Harold Berk

Harold Berk (D41), 88, Newton, Mass., Jan. 9. A believer in nature’s healing power, Dr. Berk developed innovative methods to save traumatized teeth by stimulating growth of new tissue.

Dr. Berk founded the dental products manufacturer Pulpdent Corp. He also taught in the department of oral pediatrics at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where a research laboratory bears his name. The Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities bestows its annual Harold Berk Award for excellence in the field of oral health care for the disabled.

Dr. Berk received a Northwestern Alumni Association Merit Award in 1998.

He is survived by his sons, Kenneth, Fredrick and Donald, and six grandchildren.

Robert E. Buchanan

Robert E. “Buck” Buchanan (WCAS40, GJ41), 86, Sag Harbor, N.Y., July 13, 2005. Buchanan, former managing editor of the Daily Northwestern, contributed to Northwestern throughout his life.

Mr. Buchanan, a former “Cherub” himself, worked as a counselor with Northwestern’s National High School Institute. Later he taught journalism and served as director of radio at Northwestern. He served as a director of the NU Club of New York in 1965 and president of the Parents Council in 1982. In 1985 the J. Walter Thompson ad agency created a Northwestern scholarship in Mr. Buchanan’s honor upon his retirement.

Mr. Buchanan is survived by his wife, Estalee; two daughters, Heather Buchanan Bernt (C85, GC89) and Holly; and a sister, Judith Buchanan Austin (WCAS46).

William H. Guthman

William H. Guthman (SCS51), 81, Westport, Conn., Dec. 28, 2005. Specializing in early Americana, Mr. Guthman became a well-respected antiques dealer and appraiser.

In 1966 Mr. Guthman quit his job as an executive at a manufacturing company to pursue his interest in colonial military artifacts, from carved powder horns to painted militia drums.

Besides establishing Guthman Americana, he regularly exhibited his collections, valued at between $3 million and $5 million, at New York’s Winter Antiques Show. He also appeared as a guest appraiser on Antiques Roadshow.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his children, Scott and Pamela; his stepchildren, Alice and Amelia; and two grandchildren.

Eugene Kart

Eugene Kart (WCAS33, L36), 94, Glencoe, Ill., Jan. 4. An active alumni leader, Mr. Kart believed in giving back to the University, no matter the amount.

An attorney and founder of the firm Fisk, Kart, Katz & Regan, Mr. Kart served as a director of the School of Law’s alumni association. In the 1980s he co-chaired the gifts committee for his 50th law reunion.

Mr. Kart, who attended the University on a scholarship himself, established the Eugene Kart Scholarship Fund at the law school in 1982.

A member of the John Evans Club board of directors for nearly 10 years, Mr. Kart received a Service Award from the Northwestern Alumni Association in 1984.

He is survived by a daughter, Judith; a son, Lawrence; a brother, Gilbert; and three grandchildren.

Laura Lehtinen Rogan

Laura Lehtinen Rogan (G60), 86, Boynton Beach, Fla., Dec. 14, 2005. A leading clinical psychologist and researcher, Mrs. Rogan co-founded the first school in the United States dedicated to teaching children with learning disabilities.

Mrs. Rogan co-founded the Cove School in 1947 and served as the school’s clinical director until her retirement in 1984. She also served as director of the Cove Foundation, which developed instructional materials for students with learning disabilities. She directed and co-wrote The Cove School Phonics Workbook Series for students with learning disabilities and other beginning readers. Mrs. Rogan was also instrumental in helping school districts establish programs for children with special needs.

She is survived by her husband, Marvin.

Mabel Murphy Smythe-Haith

Mabel Murphy Smythe-Haith (G40), 87, Tuscaloosa, Ala., Feb. 7. After a distinguished career as a U.S. ambassador and civil rights advocate, Ms. Smythe-Haith served as Melville J. Herskovits Professor for African Studies at Northwestern.

Ms. Smythe-Haith worked with Thurgood Marshall in preparation for Brown v. Board of Education and served three years as ambassador to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea during the Carter administration. She later worked as deputy assistant secretary of state for African affairs until 2000.

She received the Alumnae Award from the Alumnae of Northwestern University in 1983.

Survivors include her daughter, Karen, and her sister, Sarah.