Class of 1954 | 2014 | Issue 1
Gentlemen of 1954: Many thanks for your response to my e-mail. Seventeen of you came through! We’re looking for a big turnout at our 60th in May. Your Reunion Committee is in dialogue with Wes… meanwhile, here’s the latest:
John Binswanger still involved in the family’s industrial real estate business, one with worldwide exposure. Fourth generation now active. John and new bride recently returned from a MedCruise: Spain to Turkey. Next stop: Australia. Before the Mediterranean: Far East. John will be at the 60th.
Bill Christopher has seen Terry Hatter a few times over the past year. Recently, Bill and Barbara went to China (Beijing, Xian, and a cruise down the Yangtze from Chungqing to Shanghai.) Bill’s recap: “The trip was fascinating, but you don’t want to live there.” Bill and Barb will be at the 60th.
Last fall, Eric Cone and Hal White did a color tour of Vermont, plus a swing through the Wesleyan campus. Both agreed to attend our 60th next May. It will be Eric’s first Reunion. Meanwhile, he’s wrapping up affairs at the Oakland nonprofit that he helped found more than 30 years ago.
Ed Dewey and wife Joyce continue to live in the mountains of North Carolina at Big Canoe Resort. Recent travel has been limited to California, where their son, his wife, and 2-year-old grandson live. However, Ed and Joyce hope to return to Europe next year, especially England, Austria, and Germany.
Al Flynn and Emi have moved South to “a magnificent continuing care retirement community” in Asheville, N.C., following Al’s being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. A son lives nearby in Charlotte, with wife Jill, and three children. Son works for Wells Fargo, and Jill is on faculty of Charlotte Latin School. Al and Emi’s daughter, Sarah ’90, lives in San Jose with husband and two children. Al and Emi plan to celebrate their 50th anniversary with a tour of U.S. National Parks.
Shep Johnson and Nancy are doing well in a Florida retirement center. They get North each fall for six to eight weeks, and for upcoming graduations from St. Lawrence, Middlebury, B.U., and Franklin and Marshall. The Johnsons plan on being at our 60th.
Bud Johnson will be coming to Reunion off an Oceana ship, after attending grandson’s high school graduation in Charlotte on May 20th.
Karl Heiser ’55 read of Ed Keyes’ passing and sent this note (excerpts): “Got to know him better at MCAS-Kaneohe in 1961–63. He was an MAG-13 and I was a ground officer in the 4th Marines…Ed was a good Marine and a good guy…”
Curt McLaughlin and Barbara have moved to a continuing care retirement community near their former home in Chapel Hill. Both are in good health. “Many old and new friends. Many concerns relieved.”
Bob Muir is looking forward to our 60th Reunion in May.
Rod O’Connor visited Wesleyan for his first time since our 50th in 2004. Granddaughter Cameron Arkin ’17 is first-year student. It was Parents and Homecoming Weekend and the Wes football team won the Little Three Championship by beating Williams for the first time since 1970. Team had 7-0 record. Rod was very impressed with Wesleyan’s president, and he expects to be at our 60th next May.
George Ray says he’s looking forward to working with his fellow ’54ers on the Reunion.
Jules Schwaber retired from medical practice in 2012, just prior to reaching his 80th birthday—but he still has a foot in the door teaching first-year Harvard Med students weekly. Jules is enjoying leisure and less pressured days. Jule’s wife, Evelyne, is still working! They have far-flung family, with sons in L.A., Maryland, and Israel. Jules is “looking forward to seeing all of you at our 60th.”
Big news from Art Spada: “Aspiring to a successful 60th Reunion, I am going to donate the sum of $10,000 to the Wesleyan University Spada Scholarship Fund.” Art is hopeful that we may be able to raise $250,000 as we celebrate what may be our final (?) class Reunion. Art adds: “We may not be much in numbers, but we are surely strong in fidelity.”
Dave Walden is coming from Canada for our 60th Reunion. From Wesleyan in ’54, Dave entered Cornell, earning a MSc and PhD (1959). Dave and Carol married in ’56. Son is John ’82; daughter, Karen, is U. of Guelph ’85. Both kids live in Canada. Dave joined the faculty at U. of Western Ontario in 1961 and retired from there in 1997. His specialty was and is genetics, and Dave has received many honors and prestigious appointments over the years.
Harold White in Washington, D.C., is still at Georgetown U., lecturing in theology and serving as senior advisor to a program he created on Jewish Civilization. Hal is also working for the College President’s Office on a new initiative for Jewish-Catholic Dialogue.
We were saddened to learn of the death of Bill Claybaugh on Nov. 24, 2013. Our deepest condolences to Jane and their family.
Best to all, and see you in May!
BOB CAREY
618 W. Lyon Farm Dr., Greenwich, CT 06831
203/532-1745; bobcarey@optonline.net