It is with great sadness that I inform you that John Romans has passed away. He endured Alzheimer's disease for almost 10 years. His passing is sad but a welcome end to a terrible journey. We will miss him.
Even when John was having difficulties from the disease, his singing again the Ephlats songs at our reunion was without difficulty. I don't know about the end for him of this dreadful disease, but his personality earlier was still the cheerful, gracious, friendly John of college days.
How sad. In the three years I sang with John, he was always such a cheerful, happy presence, especially when he was kidding around with his buddies Bob Furey and John Cannon. They gave us a good many laughs, and who could forget that unique voice of his.
I agree with all the comments above. Just look at that photo of John. He really was an upbeat personality, always cheerful and fun to be around. Not only did John have the most beautiful, clear, pure tenor voice I have ever heard, but he was a wonderful person and a great friend. The Heavenly Choirs just added their best voice ever, and a constant source of Joy.
John Niebrugge Romans - May 23, 1942 - May 5, 2019, died peacefully with his family close at hand. Preceded in death by his parents John McDowell and Helen Niebrugge Romans, John is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Caroline Ward Romans; his treasured sons John (Jill) and Andrew (Pavlina); six cherished grandchildren (Sarah, Jack, Betsy, James, Max, and Richard); beloved sister Lila Romans Hooper and brothers Sandy (Mary Alice) and Chip (Bobbi); and 12 nieces and nephews. Born in Brooklyn, NY, and a native of the East Coast, John lived in San Diego, CA and Yokosuka, Japan while serving as a Lieutenant in the US Navy before moving back to the metro New York area. An alumnus of Poly Prep, Williams College, and Columbia Law School, John was internationally recognized as an aviation litigation expert with a career that included Chadbourne & Parke, Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosley, Katten Muchin & Zavis and successful trials throughout state and federal court systems, including two separate victories at the US Supreme Court. A gifted tenor, John was happiest when singing with life-long friends and family from the Treblemakers and Ephlats of Williams College, The University Glee Club of New York City and its small group, The Crickets, The Larchmont Yacht Club, to informal sing-alongs around the fireplace. John also loved swimming, sailing, theater, and travel, which he enthusiastically shared with his family and friends; typically with a story, a song, a strum of the guitar, and a hearty laugh.
A celebration of John’s Life will take place on June 1, 2019 at 11 am at The Larchmont Yacht Club, 1 Woodbine Avenue, Larchmont, NY.
John Romans was an inspiration when we were Ephlats, with a remarkable top tenor clarity and purity of singing, as I was reminded in the 50th Anniversary clip attached. (He was also clearly the one in the best shape!) I met him a couple of times many years later when he was all duded out in his best Wall Street Lawyer-look, and was struck then at how youthful, gracious and exuberant he was. The Alzheimer's was a true shock because John seemed Eternally Young. My very heartfelt sympathies to his family, and yes, to my fellow Ephlats. John will remain in my heart and memory as one of the most distinctive men it was my pleasure to have known. God Bless!
Many thanks to David MacPherson and others for sharing their memories of John with us. I newver knew him well, but was always impressed with his quick smile and warm welcome to everyone--it was a pleasure to be around him! I was saddened to hear of the medical challenges he faced later in life, and equally sad to hear of his passing. He added a great contribution to our class. David Newbury
The following is an excerpt from my talk at John's memorial service.
The last time we saw John, Janet and I were sitting around the outdoor fireplace at our lake house in New Hampshire with John and Caroline and Dave and Polly Macpherson.
As usual, we started singing some of the old songs but John, cheerful as ever, was having trouble remembering the words. Now John’s forgetting words to songs was not a surprise, as he and I would stand next to each other at concerts so I could sing the words in his ear while his voice covered any alternative notes that I might be choosing to sing.
This time John’s forgetfulness was sadly different. What was no different, though, was his beautiful, clear tenor that filled the night.
In some ways, being an Ephlat was John’s most valued experience at Williams. John was always there to sing at the five-year reunions of all of the Ephlats past and present and he would make sure that everyone knew that we were the original Ephlats. He was proud that something we started so long ago still exists today. I think that John saw singing in the Ephlats as his Williams legacy.
There is a Hebrew blessing that seems fitting for this occasion.
“It is hard to sing of oneness when our world is not complete,
When those who once brought wholeness to our life have gone,
And naught but memory can fill the emptiness their passing leaves behind.”
It is the memories we choose to hold and to share that keep our loved ones alive.
So how do I choose to remember John? When the Macphersons called to tell us of John’s passing, we were in the car coming back from that same place in New Hampshire where we last were all together. After we ended the call, I found myself silently singing "How High the Moon" all the way home. Why?
Because the first image that came mind was John singing his extraordinarily beautiful solo in that song. From my perspective, “How High the Moon" was John’s signature song.
It will always be the way I remember our dear friend.
C. Lawrence Modesitt
Even when John was having difficulties from the disease, his singing again the Ephlats songs at our reunion was without difficulty. I don't know about the end for him of this dreadful disease, but his personality earlier was still the cheerful, gracious, friendly John of college days.
Larry
Thomas Tarbox
How sad. In the three years I sang with John, he was always such a cheerful, happy presence, especially when he was kidding around with his buddies Bob Furey and John Cannon. They gave us a good many laughs, and who could forget that unique voice of his.
John Cannon
I agree with all the comments above. Just look at that photo of John. He really was an upbeat personality, always cheerful and fun to be around. Not only did John have the most beautiful, clear, pure tenor voice I have ever heard, but he was a wonderful person and a great friend. The Heavenly Choirs just added their best voice ever, and a constant source of Joy.
David Macpherson
John Niebrugge Romans - May 23, 1942 - May 5, 2019, died peacefully with his family close at hand. Preceded in death by his parents John McDowell and Helen Niebrugge Romans, John is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Caroline Ward Romans; his treasured sons John (Jill) and Andrew (Pavlina); six cherished grandchildren (Sarah, Jack, Betsy, James, Max, and Richard); beloved sister Lila Romans Hooper and brothers Sandy (Mary Alice) and Chip (Bobbi); and 12 nieces and nephews. Born in Brooklyn, NY, and a native of the East Coast, John lived in San Diego, CA and Yokosuka, Japan while serving as a Lieutenant in the US Navy before moving back to the metro New York area. An alumnus of Poly Prep, Williams College, and Columbia Law School, John was internationally recognized as an aviation litigation expert with a career that included Chadbourne & Parke, Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosley, Katten Muchin & Zavis and successful trials throughout state and federal court systems, including two separate victories at the US Supreme Court. A gifted tenor, John was happiest when singing with life-long friends and family from the Treblemakers and Ephlats of Williams College, The University Glee Club of New York City and its small group, The Crickets, The Larchmont Yacht Club, to informal sing-alongs around the fireplace. John also loved swimming, sailing, theater, and travel, which he enthusiastically shared with his family and friends; typically with a story, a song, a strum of the guitar, and a hearty laugh.
A celebration of John’s Life will take place on June 1, 2019 at 11 am at The Larchmont Yacht Club, 1 Woodbine Avenue, Larchmont, NY.
Richard Mitchell
John Romans was an inspiration when we were Ephlats, with a remarkable top tenor clarity and purity of singing, as I was reminded in the 50th Anniversary clip attached. (He was also clearly the one in the best shape!) I met him a couple of times many years later when he was all duded out in his best Wall Street Lawyer-look, and was struck then at how youthful, gracious and exuberant he was. The Alzheimer's was a true shock because John seemed Eternally Young. My very heartfelt sympathies to his family, and yes, to my fellow Ephlats. John will remain in my heart and memory as one of the most distinctive men it was my pleasure to have known. God Bless!
Gay Mayer (Mayer)
John's smile, laughter and voice were truly memorable.
This photo of John, Caroloine and my wife Mary is after a wonderful dinner in Oxford, Engand - while we were there in 2013 with many in the class.
A great time together.
The rainbow says it all!
David Newbury
Many thanks to David MacPherson and others for sharing their memories of John with us. I newver knew him well, but was always impressed with his quick smile and warm welcome to everyone--it was a pleasure to be around him! I was saddened to hear of the medical challenges he faced later in life, and equally sad to hear of his passing. He added a great contribution to our class. David Newbury
Robert Furey
The following is an excerpt from my talk at John's memorial service.
The last time we saw John, Janet and I were sitting around the outdoor fireplace at our lake house in New Hampshire with John and Caroline and Dave and Polly Macpherson.
As usual, we started singing some of the old songs but John, cheerful as ever, was having trouble remembering the words. Now John’s forgetting words to songs was not a surprise, as he and I would stand next to each other at concerts so I could sing the words in his ear while his voice covered any alternative notes that I might be choosing to sing.
This time John’s forgetfulness was sadly different. What was no different, though, was his beautiful, clear tenor that filled the night.
In some ways, being an Ephlat was John’s most valued experience at Williams. John was always there to sing at the five-year reunions of all of the Ephlats past and present and he would make sure that everyone knew that we were the original Ephlats. He was proud that something we started so long ago still exists today. I think that John saw singing in the Ephlats as his Williams legacy.
There is a Hebrew blessing that seems fitting for this occasion.
“It is hard to sing of oneness when our world is not complete,
When those who once brought wholeness to our life have gone,
And naught but memory can fill the emptiness their passing leaves behind.”
It is the memories we choose to hold and to share that keep our loved ones alive.
So how do I choose to remember John? When the Macphersons called to tell us of John’s passing, we were in the car coming back from that same place in New Hampshire where we last were all together. After we ended the call, I found myself silently singing "How High the Moon" all the way home. Why?
Because the first image that came mind was John singing his extraordinarily beautiful solo in that song. From my perspective, “How High the Moon" was John’s signature song.
It will always be the way I remember our dear friend.
And what are the first lines of John’s solo?
“Somewhere there’s music, how near how far;
Somewhere there’s heaven, that’s where you are.”
I miss you Johnny boy.