Romus Broadway

Romus Broadway of Princeton, N.J., Princeton’s chronicler of the Witherspoon-Jackson community through photos and lectures, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 surrounded by his family, after a short battle with cancer.

He was a beloved brother, wonderful father, grandfather, an adored great-grandfather, and an iconic figure in the community.

Romus was born on February 13, 1939 in Belle Meade, N.J. He was the son of Jossie and John Broadway. He grew up on the farm in Belle Meade until he was about 4 years old when his family relocated to Princeton, N.J.

Princeton is where he acquired lifelong friends which started in Princeton Nursery School, The Witherspoon School for the Colored, Valley Road School, and Princeton High School where he graduated in 1956.

Shortly after Princeton High School, he joined the United States Air Force. He was so proud to be in the Air Force and he was even prouder to have yearly reunions with many of his fellow soldiers.

After the Air Force, Romus moved to Washington, D.C., to work for American Airlines. In 1969, when Romus was riding his motorcycle to work, he was hit by an impaired driver which led Romus to a long hospitalization and numerous surgeries. Needless to say, this ended his career with the airline.

Undaunted by his disabilities, he persevered and went on to get a college degree from Amherst College in Massachusetts. During that time, he combined his love for history and photography. After graduation, he returned to Princeton and began researching his family history along with writing, photographing, and chronically people and events in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood as well as the Italian Americans who lived in Princeton. He made collages for almost every event in Princeton.

As a result of his collages, he began speaking at churches, the Arts Council and Suzanne Patterson Center, and the Henry Pannell Center on Clay Street. His love for his community always led to giving time to Princeton Nursery School and activities in the neighborhood.

Romus is survived by his daughter Michelle Crespo and her mother Evelyn Winrow of Tampa, Fla., son Collin Broadway of Tampa, Fla., sons James Broadway (Shellbe), of Princeton and Lee Broadway (Nashae) of Atlanta, Ga., grandchildren Christiana Crespo, Ewing, NJ, Carmen Blaise (Fred) of Lynden, Wash., Antonio Crespo (Kenia) of Coral Springs, Fla., Cathleen Moore ( Sidney) of Seffner, Fla., and Jose Muniz of Tampa, Fla.

Great-grandchildren, Quincy, Jasmine, Kadin, and Theo Romus Blaise. Samara, Victoria, and Isabella Broadway, Sidney, Desmond, Zane, James, Ava, Sriah, Lauryn and David Moore, and Amyla Broadway.

To say that Romus loved his children is an understatement, but the love he had for his grands and great-grands was immeasurable.

He made many trips to see his grands and great-grands but he said his last trip, which was a month ago, was one of his best trips when he went to Florida and Georgia.

He is also survived by his brother John (Florence) of Lawrenceville, NJ, and sister Frances Broadway Craig of Princeton, NJ, and many loved nieces, nephews, and extended family/friends, but Roland Glover, Charles Phox, John Bailey, Bucky Jackson, Jimmy Craig, and Melvin Drakeford were often seen with him or at his house.

Romus was predeceased by his parents John and Jossie Broadway and siblings: Clayton, Robert, Johnsie Broadway Burnett, Herbert, James, Lee, Lina Broadway Boone and Husted.

Funeral Services for Romus will be Thursday, July 2, 2020 at Hughes Funeral Home, 324 Bellevue Avenue, Trenton, NJ. Public viewing is at 1 p.m. Private Service for the family is at 1:45 p.m. Burial will be at the Princeton Cemetery.

The family of the late Romus Broadway extends its heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Hospice group of The Medical Center at Princeton; especially staff Carmella, Mary, and Liz Cohn.

In lieu of flowers, any donations can be made to Mount Pisgah AME Church Building Fund at 170 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08542, in memory of Romus Broadway.

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Dr. Arthur Howard Ackerman, MD

November 4, 1937 – June 20, 2020

Dr. Arthur Howard Ackerman, MD, 82, of Princeton, passed away on June 20, 2020 at his home.  He was born in New York City on November 4, 1937, to Boris and Laura Ackerman. Arthur moved to Brooklyn as a young boy, where he developed his unapologetic character and love of family. 

In Brooklyn, Arthur attended P.S. 225 and Lincoln High School, where he was an active contributor to the school newspaper, the Lincoln Log. He frequently recounted stories from his singularly American childhood – following the campaigns of World War II; sometimes engaging in truancy to watch Jackie Robinson play for the Brooklyn Dodgers or to attend a concert at Carnegie Hall, indulging his lifelong love of classical music; spending summers at Ten Mile River Scout Camps, where he developed an abiding passion for outdoor pursuits and sharing them with others; and fishing with his father. Arthur was proud to be the son of a hardworking immigrant who, along with Arthur’s uncles, built a thriving restaurant business and achieved the American Dream through constant labor, education, and a bit of good luck.

For Arthur, the most fortunate moment of his life also occurred in Brooklyn, where during his adolescence, he met his beloved wife of 60 years, Carol, who survives him. Together, they built a life emblematic of the Jet Age in which they reached adulthood. Carol and Arthur shared a passion for travel, other cultures, and adventure, reaching six continents as a couple, plus a visit to Antarctica for Arthur. They loved the sea, maintaining homes and developing close friendships in Truro, Massachusetts and Antigua, West Indies. 

In Princeton, where they have lived since 1968, Carol and Arthur are known for their lively sense of fun – perhaps best captured through their Halloween costume parties, where they and their friends came dressed as famous historical figures. Friends and family will remember Arthur’s delight in telling a long-form joke and the twinkle in his eye on the frequent occasions when he engaged in mischief.

Arthur attended college at New York University and, not surprisingly given his varied intellectual interests, majored in history. He went on to Yale Medical School, where he graduated in 1963. Arthur completed a residency in anesthesiology at Yale under his mentor and friend, Dr. Nicholas M. Greene, MD — who has been described as a founding father of modern anesthesiology. 

When the Navy called Arthur to serve, he did so honorably with the First Marine Division in Da Nang, Vietnam, providing anesthesia to Marines injured in battle during 1967 and 1968. While in Vietnam, Arthur was exposed to Agent Orange, which ultimately precipitated his final battle with prostate cancer — a fight through which Carol constantly was at his side.

Arthur used his medical training for good throughout his life, beginning with his service to our country. He returned from Vietnam to practice anesthesia for nearly 40 years at Princeton Hospital, where he made lasting friendships that enriched his life. After his retirement, he remained curious and energetic. Arthur taught anesthesia in Tanzania and Rwanda. He provided anesthesia for operations to correct pediatric heart defects in Ukraine, Belarus, Libya, and Kyrgyzstan. 

Arthur loved his family deeply, and his passing leaves for them both a void and many warm memories. In addition to Carol, he is survived by his daughter, Nancy (Rick), his son, Peter (Elizabeth), and his grandchildren, Alexander, Oliver, Henry, William, and Lucy. He is also survived by his two sisters, Ellen and Joan, brother- and sister-in-law, Ron and Roberta, and numerous nieces and nephews. Arthur will be buried at sea by the U.S. Navy. 

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Frederic Sharaf

Frederic Sharaf, American Composer, passed away on June 23, 2020 at the age of 85.

Frederic was born on July 1st, 1934 in Brookline, MA, to Louis and Mae Sharaf. He received a B.A. in Music from Cornell University in 1956 and completed his graduate work at Stanford University where he received an M.A. in Composition and Orchestration. Frederic, or Fred as he was known to family and close friends, will be lovingly remembered by his children: Jonathan Sharaf and his wife, Lorraine Sharaf; Megan Moore; Carter Sharaf; and Kathryn Battistella and her husband, Matt Battistella. He will also be dearly missed by his grandchildren and a lifetime of close friends, many dating back several decades. His death was preceded by that of his wife, Jane Sharaf, who he loved and adored throughout their marriage of 35 years.

He was a brilliant composer who had several of his pieces published by Carl Fischer, Inc. and performed in prestigious venues worldwide. Frederic and his wife Jane, an accomplished vocalist, premiered “Three Settings of Imitations by Robert Lowell” which he had written for her. After Jane’s death in 2007, Frederic sought solace in composing 19 songs dedicated to his late wife’s memory. He continued to write a wide variety of music ranging from art songs to chamber works, and bluesy ballads. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Fred will be remembered as an energetic cook, effortless conversationalist, and a good humored friend who maintained warm and witty friendships with a large circle of friends.

Frederic will be laid to rest alongside his wife Jane in Princeton, NJ, where they raised their family. A private ceremony will be held there to celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frederic’s name can be made to the ASCAP Foundation, www.ascapfoundation.org/donate. To send the family personal condolences, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.

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Katharine Adams Chenoweth

Katherine Adams Chenoweth, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, and longtime resident of Princeton and Lawrenceville, New Jersey, died peacefully in Decatur, Georgia, on December 23, 2019. She had just celebrated her 89^th birthday.

A talented artist, sculptor, and storyteller, who worked as an editor and then a real estate agent, Kitty, as she was known, split her time between New Jersey and her beloved mountain home in Beersheba Springs, Tennessee. During typical summer weeks in Beersheba, she would visit with scores of relatives and friends from all over the country.

Born on December 12, 1930, in Jacksonville, Katharine Ogden Adams was the eldest of four children of Elliott and Katharine Adams, a lawyer and a homemaker both active in community affairs. In addition to summers in Beersheba Springs, where her father’s family has been vacationing since 1872, Kitty attended Keystone Camp in Brevard, North Carolina, for many years, was active in drama productions as a teenager, and graduated from the all-girls Bartram School (now the Bolles School) in Jacksonville.

Kitty majored in French at Vanderbilt University and served as an officer of the Delta Delta Delta sorority in her senior year. After graduation, Kitty returned to Jacksonville in her first job as a social worker. There, she met H. Avery Chenoweth and they married in 1954. Avery’s career as an artist and creative director in television and advertising took them to Gainesville, Florida, Huntington, West Virginia, and then New York City. They lived in Kendall Park for several years, and settled in Princeton in 1965.

In Princeton, while raising children, Kitty obtained a degree in interior design from the New York School of Interior Design, and served as Chairwoman of the YWCA International Festival in 1965 and 1966. She also served on a committee welcoming new families to Princeton, many of them foreign immigrants. An accomplished portrait sculptor and savvy collector of antiques, Kitty had a deep knowledge of art and design. For several years in the 1960s, she sold her beautiful hand-sculpted angels to Lord & Taylor in New York City, where they could be seen in the holiday window displays.

In the 1970s, Kitty became an editor for National Code Consultants, a publishing house for municipal codes. After her divorce in the early 1980s, she sold real estate in the Princeton area for over 30 years, most recently for Stockton Real Estate. Her training in interior design and passion for antiques and collecting were an asset in real estate and made her a natural at understanding the potential of period and historic houses.

Kitty was also fascinated with Revolutionary War history and read every book she could find on General Washington and his troop movements through New Jersey. She loved to attend re-enactments at Washington’s Crossing and could describe in detail the battles of Trenton and Princeton.

Friends and family remember her best for her infectious smile and laugh, and love of storytelling, which they attribute to her southern upbringing and long summers in the Cumberland Plateau of Middle Tennessee. She had friends wherever she went and delighted in parties and long nights on cottage porches talking about history, literature, art, and family life.

She struggled in recent years with a variety of illnesses, but also staged a series of recoveries. She recently lived for a year and a half in Connecticut, near her daughter, Isabel, and spent the last two and a half years in Georgia, near her son, Matthew. Both treasured the opportunity to care for her as she had once cared for them.

Kitty was predeceased by her parents, Elliott and Katharine Adams, and her brother Gillespie (Lep) Adams and his wife, Rebecca (Betsy) Adams. She is survived by her four children and five grandchildren, H. Avery Chenoweth Jr. (Mary) of Charlottesville, Virginia, Richard Chenoweth (Amy) of Starkville, Mississippi, and his children, Elliott, Damaris, and Lydia Chenoweth, Isabel Chenoweth (Charlie) of Hamden, Connecticut and her children, Walker (Briana), and Leila Sachner, and Matthew Chenoweth of Atlanta, Georgia. She is also survived by her sister, Louise Ropp, and brother, Elliott Adams Jr. (Tillie), both of Jacksonville, Florida, along with several nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins and extended family members.

A celebration of Kitty Chenoweth’s life will take place in Beersheba Springs in July, 2020.

Memorial donations be made in Kitty’s name to the nonprofit Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic (beershebaclinic.org), founded by Kitty’s cousin Dr. Garrett Adams. The clinic provides free medical care to local residents of Grundy County, Tennessee.

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Elizabeth Dale Walton

Elizabeth Dale Walton was born on September 18, 1959 and passed away on May 25, 2020 in Princeton, New Jersey. Known to everyone as Betsy, she grew up in Pennington, NJ, enjoying board games, camping, and watching TV baseball and movies with her family. In 1988 she moved to Princeton. She followed the examples of her grandmother Helen and her mother Carolyn, who both helped empower her to be a very independent woman.

Betsy had a very robust sense of humor and a sharp wit that helped her endure struggles, especially coping with cerebral palsy her whole life, and developed patience and feisty persistence to overcome many obstacles. She was a supportive, caring friend with an endearing mischievous streak, and believed strongly in the power of prayer, even in the most difficult circumstances.

She attended Hopewell Valley Central High School, where she sang in a mixed chorus, and Trenton State College, where she served as president of the Lambda Lambda Chapter of the national sorority Delta Zeta. She led the Disabled Students Coalition’s talks with the college administration that resulted in the 1983 construction of an outside ramp at the main entrance to the library. In 1984 Betsy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education and was included in Who’s Who Among Students in Colleges. She continued with graduate studies at TSC, receiving a Master of Education degree in Developmental Reading.

Betsy worked for five years at McGraw-Hill Education in Hightstown, NJ. Then for 17 years she was a Professional Math Tutor at Mercer County Community College, a job that she loved passionately. She mentored individual students in computational math and introductory algebra, attending class with them and tutoring them outside of class, using her strong organizational skills and personally-created handouts to reinforce classroom lessons. She loved advocating for others struggling either academically or emotionally, and was a guest speaker for various school and church groups to educate about the needs of people with disabilities. After her time at MCCC, she served as an intern for the NJ Division of Disability Services, and then as a trained Crisis Chat volunteer with CONTACT of Mercer County.

A longtime member of Pennington Presbyterian Church, Betsy sang in the choir and served as an Elder. She chaired a workshop on ministering to children with special needs, and a task force to address the needs of people with disabilities, leading to significant building accessibility renovations. For several years she sang with the Hopewell Valley Chorus. In 1999 she became a member of Hopewell Presbyterian Church, again singing in the choir. She strongly supported accessibility renovations there, and loved using the new elevator after several years of climbing stairs with her crutches to attend choir rehearsals. She attended several church family retreats in the Poconos, and was delighted to participate in a Spring 2020 virtual chat with the choir.

An avid sports fan, she was fiercely loyal to the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Giants, and was known to indulge in occasional hijinks such as wheelchair races (for which she adopted the email nickname “Crash”). She enjoyed movies, word puzzles, puns, lots of reading, pizza with garlic, being Mama to her cat Ling-Ling, and sharing holiday dinners with friends and at church members’ homes. Singing was a special joy; she loved her God and loved to sing his praise.

Betsy highly valued her independence which included having a private residence, using an electric wheelchair “scooter,” and driving a wheelchair-adapted minivan, and she deeply appreciated all those who helped her maintain that independence. Over the years she worked hard at physical therapy with a series of dedicated therapists. In 2020 she especially appreciated the skilled, caring staff at Merwick Care & Rehabilitation Center.

Predeceased by her parents Carolyn Y. Walton in 1996 and M. Lee Walton in 2003, Betsy leaves her brother Scott R. Walton and sister-in-law Joyce J. Walton of South Carolina, and nieces Christine Walton Morrow of Georgia and Melanie Walton Faulk of South Carolina. Betsy was a loving aunt and was especially thrilled to become a great-aunt last year.

Interment will be at the First Presbyterian Church of Ewing Cemetery on July 9, 2020. Contributions may be made to Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 80 W. Broad Street, Hopewell, NJ.  Plans are also under consideration for a memorial service in 2021.

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Jean Beckerman

Jean Beckerman, a Princeton resident for more than 50 years, died Tuesday morning, June 23rd. She was 93.

Jean did library work for much of her life.  Originally with the New York Public Library system, she worked during the late 1950s as librarian of The Neighborhood Playhouse in New York, where she had a nodding acquaintance with such future stars as Robert Duvall, Suzanne Pleshette, Tammy Grimes, Tuesday Weld, and Sydney Pollack.

Born Jean Rose Friedburg in the Bronx, the daughter of a vaudeville and silent movie pianist, Jean attended Hunter College beginning at age 15. She worked with Hunter classmates Barbara Cohen Holdridge and Marianne Roney Mantell, founders of Caedmon Records, when in 1952 they began to amass recordings of the world’s great writers, including Dylan Thomas, T.S. Elliot, and Sylvia Plath. In 1954, she married librarian Edwin Beckerman. They had three children.

Following Edwin’s career path, the couple moved from Manhattan to Leicester, England to Albany to Yonkers to South Brunswick to West Windsor and finally, in 1968, to Princeton. Edwin became the director of the Woodbridge Public Library System, served as president of the New Jersey Library Association, and was on the board of the Princeton Public Library. Jean worked, for a time, at the Ewing Branch Library, Mercer County.

Jean was funny, opinionated, literate, a voracious reader. She loved theater, music, swimming, museum-going, vodka martinis, The New Yorker, and — somewhat incongruously — Dr. Phil. She loved certain movies: The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Fahrenheit 451, The Maltese Falcon. And she loved Princeton.

She will be missed by her husband Edwin, a South Brunswick resident, her sons Jim Beckerman of Sayreville, Lee Beckerman of South Brunswick, Peter Beckerman of Pittsburgh, their spouses Tom, Wendi, and Eileen, her grandchildren Max, Amelia, Maia, and Lydia, her niece Susan Braun and nephews Michael Braun, Jonathan Beckerman, and Michael Beckerman.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mr. Rogers’ Neighbors Kindness Project feeding hungry Princeton families, https://mrrogersneighbors.com.

Extend condolences and share memories at TheKimbleFuneralHome.com.

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Richard L. Wines

Richard L. Wines passed away peacefully on May 22, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. Dick was born to the late Marcella and Wilbur Wines in Rego Park, Queens. He graduated from St. John’s Prep, Villanova University and attended Northwestern and New York University Graduate Schools. Dick was a big Villanova fan.  He tried to never miss a basketball game and believed his armchair coaching helped win the big ones. 

Dick was in the NROTC program at Villanova and was commissioned to Ensign at graduation.  He was assigned to the Naval Intelligence office in Chicago.  After two good years on active duty he moved to New York where he started his career with Peat, Marwick, Mitchell (KPMG). In addition, he continued his Naval career as a reservist, eventually becoming the Commanding Officer of the Navy Field Intelligence Office in New London, Connecticut. Dick loved the Navy, the Reserves and enjoyed the men and women with whom he served. He retired at the rank of Captain and continued to be a proud patriot.

At Peat, Marwick he was responsible for the first audit by an outside firm at First National City Bank (Citigroup).  As a result, he was recruited by FNCB and later by United Jersey Bank where he advanced the ranks to President and Chief Executive Officer. While bank mergers were on the rise Dick became President of Ryan, Beck & Co, Pennsylvania. Years later he founded his own investment banking firm, Capital Consultants of Princeton. When planning to retire he was approached by McConnell, Budd & Romano Investment Banking firm to continue working with them for a few more years. Once again, good people, easy decision. 

Over his career Dick has been featured in New Jersey Monthly Magazine as “Someone to Watch in NJ Business.” He received the Villanova Alumni Medal. He was President of the Boy Scouts of America, NJ area, a member of their Northeast Region Board of Directors, and Chairman of their Exploring Committee. He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rider University and Trustee of the Independent College Fund of NJ. Dick was Director of the George Washington Taxpayers Association and Director and Trustee of many local organizations and charities. He was a member of Shadow Wood Country Club and past member at Trenton Country Club & Bedens Brook Golf Club.

Dick was married to Dorothy (Dot) Shields. He was a wonderful husband and father to four daughters, dedicated, selfless and cherished. Among other things, Dick was Father Christmas to his daughters and beloved grandchildren. He was a generous man who loved making the season magical. True happiness was being Dad and PopPop. He beamed with pride at all their accomplishments. When Dick and Dot retired they spent their winters on the west coast of Florida. They were fortunate to share many memorable times with dear friends from their younger days, as well as making many great new friends. 

Dick was predeceased by his parents, his brother John Lewis Wines (J.L.), and son-in-law Peter Lamb. He is survived by his wife, Dot, his daughters Mary Susan Lamb, Ann Marie Phillips (Mike Kelly), Patricia (Neil) Habig and Karen, his grandchildren Christopher, Michael and Alexandra Lamb, Morgan Phillips, Chase, Chandler and Cameron Habig.  He is also survived by his cousins, many nieces, nephews, and great friends, all of whom brought him much happiness.

A private burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. Due to COVID-19, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Blackwell Memorial Home, for condolences go to blackellmh.com.