CLASS OF 1938 | 2016 | ISSUE 2

As we head into the summer of 2016, I am reminded of past notes full of the fellows sharing garden stories. As it is also the summer before the next presidential election, I am reminded of many political discussions with these wise men. But I am also reminded that many, many, years have passed since the scholars of ’38 walked on graduation day. Alas, the years have taken most of them away from us. No longer do we hear about the dinner-plate sized dahlias growing under Bill Heisler’s tutelage. I swear I can smell the peppers and onions that were grown and served at Joe Masselli’s house. We can’t forget the joy the cherry tomatoes brought Mac (Murdo) Dowds. If we listen closely we can hear the whoosh of the golf balls flying over the greens, the rhythm of tennis balls volleyed back and forth, and the background sound of baseball on the radio as they grab some supper somewhere else, somewhere other than this tangible earth.

Thankfully, I am honored to still have the opportunity to speak with Curtis Smith and Art Kingsbury, so I will share their news with you.

Curtis Smith has moved. While he is still in Rhode Island, he is now in the Tockwotton on the Waterfront and, by golly, he is just that. Curtis says his room has a lovely view of the Seekonk River. While it may be a bit fancy in style, he is doing his best to adjust. He has been dealing with congestive heart failure and, while it never goes away, he was in good spirits when we spoke. He has been very lucky, he says, with many visits from his children  and added, “The grandchildren are very attentive to their grandfather.” Curtis also shared news that he became a great-grandfather, when his granddaughter adopted a little girl, and he is excited to meet her. He is still trying to find a congregation and a singing group to join. (We hope you find these groups, because we know how important they are to you.) He still reads and enjoys Wesleyan magazine.

It was in late March when Art Kingsbury and I caught up. He and Diane really enjoy having family nearby. They visit with those great-grandchildren frequently and are lucky enough to have four other great-grandchildren visit from the New England area. He’s in good shape, reporting that the leg was better now, so daily walks are back on the schedule.

Art did mention that he can’t understand how we can be living in a time that a person like Trump could be getting as far as he is in the election. Coming from someone who just celebrated his 98th birthday this past April I think this quote speaks volumes on the state of our nation. But we are not supposed to discuss politics, so on a final note, Diane is still enjoying raising her butterflies, releasing them into the world to do their work.

Here’s hoping everyone has a summer full of visits with friends and family. Until next time.

GRACE BENNETT
daughter of the late Walter Bennett ’38
8104 39th Avenue, S.W., Seattle, WA 98136