News

Remembering M. Willard “Wink” Lampe

January 17th, 2018

It is with great sadness that we share the news of beloved faculty member M. Willard “Wink” Lampe’s passing on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. Wink was a kind, gentle presence on campus at South Kent School in his roles as Dean of Faculty, Foreign Language Department Coordinator, and Teacher of English and Latin. This great loss was felt across campus among students, faculty, and staff.

A quiet service of prayer and song was held at St. Michael’s Chapel in honor of Mr. Lampe. Over the years, this chapel has been a place of solace in difficult times likes these. On Tuesday, Wink was singing with us during a chapel service, and Wednesday, we remembered him by singing “Amazing Grace.”

Wink joined South Kent School on July 1, 2006, with his wife, Jody, and quickly became an integral member of the community. Although he began as the Director of Development, he soon returned to where he longed to be: the classroom. He impacted all who knew him with his wisdom, kindness, and thoughtfulness. He not only had a love for English, Latin, and Greek, but he cared deeply for his students and was passionate about guiding them to meaningful, happy, and successful lives.

Prior to South Kent, Wink worked at Kent School from 1970-2000 in the roles of Greek and Latin teacher, coach, Assistant Athletic Director, Assistant Director of Admissions, Director of Admissions, and Academic Dean. He then served as the Head of School at Cushing Academy from 2000-2006. Wink earned a B.A. in History and Greek from Muskingum College (New Concord, OH) and an M.A. in Greek from the University of Vermont.

Wink’s extracurricular interests were wide-ranging and far-reaching. Above and beyond his time as a member of the South Kent School faculty-student choir, Wink was part of various Kent music groups including the concert band, Dixie jazz band, brass ensemble, and the orchestra for spring musicals (on tuba and baritone horn). Wink and Jody became members of the First Congregational Church of Kent in 1970. There, Wink chaired multiple committees and served as Superintendent of Sunday School, Delegate to the State Conference, Assistant Treasurer, and member of the choir. He was the Chair of Speakers for Habitat for Humanity of the Litchfield Hills 92-04 Publicity Committee; member of the Church Board as well as Choir and Parish Relations at Ashburnham Community Church since 2000; and co-author with William H. Armstrong of a Pocket Guide to Study Tips (Barron's Educational Series), second and third editions.

We send our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Wink, especially to his wife, Jody; three sons, Joshua, Benjamin, and Joseph; grandchildren and his entire extended family.