and innovative, she later found her niche when she worked with students in the teaching program. She was instrumental in developing the two year program in Laboratory Animal Technology; she received the Outstanding Teacher Award on three different occasions. She played a significant role in both the two and four year undergraduate programs, focusing on applied management of domestic and laboratory animals. She also coordinated the popular Livestock Classic" where her contributions were recognized on several occasions. Her efforts on behalf of the Department and its students will be missed. Those of us who were personally associated with Peggy will also miss her.