Belmont Hill Remembers Chris Wadsworth, Headmaster 1979-1993

On November 22, 2025 former Belmont Hill School Headmaster Chris Wadsworth passed away. Below is the letter Greg Schneider, Ronald M. Druker ‘62 Head of School, sent to the Belmont Hill community upon news of Mr. Wadsworth’s passing. The School will further celebrate Mr Wadsworth’s career and contributions to Belmont Hill in the upcoming Winter/Spring edition of the Bulletin. A celebration of life is planned for March 8, 2026 at 2:00pm at Belmont Hill School in the Hamilton Chapel. 

Dear Belmont Hill Community,

It is with a very heavy heart that I write today with news that Belmont Hill’s seventh Head of School, Chris Wadsworth, passed away yesterday morning after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease. Chris and his wife, Lori, made an extraordinary contribution to Belmont Hill’s success, and we are continually grateful for the foundation they built for our entire community to enjoy today. Early in my tenure, I had a number of wonderful moments with Chris where I could sense his passion for our school as well as a truly remarkable kind of interpersonal warmth. Chris remained very close with my predecessor, Rick Melvoin, and I know they both enjoyed numerous fishing adventures together over the years. Put simply, Chris loved Belmont Hill and the people who worked here.

A graduate of Phillips Academy (Andover), Chris went on to earn both an undergraduate degree and his Masters degrees in teaching and history from Harvard. Early in his career, he spent a year as a teaching fellow in history at Andover and then worked at Harvard College for six years, first in the Office of Admissions and Scholarships and later as an assistant dean in the Freshman Dean’s Office. Prior to joining Belmont Hill, Chris was the Head of School at Nichols School in Buffalo, NY.

Chris came to Belmont Hill and found a boys’ school with a tremendous culture and big dreams for its future. Leading the School from 1979 to 1993, he was able to move forward a number of critical initiatives. This included overseeing the completion of the Byrnes Library, Robsham Center for the Arts, Kraft Theater, new squash courts, the lacrosse field, and the MacPherson Room. Upon leaving Belmont Hill, he became Head of Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey, launching an interest in international education that included eight years as the Executive Director of the International Boys Schools Coalition (IBSC).

Perhaps Mr. Wadworth’s greatest legacy was the extraordinary list of faculty and staff members that he hired and supported in their work. Some of our most legendary people arrived under Chris’ watch, and thus his legacy and passion for our mission related to character development continues on to this day. Chris always believed in truth and doing the right thing, even when it was difficult; this ethos of leadership has been essential to our collective success. He looked for these qualities in great faculty members as well. Chris was a wonderful musician, often performing professionally locally in nearby venues on his beloved banjo or at various Belmont Hill events. He also brought this passion to Belmont Hill through the ways in which programs in the arts expanded under his leadership.

Most importantly, he was a dedicated husband to Lori for 62 years of marriage and a loving father to sons Benj ’85 and Tim. Upon his retirement, Belmont Hill named the Wadsworth Room in Jordan Athletic Center in his honor, a space that brings alumni and parents together in community, overlooking the rink as well as our athletic fields. Every time we gather in this space, we remember Chris’ important role in the making of the Belmont Hill we know and love today.

Details related to services will be forthcoming, but for now we are all holding the Wadsworth family close in our hearts and prayers.

Sincerely,
Gregory J. Schneider
Ronald M. Druker '62 Head of School

Christopher Wadsworth – 1940 - 2025

Christopher “Chris” Wadsworth, 85, passed away peacefully on November 22 at his home in Lexington, MA, after a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. He leaves behind a legacy of accomplishment, generosity, humor, and unwavering love for his family. Born in Boston on June 18, 1940 and raised in Winchester, MA, by Phillip and Elizabeth Wadsworth, Chris grew up alongside his older sister, Virginia.

After attending Philips Andover Academy, Chris was accepted to Harvard University where he studied American History, played on the JV tennis team, sang with the Harvard Krokodiloes, and developed friendships that would last a lifetime. 

Following graduation from Harvard, Chris spent a year as a teaching fellow in history at Philips Andover and then returned to Harvard for six years, first in the Office of Admissions and later as an assistant dean in the Freshman Dean’s Office. During this time, he also obtained master’s degrees in history and education.

As a youthful 29 year old, Chris took on his first leadership role in education, becoming Head of School at Nichols School in Buffalo, New York, where he served from 1969-1979. Following his tenure at Nichols, he returned to the Boston area with his young family to take over as Head of School at Belmont Hill School from 1979–1993.

A six month sabbatical from Belmont Hill spent backpacking around the world spurred an interest in international education, and Chris left Belmont Hill to become the Head of School at Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey from 1993-2001, and eventually became the first Executive Director of the International Boys’ School Coalition from 2001-2006. In his retirement, Chris served on several nonprofit boards, including Cape Cod Academy, the International School of Boston, the Dennis Conservation Land Trust, Cape Cod Museum of Art and the Mashantum Tennis Club.

Chris married the love of his life, Lori, with whom he shared a devoted and joyful partnership for sixty-two years. Together, they raised two children, Benjamin (Benj) and Thomas (Tim) each of whom he supported with enthusiasm, guidance, and unconditional love. To his family and friends, Chris was a source of wisdom, humor, quiet strength, and genuine warmth. He was the person people turned to for steady advice, thoughtful conversation, or a good laugh.

An avid athlete, outdoorsman and musician, Chris excelled at tennis and squash throughout his adult life; indulged his passion for fly fishing with annual trips to Montana and Idaho, and countless days on his beloved Cape Cod Bay, not far from the house he built in Dennis; and pursued his love of Dixieland Jazz as a banjo player with the Dixie Diehards, performing throughout the Boston area well into his later years.

Chris is remembered for his honesty, his discipline, his kindness, and the respect he showed every person he met. Above all, he is remembered for the love he gave to his wife, his children, and all those fortunate enough to know him. He lived a life of purpose, integrity and generosity, and those who loved him will forever carry the gifts of his example.

Chris is survived by his sister, Virginia Wadsworth Pomeroy, his wife Lori Dingman Wadsworth, his son Benjamin Wadsworth and long-time partner Kimberly Shavender, his son Tim Wadsworth, and his daughter-in-law Lenore Kitani. He is deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.