2013 -- S 0483

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LC01896

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF

WILLIAM DEWITT METZ

     Introduced By: Senator V. Susan Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

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     WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Dr.

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William D. Metz, a dedicated and well-respected historian, professor, and preservationist, and the

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devoted husband of the late Clarice Stiles, father of Elizabeth McNab and her husband, A. David,

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Dr. William Metz and his wife, Carol, and Dr. Margaret Munroe and her husband, Kevin; and

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     WHEREAS, Bill Metz was born in Buffalo, New York, to the late Rev. William and

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Minerva Metz.  He attained his Bachelor’s degree in history from Bates College, graduating Phi

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Beta Kappa and as President of his class, and received a Ph.D. in history from the University of

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Wisconsin in Madison.  During his summers, Bill worked at the Ferry Beach Unitarian

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Universalist Camp, and maintained a lifelong family commitment to Ferry Beach, resulting in the

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construction of the Metz Staff Village; and  

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     WHEREAS, Upon completion of his Ph.D., Mr. Metz accepted a position in the History

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Department at what is now the University of Rhode Island.  He later served as Department

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Chairman from 1962 through 1968, until his retirement in 1982 as Professor Emeritus of History;

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and

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     WHEREAS, During his tenure at the University of Rhode Island, Mr. Metz was editor of

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the “New England Social Studies Bulletin” and “The Historian: A Journal of History.” He also

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served as president of Phi Alpha Theta and the National History Honor Society, and was

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instrumental in bringing Phi Alpha Theta, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Beta Kappa chapters to the

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University of Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, While his work in education at the university was exceptional, Rhode Island

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history was Bill Metz's specialty and passion, and dedication and involvement within the

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community was a way of life for him.  He was a founding member and served as the first Vice

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President of the League of Rhode Island Historical Societies, was a Trustee and President of

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Cocumscussoc Association, a founding member and then President of the Pettaquamscutt

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Historical Society, the First Chairman of the South Kingstown Historic District Commission, and

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a member of the South Kingstown Charter Commission, to name just a few of the many

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organizations to which he devoted his time and talents; and  

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     WHEREAS, Within the community, Mr. Metz served as a Warden of the Kingston Fire

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District, and was a volunteer firefighter, President of Kingston Hill School Parent Teacher

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Organization, an advisor for the URI Student Fellowship, a member and office holder of the URI

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Watson House Committee for many years, and an active member and office holder in the

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Kingston Improvement Association and the Tavern Hall Club; and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Metz was also devoted to his church, the Kingston Congregational

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Church.  He served on the Board of Deacons, Trustees, Missions, and numerous other

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committees.  He had also taught Sunday School and served at the state level for the United

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Church of Christ, was Chairman of the Old Fernwood Cemetery Committee for almost 50 years,

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and recorded the Church’s and Kingston’s past in his book, “The History of the Kingston

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Congregational Church,” which covers the years 1695 through 1995; and

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     WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished lifetime, Bill Metz was honored with a

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panoply of awards and distinctions.  The main building of the South County Museum, where he

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served as President for fourteen years, was named the Metz Building in his honor, and the State

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of Rhode Island honored him for his lifelong community service by conferring upon him the

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state’s highest historic preservation award, the Antoinette R. Downing Volunteer Service Award;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Mr. Metz was deeply committed to his profession as well as the community,

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and was blessed with a large and loving family.  In addition to his children, he is survived by six

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grandchildren, Allan McNab and his wife, Sidney, Deborah Jennings and her husband, Warren,

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W. Christopher Metz, Jennifer Metz, Scott Munroe and his wife, Lauren, and Kileen Urian, and

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her husband, Dr. R. Craig, and ten beautiful great-grandchildren, who were the delight of his life;

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and

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     WHEREAS, William Metz treated those around him with dignity and respect, and there

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is no doubt that he left Rhode Island a far better place because of his life’s endeavors.  His

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intelligence and broad knowledge of our state’s history enriched the lives of all who knew him,

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and he will be greatly missed; now, therefore be

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby expresses our deepest sympathies on the passing of William Metz; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Elizabeth McNab and Family, Dr. William

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Metz and Family, and Dr. Margaret Munroe and Family.

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LC01896

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