Lives of Consequence
Horton K. Durfee '49, P'83, GP'04
Award-winning educator, decorated veteran
Horton K. Durfee ’49, P’83, GP’04 led a life of consequence characterized by exceptional service, both to his country as a veteran of the Second World War, and to generations of students during his long career as a science teacher.
Assigned to the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, Durfee sustained wounds in the Italian campaign in the Apennine Mountains. For his distinguished service in combat, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He later graduated from Hobart, earned a master of science degree from Cornell University and was employed by the New York State Experiment Station in Geneva, N.Y., and the Taft School in Watertown, Conn. In 1955, he returned to teach at his high school alma mater, the Darrow School. There, he taught science for 20 years and served as the head of the school’s science department, coached several sports and launched the school’s first lacrosse program. He later taught at Berkshire Community College and the Emma Willard School. He was honored by Darrow on the occasion of his 70th reunion for his enduring commitment to the school as an alumnus, faculty member, parent and grandparent.
During his career, Durfee was a member of the New England Chemistry Teacher’s Association, the American Biology Teacher’s Association, the U.S. Lacrosse Coaches Association and the New England School Lacrosse Association. In 1958, he was awarded a science fellowship by the General Electric Educational and Charitable Fund, one of only 300 teachers in the country selected to receive fellowships that year.
Durfee was born in Geneva in 1925 with a family connection to Hobart and William Smith dating back two generations. His grandfather, William Pitt Durfee LL.D. ’22, taught mathematics at the Hobart College for 45 years, served as acting president four times and in 1888 was appointed “the first dean of an American liberal-arts college,” a position he held until 1925. Horton Durfee’s father, Walter H. Durfee SC.D. ’59, entered Hobart at the age of 15; graduated in 1908 at the age of 19 as a member of Phi Beta Kappa; and went on to teach mathematics at the Colleges for nearly 40 years, serving as dean, acting president and the Colleges’ first provost.
Durfee remained active with the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, attending local chapter meetings, national reunions, and veteran tours of Italy. He was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, a flautist and choir member, and actor in numerous performances of the Berkshire Public Theatre and the Town Players of Pittsfield, where he also served as a board member. For many years he volunteered as an ambulance driver with the Lebanon Valley Protective Association.
An avid train and model railroad enthusiast, Durfee was also a member of the Berkshire Model Railroad Club and the Rensselaer Model Railroad Society. After retiring to the Finger Lakes he learned to make and bottle wine from the local grapes.
He passed away in 2017 and is survived by his wife, children, step-children, grandchildren and their families.