Author: classnotes

Many thanks to Rick Congleton and Drew Clemens for making sure a “shutout” was avoided, and my 60-plus years of submitting to Class Notes is still ongoing!

Rick notes that “our class seems to be pretty depleted” but he is “hanging on and recently enjoyed a 90th party in July.” I did appreciate his “good luck with Class Notes” comment.

A last-minute email from Drew and Julie Clemens (sister of Tem Taylor) related Drew’s recovery from a small stroke three years ago, and they are still enjoying the move to a retirement community eight years ago, especially the friendships, bridge, and in the Wesleyan tradition, singing in a chorus! So good to hear from my freshman-year roommate once again!

On a much less happy note, I am saddened to report the passage of Andrew Holmes. I know I speak for all of us in offering sincere condolences to his family.  

Still acclimating to my Silver Spring surroundings and greatly enjoying new friendships with fellow members of our local senior center. Having a facility that provides lunches and athletic workout equipment is super. I do miss bicycling but am thankful for continued contact with members of my Florida riding group. Memories and friendships are really so important.  

As always, my best wishes to you and your loved ones in the days ahead. 

Terry J. Hatter Jr.,from the United States District Court, shares this happy family news: “Our great-grandson was just born in March and his cousin, our great-granddaughter, is one year old as of this April 5.”

Bud Johnson reports that he has the class reunion on his calendar but can make no promises because of medical uncertainties. He’s glad that we can stay in touch through these notes. Marty Feins has done some research and learned that last year, four members of the Class of ’53 made it to their reunion (not bad for 91- and 92-year-olds). 

Ed Dewey, active in his community, shared this snapshot:

“I am living in a large senior-living facility in Gainesville, Georgia, with my wife, Joyce. We have been married for nearly 49 years. I have two children, a boy and a girl, and two grandchildren, also a boy and a girl. My career was in corporate finance in the engineering and construction industry in Florida and California. I retired in 1979 and then lived for 21 years in Big Canoe, Georgia, and after five years, here in Gainesville. At age 92 I was elected president of the resident board.” 

Your much-traveled scribe, at age 91, is well and waiting for your news.

Richard Edward France, 91, passed away May 6, 2023, at White Oak Manor, Waxhaw, North Carolina. Dick was born in Downsville, New York. Dick was president of Delta Sigma (Delta Upsilon). He was an MBA graduate of Syracuse University before being commissioned in the U.S. Navy in 1955. He began a long career in the paper industry, where he became vice president of human resources for Container Corporation of America and, subsequently, for Caraustar Industries. Dick missed our many reunions as union negotiations occurred the same weekend annually. Dick is survived by Jeanne, a daughter, two sons, and five grandchildren.

Dr. George “Bakes” Bacon, 91, died December 27, 2023, at his home in Michigan. George, a graduate of Duke Medical School in 1957, enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in Germany. His residency was in pediatric endocrinology, after which he joined the University of Michigan Hospital. In 1986 he accepted a position to rebuild the department at Texas Tech University. He returned to Michigan in 1995 and later became emeritus professor at the University of Michigan, retiring in 2005. He is survived by his wife, Grace, three children, and three grandchildren.

Class condolences to the families of Dick and Bakes, both my fraternity brothers.

Following up on my notes from the last issue, here is more information on the passing of D. Ronald Daniel on December 16, 2023. After graduation in 1952 with honors and distinction in mathematics, Ron earned his MBA from Harvard Business School. He was awarded Wesleyan’s highest alumni award, the Baldwin Medal, in 1981, and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 1988. He spent his career at McKinsey & Co., retiring as managing partner emeritus. Ron served on Wesleyan’s board from 1969 to 1987, was elected chair, and subsequently elected trustee chief emeritus. Ron’s children, David ’77 and Stephen ’82, and granddaughter, India ’22, attended Wesleyan, of which he was extremely proud. The Daniel Family Commons, the space in the Usdan Center where Wesleyan Board meetings are held, is named after his family. He is survived by his wife, Lise Scott, his two children, stepdaughter, Amanda Hampton ’91, and several grandchildren.

Zdenek David reported that he got an article published, “Masaryk’s View of Amos John Comenius,” in Comenius: The Journal of Euro-American Civilization, Vol. 10, 2023, No. 2, p. 135-150. Very impressive! Keep it up!

Sam Fitch writes that he is still doing okay and independent living with his lady in the Phoenix, Arizona, area and trying to enjoy life as best he can. He sends his best to all the rest of the Wes alumni and especially our Class of 1952.

Together with my wife, Barbara, daughter, Ellen ’82, and son-in-law, Samuel Bender ’82, MD, we attended a wonderful performance of Camp! on campus on Saturday, April 13, 2024, an original musical co-written with Sarah Linsly ’24 and directed by my granddaughter, Eliza Bender ’24.

Please send news.

Good correspondence with Francis Baudry who had come, at age 16, from Lyon, France, by way of New York City, to breeze through all the science programs to become a doctor and noted psychiatrist. He now lives on Cape Cod with his family. He sees a few patients, is active, and happy. Good news.

A great letter from Chuck Exley who also had a very successful post-Wesleyan career:

“Hello Biff:

“I am writing from sunny Sarasota, Florida, where I have lived with my wife, Carol, for well over 15 years. By chance, I just hosted a family reunion here over Easter weekend and was joined by my son, Yates Exley ’83, my nephew, Brian Walker ’00, and granddaughter, Sara Guernsey ’15, in addition to my two daughters and three great-granddaughters. I haven’t had the opportunity to catch up with any classmates of late but always look forward to the write-ups in the Wesleyan Magazine.

“Sending my best, Chuck”

Like Chuck, we would all like to hear from you.

Biff  

Please share your news with your remaining classmates by sending updates to classnotes@wesleyan.edu.

CLASS NOTES EDITOR | classnotes@wesleyan.edu