IN MEMORIAM
Alden Guild
Alden Guild , 87 , of Montpelier passed away peacefully , Jan . 13 , 2017 , at his winter home in Southern Pines , N . C . with his loving family at his side . Alden was born July 3 , 1929 in Boston . After 3 years in the US Air Force , he received his A . B . from Dartmouth College in 1955 and his JD from the University of Chicago , where he was Phi Beta Kappa , Order of the Coif and managing editor of the Chicago Law Review . He was admitted to Vermont in 1958 and practiced from then until 1990 with the National Life Group Insurance Company , ultimately as general counsel . Alden practiced as of counsel with McKee Giuliani & Cleveland in Montpelier from 1990-1997 . He was a trustee of Vermont College and Norwich University , served as president of Dartmouth College Alumni and as Incorporator Emeritus of Northfield Savings Bank . Alden is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years , Ruth , and one daughter .
Kerry G . Spradlin
Kerry G . Spradlin died at home with his wife at his side on January 23 , 2017 at the age of 62 . He was born on October 29 , 1954 in Keyes , Oklahoma . He received a bachelor ’ s degree in Geography , a master ’ s degree in Journalism and his JD , all from Oklahoma University . He was admitted to practice in 1984 in Oklahoma and practiced law there until 1989 . Kerry moved to Bennington , Vermont in 1989 , worked as an associate for 6 years and then opened a practice with his first wife in 1996 . He was a solo practitioner from 2000 , concentrating primarily on juvenile law , until December of 2016 , due to ill health . Kerry enjoyed reading history , New York Times crossword puzzles , old movies , Saratoga horses and long walks with his wife . He is survived by his wife Gail O ’ Brien of Rutland .
John Charles “ Swanny ” Swanson
John Charles “ Swanny ” Swanson was born in New Britain , CT on March 15 , 1944 . He passed away unexpectedly on January 27 , 2017 at the age of 72 . John graduated from Georgetown University and received his JD from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law . While in DC his two sons were born and he later moved to Burlington , Vermont . John joined the VBA in 1985 and maintained a solo practice in Burlington . John ’ s formal obituary stated that he was “ an unimaginable force of pure energy in the lives of all he knew .” He frequented the Vermont National Country Club . He is survived by his two sons , his daughter-inlaw , sister and 5 grandchildren .
Philip A . Kolvoord
Philip A . Kolvoord died on March 11 , 2017 of complications from Alzheimer ’ s Disease at the age of 84 . He was born on September 7 , 1932 in Battle Creek Michigan and obtained degrees in Philosophy and Law from the University of Virginia . Phil opened his practice in Vermont in 1958 where he practiced the rest of his career , most recently as Kolvoord , Overton & Wilson . Phil assisted many Towns in his practice and was an active VBA member since 1958 , having served on the Professional Conduct Committee . He was also actively involved with the Essex Rotary Club , twice recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow , and as a director of the Chittenden Trust Company . Phil was a mason at the Ethan Allen Lodge and was active in many community activities including assisting with the Essex Junction Skating Facility and the Discovery Museum in Essex . He was a two-time Vermont Chess Champion in the 1950 ’ s . Phil was also an avid traveler having visited all 7 continents and over 50 countries . He also enjoyed gardening , beekeeping and fishing . He is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years , Louise Kolvoord .
SERVICES
BRIEFS & MEMORANDA . Experienced attorney writes appellate briefs , trial memoranda . Legal writing / appellate advocacy professor ; author of four books . VT attorney since 1992 . $ 60 per hour . Brian Porto , 674-9505 .
QDROs ( qualified domestic relations orders )
I prepare QDROs and other retirement pay and pension benefit domestic relations orders for federal , state , municipal ,
CLASSIFIEDS
military and private retirement plans as may be required by the terms of the settlement agreement or the court ’ s final order .
I handle all initial contacts with the plan or third party administrator and provide all necessary processing directions when the order is ready for filing .
Vermont family law attorney since 1986 . Contact me for additional information and preparation rates . Tom Peairs , 1-802-498-4751 . tlpeairs @ sover . net www . vtqdro . com
50 THE VERMONT BAR JOURNAL • SPRING 2017 www . vtbar . org