CLASS OF 1977 | 2019 | ISSUE 3
The end of an all-too brief summer has folks writing in with all sorts of updates.
Wendy Brown Giardina graced the U.S. East Coast this past fall for a visit with Boston-area family as well as friends, me included. Wendy became a grandmother to Arthur, earlier this year, who lives with his parents in Zurich.
I’ve written previously about Iddy Olson finding love in her 60s: indeed, she and partner Tom were married this fall in Chicago. It couldn’t happen to two nicer people. Iddy is thoroughly enjoying her 1-year-old granddaughter.
Ted Stevens wrote about a benefit this past May in Rhode Island: “One of the finest individuals, Nancy Scanlon Poon, a bona fide DKE, has been diagnosed with ALS. Nancy is biological sister to Robert “Bobby” Scanlon and wife (for 41 years) of Alan “Pooner” Poon ’76. Nancy is showing incredible courage under the difficult circumstances.” We all wish Nancy and her family the very best.
Mark Slitt’s travels have taken him to Germany and Poland. The program included five days at Auschwitz, where the group engaged in preservation projects, such as cleaning objects in the museum and tending the grounds of the site. This was not a typical vacation by any means, but a very meaningful one for Mark, to be sure.
David Loder sends his best regards to all; he described getting to relive the Wes experience, as his brother’s son, Aaron ’22, entering his sophomore year, is thoroughly enjoying the college experience.
John Fink has a new job as executive director of education and workforce development at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. He, along with wife Shari, got to babysit their two grandsons in Oregon for some time during a four-month sabbatical. John found it “a lot different handling a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old at age 63 than it was back at age 33.”
Jerry Stouck is retiring from law this year after 39 years. He is working on a book, but other than that, will be enjoying lots of golf and splitting time between D.C. and Park City, Utah. Oldest daughter Danielle got married in September. Jerry was on campus to partake in the opening of the new Chabad house at Wesleyan, which he supported.
Dr. Doug Hauschild was able to play (as an actor) a doctor: Dr. Norquist in the smash hit Bright Star at the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre.
Cindee Howard wrote from England that she and her partner, Jon, were at a reunion in England, getting together with people she was with on a program in Israel 40 years ago. She is still working full-time as a proofreader and copyeditor for Marriott International.
Jim Melloan produced the New York Comedy Music Festival this past spring. Jim met up with Jack Freudenheim ’79, Tom Kovar ’76, Win Lockwood ’78, Ann Beutler Millerick ’77, and a bunch of other alumni to play in a Super-Wes band at Eclectic at Reunion.
Jane Eisner began a new job this summer as director of academic affairs at the Columbia School of Journalism. She finds it gratifying to know that even at our stage of life, we can embrace a new challenge!
I always get a kick out of reporting when my professional adult life intersects with my Wesleyan life. Such is the case with a commission this year to design a new chapel for Temple Beth Avodah, in Newton, Mass., in honor of their Rabbi, Keith Stern. Designing a spiritual space is one of the high points to any architect’s career. What has made this project so special is that the entire Temple community has been engaged, generous with their time, extremely warm, and appreciative. In other words, they reflect Keith’s style exactly.
Finally, it is with great sadness that I write of the passing of two of our classmates: Laura McLane Fox and Fred Van Brunt. Laura was a biology major at Wesleyan, a well-respected nursing administrator and gerontologist. She is survived by her two daughters. Fred was a resident of Middletown after having spent several years in Hollywood as prop master for several studios. Fred is survived by many family members in the Middletown area. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their friends and family and classmates who were counted among their friends.
I hope everyone keeps well. Drop a line when you have a chance. The next set of notes are likely due at the end of the year.
Gerry Frank | Gfrank@bfearc.com