CLASS OF 1954 | 2015 | ISSUE 1
Hello again to my ’54 classmates. Hope all of us are entering our 83rd year with gusto and aplomb! Meanwhile, here’s some news from 11 of us:
First, some very sad news from Shep Johnson, who wrote: “A very good year of travel and family came to a tragic end in October with the sudden death of our youngest son, Stephen, at Mass General, from complications of endocarditis. Hundreds joined us to mourn and remember what a remarkable human being he was.” Shep, all of our hearts go out to you and your family on the loss of your child.
In January, Bud Johnson and bride Lynn were off to Angkor Wat and Cambodia, first via ship from Hong Kong and on to coastal Vietnam; after Cambodia, back aboard ship to Thailand and Singapore. Bud and Lynn hope to equal their trip to Machu Picchu last year.
Bob Gruskay reports on two exciting events at Beth El Synagogue in West Hartford last fall, where Bob played Sol Hurok. One was the debate among three candidates for Connecticut governor, the other was an opera concert with four opera stars and a full orchestra.
In January, Terry Hatter was in D.C., where he had the honor of swearing in members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. This spring, Terry and Trudy are traveling to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.
Another sad note: Claire, Dave Hodgin’s wife, best friend, and companion for more than 61 years, passed away last July. Dave says that learning to be a bachelor is an unexpected and unpleasant new experience. Otherwise, Dave is continuing to run the Pathfinder Companies, and serve on various boards, plus play some golf, and continue to fight the water wars in California. Finally, Dave is concerned about Wesleyan’s apparent attempt to tear down fraternities—a puzzlement for him.
Jeff Lockhart and bride are going to their first round of grandchildren weddings! They hope to make all seven, over time, if they happen.
Bob Monstream reports a full year for Ami and himself: skiing in the West at Copper Mountain and Mt. Bachelor; graduation of granddaughter from University of Colorado; and Ami, with the Hartford Chorale, singing in two Paris churches and Chartres Cathedral, plus Copenhagen. Finally, Costa Rica and Panama for birding. Bob reports everyone’s health is good, and family all well and thriving.
Never boring, Lenny Stolba’s bucket list focuses on international travel: With some four dozen countries under his belt, he now needs to add Scandinavia. But, more critically, Len also wants to stand on the land where both oceans meet; he’s already done the Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Horn is next. Len reports his only recent award is an EAA cap for flying 10 young eagles in 2014. Cheers to you, Len!
Marshall Umpleby and Mimi are doing well in Ashland, Ore. His MDS illness is still in remission (as of January ’15)—in part, he thinks, because of the Vidaza chemo he takes for one week out of every six. Their planned trip to Australia and New Zealand had to be cancelled upon his oncologist’s advice. Marsh says their two daughters are doing very well, Sarah in San Diego and Amy in Nevada City, Calif. Marshall was very sorry to miss our 60th Reunion last May.
Jim Yashar wishes all of us a very happy 2015.
Finally, your Secretary, Bob Carey, and Libby, had a somewhat busy post-Reunion schedule, traveling in June to San Diego for a grandson’s fifth-grade graduation, with all the trimmings. Then on to D.C. to observe the 4th of July fireworks from a dinner cruise boat on the Potomac. In July, Libby and I dined with Lynn and Bud Johnson at Milbrook in Greenwich. Then we hosted a Carey reunion with three of my four children and their families. September found us in Elkins Park, Pa. (Philadelphia), to stay at youngest daughter and husband’s “new” historical home. The Big Trip was to London for New Year’s, featuring a musical, and then, on New Year’s Eve, a black tie dinner at Pont de la Tour, followed by a boat ride on the Thames River down to the London Eye and Big Ben to watch fantastic fireworks at midnight. Upon return from the U.K. we took off for a six-week stay on Sanibel Island, Fla. All the best to all of us in 2015!
BOB CAREY | bobcarey@optonline.net
618 W. Lyon Farm Dr., Greenwich, CT 06831 | 203/532-1745