CLASS OF 1955 | 2019 | ISSUE 2
Always pleased to hear from classmates who are willing to share their words with us and this time around is no exception. As I’ve mentioned before, nothing beats “material” submitted to your secretary. So please, let me begin by asking all of you to consider sending a word or two this way in time for the next edition of the magazine!
A grand philosophical thought from Stu Rapp examined the term “Crucial Class” that we, the Class of ’55 called ourselves. He doubts anyone else has thought of us that way and wrote that we were the “crucial class” just like every class before and after has been and will be. He stated that this is what this quixotic quest called “higher education” is all about, doing its best to help us face Henley’s “fell clutch of circumstance,” and wrest from it its lessons from the past, and implications for the future. Stu believes that this is still a live issue for him even though, in his 86th year, one would probably never know it! The late Charlie Hume and the still lively Bob Pooley were precious friends over those intervening 64 years. He says his friendship with the late Jim Wright was equally precious in its own way. “Here in the brave new world, the somewhat overripe sentiments of the old college songs don’t apply much anymore, unless—like some of us—you keep moving on into older age, and discover their relevance once more. Then, “the alter fires our (forbears) lit shall still more brightly glow.”
John Ineson questioned whether his note to me was “front page” material but then exclaimed he didn’t want to start talking politics! So wise. He says he finally has realized that he does need help with his ALS and that spinal and hip issues have caught up with him, and with the death of his wife, Lori, last summer he found living alone in their home to be depressing. So, he’s moved into a two-bedroom apartment in an assisted-living facility in Williamsburg Landing. He appreciates the fact that he now has people to talk to and eat with, as well as staff to provide assistance as required. John states that Williamsburg remains an easily accessible place to live with lots of activities if one is so inclined, which he states he fortunately is. “Folks used to say that getting older in not for sissies, but they sure are making it easier,” he concludes!
Word of the death of Ted Stein on March 25 was received. Ted enjoyed a successful professional life with Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company (now Mass Mutual) as an underwriter before being named assistant vice president of marketing in 1970. He was a pioneer in the use of personal computers for the company’s agents and worked on some of the earliest network applications. In 1985, Ted started TELIC Inc., an early independent software implementation and training consultancy, which he ran until his retirement in 2011. Sincere condolences are offered to his family from his classmates.
On the home front, Marianne and I have moved once more, returning to our original Florida location at Hunters Run Golf and Country Club in Boynton Beach. Being able to once again grip a golf club after a suspected bout with early Parkinson, we feel blessed that Marianne can begin to resume an activity she loves. And the fact that the location is a few miles farther and a 10 minute longer drive from the start of two of our weekly bike rides doesn’t bother me at all! Now, if the weather cooperates and the heat and rain treat us kindly, we will truly feel we are in “paradise.”
As always, to you and your loved ones, sincere best wishes for good health and happiness in the days ahead.
DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@gmail.com
34 Southport Ln. Apt. C, Boynton Beach, FL 33436