Arden Flamson, 1931-2014
Activist and philanthropist Arden Flamson, an important contributor to Claremont McKenna College’s growth and achievement, died September 24 after a sudden illness, according to close friends and family members. Flamson, who had been involved in many roles with the College, was 83.
Her husband Richard ’51, who led Security Pacific Corp., played a defining role at the young college, serving as trustee and Board chairman during years that included an enormously successful capital campaign, CMC’s rising profile in higher education, and the changing of “Men’s” to “McKenna” in the institution’s name.
The Flamsons’ service to and impact on the College didn’t end with his passing in 1991 at the age of 62, however—it would continue on in the many roles she held in the ensuing two decades.
“Arden played a very important role both as the wife of our chairman and as a great friend to the College. She was energetic and vivacious, and she did so much on our behalf,” said President Emeritus Jack Stark ’57 GP’11 after learning of her passing. “Jil and I were close friends of Arden and Dick’s, and the news came as quite a shock to us. She will truly be missed.”
Joining the CMC Board of Trustees in 1992, Flamson went on to serve on several key committees, including Board Affairs, Student Affairs, and Buildings and Grounds, of which she served as chair. The College presented her with an Honorary Doctor of Law degree in 1990.
Her philanthropic work was all-encompassing, reaching far beyond the college campus to a wide host of organizations, including South Coast Repertory Theater, National Charity League, Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Hoag Hospital, and Angel of the Arts, a support group for the Orange County Performing Arts Center, of which she was the founding chair.
Flamson attended Scripps College in the early 1950s. As a Scripps undergraduate, the former Arden Black met her future husband at a college mixer, Kevin Starr writes in his history of CMC, Commerce and Civilization—Claremont McKenna College: The First Fifty Years 1946-1996.
For many, Flamson was a welcoming, generous figure who offered a sense of continuity and connection to the College’s heritage even as she supported the college’s growth and transformation into a leading, nationally recognized liberal arts college.
In 2004, Flamson received an Honorary Life Membership from the CMC Alumni Association. Most recently, Flamson visited the campus for Alumni Weekend in May, and in 2013 she attended a rededication ceremony for Flamson Plaza, which marked the end of extensive renovations to the North Mall area of campus.
“We’re a small College, and we’re proud of that, but you have to keep changing and accelerating to meet the demands of what people want,” she told CMC Magazine in the spring of 2013. “It’s all been for the good, and when I’m on campus now, I still feel the same camaraderie and atmosphere from the past. Times change, but those feelings remain. That’s what CMC continues to be about.” A private burial service was held in Orange County. Mrs. Flamson was a longtime resident of Balboa Island, Calif. She is survived by her children and grandchildren.
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Kingdon R. Hughes '50, of Dallas, TX, passed away on September 18, following complications from pneumonia. He was 85. King was born in El Paso, Texas but grew up in Pasadena. He was a member of CMC’s first graduating class in 1950. While in college, he completed the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve. He later served in the Korean War as a platoon leader, where he received the Silver Star Medal, the nation’s third-highest military combat decoration for gallantry in action, and was promoted to first lieutenant. King read an article in Life Magazine about the oil boom occurring in Scurry County, Texas. He decided this was where he wanted to be. So in 1950, he joined some friends who were driving across the country on Route 66, arranged to be dropped off in Amarillo and hitchhiked to Midland. His first job in the oil and gas business was as a trainee in the land department of the Stanolind Oil & Gas Company (now BP Amoco). Soon after, in 1960, he struck out on his own to become an independent landman, where he began to buy minerals and put together oil and gas deals. After succeeding as an independent oil and gas operator for almost 40 years, in 1988 King pursued a new interest in cellular telephones and wireless communications. He built and operated a nationwide wireless license in 114 cities, which he sold to the railroad industry in 2006. King spent his last 20 years as an early stage angel investor in various high-tech start-ups around the country. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Charlotte Mary Hughes; his son Bradford Hatcher Hughes, daughter-in-law Patricia Murray Hughes and grandson Kingdon Murray Hughes of Dallas; his younger son Whitney Robb Hughes; and his brother John Kevin Hughes and sister-in-law Barbara Hughes.
Charles Burnett Campbell '56, of Kerrville, TX, died July 23. He was 80. Campbell was born on May 22, 1934, to Colonel Charles Clifford Campbell and Mary Jane Burnett Campbell in Quantico, Virginia. From Virginia, the family moved to Coronado, California and later, Santa Ana, California. After graduating from CMC in 1956 with a degree in international affairs, he joined the U.S. Army, commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Transportation Corp. Later he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as platoon leader for all fixed-wing aircraft. His regular Army commission came in 1958 as a 1st Lieutenant. He earned the Pathfinder badge and his Senior Parachutist Wings. He completed tours in Korea, Germany and two in Vietnam. At the University of Florida, he taught ROTC cadets as a professor of military science and tactics. He later attended the Armed Forces Staff College and later was assigned to the staff of Commander in Chief Hawaii with retirement from the Army in 1979. After leaving the Army, he moved to Kerrville where he was involved in real estate ventures. Charles was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters. He is survived by wife, Janet; his three children, Gloria, Charles Robert, and Linda; and his sister, Carolyn Neff.
Winston H. Stoody '58, died July 23 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He was 78. Stoody was born in Whittier, son of Winston F. Stoody and Virginia Stoody. He attended Webb High School in Claremont and was captain of his high school football team. He earned his bachelors degree from Claremont McKenna College, where he served as freshman student body president. He obtained his Masters in Counseling from the University of La Verne, and his PhD in psychology from California Coast University. After college, Stoody served as a captain in the U.S. Army, then returned home to Whittier to work in the family business. The Stoody Company was, at the time, the world’s largest exclusive manufacturer of hard-facing alloys and wear-resistant castings. After retiring from The Stoody Company, he became a real-estate broker and owner of Stoody Homes. He also utilized his PhD to counsel people struggling with chemical dependencies. Winston is survived by his wife of 39 years, Leilani, eight children, 18 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and his sister Jeneane.
Michael James Reynolds '65, passed away in August. A physician, he graduated from University of California, Irvine Medical School as a member of its charter class. He did his internship at Alameda County General Hospital and Merritt Hospital in Oakland, CA. He completed a first year residency at University of California, San Francisco. He served for two years in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Reynolds finished his residency in OB/GYN at UC Irvine and practiced for several years in Irvine and Tulare County. He went into community health in Fresno County, specializing in HIV and community health areas, concluding his career working for Concentra. Reynolds was preceded in death by his daughter Heather, and is survived by Joanne, his wife of 50 years. He is also survived by his sons Clay and Christopher, his daughter-in-law Laura Reynolds, his four grandchildren Makayla, Madison, Makenzie and Michael Reynolds; his sister and brother-in-law Mary Lou Bonkofsky- Carter and Allan Carter.
