Dr. Vernon L. Ingraham, age 90, of Wareham, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2015 surrounded by his family.
Born in Milford, NH, a son of the late Clayton R. and Eva L. (Mason) Ingraham, he had lived in Vermont and Marion before moving to Wareham in 1998.
Dr. Ingraham served in the United States Army during World War II and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal. He later graduated with his BA in English in 1949 from the University of New Hampshire. In 1951, he graduated with his MA in English from Amherst College and in 1965 he received his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Ingraham was a professor of Upper English Courses at UMass-Dartmouth for 21 years during which time he also served for several years as Chairman of the Department. After his retirement in 1986, he continued to teach part time. He also taught at Gettysburg College, Haverford College, the University of Delaware and Plymouth State College.
Dr. Ingraham was very involved in various organizations including, in Marion, the Board of Trustees of the Elizabeth Taber Library, a member of the Elderly Housing Committee and the Marion Horse Show Committee; in Rochester, a member of the Conservation Committee; in Wareham, the Veteran’s Council, Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity, and the Community Resources Network. He was a very active communicant of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion where he was a member of the Vestry and Missions Committee.
Dr. Ingraham was active with the Alumni Association of the University of New Hampshire, Amherst College and the University of Pennsylvania. He was a member of the 361st Infantry Regiment Association and the Bethel, ME Historical Society.
He is survived by two sons, Christopher L. Ingraham of Onset and David A. Ingraham and his wife Nanette M. of W. Barnstable; three grandchildren Kyle L., Nicole A. and Liam A. Ingraham; great-granddaughter Layla E. Doonan; and his cousin Hope (Mason) Hood of Seekonk and her children. He was also the father of the late Jason A. Ingraham and brother of the late Clayton R. Ingraham.
His visiting hours will be held on Friday, August 21, 2015 from 5 to 8 pm in the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Fairlawn, 180 Washington Street, Fairhaven with a Memorial Service on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 10:00 am in St. Gabriel’s Church, 124 Front St., Marion. Burial with Military Honors will take place at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Jason Alexander Ingraham Fund, c/o Asst. Superintendent for Financial Planning, ORR District, 135 Marion Rd., Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Visit www.waring-sullivan.com for tributes or directions.
Decency and courage are just two of the words that come most readily to mind when remembering Vernon. He had a ready sense of humor together with playful self-irony. But most of all–because it affected me directly–I will always remember his strong moral indignation at injustice when approval for the job offer he had made me as UMD English Department Chair was withdrawn by an unscrupulous administrator (I know, I know–difficult to believe such people could exist!). Gifted with a magnificent speaking voice, Vernon was a brilliant collaborator both in team-taching a summer class and when we co-starred in a Command Performance of “Teahouse of the August Moon.” Though I didn’t see Vernon often, it was always a delight to be in his company, whether chatting at UMD or over lunch as a fellow ROMEO (“Retired Old Man Eating Out”). Be at rest, Old Friend.