CLASS OF 1963 | 2023 | FALL ISSUE
This is my first class note since becoming Class Secretary. I have the dubious privilege of being, as you all know, Class Agent as well, so you can expect that I will be asking you for both news and donations.
I am succeeding Jan Van Meter, who sadly passed away unexpectedly, just after beginning cancer treatment, in August 2022, news of which only reached Wesleyan recently. Jan had a varied and interesting career, ranging from service in the navy to CIA intelligence analyst to assistant professor of English, among other things. He retired as a senior public relations executive. His full obituary is published in the most recent copy of the Wesleyan Alumni Magazine.
It is with sadness that I report the recent passing of our classmate, Thomas Spragens, on June 1. Tom had a distinguished academic career at Duke, from which he received his PhD in 1968. His obituary can be read here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/heraldsun/name/thomas-spragens-obituary?id=52246604.
Our 60th Reunion was well attended. The weather was, for once, cooperative, and it was a pleasure to see that everyone had aged gracefully. Despite geographical separation, and the increasing infirmities that age is visiting on all of us, I hope that we will have a sizable contingent at our 65th.
My initial request yielded two responses; I can only hope that future reminders will generate more news. Your classmates do care about what you are doing and where you are.
Fritz Henn writes that he is “still moving about.” He recently returned from Paris, as a granddaughter rowed for the United States in the World Rowing Championships. Her crew won the first heat but finished fifth in the finals—a good result, as the U.S. does not have a national team. Fritz traveled with his son, also a Wesleyan graduate. “Met friends and ate well.”
Alex Aikman reports: “Ruth and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in October 2022. In September of that year, we marked our 30th year together. In many ways, little has changed or happened in many years in the public side of our lives. The private side, however, has had some challenges as well as highlights. Our four children are happily married and successful in their chosen fields, albeit none living nearby. We now are great-grandparents, which is special on its own. Ruth has made these years wonderful, interesting, and loving. Best thing I’ve done since graduating in ’63.
“At the end of March this year, we moved from California to Medford, Oregon. We both felt it was time to go even though Ruth, born and raised in California and having spent most of her life there, will always think of herself as a California girl. The move has had its challenges, as do all moves, but we still feel it was the right decision.”
Like probably all of us, Alex is retired. After a brief stint in a law firm, he moved to court administration. “I was able to work for about 45 years in court administration in state courts, with most of those years as a management consultant, to trial and appellate courts across the nation. I have written the leading book on ‘the art and practice of court administration’—also the title—and have contributed to a book that may replace mine as the leading book, which we hope will be published in the first quarter of 2024.”