59
1977
Gordon Rentschler Stanton
devoted father,
beloved son, hus-
band, and brother,
died in New York
City on October
29, 2014, after a
long battle with
pulmonary fibro-
sis. He was 55.
Born on Novem-
ber 9, 1958, he was the son of Phoebe R.
and Louis L. Stanton ’45 of New York City.
Mr. Stanton prepared for St. Paul’s at the
Buckley School and followed his father,
his uncle, Dixon Stanton ’47, and his
brother, Louis Stanton ’70, to Millville.
A successful student, Mr. Stanton earned
first and second testimonials consis-
tently while at SPS. He was a member of
the Debate Team, served as layout editor
of
The Pelican
, worked as a licensed DJ
for WSPS, and was a member of the John
Winant Political Society. He also worked
with the Theatre Program, with a particular
interest in stage lighting. He was passion-
ate about his work with the Missionary
Society, through which he volunteered at
Concord Hospital.
Mr. Stanton attended Yale University,
earning a B.A. in Architecture in 1982.
He received his M.B.A. from New York
University’s Stern School of Business
in 1992. Mr. Stanton spent much of his
career as a real estate broker at Brown
Harris Stevens in Manhattan.
Mr. Stanton maintained his passion
for theatre as a member of the Blue Hill
Troupe, an organization that raises money
for New York City charities through the
proceeds of artistic works. He was also a
member of the Amateur Comedy Club,
Holland Lodge No. 8, and served on the
board of the Interfaith Center of New
York, an organization focused on bridg-
ing religious differences.
Mr. Stanton’s greatest joy was spending
time with family and friends, including
those from SPS. He served as form dir-
ector for the Form of 1977 from 2012 to
2013. He leaves his wife, Catherine (Kitty);
his sons, Niles and Henry; his brother,
Lee ’70, and his wife, Beth; his sister,
Susan, and her husband, Rod Benedict;
his half-brother, Fredrik Stanton ’92;
and his niece, Penelope R. Stanton ’01.
1978
Henry Resor Laughlin
was a creative, adventurous, and giving
person, whose life ended too early. Mr.
Laughlin died unexpectedly at his home
in San Francisco on August 6, 2014.
Mr. Laughlin was born on February 13,
1960. His father, James Laughlin, was a
noted publisher, editor, and poet. His
mother, Ann Resor Laughlin, was an active
volunteer and rancher.
Mr. Laughlin attended Eaglebrook
School in Deerfield, Mass., before arriv-
ing at St. Paul’s as a Fourth Former in
the fall of 1975. He immediately struck
the masters as a “willing and capable
leader.” In his application essay, he ex-
pressed concern about global hunger
and poverty. He spent his summers in
Wyoming, ranching and volunteering
with special needs children. This gener-
osity of spirit would continue to distin-
guish him throughout his life.
At SPS, he joined the Student Council
and the Spanish Club, studying abroad
in Barcelona for his Fifth Form year. He
served as editor of the Yearbook, wrote
for the
Pelican
, was involved in stage
lighting for the Theatre Program, and
was passionate about photography, cer-
amics, stained glass, and woodworking.
He rowed for Shattuck and played club
sports for Delphian. He loved Nordic and
downhill skiing. He graduated
cum laude
and went on to Harvard, graduating with
the Class of 1983.
Mr. Laughlin was married to his wife,
Carlene, and together the couple raised
two children, Walker and Amelia. He
became an accomplished cabinetmaker,
helping to design and build for the Alta
Ski Lifts Company, where he served on
the board. He skied in Utah, the Andes
of Chile and Argentina, the Tetons of
Wyoming, and the Sierras of California
and enjoyed mountain biking in New
England, Wyoming, and the Sierras.
Though he was unfailingly kind and
generous in supporting the dreams of
others, Mr. Laughlin suffered deeply
from mental illness, which prevented
him from realizing all of his own dreams.
He is survived by his wife, Carlene;
his children, Walker and Amelia; his
brother and sister-in-law, Paul and
Marian Gram Laughlin, and their two
sons, James and Hugh; his sister, Leila
Laughlin Javitch, her husband, Daniel
Javitch, and their two daughters, Arielle
Javitch and Daphne Javitch; and his
beloved dog, Bay.
1984
Peter Joseph Ambrose
died unexpectedly, but peacefully, in his
sleep at home in Brunswick, Maine, on
October 16, 2014.
Peter grew up in Brunswick, the third
son of John W. Ambrose Jr., a classics
professor at Bowdoin College, and Frances
(“Petey”) McKillop. There he experienced
an idyllic New England youth as part of a
neighborhood “rat pack” that included
SPS friends John Bohan ’83 and Charlie
McKee ’83.
Peter arrived at St. Paul’s from Bruns-
wick High School as a Fifth Former in
the fall of 1982, bringing with him a
reputation as an accomplished scholar,
as a track and field athlete competitive
at the state level, as a three-year varsity
soccer player for Brunswick High, and
as a talented hockey player.
His broad smile, good humor, and easy
demeanor ensured that Peter made
friends easily at St. Paul’s. Though he
came to SPS as a soccer player, he tried
out for football and became a member of
the varsity football team. He also wrote
for the
Pelican
, served as a Chapel warden,
and was a member of the Eco-Action
Society and the Committee for Social
Awareness.
