In Memoriam

John Paul “Jack” Mulgrew, Ph.D. was born on January 1,1936 in Queens, New York and passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 in Boone, North Carolina. Jack was a psychologist who received his doctorate from Florida State University. He then sought gestalt training from Jim Simpkin in California. His gestalt training lead him to group therapy and eventually into experiential work. John followed Jim to AAP and became a long-time highly valued member. He there became an “experiential interpersonal psychotherapist”. As a professor in the marriage and family therapy program at Appalachian State (ASU) starting in 1972, he was fascinated with systemic theory which fit neatly the other theories he practiced. John taught.in the counseling department and also ran the counseling center at ASU. He was also a long-time member of the North Carolina Psychology Board Ethics Committee.

In younger years Jack enjoyed playing tennis, hiking and cooking. In winter years, he embraced his silly side and his inner sage. He highly valued emotion over intellect yet remained fascinated by math and science. He was revered by his students who have many stories and lessons from their time as Jack’s students.

Jack led scores of highly sought after AAP process groups at Summer Workshops and I&C’s. Additionally, he published in Voices eight times between 1993 and 2010. Jack also served on four AAP meeting committees between 1993 and 2003.
Jack is survived by daughter, Catherine Elizabeth Mulgrew, son, John Paul Mulgrew, granddaughters; Caitlin Quinn Penry and Ann Mulgrew, grandson, Peter Mulgrew, and his brother, Tom Mulgrew.

Tom was born on June 12,1951 in Harper Woods, MI and passed away on March 8, 2024 in Kingsport, TN after a month of complications following heart surgery.

Tom studied at Michigan State and the Institute for Non-Violence before completing his undergraduate education at Oakland University (Rochester, Michigan). He received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology (1985) from the Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) where he fell in love with Martha Rubenstein. Together they welcomed two daughters, Rebecca and Elisabeth.

Tom devoted his 40-year career as a psychologist to helping children, adolescents, and adults in both individual and family contexts. Outside of the office, Tom’s work extended to many pursuits, including the creation of the Appy League Logbook Radio Show, co-editing the AAP journal Voices for many years, serving three terms on the board of the Unitarian Universalist Church, and over twenty years on the Religious Services Committee and in the Small-Group Ministry Program. Fulfilling his wish to dedicate himself to the greater good, Tom’s remains have been donated to the Anatomy Gifts Registry.

Tom’s life was one guided by purpose, intention and love. He was a poet, writer, teacher, athlete, and humanist. His legacy continues when we laugh freely, give time generously, speak kindly, and view the world optimistically. Tom’s gentle spirit, love of a good walk in the woods, twinkle in the eye, infectious smile, brilliance, and loyalty to his deep friendships will be sorely missed by all of us in the Academy who loved him.

“Jeri” was born on August 24, 1928, in Versailles, Indiana and passed from this life on Friday, October 27, 2023 in New Castle, Indiana, at the age of 95. Her 58 year marriage to Bob Horn yielded six children. Jeri received her BA in Education from Hanover College, (Hanover, Indiana), her MA in Music Education as well as her doctorate in Psychology from Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana). She taught in New Castle and Knightstown Schools and was a marriage and family therapist in New Castle, Indiana until her retirement. Jeri served two terms on County Council and Co-Chaired the development of the city strategic plan. She served on the board of the Arts Council, and helped fund the iconic LOVE statue in the Arts Park. In 1984 she was honored as New Castle’s Citizen of the Year, and in 1991, she was given an Indiana Jefferson Award for community volunteerism.

Jeri loved performers and performing, having written and directed the annual Christmas play at her First Friends Church for over 30 years. Jeri also staged The Trial of Jesus in the Henry County Courthouse. Jeri also accompanied many AAP’ers as they performed in the talent show. She had a keen eye for talent and was herself keenly talented.

In Jeri’s Memoir, her advice to her grandchildren was simple:
• By and large, people are good, or desperately want to be.
• Be careful, and don’t try to beat the yellow light.
• Finish what you start.
• Keep starting.
• LOVE all you can.

Cynthia died in Washington, DC just hours after the total eclipse of the sun on April 9, 2024, following a short, painful battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer.  She practiced clinical psychology in Washington, D.C., for 39 years.

Dr. Putchat’s practice included clients ranging from the homeless to VIPs, she was an ardent supporter of the arts, an involved member of Washington Hebrew Congregation, and renowned among friends for generous, elaborate dinner and birthday parties at her Georgetown home. Judaism played a significant role in her life. One Passover Seder saw her light so many candles in her large dining room that a neighbor called the fire department. Firefighters who responded were treated to her warmth and the meal.

Cynthia was an alumnus of Bexley (Ohio) High School Class of 1973, earned a B.A. from Brandeis University (Waltham, Massachusetts) and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Ohio State University by 1988. After studying fine arts, Cynthia painted and sculpted most of her life. Other passions included her Newfoundland dogs, scuba diving, world travel, and two children who survive her. Sydney Kamen, 27, of Washington, D.C., is a multi-lingual Diplomat with the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service. Gavi Kamen, 25, currently resides in Boston, as a songwriter and touring musician.

In concert with her lifelong commitment to the service of others, Cynthia donated her body to cancer research. Her children ask that donations in her memory be made to https://rarecancer.org, which does medical research in rare cancers.

Dov was born Melvin Weiner in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on April 9, 1939. He passed away in an assisted suicide in Westport, Ontario on September 13, 2023. Dov obtained his Undergraduate Degree from Sir George Williams University in Montreal, Quebec. He obtained his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ottawa in 1978 and practiced in hospital settings and in his private office for over forty-five years.

Dov was a man of many interests and talents. In the late 1950s Dov formed a professional musical group called The Canadian Ramblers. He wrote for KlezNews publication and performed at Academy talent shows several times. He also studied stand-up comedy with Alan Arkin. In addition to the performing arts, Dov developed skills as a Portrait Photographer publishing portraits of celebrities including Wayne Gretzky, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, The Dalai Lama, Billy Graham, Margaret Atwood and Ray Charles. His studio at his Westport home was often on numerous artist tours. Dov was an avid athlete – competing successfully in tournament racquetball, canoeing, waterskiing, basketball, hockey, volleyball, and touch football. He loved dancing, acting, singing and writing. Dov was a Double Black Diamond skier well into his seventies, and he owned and rehabilitated thoroughbred horses.

Dov wrote for Voices three times between 2005 and 2008. He also was published in numerous local publications. He was a respected member of the Congregation Machzikei Hadas Synagogue in Ottawa and was given numerous awards for civic involvement.

Erving was born on April 13, 1922, in Czechoslovakia Erving died in early April of 2024. He was a pioneer in Gestalt Therapy. He received his Ph.D. from Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio) in 1950. In 1953, he became a student of the principles and procedures of gestalt therapy and in 1956 began to conduct workshops in the method. In 1958, he became first faculty Chairman of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland and remained in that position until 1973, when he and his wife, Miriam, moved to San Diego. There they formed the Gestalt Training Center-San Diego, where for 25 years they taught gestalt therapy. He lectured internationally since 1968. One of his unique offerings was to demonstrate the principles and procedures through live therapy sessions in front of professional audiences.

Erv Polster was co-author, with Miriam Polster, of a widely read text in gestalt therapy, Gestalt Therapy Integrated, published in 1973. Erv also wrote Every Person’s Life Is Worth a Novel, spelling out the kinship between the novelist and the psychotherapist. His next book was A Population of Selves, published in 1995, in which he explored the means for establishing personal identity. Another book, From the Radical Center, was an anthology that traced the evolution of ideas that he and Miriam Polster had bpresented over a 45-year period in their lectures, workshops, journal articles and anthology pieces. In 2006, he authored Uncommon Ground: Harmonizing Psychotherapy and Community, transposing the medical model of office therapy into large group formats.

“Tragedy is partly a matter of where a story ends.” Erving Polster.

Anne Morgan Gray, psychotherapist, writer, and joyful spirit, passed peacefully and mercifully on April 13, 2024, after a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Anne graduated from Catholic University (Washington, D.C.) in the 1980s with a Master of Social Work degree. She worked at George Washington Hospital and had a private practice in Bethesda, Maryland.

Anne dedicated her life to healing pain and building bridges. When she returned his found wallet to Elvis Presley as a youngster, her character was already set. She was honest, empathic and compassionate. She showed up when needed such as being on duty in the ER at George Washington Hospital on March 30, 1981 when a wounded President Ronald Reagan was rushed in after an assassination attempt. She served as the liaison between the OR and the Reagan family as developments unfolded.
Anne was an accomplished writer. She was honored when her short story “Daddy’s Loss” was published in the journal “Creative Nonfiction” in 1996, and was subsequently included in “Reading Critically, Writing Well,” an anthology for the teaching of memoir writing. Anne also published in Voices in 2007 “The Many Faces of Fear: Attachment, Trauma, and Neuroscience Perspectives.” Anne treasured her membership in the Rappahannock writers’ group, “A Room Of Our Own,” where she and her friends shared and critiqued each other’s works.

Anne died peacefully, on a sunny spring Saturday with her husband Steve at her side. “The Rose,” their wedding song, was playing. The chirps and hums of a beautiful day were coming in through her open window at her last moments.

Ellen Harrison Talles, 71, passed away on June 8th. She is survived by her husband, Bruce Harrison; her daughter, Stephanie Harrison and her son-in-law Ethan Clasing; her son Kevin Feinberg and daughter-in-law Tracy Feinberg; her granddaughter Sami; sister Bettye and brother-in-law Jerry Leibowitz; sister-in-law Colleen Roach; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Shirley and Irvin Talles.

Ellen was known always to be singing and dancing. She supported hundreds of clients through movement and therapy as a mental health professional for over 40 years. She impacted their lives as a sounding board and source of comfort.

Her mantra was “this is not a practice life”.

Dr. Kenneth Guy Nunnelly was born in San Antonio, Texas on March 2nd, 1935, and died peacefully at the age of 89, on June 14th, 2024. He leaves behind a legacy of academic excellence, profound kindness, and artistic beauty.

Ken attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, and earned his Doctorate. in Psychology at Michigan State in Lansing, Michigan. Ken spent his adult life in the Ball State University Psychology Department in Muncie, Indiana. There, he taught and was gifted the opportunity to teach across Europe for a total of 2½ years. He was a pioneer in family and parental psychology, made scholarly contributions and inspired colleagues and students alike. Ken served on the 2005 AAP I&C committee and published in Voices in 2007.

A passionate world traveler and photographer, Ken’s lens captured the diverse beauty of cultures and landscapes, reflecting his deep appreciation for the world’s wonders. Ken is survived by his wife Nona Nunnelly, their son Greg, and granddaughter Katherine Dzelme.
Ken’s wisdom, love and kindness, as well as the beautiful images he captured with his camera, will continue to inspire and delight us. His adventurous spirit and artistic vision will live on in our hearts and memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Animal Rescue Fund of Muncie, Indiana in Ken’s name.

Jim Hurley-Bruno was born March 21,1938 and died September 8, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Jim marched to the beat of his own drummer and what a unique, profound, soulful beat that was. Jim was a husband, father, therapist, pipe carrier, dancer, artist, poet, lover of nature, and spiritual warrior. He was born to Stella and Pop Bruno and grew up inwith his brother Frank, loving the arts, especially dance. Searching for deeper connection to the divine, Jim was ordained as a Holy Cross Priest. That community led him to meet his wife Mary who was his love and best friend. Jim and Mary had a son, Josh and a daughter, Ryan and the family grew eventually adding grandchildren Amara, Parker, and Jemie. Jim developed deep connections with many, many people over the years and was a long time, beloved member of the American Academy of Psychotherapists. He was as much at home leading a sweat lodge ceremony as he was rooting for his favorite sports teams Notre Dame, the Patriots, and the Boston Red Sox. Jim’s true essence comes through in the 1990 poem he wrote:

A Poem by Jim -1990