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.
Todd Campbell
June 20, 2025
Todd Campbell—beloved colleague and inspiration to the Hopkins Center for the Arts and the Dartmouth community—died at home on June 20, 2025, after a courageous battle with esophageal cancer. For over 14 years, Todd worked with the Hop production team to manage the technical execution of hundreds of performances across countless venues.
In 2021, he stepped into the leadership role of Senior Production Manager, diligently and passionately overseeing all technical operations at the Hop and managing a loyal, professional and fun-loving team. Todd’s organizational prowess, work ethic, and collaborative spirit were limitless. In addition to expertly bringing complex artistic productions to life, he developed the Hop’s internal database system, marshalled the overnight transition to virtual programming during the pandemic, and led the technical planning throughout the Hop’s current renovation and expansion. His Hop colleagues and collaborators across campus have enjoyed the benefit of his indefatigable dedication, expertise, generosity, and camaraderie.
Todd was born on September 18, 1971, in Grand Isle, Vermont to parents Willard G. “Kip” and Lucille (Barrett) Campbell. His family moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, when he was 10. He pursued technical theater in college and spent his summers in Cherokee working on Unto These Hills. He met his wife, Sara Ormsby, while they were both working at PlayMakers Repertory Company and Todd was studying for his MFA at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. They married in 2007. In 2010, they moved to the Upper Valley.
In his professional career, Todd was a mentor, educator, and friend to so many wonderful and talented colleagues at Unto These Hills, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Creative Visions, and most recently, the Hop. He loved being part of a creative team, making magic, and bringing stories to life.
Todd was a loving dad and shared his love of Dungeons and Dragons, video games, and superheroes with his children. He is survived by his wife, Sara, and their sons, Nate and Zac; his mother, Lucille; his brother, John; his sister, Beth Delahoussaye (Ken). He also leaves behind a sprawling community of chosen family—especially his team at the Hop—and countless theater friends from near and far.
Todd’s wisdom and work has already had a lasting impact on Dartmouth and the Hopkins Center. He made stuff happen,and his kindness, creative drive, and playful wit will be missed by all. Details for Todd’s “Closing Night Party” in early fall will be released at a later date.
The family would like to thank the care teams at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital for their outstanding care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital to the President’s Fund. Gifts can be mailed to APD, 10 Alice Peck Day Drive, Lebanon, NH 03766 or online at alicepeckday.org.
Martin Arkowitz
June 13, 2025
Martin Arkowitz, professor emeritus of mathematics, died on June 13 at the age of 90.
“Over the course of nearly five decades at Dartmouth, Martin inspired students and colleagues alike with his passion for mathematics, intellectual rigor, and generosity of spirit,” Dean Elizabeth F. Smith said in a message to faculty. “A beloved mentor to generations of students and a prolific scholar, he leaves a lasting legacy on campus and far beyond.”
Arkowitz joined the Dartmouth faculty in 1964 as an assistant professor and rose to the rank of professor in 1971. A 1956 graduate of Columbia University, he received his PhD from Cornell in 1960.
At Dartmouth, Arkowitz taught courses ranging from first-year calculus to advanced graduate courses, and he served as the principal advisor to many PhD students. He served as chair of the Department of Mathematics from 1981 to 1984, and also chaired the Department of Computer Science during the 1983-84 academic year.
Arkowitz’s specialty was algebraic topology, the study of the shape of objects in various dimensions.
“A running joke amongst mathematicians is that a topologist is a mathematician that can’t tell the difference between a donut and a coffee cup,” Dana Williams, the Benjamin P. Cheney Professor of Mathematics once explained. “The idea is that it is the hole in the handle or the middle of the donut that is important.”
Among his many contributions to mathematics, Arkowitz is remembered for the development of the concept of the co-H-space and for his work on the structure of maps between topological spaces. His 1971 monograph, Introduction to Homotopy Theory, became a foundational text for students entering the field.
Over the course of his career, Arkowitz published extensively in leading mathematical journals, with a body of work that advanced the understanding of fundamental topological structures. His scholarship was marked by clarity, precision, and a deep appreciation for both abstract theory and its broader mathematical implications.
Arkowitz also served as editor of the journal Topology and its Applications and was known for his expository writing that bridged technical depth and accessibility. His article “What’s an Operation?” remains a widely cited resource for those exploring the underpinnings of algebraic topology.
Arkowitz held a number of visiting university positions including at ETH Zurich, the University of California at Irvine, Oxford, the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the University of Milan—which inspired him to ask his colleagues back in Hanover to call him “Martino.”
Beyond his academic accomplishments, Arkowitz was widely admired for his collegiality and his warm sense of humor. Colleagues remember him as a generous collaborator and an insightful teacher who challenged students to think deeply and creatively.
Arkowitz is survived by Eleanor, his wife for the last 68 years; his sons David, Robert, and Steven; his daughters-in-law Diane, Martine, and Tory; and his grandsons Greg, Jake, and Dylan.
The Dartmouth flag will be lowered in Arkowitz’s honor on Wednesday, July 9, and Thursday, July 10.
Alison Dyan Spooner Ricker
April 15, 2025
The Dartmouth and Geisel School of Medicine communities are deeply saddened by the loss of Alison Dyan Spooner Ricker, a cherished colleague and friend who dedicated twenty years of her career to medical education. Alison passed away at her home in High Point, North Carolina, on April 15, 2025, at the age of 54.
Born in Berlin, Vermont, in 1970, Alison grew up in Marshfield and earned her bachelor’s degree from Lyndon State College, followed later by a master's from the University of Denver. Soon after college, mutual friends introduced her to Daniel Ricker Jr., whom she married in 1996.
Alison began her career in Early Childhood Education before finding her professional home at the Geisel School of Medicine in 2005. Over the next two decades, she became an indispensable member of the Clinical Education team, eventually rising to serve as Director of Clinical Curriculum. A beloved team member, leader, and mentor, Alison was a fierce advocate for her colleagues and for students. She expertly guided thousands of students through clinical placements and clerkships, and never shied away from even the most thorny challenges. Beyond Geisel, Alison was a driving force in establishing best practices among pediatric clerkship coordinators at a national level, and she ensured that Geisel was part of the conversation by encouraging her colleagues to participate and present at major conferences.
Alison brought her trademark energy and commitment to everything she did. While living in Sharon, Vermont, Alison was also an EMT and firefighter volunteer with the Sharon Fire Department and South Royalton Rescue Squad, and was proud to be one of the first two women to join the Sharon Fire Department.
Alison enjoyed traveling to Arizona for MLB Spring Training, playing women’s softball, and the simple pleasure of watching hummingbirds and cardinals at her feeders. One of her greatest joys was riding her motorcycle with friends. In 2023, she moved to North Carolina, allowing her to ride more frequently and escape the New England winters while continuing to work for Geisel remotely.
Alison leaves behind her beloved husband Daniel, dear friends and family, and a Geisel community that will profoundly miss her warmth, dedication, and the significant contributions she made to the school and its students.