by Dittie Widdicombe

This message is about a special person — also known as (A.K.A) The Hostess of Pond House.

Shortly after Richard married Martha Bruyn, and they moved into the Pond House on the Stevens Campus, entertaining with a big “E” became an important part of her life. There were Brunches and Lunches, as well as Buffets and Drop-ins. There were lots of students and then their dates. Oh yes, weekends were often a feature, as well as live-in students.

This lady, Martha, who Richard met at a skiing party when she came East from her home in California. She was a quick learner. IF she wasn’t, she never showed it, she greeted everyone warmly and carried out the job as a hostess as if she was a career trained professional. But, this was only a side job. Martha taught school in Westchester and had to be up often before dawn for the hour long drive to Hartsdale.

Having a teaching degree didn’t satisfy her, however, and after a while she thought about a nursing career. This amazing lady, not only kept teaching, bue evenings went on to receive her R.N. degree! Yet, the entertaining went on! Then, when she retired from teaching, she accepted a part-time position at N.Y.U. lecturing classes of teachers who needed extra credits.

Did she ever stop entertaining? Of course not! She and Richard carried on the tradition as smoothly as ever. Martha at one point, had a class or two of Stevens students over to the Pond House who learned how to serve and greet guests and do the clean-up with calm precision, but also with a lot of fun mixed in.

Martha is not only a fabulous hostess and cook: she can garden, create special and meaningful personal gifts for the many students who married and had children.

To go back some 40+ years, we first met Martha when she visited us in our home in the Carolinas. She charmed her future father-in-law at first sight. She and he connected on many view-points and he immediately decided she was the one!

For me, her future and now “ancient” mother-in-law, she has been a comfort, a joy and a fantastic friend. This dear lady, who has also retired and is no longer the hostess of the Pond House, has a very special place in the heart of her in-laws. How wonderful that our son Richard, brought this lovely lady into our family. What a wise son we have! Our fondest wishes to you both.

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by Robert Widdicombe

I am Robert, Richard’s father and I remember when I walked from the Pond House to where I could buy a N.Y. Times — I sometimes met students on the way and they all had nice things to say about my son Richard. I thought at the time that this was quite remarkable. I believe that Richard has devoted his life to how he could help other people. I believe that he and Martha still do.

Richard’s mother has spent her life helping other people. I try to emulate both of them. I have been involved in high-tech engineering, including the Manhattan Project. I consider myself to be very lucky. When Richard was a boy, he helped his mother very often. Among them was when he rejoined her ironing cord when it broke.

Once, his younger brother Bobby locked himself in his bedroom, Richard (at age 7) got a ladder and entered his room through the window and opened the door. When Richard went off to Alfred University, we though we would not see him as much. However, he would come home and bring a friend, which became the start of long lasting friendships, which he still has.