Malcolm Severance, age 101, passed away on November 24, 2025, a few miles from his birthplace in Colchester, Vt. Born in 1924 to J. Herbert Severance and Juanita Bombard Severance, he leaves behind daughter Lyn Severance (Bill Harvey) of Burlington, Vt.; son Mark Severance (Sarah Whitney) of Colchester; daughter Dawn Severance (George Schildge) of Colchester; four grandchildren, Jill Severance, Raychel Severance, Jackson Harvey and Henry Severance; along with seven nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by Gladys Severance, his wife of 66 years, and his three sisters, Wilma Patton, Joyce Sweeney and Jean Lawrence.
It’s hard to think of Malcolm without thinking about the University of Vermont. He was a student, an economics professor, an administrator, a department chairman, a trustee on two different occasions and a benefactor. He is acknowledged as the creator of the UVM School of Business, now known as the Grossman School of Business. At age 90, he completed and published A Pursuit of Excellence, A History of the University of Vermont School of Business Administration.
After retiring from UVM in 1986, he ran two banking schools, served four terms in the Vermont legislature as a representative from Colchester, and served on numerous boards and town and church committees. He knew about hard work, and given that he could never sit still, he got a lot of work done. Malcolm and Gladys stretched to buy 45 acres in Colchester in 1961, where they built the home they would live in for the rest of their lives. In 1969 he bought the 40 acres that would eventually become the Severance Corners Village Center. He lived the concept of “land rich, cash poor.” Retirement gave him time to travel — in Australia and New Zealand; he rafted the Colorado River, toured China, went on safari in Kenya, took a spartan cruise up the coast of Norway and saw the Northern Lights in Alaska, in additional to numerous trips to Europe. He was a graceful skier, skiing the Rockies, the Sierras and the Alps, but he loved Stowe and often reminisced about how much harder the Nosedive was at Stowe before they took out the seven turns at the top.
The family wishes to thank the staff of the Converse Home and the wonderful group of nurses and social workers at UVM Home Health & Hospice for their care, kindness and support. We are also very grateful for the caregivers from Home Instead, who made it possible for Malcolm to happily stay in his home for six years.
For those who would like to honor Malcolm, memorial donations may be made to the Vermont Symphony Orchestra or the Malcolm and Gladys Severance Graduate Excellence Fund through the University of Vermont Foundation.
To send condolences and share Malcolm stories, please visit vtfuneralhomes.com.
Visiting hours will be on Friday, December 12, 2025, 4 to 6 p.m., at Corbin & Palmer, 9 Pleasant St., Essex Junction, VT.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, 11 a.m., at the First Baptist Church at 81 St. Paul St., Burlington, VT, with a reception to follow at the church.
This article appears in Dec 3-9 2025.
May he rest in peace.
Malcolm was one of my heros, I got to know him during the time we served in the legislature from Colchester. He was an absolute gentleman.
Michael C. Vinton
When I got through my first year of law school, Malcolm said, “You’ve done good,” which apparently was the highest of compliments. I will miss all those lunches at the Windjammer — corned beef Reuben, no sauerkraut. A force to be reckoned with, and always — to the very end — a strong handshake.
Malcolm was one of the most wonderful human beings you could ever meet. His chocolate chips cookies weren’t bad either!
Malcolm was, as Michael already said, a hero. He knew how things worked and shared his insights unstintingly. When I was beginning at UVM, we worked together closely on the VSO board. He was kind, honest, supportive and always on point. He was always a teacher and a mediator. As was said in the lovely obituary, he worked and worked hard. Gladys and he shared some of their beautiful iris which blessed my garden with blooms for many, many years. The last time we saw each other was at the Windjammer a couple years ago, where he was accompanied by family. His memory was dim, but not his spirit. Thank you, Gladys and Malcolm. You will both remain for many a guide for how to do it. With lots of love.
I will remember Malcolm as the consummate gentleman and always an interesting conversationalist. Celebrating his life well-lived today. Godspeed Malcolm.
Who could ever forget that wonderful gentleman, Malcolm Severance with his trademark bow tie, smile and courtly manner. I remember coming in as a freshman in 2005, he sat one row behind me. He was so welcoming, and I felt honored to have known him and served with him in the legislature.