Obituary of Dr. Symond Yavener

Dr. Symond Yavener, of Red Wing, Minn. formerly of Glastonbury, Conn., Professor Emeritus of Central Connecticut State University, died September 27, 2018 at Deer Crest in Red Wing, where he has resided since 2015. He was the son of the late Jack and Augusta Yavener of Windsor, Conn.  After attending the Windsor Public Schools, he studied at the University of Connecticut for his Bachelors and Masters Degrees and earned an additional Masters and a Doctorate from Middlebury College. He also studied extensively in universities in Germany, France and Russia. During the Korean conflict he was stationed in Germany and served in the army as an interpreter and translator. Before joining the Modern Language Department of Central Connecticut State University, Symond taught in Manchester and in Glastonbury where he served both as teacher and director of the foreign language program. He enjoyed working at all levels of instruction and was respected as being a knowledgeable, dynamic and creative teacher. Dr. Yavener was first and foremost a teacher and was, above all, devoted to helping his students see the world as it is, in all its diversity and splendor. He had such an effect on his students that many of them stayed in touch with him as a friend and mentor over the years. At Central he was honored as a recipient of the University’s Distinguished Service award. He wrote and lectured extensively on language teaching methodology as well as on the culture of Russia. Throughout his life he was an inveterate traveler, having led many adventure and study groups throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Dr. Yavener was a member of the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield where he served as a pastoral care minister. He is survived by many nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Martha (McCaughtry) Yavener, a brother Irving Yavener and a sister, Dorothy Garber.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday October 13 at 11am in First Church of Christ in Wethersfield.   Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be in Green Cemetery in Glastonbury.  Memorials are preferred to the National Kidney Foundation.  The Mulryan Funeral Home, Glastonbury has care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.