Talbot C. Mack

Talbot Chambers Mack, beloved father and teacher, left this life on January 28th, 2024. He died peacefully at home with his family in The Plains, Virginia.

Tal was born on March 5th, 1940 in New York City. He grew up in New Canaan, Connecticut, and attended Phillips Exeter Academy (‘57) and Princeton University (‘61) where he played hockey, served as a chapel deacon, and ate at Ivy Club. His senior roommates were Sanger, Miller, Butt, Brown, Barker and Garrett.

He joined the United States Navy in 1962, serving as first lieutenant on a minesweeper. Upon leaving the Navy, Tal worked as an editor for Addison-Wesley Publishing Company.

Moving to Virginia in 1973, he earned a Master’s degree in education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and embarked on his long teaching career. Teaching first in the Fauquier County Public School system, then at Powhatan School, he found his permanent home at The Hill School in Middleburg, Virginia. At Hill he taught English, writing, history, founded Calliope, the school’s literary magazine, and coached sports for over 40 years.

After school or during the summers, Tal could most reliably be found running for long distances on the back roads around his farm, weeding his vegetable garden while smoking a cigar, or sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee revising a draft of his most recent poem. He is survived by Catherine, his wife of 48 years, six children, and nine grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Lucy G. Mack, and sister-in-law, Barbara A. Gerlach. He is pre-deceased by his brother, John H. Mack, and first wife, Mary Tayloe Mack.

A celebration of Tal’s life will be held at The Hill School’s Dornin Science Center on April 27th. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Piedmont Environmental Council, Windy Hill Foundation, and The Hill School of Middleburg, Virginia.

Posted 2/13/24

Dr. Alan Emil Oestreich, a compassionate and celebrated individual, passed away on September 20, 2023, at the age of 83 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on December 4, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Drs. Mitchell and Edith Oestreich.

Alan's life story was adorned with countless achievements and impactful moments. Alan had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a passion for healing as a Pediatric Radiologist at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital for 43 years. He dedicated his life to caring for the youngest patients and providing comfort and hope to their families. Alan's unwavering commitment to his profession earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the community he served.

Alan is a graduate ofNichols High School in Buffalo, NY. He went on to receive his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Princeton University, where he wrote for several publications such as Tiger Magazine and the Princeton Engineer, joined Theatre Intime and the Pre-med Society, and ate at the Woodrow Wilson Lodge. He roomed with Steve Gersten.

He continued his education at Johns Hopkins medical school and completed his residency at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, NY. Alan joined the faculty of the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri, where he met and married his love, Tamar Kahane in 1973. Their son Michael was born in 1983.

Alan was a member of several organizations, including the Society for Pediatric Radiology, the National Medical Association, the European Society of Pediatric Radiology, and the German Society of Pediatric Radiology.

Beyond his dedication to his work, Alan was a lover of adventure and exploration. His wanderlust led him to travel the world, immersing himself in diverse cultures and often learning foreign languages, as well as being an avid reader of history, literature, and poetry.

He was the author and co-author of several medical textbooks and numerous articles. His greatest passion was teaching his medical students, residents, and fellows, often with his distinct wit and humor.

Never one to shy away from fighting for what he believed in, Alan was a dedicated civil rights activist, passionately advocating for equality, justice, and inclusion. His unwavering commitment to making the world a better place reverberates through the lives he touched, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew and admired him.

Alan was a beloved husband to his wife, Tamar, of 50 years, who stood by his side through every triumph and challenge they faced together. He is also survived by his son, Michael, his sister, Dr. Janet Bernstein, nieces, nephews, and several cousins.

A celebration of Alan's remarkable life will be held at a later date at Cincinnati Children's Medical Center.

Posted 2/3/24