Around Town – January 13, 2022

Congratulations:
to Mark Powers of Charlotte who earned his doctoral degree in Earth and Atmospheric Science from Mississippi State University December 9.

to James T. Fox who finished his senior year at Champlain College on the Dean’s List with a 3.6 GPA. During his tenure at Champlain, James has been part of a collaborative team between the “Arete Incident Response” and the “Leahy Center.” He will graduate with a major in Cyber Security and a minor in Law. He is the son of Jim and Christa Duthie-Fox.

to Vaughnesa Jipner of Charlotte who earned placement on the Dean’s List at Plymouth State University, New Hampshire. Vaughnesa has not declared her major.

to Barry Finette of Charlotte who along with his co-founder Barry Heath and their company THINKMD (a healthcare technology firm) received a $2.3 million award from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. THINKMD is aimed at providing pediatric information to healthcare workers without the same training as pediatricians, information that allows them to reach conclusions similar to those of the physician 80% of the time.

to Patricia O’Donnell, owner of Heritage Landscapes in Charlotte, who was awarded the Louise du Pont Crowninshield award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Patricia is the first landscape architect to win this award in the 60 years it has been given. Patricia prides her work for its changeability. Her landscape designs do not remain the same forever, but change as the areas history changes.

to Lydia Clemmons and her parents for celebrating Kwanzaa on the Clemmons Family Farm in Charlotte. The farm is noted as one of very few Black owned farms in Vermont, and by celebrating Kwanzaa through storytelling, the Clemmons bring Black culture to this area where it becomes a unique feature taught to participants through literature.

Sympathy:
is extended to family ad friends of Bette Mae Russell of St. George who passed away December 18 at the age of 87. Her surviving family includes her son Wesley and his wife Paully of Charlotte. There will be a private gathering this spring at the St. George Cemetery.
is extended to family and friends of Linda Henzel of Montpelier who passed away December 9 at the age of 71. Linda served as the Coordinator of the Lewis Creek Association for 10 years where she assessed water quality , working in that capacity with volunteers, students and teachers. Those wishing to donate in her honor, please consider a Montpelier organization, to Vermont’s Nongame Wildlife Fund or to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

Robert Ralph Titus
Robert R Titus, age 89, of Charlotte, passed away peacefully at Helen Porter Nursing Home with his family by his side.

Robert Ralph Titus with great granddaughter Colbie Curler. Photo contributed
Robert Ralph Titus with great granddaughter Colbie Curler. Photo contributed.

This farmer, sugar-maker and family man had a real passion for horses. From a very young age, he would tell stories of breaking a pony for neighboring girls, along with stories of using teams of horses on the family farm for logging and tilling the land. As an adult he grew to love Arabians and had one of his very own that he raised from a colt. “WA Flare” was his pride and joy.

Robert spent his early life in Stowe Hollow farming alongside his parents and other family members. He spoke often of his memories and shared many wonderful stories of growing up in Stowe on the farm they called Grass Lands, with Pinnacle Mountain in his backyard. Later he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Rapid City, South Dakota. There he met Bernice. They married in August 1956, in South Dakota. They spent several years in South Dakota, where Laurie and Jeff were born. Later they moved back to start their own farm in Charlotte, where they continue farming and sugaring.

Robert was born on April 20, 1932. in Stowe (Stowe Hollow) to Blanche and Floyd Titus. He is survived by his wife Bernice of 65 years; his daughter Laurie and husband Peter Curler; grandsons Bobby and his wife Genia; great-grandchildren Colbie and Levi; Bradley and wife Kari and great-grandchildren Remi, Reese, Emerson, Wylie and Leland; daughter-in-law Lorraine Titus, and her son Ryan and his wife Jenn (of South Carolina); his brother Doug and his wife Debbie; and several nieces and nephews. Robert was predeceased by his parents Blanche and Floyd, infant daughter Diane, his son Jeffrey Titus, brother Wesley Titus, and sister Darlene Murray.

Robert loved working with his son, daughter, and son-in-law Peter, spending many years overseeing the family farm. He also enjoyed local fairs, such as Addison Field Days, and especially Eastern States. Over the years he and Bernice traveled yearly to South Dakota, and around the United States, visiting family and many special sites along the way. He enjoyed Sunday rides around the countryside and visiting with friends and family. He especially enjoyed seeing his grandsons and great-grandchildren playing and enjoying the family farm life.

Many thanks to the staff at Helen Porter for the care given to Robert.

In spring of 2022 when the tulips are in blossom there will be a celebration of Robert’s life.