Departures of note

Dudley Laufman, born around 1931, spent much of his life as a farmer, poet, and musician in New England. He became a leading figure in the American folk‑dance community, renowned for his skill as a contra dance caller. In the 1960s and 1970s, Laufman helped revive the traditional contra dance form, bringing it to a new generation of participants and ensuring its continued popularity. His work as a teacher and caller left a lasting impact on the folk‑dance revival movement, and he remained an influential presence in the community until his death in 2026 at the age of 95.