Mondo Lizzie Borden

Alison Fraser created the role of Lizzie Borden in Christopher McGovern’s musical Lizzie Borden. She has a fabulous website that I know you will love. She has a section with some sound clips from the soundtrack, a slideshow gallery of her various roles which includes her Lizzie, and a very creative area with the Paper Dolls she created as gifts to cast members of her shows. Nicely done!

This just in from an “intrepid reporter”:(from page 13 of The Valchemist, Journal of the Connecticut Valley Section, American Chemical Society.

Obituary
William L. “Bill” Masterton passed away on June 19, 2005. He is survived by his wife Loris with whom he shared 52 years of marriage; two sons, Fred and Reynold “Peter”; and four grandchildren – Meghan, Jennifer, Jessica, and Kevin. Bill lived in both Mansfield, CT and his family homestead in Center Conway, NH.

He served in the US Army in 1946 and 1947 and was stationed in Korea. He earned his PhD in chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1953, and was professor of chemistry at the University of Connecticut from 1955 until retirement in 1987. During his tenure at the University, he received an award as Best Teacher in 1966, and his freshman chemistry classes were always “standing room only.” He served as president of the UConn Chapter, American Association of University Professors. He is perhaps best known for writing several editions of the freshman chemistry textbook Chemical Principles with co-authors Emil Slowinski (early editions) and Cecile Hurley (later editions).

He recently turned his lifelong interest in the famous Lizzie Borden case into a historical novel, Lizzie Didn’t Do It, defending his theory that Lizzie was innocent, and giving his version of the events of August 4th 1892. Bill was also an avid trout fisherman and strong supporter of causes such as Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and colleagues.

I heard a rumor that William Masterton, author of Lizzie Didn’t Do It! had passed away last year but I couldn’t confirm it until now. I was pointed to this post on a FreeList site that tells the sad news and the details of the condition that lead to his death. Using my resources, I was not able to locate an newspaper obituary in either Connecticut or Massachusetts. If anyone does have this info or a copy of the obit I would appreciate it. You could send it to me by email.

It is with overwhelming sadness that I report the recent death of Dr. William L. Masterton, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of Connecticut, Storrs.

Many of you may have used various editions of his (and co-authors’) best selling high school or college general chemistry textbooks and/or problem and lab manuals. He also ventured forth into the realm of forensic science/history with his published and very highly rated book, “Lizzie Didn’t Do It,” about the famous Lizzie Borden case that took place in the 1890s in Fall River, MA.

I can attest through first-hand experience that, not only was Bill a great lecturer in general chemistry, but his two graduate thermodynamics courses were superb.

After suffering a massive stroke while at dinner in Conway, NH, on June 16, CPR was administered without success. He was then airlifted to a hospital in Maine. His wife, Loris, two sons, and a grandson made it to his bedside from Storrs, Germany, and Pennsylvania. Bill died while still in a coma at 4 am on June 19 (ironically, Father’s Day).

Bill’s funeral and burial will be held in Conway this Thursday, June 23. A memorial service is planned for later in the year, most probably at UConn. I will provide the date, time, and location via e-mail before then so you can attend.

Sorry about the very sad news.

Laddie

Ladislav H. Berka, Ph.D.
Research Professor of Chemistry
Department of Chemistry
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Masterton’s book was positively reviewed by The Lizzie Borden Quarterly. He also wrote many pieces over the yearsfor the now defunct Quarterly. To read about his articles and Letters to the Editor please visit the LBQ Bibliography.