CLASS OF 1951 | 2016 | ISSUE 2
Bill Mitchell wrote from Henderson, N.C., that he continues to be quite active. Bill said he’d do his darnesdest to make the 65th Reunion and he was hoping a lot of classmates would, too.At any rate, he’d try to get to a Wes football game.
Bob Willet’s wife, Martha, wrote from Manhattan Beach, Calif., to report that Bob is living in a residential care facility.
I’d also heard from Jack Pfeiffer in Jonesboro, Ga.; Jack White in Wayzata, Minn.; and Bob Mack in Mexico, N.Y. Jack Pfeiffer lost his wife, Nancy, early in the year and he has moved to a senior citizen’s homestead. He would not be able to make it to our 65th but said, “Tell my classmates I wish them good health and a good turnout,” Bob said.
Our grand old row of college halls never looked more beautiful and the campus truly was fair and green the Saturday morning of our 65th Reunion. The first to show was Barney Kathan in his cardinal-red coat. He would lead us in the parade. Then came Bob Switzgable and his son, and Chris DeGraff and his wife, Sandra. Chris has made every Reunion I’ve made and then some. Bill Churchill was on time for the parade, as were Biff Shaw and his wife, Jean. Les Aroh had come from Kentucky with his wife, Janet, and Barney Kathan was there with his daughter.
I sat with Walter Cook at the WESeniors luncheon and he told of walking across campus early in our freshman year and coming face-to-face with President Victor Butterfield, whom he hadn’t met. The president astonished him by calling him by his first name and asking him how he was doing.
President Michael Roth ’78 gave us an upbeat report on where Wesleyan stands in the educational firmament—very high—and the Wesleyan Spirits sang the Alma Mater and the Fight Song, which ended with some vigorous clapping and the shout: “Go, Wes!”
The fitting climax to the day’s activities was an excellent roast beef dinner at the Usdan Campus Center. Chuck Exley served as host and spoke briefly, noting that the most welcome words in any speech were “and in conclusion.” Bill Churchill’s wife, Maggie, made us laugh by giving us a young person’s idea of what old people are like. Classmates not there were spoken of, and we understood it would be the last time we would get together as a class group.
“We wish the turnout could have been bigger,” said Biff, “but time is catching up.”
Our special thanks to Jenna Starr ’15 for the help she gave us before and during the event. We all loved the dear old college scenes. I’m sorry I had to leave early. It was a wonderful time to be at Wesleyan.
Others of our class who couldn’t join us were thinking of us. Dick Cashman sends his best wishes from Neenah, Wisc. He and his wife migrated there from Florida to be nearer to their family, which Dick said includes 22 great-grandchildren.
Bob Hammett had already committed to attending graduation ceremonies for two grandchildren.
Sandy Malcomson wrote that his appointment book is so filled with doctor’s appointments that there is little room or time for other activities. He sends his best wishes.
Charlie Selig wrote that he would be returning from Florida on May 17 and would have too much to do to get away soon after that. Charlie lost his wife in 2010 but found a “wonderful lady” to join in his very active life. “Say hello for me to everyone here,” he wrote.
DAVID M. PHILIPS | davephilips69@hotmail.com
100 Elena St., Apt. 618, Cranston, RI 02920-7620