Lost Faculty, Friends Remembered
This past year, three treasured members of the Exeter community—retired faculty members Norval W. Rindfleich, Charles A. Compton and Robert F. Brownville—passed away.
Rindfleich served the Exeter community for 22 years before his passing. He was born in Los Angeles, CA in April of 1930, but spent the majority of his early years living with his family in Minnesota. After beginning college at the University of Minnesota, Rindfleich served in the U.S. Coast Guard for three years, assisting the country’s troops in the Korean War conflict. After being stationed in Long Beach, CA, Rindfleich resumed his studies at Long Beach City College. Following his graduation, Rindfleich earned a BA and an MA in English from the University of Chicago, where he was selected as a Woodrow Wilson scholar.
Rindfleich came to the Academy in the fall of 1968 and taught English until his departure from the Academy in 1990. Rindfleich was a valuable and cherished member of the staff during his tenure and lent his expertise to numerous programs on campus. During his time here, he served as an adviser for the Washington Intern Program and the School Year Abroad program. He also earned distinction as a Lewis Perry Professor of the Humanities.
Rindfleich is survived by his children Mary, Julie, Kate and Joe, and his five grandchildren, as well as his brothers, Nolan and Greg.
In addition, Compton, longtime faculty member and science department chair, passed away this year.
Compton was born in 1927 to parents Karl and Margaret Compton. As a child, Compton attended the Shady Hill School in Cambridge, MA. Compton had his first experience at Exeter during his high school years, when he attended the Academy from 1942 to 1946. After his graduation, Compton elected to stay close to home and studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for four years.
Following his undergraduate studies, Compton earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University. After a three-year teaching stint at The Mt. Hermon School, Compton returned to Exeter, where he remained as a faculty member until his retirement in 1991. During his time at the Academy, Compton taught science classes and served as the science department chair. He also coached the track, wrestling and crew teams and advised the rocket club.
Compton also spent one year at Malvern College in England where he was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Nuffield method, a teaching philosophy for instructing science. This system was widely accepted across the country and is still in use today.
After his departure from the Academy, Compton and his family moved to Sebastian, FL and assumed an active role in the community. Compton invested much of his time in the growth and rehabilitation of the local Unitarian Universalist Church. Compton served as board chair and choir director at his church and occasionally delivered sermons of his own.
Compton is survived by his loving wife Leona and his three children, Lisa, Karl and Carol and one grandchild.
Finally, former Dean of Students, Admissions Director and science instructor Robert Brownell passed away this past July.
Brownell began his life in Smethport, PA on June 13, 1926. He attended Jamestown High School in New York, and following his graduation, he was drafted into the Navy.
After he served his post in the war, Brownell enrolled at Williams College in 1948. He earned a Master’s of Science from Duke University and a Master’s Degree of the Studies from the University of New Hampshire.
Following the conclusion of his studies, Brownell began teaching. He was employed by several New England prep schools including Tabor Academy and The Berkshire School until he finally chose to teach at Exeter. Brownell spent the majority of his career as a faculty member at PEA, where he taught chemistry and physics. Brownell worked alongside current PEA faculty member Richard Aaronian for many years. Aaronian spoke highly of Brownell, both inside and outside of the classroom.
“He was a consummate professional as he served a number of different roles at Exeter,” Aaronian said. “I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach with and know Mr. Brownell and his family.”
Aaronian added that Brownell brought an intense presence to the classroom and had a particular zest for science.
“Mr. Brownell was an energetic, creative, demanding yet understanding physics teacher who was liked and respected by his students and those feelings were reciprocal,” Aaronian said. “His views and opinions were well respected by his colleagues in the Science Department as well as his colleagues in other departments.”
In addition to his duties as a physics teacher, Brownell also occupied the posts of director of admissions and dean of students. During his tenure as the latter, Brownell was selected as the recipient of the Edward T. Simmons Faculty Chair, and following his retirement, was honored with the 1999 Founders Day Award.
Brownell also served the Exeter community as a dorm head and a varsity boys’ basketball coach.
Aaronian added that Brownell was particularly fond of the outdoors, and in particular, fishing. “He enjoyed the outdoors and was a talented fly fisherman enjoying many trips out west with family,” Aaronian said. “His fly rod was always with him.”