Tag: 1962

Notes in this report include some interesting reminiscences from our time at Wesleyan.

Peter Buffum and his “wife of 52 years” live in Philadelphia. They visited the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles in Paris where he “stayed and only occasionally studied back in 1960—prompting Mark Barlow ’46 to report to my parents that I was apparently lost in Paris!”

Robin Cook dropped off his freshman son at Wesleyan in the fall (“I know I’m years behind many of our classmates”) and said it is interesting that “my son is in Clark Hall—where I roomed with Jeff Hughes for three years.” He said, “The campus looks terrific with facilities we couldn’t have dreamed of, as well as a bevy of smart women.” He added that “we all could probably have gotten an extra degree if we had better used all the time we spent traveling to women’s colleges.” By the time this issue comes out, Robin will have published his 36th novel, which “is 36 more than I ever expected to write as a chemistry major.” He credits the required freshman humanities course for helping push him in the writing direction.

Ray Fancher retired as professor emeritus and senior scholar after 45 years in the psychology department at York University in Toronto.

He was a founding member of York’s “unique graduate program in the history of psychology,” which he says was “inspired partly by my College of Letters experience at Wesleyan.”

John Hazlehurst has stopped doing “downhill bicycle time-trialing on twisty mountain roads” due to a bike crash. He also says he is “surprised to be a great-grandfather.” On both issues, he asks, “Does this mean that I’m no longer a promising young man?” (Is that a question we all should ponder as we begin approaching our 60th Reunion?) He writes that “living in Colorado is still wonderful,” and he credits U.S. Senator Michael Bennet ’87 and Governor John Hickenlooper ’74 for contributing to that.

Dave Hedges writes, “Ann and I are still enjoying life as age and health allow us.” This includes summers at Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks, winters in Ft. Myers and Naples, Fla., trips to 12 grandchildren “scattered around the country,” and recent trips to New Zealand, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Vin Hoagland has retired after 33 years teaching chemistry at Sonoma State University. An avid bike rider, including a daily three-mile commute to SSU, he also biked 12 miles to Petaluma High School to tutor chemistry students. He says he also biked “all over northern Germany” when his wife Margo was working there as a horse dressage rider, judge, and teacher. He is now working on a project to convert a planned freeway extension into a linear two-and-a-half mile park with a bike/pedestrian trail.

Warren Smith has been honored by being nominated to the prestigious Guild of Scholars of the Episcopal Church, an informal group of established scholars, all Episcopal lay persons, who provide expertise to the church by meeting annually to deliver papers and conduct seminar-style discussions. This year’s annual meeting will be in Warren’s hometown of Albuquerque.

DAVID FISKE | davidfiske17@gmail.com
17 W. Buckingham Dr. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Toni and Bruce Corwin celebrated their 50th anniversary “surrounded by family and friends including Jay Levy ’60 and Rick Tuttle.” He also writes, “Small world time: Next to our offices in Los Angeles, Dave Fisher’s daughter, Charlie, has opened a chiropractic gym. If you’re in the area and your back is bad, drop in. She’s great!”

Tuli Glasman, retired from the University of California, is a volunteer “spending time with elderly groups (ages 85–100) at the Santa Barbara Center for Successful Aging.”

Sad news is the passing of three of our classmates. Charles Armstrong died in June in Winter Park, Fla. After graduating from the University of Missouri Medical School, he practiced in Winter Park and Atlanta before opening a family medical practice in Alexandria, Va. Jeff Hughes passed away in February in New York where he spent many years in financing and banking with Lehman Brothers, and opened his own private equity firm, the Cypress Group. Fran Voigt died in May at his home in Cabot, Vt., after many years as the founder and president of the innovative and award-winning New England Culinary Institute. Many of us still fondly remember the fabulous dinners that Fran and his students prepared at two of our Reunions. Full obituaries can be found online here. Our condolences go out to their families.

DAVID FISKE | davidfiske17@gmail.com
17 W. Buckingham Dr. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Class of 1962 Endowed Wesleyan Scholarship Fund

Jessy Carrasco-Gonzalez ’18, Economics, Minor: Data Analysis

Lindsay Childs writes that items in the last issue of the alumni magazine reminded him “how much having been at Wesleyan continues to influence my life.” The notice of Richard Winslow ’40 passing reminded him of his “amazing” experiences as a member of Professor Winslow’s chapel choir, and how “after a five-year grad school gap, I began singing in a chorus again and have continued to do so ever since.” A photograph of Robert Rosenbaum “featuring his memorable smile” reminded him of Professor Rosenbaum’s College of Quantitative Studies, where he says, “I had my first real success in mathematical research, and went on to be a professor of math at UAlbany (SUNY).” Lindsay writes, “I’m still doing and publishing mathematical research, six years past retirement. Thanks, Bob!”

Robin Cook’s son Cameron, a senior at Boston University Academy, will attend Wesleyan in the fall. Robin thanks John Driscoll for being very helpful with the application process.

Doug Sperry, a “technical” member of the class of ’62, left Wesleyan during our sophomore year after getting married, but writes, “I do remember my time there fondly.” He earned his BA from UConn, then a BA from the Hartford Seminary Foundation, which led to service for six years as pastor at the Union Chapel on Fisher’s Island, after which he became executive director of the Southeastern Connecticut Chapter of the American Red Cross. A second marriage—to a “visiting English school teacher from Germany”—led to his moving to Bremen, Germany, in 1978, where he became an English instructor at the local Berlitz School and he has had a career in language development. He writes, “We do manage to get back to the States almost every year,” and he is in regular contact with his three sons from his first marriage.

DAVID FISKE | davidfiske17@gmail.com
17 W. Buckingham Dr. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

NEWSMAKERS | 1960s NEWSMAKER EUGENE STANLEY ’62 Eugene Stanley ’62, received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Leicester in July. Stanley has had a long academic career teaching physics, physiology, chemistry, and biomedical engineering at MIT and Boston University. His main research focus is the statistical physics of materials. Stanley is an honorary professor at Eotvos Lorand University and at Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Pavia, and is a chair or member of several science organizations. Stanley majored in physics at Wesleyan and earned his PhD from Harvard University.

Jim Dossinger is living in a retirement community in Winston-Salem, N.C., near two of his three children and two grandsons and “a new grand dog.” His third child and two granddaughters are in D.C. He is involved with the Winston-Salem Symphony, where his “major project” at the moment is the selection of a new music director. He says, “When there is time I try to play golf (badly) and fly fish for trout.”

Bill Everett has published Mining Memories on Cyprus 1923-1925: Photographs, Correspondence, and Reflections in a Kindle e-book format on Amazon.

The book is based on his grandfather’s two-year effort to reopen the ancient mine that provided copper for Agamemnon’s armor (Iliad, chapter 11.) Bill’s efforts to put this memoir together “have led to many meaningful relationships with people on Cyprus as well as opening parts of my past that I never really knew.” He says he continues to be active “with writing, art, woodworking, and church and community activities in the Smokies.”

Naftaly “Tuli” Glasman retired from the University of California after 44 years of service, and says he “feels great physically and mentally” and is active with volunteer work. He says he is “more senior” than most of us because he didn’t join our class until after he had completed mandatory military service in his native Israel. He and Lynne have been married for 44 years, and are blessed with “three kids speaking lots of languages, and eight grandkids ranging in age from 3 months to 20 years!” He reports seeing Bruce Corwin when he visits Santa Barbara. He writes “Lynne and I wish the Class of ‘62 long years of continued healthy growth.”

Tony Scirica, senior judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, has been awarded the prestigious 2017 American Inns of Court Lewis F. Powell Jr. Award for Professionalism and Ethics for “exemplary service in the areas of legal excellence, professionalism, and ethics.” Tony was appointed to the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia in 1984, and then to the Circuit Court in 1987, where he served as Chief Judge from 2003 to 2010. He chairs the Judicial Conference Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability, and also is a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Dave Hedges sent in a Rochester, N.Y., obituary notice on a former classmate, Jim Snyder. After completing graduate school at the University of Rochester, Jim taught American history at Monroe Community College. He was especially noted for courses he created on World War II and the war in Vietnam. He is survived by wife Judy Peer, two daughters, a son, and a granddaughter. We offer our condolences to his family.

DAVID FISKE | davidfiske17@gmail.com
17 W. Buckingham Dr. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

A theme to not only our own 55th Reunion, but the entire Reunion and Commencement Weekend, was a tribute to the indomitable, friendly spirit of Gina and John Driscoll, who received the Raymond E. Baldwin Medal, Wesleyan’s highest alumni award, for their years of extraordinary service to Wesleyan.

Tributes from Wesleyan officials and members of all classes showed the love and appreciation for John and Gina beyond just our class. They received a long standing ovation when the alumni association president praised them at the Saturday Wesleyan Assembly. At our post-assembly lunch, President Michael Roth ’78 thanked them for their service. At our class dinner Saturday night, former president Colin Campbell, our honored guest, spoke eloquently about their dedication to the entire university community. And the Douglas Cannon made its first appearance in 10 years in John’s honor (more about that later)!

Twenty-three members of our class joined the festivities. On Friday afternoon, Robin Cook [see page 79] participated in a WESeminar, “A Conversation with Wesleyan Writers,” and many class members were invited to the president’s reception honoring leadership donors and volunteers. Our initial class event—the 55th Reunion Reception—was then convened at the Patricelli ’92 Theater.

Saturday morning, we gathered for coffee at Boger Hall for a wide-ranging conversation, led by Bruce Corwin, class president, on members’ own lives, and reflections on the impact of the Wesleyan experience. Following the traditional Parade of Classes and Alumni Association meeting, we joined Reunion classes from 1940 through 1966 at a catered luncheon.

Our class dinner was held in the atrium of the Gordon Career Center. One of the highlights was the awarding of Wesleyan University Service Awards to Phil Calhoun and Jim Gately. Phil was honored for his service in the Admission Office, as acting secretary of the university, as an assistant to President Campbell, and as “an enabling founder, benefactor, and head coach of the first Cardinal crew team.” Jim was honored for being “an active force” in our class in organizing Reunions, encouraging support for the Class of ’62 Scholarship fund and the Freeman Driscoll International Scholarship, and hosting Wesleyan events in Philadelphia. We shared a moment of silence after the names of 35 deceased class members were read aloud. Bruce closed the dinner by urging everyone to start thinking about making our 60th Reunion another success.

Thanks to the members of the class who participated in Reunion Committee phone calls to plan the events: Robin Berrington, Phil Calhoun, Bruce Corwin, Dick Dranitzke, John Driscoll, Dick Dubanoski, David Fiske, Jim Gately, Dave Hedges, Bob Hunter, Bob Krugman, Gene Peckham, and Rick Tuttle.

Oh, yes. The Douglas Cannon. Early arrivals to the Saturday night dinner were treated to the sight of the Douglas Cannon sitting on the reception desk. Wesleyan photographers were on hand to take a picture of John Driscoll with the cannon, and shortly afterwards, officials took it away. You may recall that during our college years, the Cannon had been stolen in November 1959 and then recovered and remounted in April 1961. After many subsequent removals and reappearances since that time (Wikipedia has a good history, if you’re interested), it was last seen briefly at a 2007 Inauguration reception for President Roth.

There has been speculation that the Cannon is actually in University hands. Hmm. When the cannon arrived, there were over a half-dozen university photographers, public relations officials, and security personnel on hand. After the brief photo-op with John, the Cannon was quickly covered and whisked away—with the efficiency of a U.S. Secret Service operation—into a waiting Wesleyan security van. Hmm. The Wikipedia article was updated by the next day to refer to the Cannon’s “reappearance at the Class of ’62 Reunion dinner.”

At the Saturday morning session, Bruce expressed regret that our class agent, Phil Putnam, was unable to make the trip from his home in Essex due to a longstanding illness. Phil subsequently said to me by telephone that he was undergoing treatment that he hoped would lead to PT and then being able to get around with a cane. Sadly, instead Phil took a turn for the worse. At the end of June, he passed away in the Middlesex Hospital Hospice unit. Phil had a great spirit, and served our class well. He will be missed.

John Hazlehurst is “transiting” from the Colorado Springs Independent/Colorado Springs Business Journal to establish two glossy magazines, Colorado Fun and Cannatimes. He’s still doing high-altitude long-distance bike rides.

Charles Seibert invites classmates to read an essay he published describing “a cautionary tale” of the 1960s as a result of his political activity in the civil rights and anti-Vietnam war movement (dailynous.com/2017/02/28/ghost-senator-joe-mccarthy-haunts-philosophy-graduate-student-guest-post).

Steve Trott has become involved with the Boise Philharmonic Association, which he says is “a long way from ‘Michael’.” He chaired the committee selecting the conductor/music director and was in charge of programming the past two seasons. He writes, “My sophomore class in Music Appreciation at Wesleyan with a professor whose name I can no longer spell—Alex S.— got me started, for which I am very grateful.”

DAVID FISKE | davidfiske17@gmail.com
17 W. Buckingham Dr. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Class of 1962 Endowed Wesleyan Scholarship Fund

Jessy Carrasco-Gonzalez ’18, Economics

Our 55th Reunion weekend, Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27 is approaching, and a group from our class has been working with the alumni office during the year to coordinate arrangements.

The planning committee came up with some new initiatives this year. First, we have invited spouses of classmates who have passed away to attend, and also invited members of the classes of 1961 and 1963 to join us. Secondly, Wesleyan will be designating a Class of 1962 Reunion Headquarters on campus so that there will be a central place where we can meet and greet classmates. We expect these initiatives to enhance the weekend.

The main focus, as in the past, will be the Saturday evening reception and dinner, commencing at 5:30 p.m. There will be a Friday night reception for early arrivers, and then we gather at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning for a “Breakfast and Conversation” led by Bruce Corwin. This was a very successful get-together at our 50th, and the committee unanimously wanted to convene it again this year.

Although not part of Reunion activities, on Sunday, at the University’s commencement ceremony, Gina and John Driscoll are to be awarded the Baldwin Medal. The Baldwin Medal is the highest honor Wesleyan’s alumni body presents, and it is awarded “for extraordinary service to Wesleyan, or for careers and other activities which have contributed significantly to the public good.” Five years ago, at our 50th Reunion, Bruce Corwin was the recipient of the Baldwin Medal.

We thank John, Gina, and Bruce for their indefatigable enthusiasm for Wesleyan and our class, and congratulate them on this distinguished recognition.

In other news, Dave Creed writes that in 2007, he retired from The New York Times after 17 years providing tech support to the newsroom. Prior to that, he spent 19 years as an editor, and sometimes a reporter, at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky. He and Sara celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2005.

Dave also forwarded a letter from Andre Demidoff, a Danish exchange student who was with our class our freshman year. The letter sent “greetings and best wishes to the class of ’62.” He had returned to Denmark where he taught high school for many years. He urged all retirees to “take up painting, which when you are past 70, will fill your time as well as your house and heart.” Dave had stayed in touch with Andre after reconnecting with him on a business trip to Denmark.

In closing, we hope to have a good attendance at Reunion. For updated information, and to learn who from our class has already registered to attend, go to the Reunion and Commencement web page at wesleyan.edu/rc.

DAVID FISKE | davidfiske17@gmail.com
17 W. Buckingham Dr. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971