Ray A. Eusden, Jr.
August 19, 1924 April 1, 2011
(86 yrs old)
Ray A. Eusden, Jr. passed away suddenly, but peacefully, on April 1 at his home in Vero Beach, FL.
Born in Holland, Michigan the son of Ray A. Eusden, Sr. and Marie (Dykstra) Eusden Mr. Eusden grew up in Newton, Massachusetts and matriculated at Yale University, where, in addition to his academic studies he was a member of the varsity ice hockey team and of the Naval ROTC. His studies were interrupted by military service and he graduated from Yale as a member of the Class of 1945W.
Mr. Eusden was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy and saw action in the European and Pacific Theaters of Operation of World War II, participating in both the invasion of Normandy and the invasion of Iwo Jima. His rank had risen to Lieutenant by the end of the War when he was able to return to Yale to complete his studies. In addition to his degree from Yale, Mr. Eusden also earned a Masters Degree in History from Harvard.
Mr. Eusden joined the faculty of Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts in 1947 to teach history and remained on the faculty for the next 32 years.
In addition to the courses he taught to countless numbers of schoolboys throughout his career, he served in many roles including chairman of the history department, Director of Studies, and as one of the Assistant Headmasters. He also served as the coach of varsity hockey and for many years coached the varsity soccer team, with several of his teams achieving league championships. Ray had tremendous affection for all of his students and throughout his life retained an astounding ability to recall names and anecdotes of even his earliest students. Mr. Eusden was elected an honorary member of the Class of 1953 and the Class of 1972 by its student members.
A family friend asked Mr. Eusden to co-lead a tour of Europe for recent college graduates during the summer of 1949 and among the tour participants was one Priscilla Plumb. Ray and Priscilla were married in December 1950 at the Plumb family home in Streator, Illinois. The two had recently celebrated the 60th anniversary of their marriage.
Throughout his life, Mr. Eusden retained a passion for golf which he actively indulged, including playing as recently as last week.
He was the club champion for several years at the North Andover Country Club and later continued to add trophies from tournaments at the Bald Peak Country Club in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, and the Hanover Country Club of Hanover, New Hampshire plus numerous member-guest tournaments. Most recently, he won flight championships at the Moorings Club in Vero Beach, Florida in both 2006 and 2007.
Following his retirement from active teaching, Ray and Priscilla moved to Etna, New Hampshire where they have maintained an active involvement in many community activities to the present. For several years they enjoyed occasional overseas travel with notable trips to Alaska, Norway, Egypt and China among other destinations.
For the past 13 years, Ray and Priscilla have also maintained a seasonal home in Vero Beach, Florida where they have enjoyed the company of their many friends.
In addition to his wife, Priscilla, Ray is survived by his daughter - Suzanne Eusden - of Whittier, Alaska, his son and daughter-in-law David and Heather Eusden of Hingham, Massachusetts, his grandchildren Tyler Eusden of Braintree, Massachusetts and Alison Eusden of Weymouth, Massachusetts, his brothers John, of Brunswick, Maine and David, of Bloomfield, Connecticut and his many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brooks School, North Andover, Massachusetts or the Upper Valley Hostel of Hanover, New Hampshire.
Arrangements are under the direction Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach, FL. Condolences may be sent to www.coxgiffordseawinds.com