CLASS OF 1957 | 2021 | ISSUE 1

Bob Weiner made a cross-country move from Hollywood back east to live with his daughter (and 11 cats) in the Catskill mountains.  He is enjoying it all—the beauty of the change of season and the pastoral setting. Bob concludes with “life is good.”

      Also on the move—but a shorter distance—we find Jeff and Nancy Williamson in a senior retirement center, Capital Lakes. Their  new address is 110 So. Henry St. 110, Madison, WI, 53703. They continue to migrate to St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands in the winter and Maine in the summer. Jeff continues with economics research; some can be found through the Harvard Economics Department emeritus faculty website.

     Early last year, Jim Brown assembled a family group of 14 for a cruise on the Allure of the Seas, before the pandemic curtailed some of such activities. Jim’s son Chris, an oral surgeon, supplied the entertainment at mealtimes, e.g., calling out the chef about an “uncooked” chicken (it was rubber).

     Rutgers University has designated Dick Cassie professor emeritus. Dick retired from the School of Dental Medicine in 2019.

     Bob Anderson is busy with a wide range of pursuits, among them hosting a young Honduran awaiting asylum, gardening, and sculpture. He also finds time for church-related issues such as child separation matters, all of the foregoing out of his home in the maritime climate of Washington State.

     Novelist John Chaplick has new work out, A Light Too Far Away, which he says is based on the life of a client of his. He’s not revealing more than that. He adds that he’s pleased with the reception thus far. Info can be found by emailing jchaplick@gmail.com and visiting engagingbooksonline.com.

     Had a good conversation with Herb Camp—he and Alice are in Stony Creek, Connecticut and not travelling much during the pandemic. The Camps have four children and six grandchildren, all of whom are New Englanders, the furthest from Connecticut being one in Vermont, so there is ample opportunity for visits.

     Sadly, Jon Altschuler died last fall. I received notice from Jon’s wife, Olivia. They were married 45 years. He leaves two sons and three stepchildren. He practiced law through his own firm in New York City, and found time for leadership roles with New York Hospital and the East Side Chamber of Commerce. His was an exemplary life and our class misses him. His official obituary reads: 

Jonathan Bobrow Altschuler, 84, died on Oct. 19 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. A graduate of Wesleyan University and Columbia Law School, he started out in the Justice Department as a civil rights attorney venturing to Mississippi providing legal aid to African-Americans. He established his own practice in New York City in 1968 litigating until his death. He served as President, Chairman and served on the Board Of Directors East Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, served on the board of New York Hospital and was a member of the City Club and Democratic Committee in Poughquag, N.Y., among many other organizations. He is survived by his wife, Olivia, a brother Michael, two sons, two step-sons and step-daughter, five grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren.

    Tom Reed died last November, this news from Nancy Reed. They were married for 59 years. Tom had a long career in insurance underwriting with Aetna. The Reeds travelled extensively and Tom maintained an interest for sports on levels ranging from Little League coaching to Mets and Giants fandom. Our ’57 sympathy goes out to Nancy and the family.

CLASS OF 1957 | 2020 | ISSUE 3

All a-ok in Washington State on Guemes Island, Bob Anderson writes that having studied thousands of years of human history and a focus on the signs of empire in process, he sees patterns emerge (any relationship to the present?). He rounds out a busy time with sculpture and gardening as well as continuing with his life’s work in the UCC in any way that he can. His note concluded about whether we “keep the Republic.” Quote attributed to Ben Franklin.

My family is scattered all over our great nation. Daughter Laurie and son-in-law Joe are in Houston, Texas, the latter in a new job in pro sports marketing. Two of three grandsons are in college. Johnny a junior at Wisconsin and Will a frosh at UDenver. Son Dave and daughter-in-law Crystal working from home in Quincy, Massachusetts; Dave is a client investment manager with Morgan Stanley. They expect a first child, a daughter, very soon. No shortage of places to visit, should the occasion arise.

Two years ago Sam Bergner decided to make some changes. After 50 years in the commercial real estate business, he retired and downsized into an apartment in nearby Metuchen. This in-town location seemed ideal, with trains to NYC, restaurants, etc. Unfortunately, the pandemic plus Sam’s health issues have curtailed his taking advantage of these amenities. However, he continues to enjoy audio books, online lectures, and his seven grandchildren. And even after 58 years of marriage, he and Lynn continue to make each other laugh every day.

 Sadly, I report on the loss of Dr. Bill Pratt and Bob Gorin, both earlier in the year. Bob had been a steadfast supporter of Wes through the years. Previous columns highlighted his underwriting of skating parties at the Central Park rink. He was proud of Gorin generations attending Wes. Dr. Pratt, after retiring following an exceptional career in medicine, took on a different role as a member of the New Mexico legislature. Notes in preceding columns evoked his satisfaction therewith. On behalf of the class, our sympathies to their respective families.  

Jack Braitmayer writes:My wife, Nancy, and I are fine, living the life of Reilly in our house in Marion, Massachusetts, if one can do that in COVID-19! I have gotten to the age of 90+ (originally ’52), and I am now having a hard time expressing myself in phone conversations and phone calls. My oldest daughter Karen, an architect specializing in ADA issues, was recently quoted in The New York Times, which made me very proud. My second daughter Kristina ’83, married to “Bo” Hewey ’82, is still teaching and they have acquired a small island off the coast of Maine for family fun. My son Eric, my youngest child, is the CEO of IMTRA, a supplier to the marine trade, and enjoys cars and golf in his free time. Kristie and Bo have a granddaughter living in Nicaragua, where both her parents are employed. We get them to visit once a year at Christmas, but maybe not this year.”

Art Typermass | joanarth64@gmail.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

CLASS OF 1957 | 2020 | ISSUE 2

Heard from Mark Feldman that he and wife Mimi are sheltering in place, and so far, so good. He plans to resume teaching this fall, most likely via Zoom, which he terms a challenge for an “aging bookworm.” Meanwhile, he is busy with pro bono work, including responses to environmental issues. He reports that daughter Ilana ’91 is the vice dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs at GWU.

The Clowes—Rusty and Diane—sold their house in Higganum and have moved to Middletown to a condo. Rusty is glad to be rid of gardening chores and the like. They’re in In Town Terrace—a stone’s throw from the Freeman Athletic Center—which is a 28-unit complex called The Pines. Rusty comments on the new normal, e.g., masks, gloves, staying home, yet it is a time when we all think not only of ourselves but helping to preserve the well-being of others.

Bob Anderson writes that he’s reduced a diverse program of interests such as church activities, art/drawing workshops, and historical society. For companionship, he has a cat—one meow for food and two meows for attention—this latter evocative of questions for Bob (he doesn’t specify whether he has answers therefor). Nonetheless, this hasn’t detracted from trips to nearby Guemes Island, a five-minute ferry ride from his home in Anacortes. He says he’s spending time there in self-isolation, the island only home to 800 folks, such that it’s suitable for quarantine. Turning thoughtful, Bob laments what he terms “replacement experience,” such as he attributes to the internet as a substitute for active personal relationships.

Early this year Al Fitz-Gerald worked to give legs to his play about climate change—recalling some of our classmates did a partial reading at the 2012 Reunion. After some revisions to add a portion of “entertainment” and a staged reading, he found from comments that the play is “too conservative for liberals and too liberal for conservatives.” Perhaps an example of the struggle to get a play into mainstream theaters.

I sadly report the passing of John Kandravy in April. A note from daughter Elizabeth Cassidy ’88 attributed the cause as COVID-19. John always valued his Wes experience as shaping his future. A good friend, he lived an exemplary life, and I wish to extend sympathy on behalf of our class.

Art Typermass | joanarth64@gmail.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

CLASS OF 1957 | 2020 | ISSUE 1

Jim Brown ushered in 2020 with a family cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. Three oldest granddaughters, ages 22-25, granddad comments, “all cute and creating devastation among bachelors and partying ’til 5 a.m.” The Brown dinner table was a lively experience with 14 in attendance.

Last summer, Ed Mehlman had a health scare, waking up with intense pain that led to an ER visit and an immediate operation to repair a perforated intestine. It was successful and he was home within four days. The ordeal was not over, as he suffered a stroke shortly thereafter that affected his speech. Could not talk at all—a “full stroke.” With speech therapy, he got back to normal. Subsequent happy news included weddings for his middle son and his eldest grandson. Ed was pleased to host relevant dinners, all events taking place in New England.

Hank Fulton took to the road last summer, keeping up with classmates. There was a lunch in Easton, Pa., with Rod Henry, whom he’d not seen in 60 years! Then visiting Penny and John Parkin in nearby Michigan. This attests to the enduring friendships we made at Wes. Hank has been slowed down some with an AFib and the acquisition of a pacemaker early this year.

Bob Gorin’s daughter, Bethel Gorin Gottlieb ’90, attended Wes’s admissions weekend with daughter Alexandra who is a junior at The Brearley School in NYC.

Heard from Bill Fullarton recalling a meeting some years back with the president of Ohio Wesleyan about a real estate project. Upon exchanging greetings, they realized there was a Wes connection. It was Tom Wenzlau, who was an economics instructor in the late 1950s. I too remember Tom, having taken his Labor Eco course. Catching up on family, Bill writes that three daughters with his first wife, Ann, are all married, all with three children of their own. Grandchildren are in a host of colleges, e.g., University of Washington, VA Tech, and George Mason. Bill has been married to his present wife, Jane, for 20 years. He remains active via service on real estate boards, plays golf in season, and he does the gym four times weekly. He’s also learning Spanish with a group meeting every week.

Jeff Williamson writes from Great Cruise Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands. That’s his mid-winter residence from which he then heads back to Madison, Wis., where family resides. He reports that it has been 11 years since retirement from Harvard. Health remains strong.

Dividing time between home in Washington State and traveling in Mexico, you can find Bob Anderson with a host of activities, including art, immigration and environmental issues, and even an occasional sermon when his current pastor is away. His art output is heavily influenced by Mexican culture, including some from prehistoric times.

The WilmotsGordy and Marilyn—celebrated their 30th anniversary with a river cruise on a paddle wheeler from Tennessee all the way down to N’Orlins. One of their granddaughters graduated from URI with a degree in wildlife management and is in Florida doing dolphin research. She lives with the Wilmots in Palmetto and has a convenient commute to work.

Sadly, we have lost three classmates. Jim Brecht in Elizabethtown, Pa., in October. He is survived by wife Patti. Ted Voss and Owen Garfield in November; Ted in Newton, Mass., where he is survived by sister Sophia, and Owen in Yarmouth, Maine, where he leaves wife Deborah. Condolences to the families on behalf of our class.

Art Typermass | joanarth64@gmail.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

CLASS OF 1957 | 2019 | ISSUE 3

Welcome to the latest of a range of events and recollections. Janice and Ken Travis celebrated their 60th anniversary earlier in 2019. And shortly after, their grandson’s wedding. Ken adds that the mother of the groom, daughter Leslie ’85, was beaming throughout. The “something old” on the wedding cake was a cutter from the Travis wedding reception of 1959. Ken says that he and Janice had it washed.

Not to sound competitive—Jack Goodhue reports that he and Jane are in year 63 of their marriage. They are living the good life in Wilmington, N.C., and have since Jack’s retirement at age 58 as president of an oil company in 1993. Recent trips overseas include one to Budapest and another to Southern France. They also drive cross-country once annually to California to visit their son and teenage granddaughter. Jack writes a monthly magazine column, “Your Business.” He’s done 307 of such since 1993 (but who’s counting). At the time I am writing this, Jack says the Goodhues survived fierce storm Dorian (the 16th one they’ve experienced with no significant damage).

How would you like an inflation rate of 55%? That is what Naren Bali tells us is the state of the economy in Argentina. And some around here are not pleased with the Fed. Naren and spouse Margarita get by on savings and a bit of work alongside of that. He has been retired 12 years, but hires out as an IT consultant. Their daughter, born in Seattle when Naren was teaching at the University of Washington, is a professor of poli-sci at Michigan State. She has two children, ages 13 and 10. The Balis’ son is also a professor (math), as is his wife, and they had their first child, a girl, earlier in 2019. Naren terms her “our new weakness.” Their Buenos Aires neighborhood is pleasant and is 15 minutes from downtown by train, and they spend most of the summers at their beach house in Uruguay.

The Gordy Wilmots also celebrate an anniversary—the 30th. He and Marilyn embarked on a river cruise on the Mississippi—a steamboat from Chattanooga to New Orleans. I hope Gordy knew when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em. The Wilmots enjoy excellent health, have even joined a bowling league. They go down to Palmetto, Fla., annually, from late in the year until May. Can be reached at 941/981-9888 and would welcome classmates who may be visiting in the Tampa-Sarasota area.

Dick Cassie retired from Rutgers Dental School in March. Having been a widower for some 10 years, he has been seeing a lovely widow, Suzy Maguire, in recent years, and has moved from the Jersey shore to Newtown, Pa., to be closer to her. Recently they traveled to California to see Suzy’s grandchildren and where he connected with Bill LeSuer in San Francisco. Dick’s new address in Newtown is 124 Willow Drive 18940.

Catching up with Ed Parmee, writing that he had taught anthropology and community development at the University of Arizona at Tucson for 36 years. Two marriages, each for 23 years, and a daughter and two stepdaughters. There are eight grandchildren to keep Ed busy. Also keeping him well occupied is a family history project that will weigh in over 500 pages and cover several hundred years. A wide group of nations comprise the story—they range from France and Germany to South Africa and Australia. He hopes to go to publication in 2020.

Bob Gorin reports that his grandson, David Gottlieb ’22, completed a successful freshman year (“Did better than I did,” Bob adds). David is an Argus sportswriter. He included a photo of David in his sophomore dorm room and said, “The large banner on the wall is the 1987 Little Three hockey championship banner. David’s late dad, Brian ’88, was the goalie on that championship team. Shortly after Brian passed away the coach presented the banner to my daughter, Bethel ’90. It had been signed by all team members. It is so appropriate that it is now back at Wesleyan.”

Bob Gorin’s grandson, David ’22
Bob Gorin with daughter Bethel ’90 and her son David ’22

Bob Anderson has traveled to prehistoric Mexico, with Oaxaca on the Yucatan being a favorite spot. He would welcome like-interested companions who might be at least modestly conversant in Spanish. He continues with his sculpture and drawing projects.

Mike Stein died in September. An eloquent note from his son, Peter Stein ’84, paid tribute to his father’s 50-year U.S. government career, three years as a Marine officer, and 47 years working for the CIA. Peter made particular reference to Mike’s communications skills and commented on the capital cities around the globe that duty took them to. Mike was Wes-loyal throughout. ’57 has lost a great friend.

Art Typermass | joanarth64@gmail.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942