William Wirt Peabody ’53

Courageous and ever optimistic, Bill died of cancer July 21, 2003, in Sante Fe. N.M.

He met his wife, the late Ellen Bentzen, while serving as a lieutenant in the field artillery in Colorado Springs. Bill was involved in geological exploration throughout his career. Daughter Betsy said geology "appealed to his theoretical grasp of mind and he derived lifelong satisfaction from it." His early fieldwork was on the Navajo Indian reservation; then he proceeded to travel the world "in search of liquid treasures in mother earth."

Hotchkiss classmate, college roommate, and fellow Cottage Club member Jim Dana remembered Bill's enthusiasm and represented the class at Bill's funeral.

Jim said the program used the following quote from Bill that appeared in our 50th Reunion book: "I would never have believed that I would be doing what I'm doing now or that I would be enjoying it so much more than anything else I would have chosen."

Bill leaves behind sons William W. Jr. and Alexander H.; daughters Melissa A. and Elizabeth K. (both of whom are married but kept the Peabody name in honor of their father); six grandchildren; and his companion Dinah Simms. We share in their loss.

The Class of 1953