Peter Pouncey

Longtime Norfolk resident Peter Pouncey died on May 30, 2023, at the age of 85.

He was born on October 1, 1937, in China, where his father was serving as the British commissioner of maritime customs. After World War II, the family moved to England. Pouncey was an undergraduate at Oxford and received a Ph.D. in classics from Columbia University in 1969.

Pouncey, a specialist in ancient Greece, became a professor of classics at Columbia University, where he also served as chair of the Contemporary Civilization program and as dean of Columbia College from 1972 to 1976. During his time as dean he argued for making the College coed and recognized a student lounge for gay students.

From 1984 to 1994 he served as the 16th president of Amherst College. During his tenure, he strongly encouraged interdisciplinary programs and advocated for breaking down barriers between departments. Both the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies (now Sexuality, Women’s and Gender Studies) and the Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought Program were established during his presidency.

Pouncey also oversaw Amherst during a period of expansion, with the endowment growing from $132 million in 1983 to more than $320 million in 1994.

His first book, The Necessities of War: A Study of Thucydides’ Pessimism, was published in 1980. His widely acclaimed debut novel, Rules for Old Men Waiting, was published 25 years later, in 2005. This slim, finely wrought volume received the McKitterick Prize and the Harold D. Vursell Memorial Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, which called the book an “extraordinary debut novel.”

Pouncey is survived by his children, Christian Pouncey (of Charlottesville, Va.), Maggie Pouncey (of Rhinebeck, N.Y.) and stepdaughter Emily Liebert (of Cleveland, Ohio); their spouses, Victoria Pouncey, Matt Miller and Vlad Kobzar; and five grandchildren, Eliza Pouncey, Felix Miller, Dominic Miller, Henry Kobzar and Louise Kobzar.

Richard Buyak Sr.

After a long illness, longtime Norfolk resident Richard Buyak Sr. peacefully passed away on June 20, 2023, at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital.

He proudly served his country in the Army National Guard, where he had a high level of training and a position of responsibility. He then served the State of Connecticut as a trooper on the State Police Auxiliary for 45 years at Troop B. His main career was in auto body repair, at which he excelled for over 50 years.
Richard is survived by his three children, Richard Jr., Heather and Christopher; and by his older brothers, William and Frank. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Richard will be missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.
Funeral services will be private with no calling hours.