CLASS OF 1961 | 2025 | SPRING ISSUE

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Paul Dickson reported the loss of one of our classmates, Bob “Gio” Palmeri, last November. Paul writes: “Bob had retired to a family home at Yarmouth Port on Cape Cod after a long and distinguished career as a U.S. foreign service officer. He had served in a far-flung assortment of overseas posts, including Nigeria, Congo, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Benin, Senegal, France, and Côte d’Ivoire. ‘His work,’ to quote directly from the obituary written by his family, ‘centered on fostering strong diplomatic relationships between the United States and the countries in which he served. He championed American literature abroad, advanced global literacy initiatives, organized visits of American artists and musicians who would share their talents in Africa. Through his efforts, education became a tool for unity, as he opened doors for students, both American and foreign, to pursue knowledge via study exchange programs, striving to lessen inequality and promote cross-cultural exchange.’ Bob will be especially missed by fellow members of the Wesleyan Alpha Delta Phi roundtable, which has been meeting regularly on Zoom since the early days of COVID.”

Peter Funk wrote with the sad news that Bill Harris passed away in January. Peter writes: “Bill broke his back in a fall several years ago and had concerns with mobility and health thereafter. He was in the hospital in NYC when he died. As you may remember, Bill, Brad Beechen, and I went to work together in Chicago following our graduation in 1961. All three of us and our families have remained in fairly close contact ever since. Robie, Bill’s wife, died in January last year. Ben ’92 and David ’94, their sons, are both graduates of Wesleyan. Bill, as you know, spent many years on the board at Wesleyan and was a significant supporter in the development of the University.” 

“Like so many others in our class,” writes John Alvord, I turned 85 this year and feel pretty good physically. Wishing all my classmates a happy, prosperous, and wonderful 2025.”

Robert Hausman sends his greetings to all, suggesting that the new year is a good time to count one’s blessings. Bob claims: “I am grateful for seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. I am also grateful for my Wesleyan classmates with whom I stay in touch: Glenn Hawkes, Emil Frankel,and Bob Wielde. Finally, I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.”

With a bit of light humor, John Rogers mumbles his closing words:

         “Already enough from me,

          So refrain from views

          And resume my daily snooze.”

Respectfully submitted,

DR. JON K. MAGENDANZ | jon@magendanz.com