Author: classnotes

Slim pickings this issue for two possible reasons: First, the spring issue just arrived, and the news was old at best; and second, my address has been listed incorrectly. Someone out there may have received mysterious messages from unknown “friends.” Please note the correct address in this issue and PLEASE send some news.

I did receive a follow-up to the last issue from Charlie Selig. No real new news, but he does stay in touch. Thank you, Charlie.

A note from Chris DeGraff says, “Sandy and I are still enjoying our home in West Hartford. No more skiing, but we have been able to spend time in our Stratton ski house with family.”

Jean and I have survived the hot, dry summer in Connecticut and look forward to our 70th wedding anniversary in early winter.

Cheers to all.  Write when you can.

I heard from one classmate this time. Cliff E. Milner writes:

“Hi Bud,

“Sorry I never met you while we were at Wes. I just reviewed again my latest issue of the alumni magazine and see no one sent in news for the class of 1950. In years past, I have written up short bits and had the pleasure of seeing them in print, so will try again! I feel very fortunate to show some evidence of not losing my marbles. At 94 years, I ventured out to an auto dealer and bought myself a new Subaru, which turns out to be quite a challenge as it has a vast number of special features, most of which I haven’t figured out yet! I do love the ‘passing car warning’ however. I have a pronounced case of neuropathy of the feet, and I warn friends not to be in front of me when I am driving!!

“In February, I acquired a girlfriend . . . a young 91 and we have had a great time taking boat and train excursions and attending the frequent band concerts in this area. This weekend we are going to a blue grass festival down on the Finger Lakes.

“My family is scattered but still fortunate to have some here Rochester. My youngest son (in his 60s!) lives with me and helps with household chores and purchasing food. I have been visiting my Florida families every year in June (my favorite weather time). At the moment, we are stabilized with 12 great-grandchildren. — Cliff

“P.S. Very much saddened by the loss of Len Hippler, a great friend.”

I received a couple of responses to my request for news.

Bob Wylie kindly wrote in with this update: “I was a World War II veteran at Wesleyan but doubt that there are any left. After Wesleyan, I entered the corporate world and eventually became a vice president of marketing at Celanese and Hoescht. My wife Karen and I and our four children lived in Greenwich for 50 years, but we recently moved to Meadow Ridge, a senior living facility in Redding, Connecticut. Over time I attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard, and as my interest has been in history, I obtained two master’s degrees at the New School and Western Connecticut State University. I ran for political office and was soundly defeated, but I successfully managed a number of successful candidates. I am 97, have given up driving, but not Scotch.”

Dick Steuart sent a note too. He said that he couldn’t recall which class he would have been in officially—1949 or 1950—but he attended Wesleyan for one year. He had some association with one of the fraternities, but not as an official member. He also competed on the swim team. Upon leaving Wesleyan, he joined the army and entered West Point, graduating in 1950 and, soon afterward, was in the Korean War. “During 27 years in the army, I served in numerous countries throughout the world, but still have fond memories of Wesleyan. One of my Wesleyan classmates was Chuck D. Stone. With regards, Dick Steuart.”

It would have been one of my 100th birthday wishes to gather with my friends.

Each of us six—Bill Cunningham ’47, Peter Hemmenway ’48, Frank Bowles ’44, Phil Dundas ’48, Tex Reynolds ’48, and I—would come together at Sal’s to play a round of liar’s dice and quaff a cheap beer. We were all teachers from 1947 through 1986, and we had seen great changes over those years. Each had taught secondary, three had gone on to college teaching, and we agreed that time back then had been given to subject matter that required thinking for oneself, not as you were told to think. We urged students to study facts, not opinions. We hoped that they would learn that in a world so little understood there should be room for two to be mistaken. Two on the same side or on opposing sides? Two people? Two causes? Two subject matters? Two truths? Party over, we broke up still clinging to our belief that subject matter is better for fact rather than opinion, which can lead to preaching morals or ethics, or racial outrage or sexual anguish. Some subject matter is better suited to the classrooms of religion or medicine, or even the home, we argued among ourselves. We lamented the passing of the time when students accepted that they had not lived long enough to know who was or was not qualified to teach what, nor should free speech be free only when it says what you want to hear. We had worried, too, about the current stage of political correctness. Why multiple valedictorians? Why euphemisms for words denoting sex or gender, or race? Have we become so fearful of being accused of being prejudiced that we make verbal pablum of robust words; and that is simply obsequious censorship. We last remnants of the class of 1945 urge the inclusion of factual history as subject matter, for we hear echoes of the suppressions of our past. Remember the fraternity landmarks? We 45ers remember what we fought for. Censorship was not among our ideals. Nor are foul discourse, rampage, or gun madness.

Slán go fóill.