Little Man

William Everard, so named for his father and father’s brother, Uncle Ev. as we knew him, was born at the Lakeshore house on February 12, 1903. Willie, or Auntie’s Little Man as adoring Aunt ‘Liza called him, gained considerable attention at age four by falling off a low stool and breaking his leg in two places high above the knee. It was set by the beloved archetypal country GP., Dr. Buck. Many years later, after the god doctor had suffered a stroke and couldn’t speak Mother took Bill along on a visit and the Doctor pointed proudly to the two places on the leg which he had set. I remember the day I started school at Easter of 1916, with Amy tugging me along. As we were rounding the corner at the cemetery, we saw Bill ploughing in the adjacent field. He was earning his High School Entrance by working on the farm as part of the war effort in lieu of completing the school term and writing exams. I learned many things from Bill, such as how to count and how to tell time. He usually seemed to be the one commissioned to take care of me on family outings; for example, seeing that I was brought in from sleigh riding before I was frozen solid, and seeing that I always wore my bathing cap so that I wouldn’t get water in my troublesome ears. He taught me to dive by standing me on his hands and flipping me over. Always the smooth operator, he wasn’t above drawing my attention to something interesting out the window while he snitched some of the ice cream from my dish. But I fooled him once. He was about to do me the favour of teaching me how to milk a cow for just five cents a lesson, till I smartened up and said, “wait a minute; why would I want to know how to milk a cow?’ End of lessons..An other example of his smooth operating occurred one Sunday when he escaped Sunday School by making his nose bleed at the appropriate time. I admit nosebleeds were quite common in our family, but to make one happen deliberately was something else. 1 recall seeing him sitting on the huge rock at the cemetery corner, with a stream of blood and a look of smug triumph adorning his face. I was in awe of his achievement and wondered if I would ever be able to summon up such raw courage, to say nothing of the cleverness to carry out such a scheme. Bill is reputed to have grown very rapidly in his teen years, beginning high school as the smallest boy and finishing as the biggest, having achieved most of his six feet two inch height. After high school,he attended the University of Toronto, living in the city with Russell. From there he transferred to Queen’s University in Kingston, graduating with his M.D. in 1927. Part of his course was in psychiatry, in which connection he worked some at the Ontario Hospital in Kingston and during his last year interned at the Kingston General Hospital. Though this was good for his professional career it was also a considerable sacrifice, made largely for financial reasons, as he had to give up playing football for Queen’s. Once during his years with the team he got his name in the papers for making an eighty-yard touchdown run. This was quite a feat, as Bill was never noted for being a fast runner. I think he was known as the canal horse when playing baseball for the Bronte team in its glory days when it was a very important team in the O.B.A. He was a stellar first baseman and. good batter but not a very fast base runner. Other careers during his undergraduate days included two summers on the assembly line at the Ford Motor Company in Detroit and one summer at the Fonthill Nursery where brother Harold was manager. It was during this summer that he was brought home to play baseball every week-end, courtesy of Henry Breckon, a team patron. On attaining his medical degree in 1927 Bill went to intern in psychiatry at St. Lawrence State Hospital in Ogdensburg, New York, and his lifetime career was begun. Lack of funds prevented him from returning to Kingston for the graduation ceremonies, and the story goes that he and another intern gathered seven cents between them for one to go to town on the streetcar to cash their first cheques. When Bill had been in Ogdensburg for a year, his future wife arrived at the St. Lawrence Hospital, also as an intern in psychiatry, and from then on their professional and personal lives were intertwined. Marguerite Mary Runstadler was born in Flesherton, Ontario, on February 28, 1903. Her father was John Runstadler, born in Lynwood, Ontario, one of nine children of Henry H. Runstadler of German parentage, and Mary Goetz, from Alsace-Lorraine, of mixed German and French blood. Marguerite’s mother was Margaret Egan from. Dundalk, Ontario, daughter of Mortimer Egan from Ireland and Maria Lillis from Queenston, Ontario. Marguerite’s early life and schooling were in Flesherton where her father was in the wholesale produce business, buying from local growers and shipping to Toronto from his warehouse. Later the family moved to Hamilton and then to Toronto. She attended St. Helen’s and Loretto private schools and then St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, where she received her B.A. degree in Biological and Medical Sciences in 1925. She then entered the U. of T. Medical School and graduated as an M.D. in 1928. During Marguerite’s undergraduate days, some of her specialty courses were in psychiatry , in which she did some work at the Toronto General Hospital. Realizing that psychiatry was a coming thing, she decided to continue in that field, and thus began her internship at Ogdensburg, where she remained till 1931. She then transferred to the Buffalo State Hospital, now the Buffalo Psychiatric Institute. This move was made to be nearer to her parents, as she was an only child. Her father died in 1932 and her mother moved to Buffalo in 1933. Marguerite and her mother lived in an apartment till they bought the house at 56 Edge Park Avenue in 1934. It is noticeably similar to the Cudmore house in Bronte; a large three-storey red brick colonial style with the same floor plan. Mrs. Runstadler died in 1944, the same summer as Dad, Frank Beasley’s mother, and Charlie Rivaz. Marguerite received her U.S. citizenship in 1934 Early in her career she received her Canadian Board and American Board certificates in psychiatry and later became a Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists. Having had the rank of Senior Psychiatrist for a number of years, Marguerite retired from full time work in the hospital in 1958 and did some consulting work for a while. Her life in retirement has been full, as a member of several clubs, notably the Women’s Club of the University of Buffalo, the Loretto Abbey Alumnae of Niagara Falls, Ontario, the Dabblers reading club, and various bridge clubs. She still lives in the big house and has an active social life with her family and a host of interesting friends But we left Bill in Ogdensburg, so smitten that in 1932 he followed Marguerite to the Buffalo hospital, where he became resident in psychiatry and then senior psychiatrist. He received his U.S. citizenship in 1933 and his American Board of Psychiatry certificate in 1934 and later became a Fellow of the American College of psychiatry. During his early years in the Buffalo hospital he made an interesting friend, Dr. Prank Raphael, who had grown up with the Lombardo family in London, Ontario and played piano for the Royal Canadians. Bill sometimes brought him to the house at Bronte, where he played for us on our rather tinny old piano. Bill and Marguerite were married in Buffalo on July 1, 1937. They had the reception in the Edge Park Avenue house, and Bill moved there from residence at the hospital. Bill had a distinguished career at the Buffalo State Hospital for thirty—six years as Chief of Reception Services till his retirement in April of 1967, one month before his untimely death from cancer on May 15, 1967. He also did much work in psychiatry outside the hospital. He was Criminal Psychiatrist for Niagara County, examining accused for fitness to stand trial or those pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. This gave him many interesting court cases. During W.W.2 Bill was slated to enter the U.S. Navy with the rank of lieutenant, but at the eleventh hour his services at the hospital were declared essential and he remained. His duties included examining draftees for physical and mental fitness. During these years the hospital was acutely short staffed and both Bill and Marguerite worked very hard, rarely having a day off together. Later, Bill was Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Buffalo Medical School for about fifteen years till his illness in 1966. Two signal honours came his way. First of these was the equvalent of an honourary degree from the University of Buffalo on April 28, 1963. The citation reads: Be it known that the College confers the Citation of Merit upon William E. Cudmore, veteran psychiatrist at Buffalo State Hospital, in recognition of his long and notable service to his institution and his diligent effort to promote public enlightenment concerning the principles of mental health, and in appreciation of his co—operation in our college program, State University College awards him this Citation of Merit. The second honour was posthumous. In November, 1980, the Buffalo Psychiatric Centre, formerly the Buffalo State Hospital celebrated the hundredth anniversary of its founding. As part of that celebration, the Reception Building was re—named the Cudmore Building. A handsome bronze plaque at the door of the building bears the inscription:

CUDMORE BUILDING
Dedicated to Dr. William E. Cudmore
Director, Reception Building
1931 - 1967
Outstanding Psychiatrist and Administrator whose high standards of patient care serve
as a lasting example and inspiration.
November 18, 1980

Following a luncheon for state, county, city and hospital dignitaries and family and close friends, a dedication ceremony was held. Among the speakers were Dr. James Prevost. State Commissioner, Office of Mental Health, Erie County Executive Edward Rutkowski, Mayor James D. Griffin of Buffalo, Dr. Mirza, current hospital administrator, Dr. Henry Haines, former director and close friend and Glenn Green,former business officer and friend. The plaque was unveiled by Bill’s widow, Dr. Marguerite, and then she and their son, Dr. John Cudmore gave addresses of thanks. A reception was held afterwards at the hospital, followed by a dinner for relatives and close friends at Jack and Susan’s house. Bill and Sandy Cudmore of Bronte, and I, were privileged to be guests at all of these events. Bill’s social life was busy and interesting as his professional life. He and Marguerite, usually accompanied by son Jack, had many motor trips throughout Canada, the US and Mexico and two trips to Europe. I was scheduled to accompany them along with their close friend Mary Ellen Legault on a trip to the west coast of Canada in the summer of 1966, but the plan had to be abandoned because of Bill’s illness. Bill was an ardent golfer, member of the Lancaster Golf and Country Club. He also enjoyed membership in bowling and poker clubs with associates from the hospital and friends from the business world. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, which held special funeral services for him. He is buried in the Runstadler family plot in Mount Hope cemetery, Toronto. The employees of the hospital gave a bursa to St. Michael’s College, Toronto, in his memory. Bill and Marguerite’s only child, John William, now known as Buffalo Dr. Jack to distinguish him from Russell's son Bronte Dr. Jack - was born in Buffalo on August 7, 1938. He attended private schools — Nardin Academy and Canisius High School. From age five to ten he spent his summers at the Bronte farm with Mike and Vera and cousin Billy. His father and mother were particularly busy at this time, but one or other managed to visit him every weekend and take him to church. At Canisius he was active in a wide variety of extra—curricular activities from football to drama. He was president of the debating society and member of a team that debated through many of the southern states. He won the debating medal given by the National Forensic League. He also won the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin award for religious knowledge and activities in religious affairs. He received the Gold Seal award for high scholastic achievement. In his final year he contracted polio in November and was very ill till February, when he was mobile again, but with continuing therapy. It was a great day when he was able to walk to the platform to receive his graduation diploma in June, at age 15. Jack was sixteen when he started at St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto in the fall of that year. During his college years he was completely fit again and played hockey, basketball and soccer, gaining his college letter for athletics. He was also active in the debating and drama societies and a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. During the the then Senator John F. Kennedy’s visit to the college, Jack had the honour of being his escort. He graduated in 1958 with a E.A., having majored in English. He was offered English teaching positions, but decided to attend the University of Buffalo Medical School. While there he spent one summer as attendant at the Buffalo State Hospital and one in research in the Physiology department of the University of Buffalo. On graduating with his M.D. in 1962, Jack spent one year as intern and four years as resident in Surgery at the Buffalo General Hospital. He was then taken into surgical practice with two of Buffalo’s leading surgeons, Doctors Milch and Berman where he stayed for four or five years before opening his own private surgical practice. Four years ago he joined surgeons Harrod and Dare in the South Park Medical Unit, a clinic which has contacts with many industrial firms, and with the newly formed Health Maintenance Organization (H.M.O.), a health insurance plan. Meanwhile, he passed his New York State and U.S. Surgical Board examinations and became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in 1970. While still a resident at the General Hospital, Jack joined the National Guard in which he now holds the rank of Colonel and is in charge of the Medical Division of New York State, comprised of eight units. Though his headquarters is in New York City, he takes many inspection trips to other cities throughout the US and is currently on his second trip to Germany on official business. One grueling experience was leading a unit of the Guard into Attica prison at the time of the riots in 1974. He had a rough time and saw many gruesome sights, and had to testify at the lengthy hearings. A more rewarding experience was receiving a citation from the Governor of New York State for his organizational work at the time of the big blizzard of 1976. More particularly, the award was for saving the life of a sick baby by going to an isolated Pennsylvania farm home by helicopter and bringing the baby to Children’s Hospital in Buffalo for treatment. In 1980 he received another citation for outstanding work as Commander of Emergency Services as head of a team of 197 National Guardsmen. And he had a great time at the Olympics while performing this duty. Jack has a third career, as associate professor of Surgery at his Alma Mater, the University of Buffalo Medical School. He has held this position for about fifteen years, and was part of a father and son team when Bill was lecturing there in psychiarty. Would you believe that, with three careers, he still finds tine for many interesting hobbies and activities? He is a sports car enthusiast and drove in several rallies when he had a series of Corvettes. He now is into antique cars with an M.G. 1947TC with which he won best car in the show in a state-wide competition about three years ago. He also has a 1974 Midget MG which he drives when he needs a change from his more sedate diesel-burning Peugeot. He plays golf and has a membership in the Cherry Hill Golf Club on the Canadian side, at Fort Erie. He is president of the Delaware Soccer League, comprised of twenty—one teams and plays on the senior team. He holds a membership in the Saturn social club in Buffalo. He also collects things, such at stamps, coins, model planes and cars — You name it! But he didn't accomplish all this alone. He’s had a great partner. While still interning in Buffalo General Hospital, Jack met the lovely nurse in charge of obstetrics. She was Suzanne Helen Schramm, born in Buffalo on October 19, 1940. Her parents are George and Gretchen Schramm, both born and raised in Germany but married in Buffalo and now U.S. citizens living in Kenmore, a suburb of Buffalo. They have relatives still living in Germany, among them George’s sister in the Eastern zone. They are hoping that with her retirement imminent, she may become eligible to visit the U.S. George, now retired, was an engineer with Buffalo Forge, and Gretchen does highly specialized work in a dental laboratory. Susan attended Kenmore North High School and graduated with a scholarship to the University of Buffalo, but decided to enter nursing at Buffalo General hospital instead of accepting it. She graduated with an R.N. diploma and then went on to the University to graduate with a B.Sc. in nursing. Susan and Jack were married on June 16, 1964 in a lovely ceremony in St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic church in Buffalo, with a reception at the Trap and Field Club. They were a handsome couple departing in their silver Corvette for a motor honeymoon in the Eastern States. They lived first in an apartment on Delaware Avenue and then bought a house on Norwood Avenue which with much of their own work they made very attractive. When Jack set up his private practice, Susan acted as his receptionist for about seven years till he joined the present clinic. About eight years ago they bought a very large Williamsburg period home on Windsor Avenue near Delaware Park and have enjoyed refurbishing and furnishing it. Susan has many activities in addition to a very busy home and family life. She has recently taken an interest in county and city politics, actively supporting candidates she considers worthy. She is on the Junior Board of the Buffalo General Hospital and takes an active part in the International Institute and the Needlework Guild. But taking precedence in the long list of achievements of Jack and Susan are their two kids, Jane and Bill. Jane Elizabeth, the older, was born on September 28, 1965 and now at sixteen has her eye on that midget MG for her driving needs - and pleasure. Jane attended Nardin Academy and Calasanctius School for Gifted Children and is now a junior (our grade 11) at Nichols private school. While at Cal. she was very active in drama, playing the lead in Arms and the Man. She also enjoyed choral singing. The only girl in the Cal. Soccer team, she had to fight for her rights to play in the school league. Calasanctius had a good program of sponsored camping trips in their own beat-up old bus and Jane partook of these to the Southern and Western States. But the highlight was a six week trip to Germany, where she was billeted in a German home and attended a German school. This was not too difficult as she had been studying German in school, and was fairly proficient. When Calasanctius curtailed same of the programs, such as drama, choir and sports that Jane particularly liked, she transferred to Nichols and continued in them. Last year she played one of the female leads in The Playboy of the Western World and is doing an interesting character part in this year’s play. She plays defense for the Nichols soccer team. She now holds her Soccer Referee’s Certificate and referees for the Delaware Park League. Last summer she enjoyed coaching its team of five to eight year olds. She also worked as a volunteer in the Buffalo Children’s Zoo, playing nursemaid to the animals and giving demonstrations and talks about the animals to groups of children. She is an accomplished swimmer and diver and enjoys tennis. Her favourite winter sport is cross-country skiing. William George (Bill), named for his two grandfathers, was born on December 15, 1967. He attended Nardin Academy and Calasanctius School for Gifted Children and is now in grade 8 at Mount St. Joseph Academy. He has just been accepted into Canisius College, his father's Alma Mater for his secondary school education. Bill is a genuine Cudmore sports buff, his first love being hockey, in which his specialty is goal tending. His team is in the Bantam A.A. city hockey league and he’s ecstatic that he made the traveling team and had many out of town games. This year he also played goalie for the Mount St. Joseph high school soccer team although he is still in grade school. He’s on his way to being an excellent golfer, last year winning the runner-up trophy in nine hole golf, and this year the Outstanding Sportsman award in the junior members’ golf, both at the Cherry Hill club. He also loves swimming and tennis. Bill is showing some of his grandfather Bill’s smooth operator characteristics. When a young admirer offered him a dime for Jane’s phone number, he pocketed the bribe - and glibly gave the boy a wrong number!