CLASS OF 1977 | 2023 | SUMMER ISSUE
How is it possible that it is already mid-March as I am writing these notes? Others before us recognized, as philosopher and psychologist William James wrote, that “The same space of time seems shorter as we grow older.” Turning to some notes from our classmates that often provide an upbeat tone, we have heard from several folks.
Cindee Howard enjoyed meeting up with Suzy Taraba, her former freshman-hall neighbor, at the end of Reunion. Cindee was reacquainted with Lisa Brummel at Reunion as well and the two, along with their partners, have struck up a nice relationship including dinners, theater, and concertgoing. I enjoy Cindee’s comment of how nice it is to “make a new/old friend.”
Mark Slitt writes that he retired from Cigna last June 30 and has been enjoying every minute of it, even on days when not doing anything in particular. He strongly recommends it! In January he took an amazing trip to the Galapagos Islands.
Sue Guiney wrote that she has been traveling to San Francisco to visit children, as well as to Cambodia—the first time in three years, visiting friends and working with folks on the project she founded: “Writing through Cambodia.” Jerry Caplin writes that his family is preparing for a trip to Ghana in November to celebrate his eldest daughter Sophie’s wedding. A second wedding, closer to home in Charlottesville, will occur next January. His other daughters are completing educational pursuits: one a master’s degree in social work, a second a PhD in chemistry, and a third is a senior at Duke. He is quite busy with affordable housing/historic preservation efforts; his company, Silk Purse Properties, now has 76 rentals available. Jerry finds the whole enterprise enormously satisfying.
In July, Hank Rosenfeld drops a new release from Backbeat Books called, The Jive 95, an oral history of KSAN San Francisco—at 94.9 FM, our nation’s first underground station—where he worked in the “Gnus” Department. “I was at KSAN in the late ’70s, after learning my craft from Middletown radio heads like Bob Rees, Don Lowery, Bob Glasspiegel, Ted Stevens, and other classmates. William Altman has two new books published: Plato and Demosthenes: Recovering the Old Academy (Lexington Books, 2023; xxxiv + 246; https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781666920055) and The Relay Race of Virtue: Plato’s Debts to Xenophon (State University of New York Press, 2022; xiii + 370; ISBN: 9781438490915).
Yoriko Kishimoto has the honor of serving as president of the board for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District this year. “Midpen” owns and manages the greenbelt of open space in the San Francisco Bay Area and staff are experts in biodiversity, watershed management, trail design, and public access, etc. She has a place in Anderson Valley with her husband and is involved with the land trust there as volunteer president. Yoriko has offered to take any classmate out on a hike!
Francis Rath is still going strong. He is no longer the chief public health coordinator and assistant emergency manager for the City of Manassas Park (Virginia). His wife of 43 years, Denise Thompson Rath ’78, is a former member of the U.S. Equestrian Team and owner of a very successful horse operation (www.greyfoixfarm.com).
Janet Malkemes is adjusting to life after the death of her mother Rebekah last July. “Mom moved to Charlotte just before COVID upended our lives in 2019, selling the family home in Pennsylvania. We enjoyed her final years, with her son Bob and daughter-in-law Charity living nearby. Otherwise, life in retirement continues nicely: annual family week at the Outer Banks, working with the International House of the Charlotte region, and supporting Democratic politicians.
“The Wesleyan Friday Zoom group that started during the pandemic [to which I, Gerry, participate] continues to provide excellent conversation and has been the entry to a monthly film group, proving that Wesleyan created wonderful, lifelong connections.”
Finally, I am sad to report, Amy Marshall lost her husband of 40 years, Tim Zenker MALS ’79, to Parkinson’s disease on December 4. He is survived by their three children: Fred ’09, Maggie, and Charlie. Amy lives and works in The Dalles, Oregon.
In spite of the single snowstorm of the winter season in the Boston area this week— leaving us with a mere few inches—unlike the rest of the state, springtime has returned very quickly with barely a trace of winter. Weather has been the major news worldwide. I hope everyone is staying safe and sound during these wild times.