CLASS OF 1977 | 2015 | ISSUE 1

Seriously, nearly eight feet of snow in one month? Warming by the fire at home between tours of duty shoveling during this latest blizzard, I take great comfort in the many notes of support as well as updates from fellow classmates, and, of course, the Patriot’s Super Bowl win!

I am so pleased to have gotten a note from Marcy Neuburg. Marcy has just completed 25 years on the faculty of the Medical College of Wisconsin; she is working one week a month and divides her time between St. Croix and Wisconsin. Daughter Abigail is attending Hamilton and son Max is moving to Minneapolis-St. Paul this summer where he will be married. Marcy has reconnected with Bob Rees, as Marcy will have many more opportunities to visit. Richard Parad updated that daughter Rebecca is following in his medical footsteps (completing her second year) and son Matthew is making inroads as a successful songwriter. In addition to his clinical care and research responsibilities, Richard is now co-director of the Department of Pediatric Newborn Medicine Clinical and Translational Research Program. Peter Guenther expressed his pleasure at the outcome of the Super Bowl, especially in view of the grief all had to endure up to the game. Richard Shulman wrote in regarding the “Volunteers In Psychotherapy” and an upcoming UCLA conference on innovations in mental health, examining the Connecticut program where people don’t pay for their therapy but earn it through volunteer work at a charity or nonprofit of their choice. Susan White, who recently moved to Boston, works at the BU School of Medicine teaching in a new physician assistant program, as well as practicing at the Boston Medical Center. Vanessa Burgess touched base regarding a number of folks: Doug Green’s son will be at Wesleyan this fall playing football (we all have a date to meet at Homecoming), Dave Thomas’ son is a senior at Wesleyan, Dorothy Crenshaw, Marianne DiOrio, and Vanessa got together earlier this year. Dorothy’s PR business is thriving, and Marianne is a senior VP of global communications at Estée Lauder. Vanessa focuses on investments in the health care sector. Her daughter, Jill, is in the Boston area (so, you haven’t called?), and her second daughter, Marjorie, is a freshman at Wesleyan. Wendy Roylo Hee met up with a visiting Yoriko Kishimoto when she was in Honolulu last fall. Yoriko was introduced to Wendy’s new grandchild. Afterwards, travels took Wendy to California and Europe on a river cruise. Bruce Kaplan writes about life in Chattanooga, where his neurology career took him and his family some time ago. In addition, Bruce and his wife, Ann, created “Barking Legs Theater,” where he curates music performances focusing on jazz, bluegrass, and more experimental type music. He built a home on the island of Dominica, where he plans to spend more time in the future. It is available for rent at villapassiflora.com. I am told discounts for Wesleyan folks are available. Carol Cooper is finishing classes for her PhD in Jungian and archetypal psychology; dissertation begins this spring. The experience has been a fine enhancement to freelance and creative writing with her students of Manhattan Center for Science and Math. The Super Bowl brought some family conflict in Hope Neiman’s home: husband and wife splitting allegiances. Hope has been traveling extensively for work, with largest chain restaurants her primary focus. Janet Malkemes sends regards from Charlotte in her annual newsletter, as she hopes to lure more classmates for a visit down south. Jeff Gray enjoyed the company of many classmates at the wedding of his son, Jeffrey, to Emily Gittes last November, including: Bob Nastri, Paul Fichera, Dave Matteodo, and Ken Langley. Heartiest congratulations!! As with most of us, the intense snow couldn’t dampen Jeff’s spirits after the Super Bowl. Judy Allen echoed the sentiments. Joan Martin is enjoying a very active life. While not traveling by air as much (airports are indeed no fun), Joan proudly stated her adherence to most all liberal causes. A number of folks wrote in disbelief at the idea of turning 60 this year: Joe Mabel enjoyed a reunion gig of the Seattle band “The Squirrels” in his living room. Michael Rittenberg is still in medical practice and has four grown children and two grandchildren. One son and daughter seemingly plan to enter the “family business” of urology. Michael works with Cal Dysinger, who is chief of anesthesia at the same hospital. Dave Levy visits yearly to check in on his own parents. David Loder enjoyed playing golf with Barry Raebeck, Jeff Shames, and Andy Silverman ’76. David states, and we all should agree, that we need to do a lot more of this as we move into our 60s…and by “this” I am sure David means getting together with good friends and old acquaintances. Best regards to all!

Gerry Frank | Gfrank@bfearc.com