Oct 23, 2006 - Claremont, Calif. - Born in Boston, Mass., the World War II veteran gave up a managing position with Ohio-based Glastic Corporation to become assistant to HMC Founding President Joseph B. Platt in 1957. "The idea of a new college really intrigued him," said Platt. "He thought that, with due respect to scholars, we might need a person with business experience and scholarly sympathies." It wasn't long before Little, who held a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a master's degree in medieval philosophy from the University of Montreal, donned multiple hats—working with building inspectors, reporting on the college’s plans to the Claremont City Council, finding housing for new faculty and talking with prospective students. "He and I must have visited some 50 high schools to find our first entering class," remembered Platt. "He also taught history at least once," recalled Chris Cardwell '66. "I remember him well, especially for his unbounded enthusiasm for everything from skiing to graduate school. He was a great teacher!" HMC's founding faculty and administrators in a photo from 1957, including Spif Little (fourth from right). After his retirement, Little remained an active and enthusiastic supporter of HMC through the Galileo Society. "We know [Spif Little] as a friend, a mentor and, since we all like to claim him, a member of many extended families," said Platt at Little’s memorial service held at HMC on Oct. 22, where more than 100 persons attended. "Our lives have been the richer for his, and we are grateful." Little is survived by his wife, Nancy, and five children, including their daughter Kate, a 1982 graduate of HMC.
Little continued at HMC until 1965, when he decided to return to studying and teaching. He earned a doctorate degree at the University of Rhode Island, and taught at both the high school and university level, including a stint at The Claremont Colleges.
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