CLASS OF 1952 | 2014 | ISSUE 3
The last issue of this magazine carried word of the death of John “Didge” Dodge on Dec. 8, 2013. Didge, a member of Sigma Chi while at Wesleyan, spent a very productive career with the Boy Scouts of America. We send sincere condolences to his widow and children.
Classmates may recall the 2010 China visit by Al Chien and family, including his brother George Chien ’56, to the site of the bridge his father had designed over the Mekong River (known as the Lancang River in China) as part of the Burma Road. They were disappointed to find that only days before their arrival the bridge had been dismantled because of planned construction of a dam downstream. But disappointment turned to thrilling news in June 2014, when the Chiens learned that the bridge had been reassembled across the river at a safer place and is available for visitation but not crossing by vehicles. The bridge is legendary in China because it was that country’s first cable suspension road bridge and was replicated by many other bridges on the Burma Road. The bridge is named for the Chien brothers’ father, Chien Chang Kan, who not only designed it, but supervised its construction in 1939–40. Tragically, shortly after the bridge was completed, their father was shot down by the Japanese and killed while conducting an aerial inspection of bomb damage to the bridge. Members of the Chien family, hopefully including Al, plan to revisit the bridge, now a museum piece, in 2015.
John Wood, his wife Pat, and granddaughter made a vacation trip through New England during the 2014 summer. Among others, they visited Sigma Chi brothers Kim Zachos (and Anne), and Ken Taylor (and JoAnne). At Kim’s, they happened upon Charley “Rogo” Rogovin (and Marcy) who were visiting Kim and Anne while en route to Nova Scotia. John missed seeing Hal Buckingham (and Joyce) by minutes. Having left his original law firm in Indianapolis sometime ago, John has continued practicing law with the Indiana Department of Family Services on a full-time basis.
While visiting Kim Zachos, Rogo was able to reconnect with his old Chi Psi mate, Dave Nixon ’53, in one of the weekly coffee breaks Kim has with fellow attorney Dave in Manchester, N.H.
We lost another of our exemplary classmates when Jim “Harpo” Reap died on June 8, 2014. Jim, based in White Plains, N.Y., had an extraordinary career as a practicing attorney, city, and state judge, Rear Admiral in the USN and Commander of the NY State Naval Militia, all the while being active in a wide variety of local and state civic and bar organizations. Remembered at Wesleyan as a nine varsity letter athlete and captain of the golf team, Jim continued his golfing prowess and won the Westchester (NY) Bar Association Golf Championship 13 times. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, two sons, a daughter, and two grandchildren, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy on their and our great loss.
As the deadline for submitting these class notes arrived, we received word of the death of Bill Bruner on Aug. 30, 2014, in Charlotte, N.C. Bill’s beloved avocation was competitive sailing and he was an acclaimed sailor until Alzheimer’s struck him down 13 years ago. He leaves his wife, Jean, two sons and several grandchildren, as well as all of his Wesleyan classmates, to mourn his loss.
DONALD T. SANDERS | dtsanders1@sbcglobal.net
33 Sunny Hill Drive, Madison, CT 06443
Just as this issue of the magazine was going to press, we learned of the death of Don Sanders. Don has been our faithful and dedicated Class Secretary, author of our Class Notes since the first issue after our graduation in 1952. He remained steadfast in his service, even after suffering a paralyzing stroke four years ago. He leaves a daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren and his longtime beloved companion, Joan Boutelle, to each of whom we extend our heartfelt condolences. To say that he will be missed by his classmates is a vast understatement. (HCB)