CLASS OF 1961 | 2020 | ISSUE 3
Previously, a search was begun by a classmate for a lost fraternity brother. Paul Boynton wrote, “I remember that he was a tall, lanky, easy-going ‘cowboy’ from W and I liked him a lot, being a farm boy myself. One more clue: He occasionally wore a dark green Stetson worn in prior years while herding sheep.” The reason for this search is that the Stetson was given to Paul, who still fondly wears it and who now wants to express his appreciation to his benefactor. Through the assistance of Emil Frankel, Casey Hayes, Chuck Work, Jack Mitchell, and Tom Spragens, the “lost brother” has been identified as Chris Rich ’63. Contact with Chris Rich is still in the offing so Paul Boynton would appreciate any suggestions regarding contact info.
Casey Hayes reports: “Bobbie and I just sold our Wellesley home of 51 years to move into a nearby retirement community.” Reflecting on the past, Casey continues his comments to Paul: “I recall our good times washing dishes together at Eclectic all those years ago. I’m still grateful for all your knowledge of physics and explaining how best to get the grease off those pots and pans. That much has not changed, so I feel that I will have a secure spot in the labor force just in case things turn a bit more troublesome than they are already.”
Emil Frankel writes: “Kathryn and I remain largely hunkered down in our house in Washington, D.C., getting out occasionally for errands, lunches or dinners with friends—carefully and outside. Mostly, I seem to spend my days at my computer, corresponding with friends, and reading online articles and newspapers. I’m still doing a little writing on transportation policy (I had an op/ed in the Hartford Courant about two months ago on post-pandemic transportation issues), but mostly I have been reading and worrying about politics and the November election. I recently joined a virtual presentation, sponsored by Washington’s famous independent bookstore, Politics & Prose, of classmate Paul Dickson’s new book (The Rise of the G.I. Army). Paul has received great reviews of this book, and the Class of ’61 should be very proud of Paul’s career, as a journalist, historian, and biographer. Kathryn and I are still doing ok and hope that my classmates and their families are healthy and safe in these challenging and dangerous times.”
In reply, the “immodest” (his claim) author Paul Dickson summarized a few of his reactions to Emil’s comments: “A whale of a good time Monday night talking about my new book at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C. During my Zoom session, I got a gracious message from Emil Frankel. If I seemed a bit befuddled at the outset I could neither see myself or my host and spent the hour speaking to a logo. Just for the record, Nancy cut my hair, picked out my shirt and tie and I tied the tie. Tying the tie was a moment of pre-COVID nostalgia when one actually got duded up for such things.”
George Little and his wife, Carol (Middlebury ’67), continue growing old in place in a circa 1800 Vermont brick colonial house to which they’ve been entrusted since 1976. They met at the University of Vermont Medical School after George’s return from a tour as a Peace Corps staff physician in Africa. Both being pediatricians, they settled in Vermont while crossing the Connecticut River to practice as academic clinicians at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
George is currently an active emeritus professor of pediatrics at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and remains involved in global medicine. He currently serves on the boards of Action, a Kosovo foundation committed to women and children, and Group Care Global, a US NGO focused on group antenatal care globally. He has also edited a book with Ronald M. Green, a fellow Dartmouth retiree, entitled Religion and Ethics in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (2019).
The Littles have three children—Nicholas ’95, Malaika, and Katrina. The Littles have enjoyed contact with Dom Squatrito, Bob Carey ’54 and Jack Woodbury. When a COVID-19 vaccine is sufficiently evaluated and disseminated, they anticipate returning to travel and visits including Middletown.
Finally, Dave Parker and his wife, Borgny, returned to Middletown in August, settling into Assisted Living at Luther Ridge. “After nearly fifty years editing and writing for community newspapers,” Dave relates: “I thought I’d seen a lot of challenges and change for journalism. Yet, they pale in comparison to the tumult and shocks which now confront not only my old trade but all of us as citizens. I hope and believe my old colleagues, as well as my old John Wesley Club comrades will be keeping the faith.”
Jon K. Magendanz, DDS | jon@magendanz.com
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