CLASS OF 1960 | 2023 | SUMMER ISSUE
Nici and John Dobson continue to enjoy travel as their favorite form of recreation. They had two-week trips to Key West, Florida, in both March and November of 2022. John views Key West as his favorite town in America.
In May 2022, Peggy and Dave Hale spent 12 memorable days in Iceland where they saw snowcapped volcanoes, glaciers, and geothermal features. They also visited horse and goat farms, museums, and cruised to watch whales and puffins.
Ira Sharkansky reported that he continues to produce a blog that focuses on the mess of Israeli politics. In his view, Prime Minister Netanyahu is letting extremists express what they want, but so far controlling what they accomplish.
Congratulations to Steve Golin whose third book, Women Who Invented the Sixties: Ella Baker, Jane Jacobs, Rachel Carson, and Betty Friedan, has recently been published! These four women serve as role models for those who continue to challenge the status quo in the quest for a better world.
Bob Williams wrote: “Ann and I are still happily living at The Highlands of Topsham, along with Sue and Jim Dover. We are saddened by the loss of our friend and classmate Mickey Levine and try to stay in touch with his widow Marilyn.
“I’m finishing up a book on the Voynich manuscript at Yale, a mysterious book that no historian or cryptographer has been able to read or decipher. Since there is no evidence the text existed before 1912, I think Voynich (a Polish London bookseller) probably produced it himself as a hoax. The Golden Fleece! So, I’ve written a book that few will read about a book that nobody has been able to read. Still singing and living off the investment of our excellent WesTech liberal arts education.”
Congratulations to Paul Tractenberg who will be honored on May 4, 2023, for founding the Education Law Center in April 1973. The 50th anniversary will be celebrated with a panel discussion and a festive reception honoring Paul along with the outgoing and incoming executive directors. In addition, Paul presented the oral argument to the New Jersey Appellate Division in the Lakewood case (which he is cocounsel with a former law school student of his) for 5,200 public school students. Finally, Paul has been mentoring Ben Levin ’23, a Wesleyan senior, on a major education law and policy project entitled “State Education Clauses for Tomorrow.”
Maria and David Martin continue to make valuable civic contributions. The local Jubilee Park and Community Center encompasses a 62-block area in an underserved community in southeast Dallas. They have been serving there with time, talent, and treasure since its inception 25 years ago. Their latest accomplishment was to open a community clinic operated by Parkland Hospital for which they raised over $7 million for the building fund. It opened in September 2022 and was operating at 85% of capacity a month later.
In addition, in early winter they celebrated the birth of their first great-grandchild. They feel fortunate as a family and note that Wesleyan has played a big part in that blessing.
Edward A. Collins III passed away on October 20, 2022. Ed married his high school sweetheart Gretchen in 1960 and had a career as a reinsurance underwriter. In 1996 they built a house on a small, idyllic lake in New Hampshire, and this is where they spent their summers and autumns over the past two decades. He was a loving, supportive father, and shared his passion for sports with his children. He was an avid golfer and fly fisherman. Ed will be remembered for his soft-spoken kindness and his unwavering willingness to help others. Ed is survived by his wife, daughters Wendy and Robin, son Andrew ’91, and three granddaughters. My condolences to his family and friends. His obituary can be read at www.rickerfuneralhome.com/obituary/edward-collins-iii.
Michael R. Rosen passed away on January 6, 2023, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was honored at a conference in October 2022 for his 50 years at Columbia University where he was professor of pharmacology and pediatrics. Michael authored and coauthored over 500 peer-reviewed publications and received multiple national and international awards. He will be remembered for his love of literature, music, travel, kayaking, Cape Cod, and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his wife Tove, daughters Jennifer and Rachel, and two granddaughters. He was devoted to the memory of his late eldest daughter Dina. My condolences to his family and friends.