In memoriam
This In memoriam page houses messages from senior leadership regarding loss of life in the Dartmouth community--student, faculty or staff--when it occurs. It is heartbreaking to lose any member of the Dartmouth family, as each individual contributes so much to the College and to those who have had the pleasure of studying, working, and learning alongside them.
Taking time to grieve such losses while honoring the memory of those who died is important. So is seeking support when you need it. We encourage you to make time for all of that in whatever ways are most meaningful and comfortable to you.
James C. Strickler
June 27, 2026
James C. Strickler ’50 DMS ’51, dean emeritus and active professor emeritus of Medicine and of Community and Family Medicine, passed away peacefully on June 27. He was 99.
Dr. Strickler served as dean of Dartmouth Medical School from 1973-1981, but his full connection to the Geisel School spanned more than seven decades. A graduate of Dartmouth and the medical school, he returned to Hanover in 1967 to help guide the school's transition to a full four-year MD-granting curriculum and went on to lead it as dean for eight years. He is remembered for steadying the school during a financially precarious period, including establishing the Brown-Dartmouth Program, through which students attended medical school at Dartmouth for the pre-clinical years and transferred to Brown to complete their training.
What distinguished Dr. Strickler was how he chose to spend the years that followed his deanship. Rather than step back, he devoted himself to humanitarian medicine, caring for refugees and conflict-affected communities across Asia, Africa, the Balkans, and beyond through the International Rescue Committee. He later led Dartmouth's longstanding work in Kosovo and co-founded Action for Mothers and Children, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers and children in Kosovo, which carries on its work today. Those who knew him recall a physician and leader of rare humility, quick to share credit, and quietly steadfast in his commitment to others.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. The Dartmouth flags will be lowered in his honor on July 2 and 3.
Duncan Shalda
June 8, 2026
Duncan William Shalda passed away unexpectedly on June 8, surrounded by his family.
Professionally, Duncan dedicated his career to the transformative power of education. He spent nearly five years in higher education, serving as an Admissions Counselor at Southern New Hampshire University, then as Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations at New England College, and most recently as Assistant Director of Individual and Class Giving at Dartmouth, where he had worked for the past two years.
At Dartmouth, Duncan helped connect students and alumni to the institutions that had shaped them, cultivating a spirit of generosity and fostering a sense of community between students past and present. His warm personality and generous spirit endeared him to all those he met.
Duncan was devoted to the love of his life, Anna, and he found his truest calling and deepest fulfillment in his role as a father. With Anna, Duncan’s days were spent bringing Simon along on whatever adventure happened to appear. Many peaceful hours were spent playing on the shores of Lake Kearsarge, hitting golf balls in the back yard, walking down the street to the local bakery, or visiting cousins on the other side of town. Duncan’s fatherhood exhibited the same love, humor, gentleness, and strength that characterized all the other areas of his life.
He is survived by his beloved wife Anna V. (Philbrick) Shalda, son Simon Shalda, a second child due to be born on January 1, 2027, parents Ron and Leslie Shalda, and sisters Meredith (Andy) Errington and Natalie Shalda.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 20 at Raymond Baptist Church in Raymond, NH, followed by a luncheon reception at Abbot Falls, 189 Depot Road, Candia, New Hampshire, 03034.
Ryan Lafferty
April 13, 2026
Ryan Lafferty ’26 passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 13.
He was a fiercely intelligent and deeply kind person who gave generously of his time, expertise, and resources. As a member and president of the Dartmouth Parliamentary Debate team—which he considered his true home at Dartmouth—Ryan competed and earned recognition at the highest levels, including winning Nationals and the World Universities Debating Championships. His friends say that these accomplishments were rooted in a true love of learning and genuine care that he extended to others. For example, Ryan spent hours with first-year debate team members, pouring over their cases to help coach and mentor them.
Ryan’s curiosity and the space he held for others extended well beyond debate, connecting with students around the world during a Foreign Study Program in London, and offering support whether people approached him in states of joy or in sadness. Beyond his numerous accomplishments, Ryan brought warmth, humor, and creativity everywhere he went, making people feel seen and welcome.
The Dartmouth flag will be lowered in recognition of Ryan’s passing on Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15 . Plans to gather as a community to honor his memory will be shared at a later date. Any notes or condolences will be collected at the Tucker Center for delivery to Ryan’s family.
Brian O’Sullivan
March 8, 2026
Brian O’Sullivan, Professor of Pediatrics and Section Chief for Pediatric Pulmonology at Dartmouth Health Children’s, passed away unexpectedly on March 8, 2026.
Dr. O’Sullivan was a distinguished academic physician, educator, and leader whose work improved the lives of children with cystic fibrosis and other respiratory diseases. He joined Dartmouth Health Children’s in 2014 following a distinguished career at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. In 2020, he became co-director of the New Hampshire Cystic Fibrosis Center at Dartmouth and most recently served as interim vice chair for research in the Department of Pediatrics.
Nationally recognized for his scholarship and leadership in cystic fibrosis research, his work appeared in leading journals including The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, and JAMA, and helped shape national guidelines for cystic fibrosis care.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. O’Sullivan served on the Medical Education Committee and was the inaugural chair of Geisel’s Professional Standards and Conduct Board, where he was known for his compassion, integrity, and commitment to supporting students while upholding the highest standards of the profession.
Colleagues and students will remember him not only for his clinical expertise and scholarly contributions, but also for his kindness, humility, and deep compassion for patients, families, and learners.
Information about opportunities to honor and celebrate Dr. O’Sullivan’s life and legacy will be shared when arrangements are available.
Enzo La Hoz Calassara ’27
March 1, 2026
Enzo La Hoz Calassara ’27 passed away in an accident in the Cook Islands on Sunday, where he was participating in the Linguistics Foreign Study Program. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Enzo’s family and those whose lives were touched by him.
Enzo, who was from Minnesota, was majoring in linguistics with an interest in cognitive science. A gifted musician, poet, and performer since childhood, he carried a powerful presence onto every stage, using his voice to uplift and inspire others. His writing explored themes of justice and the belief that meaningful change begins with helping others. He brought his passion and energy to many communities at Dartmouth. He shared his talents with the Handel Society and Glee Club, the Dartmouth College Gospel Choir, and The Dartmouth Sings, among many musical avenues. He was the sparring captain and vice president for Dartmouth Club Taekwondo and participated in several martial arts student organizations.
In Enzo’s memory, the Dartmouth flag on the Green will be lowered on Wednesday and Thursday. Plans to further mark Enzo’s passing as a community will be shared at a later date.