Media contact: Noelle Lemoine, communications assistant; tele: (413) 597-4277; email: [email protected]
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., May 19, 2006 — On the afternoon of Wednesday, May 31, the Williams Outing Club (WOC) will host a dedication ceremony for the Robert Ikemori Quay Bridge, on the western slope of Mt. Greylock. Bob Quay was killed in a tragic bicycling accident in 2004, shortly after he graduated from Williams College. The ceremony will be part of Williams’ Senior Days and will be attended by alumni from Bob’s class, students who learned from him when he was a Junior Advisor, family members, and WOC leaders and members. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Bob QuayThe new bridge replaces one that was destroyed during a storm when Bob was still a student at Williams. In the spring of his senior year, he helped build the foundation of the new bridge spanning the Money Brook, but just weeks later the college learned of his death. Bob was a builder of bridges between people and points of land, and this structure is a testament in his honor.
The ceremony will include the naming of the first Robert Ikemori Quay Fellow, a student who will act as a hands-on caretaker for local natural areas, a leader of multi-person trail projects, and a liaison with regional environmental groups. The new position stems from the Robert Ikemori Quay Outing Club Memorial Fellowship, which was initiated in Bob’s memory and spearheaded by Scott Lewis, director of WOC. Lewis says, “Bob was a wonderfully giving person, always thoughtful about the world around him and a good friend. We miss him and wish he were here. I believe this is an excellent way of remembering two things dear to Bob’s heart – the outdoors and service to others.”
This year’s Robert Ikemori Quay Fellow will work in cooperation with the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation (WRLF). The student will maintain and improve trails on lands owned by the WRLF, the Town of Williamstown, Williams College, and the State of Massachusetts. Leslie Reed-Evans, executive director of WRLF, says, “The WRLF is honored to help provide a permanent way of recognizing Bob’s love and respect for the outdoors.”
The ceremony on May 31 will begin after a short, one-mile hike to the bridge. Students and other college participants will meet at 1 p.m. at Siskind House on the Williams College campus. A bus will take participants to the beginning of the Hopper Trail. Anyone wishing to join the ceremony can meet at the end of Hopper Road in Williamstown, with the hike starting at approximately 1:30 p.m. (Dress appropriately!)
For other details, including information about contributing to the memorial fellowship, please contact Scott Lewis at [email protected] or call (413) 597-2317.
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Published May 31, 2006
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