CLASS OF 1960 | 2025 | FALL ISSUE
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The first 65th Reunion organized by Bill Walker and Dave Hohl was held via Zoom on May 24, 2025. That was followed by a second 65th Reunion via Zoom on June 9 organized by Kate Micari, associate director for annual giving. Those attending these events appreciated the opportunity to renew old friendships.
Nici and John Dobson have moved from Florida to a life-care community in Williamsburg, Virginia, where they will be closer to family and friends. They look forward to again experience a change of seasons.
Congratulations to Dan Nebert who was recognized on June 21, 2025, with the Distinguished Alumni Scientist Award from Oregon Health Sciences University. He has been doing research for 50 years. An example of his work is the discovery of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) transcription factor that regulates the CYP1A gene, which is important for many critical life functions. Specific single-nucleotide variations in this gene were then shown to result in birth defects and numerous clinical disorders.
Ira Sharkansky reported in June that he and his wife, Varda, used the safe room in Protea Retirement Village when they were under attack from Iranian missiles. That must have been stressful and hopefully their situation has improved.
Neimah and Paul Tractenberg do regular three-to-four-mile walks, sometimes together and sometimes separately with friends. They dote on, and spend a lot of time with, the four offspring of their son and daughter-in-law who live nearby. Paul is still heavily involved with two long-standing advocacy efforts—one is an 11-year-old lawsuit on behalf of the public school students of the Lakewood School District in New Jersey; the other is a 25-year effort to preserve a unique 120-acre property near West Orange, New Jersey.
Frank Reed of Walbridge, Ohio, passed away on November 29, 2024. He worked as a psychiatrist for various institutions and in private practice for 30 years. He enjoyed listening, singing, and playing music of all kinds. He loved being outdoors sailing, hiking, and scuba diving. He was married to his wife Margaret for 29 years and is also survived by his two daughters from a previous marriage and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Eleni Gillis. My condolences to his family and friends.
Bill Walker wrote to let us know that Don Skinner passed away on July 3 in Santa Monica, California. He was a physician who was renowned for his work in the field of urological oncology and who spent three decades of his career building a urology treatment and training program at USC. Throughout his life, Don enjoyed playing sports, including basketball (for which he was recruited to play at Wes), tennis, and golf. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Shirley, and a daughter, Carol. My condolences to his family and friends.
My oldest grandson, Holden, recently received his bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University here in Bellingham. It has been a special treat to have an occasional lunch together for the past three years.
With this note, I have resigned as class secretary after having served in the position for 20 years. Please contact me by email if you are interested in becoming the new class secretary with the responsibility for creating class notes twice a year.
SAL RUSSO | salrusso60@outlook.com
2700 Kentucky St., Bellingham, WA 98229