CLASS OF 1964 | 2020 | ISSUE 3
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Author: klynch02
CLASS OF 1963 | 2020 | ISSUE 3
Rob Siegle writes: “Before the lockdown Rita and I had a wonderful week on the north shore of the Dominican Republic with classmate and fellow radiologist Dan Hottenstein and his wife, Pat. Back in the U.S. we’re doing well. Our kids are employed, our grandkids are in college and beyond, and I work almost full-time as a pediatric radiologist at St. Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia. I still enjoy teaching/pontificating to the residents and med students even if it’s by Zoom.”
Jack Jarzavek reports: “Norman, my partner/husband of nearly 56 years, and I have been reading up a storm. As a COL member, literature has always been a high intellectual priority, and I began 40 years of academic life teaching French, then English and finally as chair of the English Department and founder of the Art History program. Recently, I spent over two months studying W.H. Auden’s poetry and his intellectual development. Norman is reading Gogol in the original and practicing on both our harpsichord and piano for at least an hour and a half each day. Usually we spend half a year at our apartment in Arezzo, Italy, but not for a year. It is a great base from which to travel all around Italy. We both also love to cook, so great meals emerge after martinis every evening. We have a double apartment here in Boston with balconies on which to read and relax. I see Colby and Alice Andrus from time to time. They too are adopted Bostonians.
“There is sadness, however. I have lost my two closest Wesleyan classmates. Bob Sloat, my fraternity brother at Gamma Psi, died two years ago. We still see Caroline for lunch and dinners. Bob Martin died in 2012. He was my freshman roommate and fraternity brother. The three of us had many adventures over the years. I miss them dearly.”
From Allen Tucker in Maine: “Meg and I are keeping well—she’s a quilter and I’m a software developer and still playing some golf. I also host a monthly Zoom meet-up with my HS class of ’59, which is a lot of fun.
“I just finished reading Eddie Glaude’s new book Begin Again, a narrative about James Baldwin’s struggles with racism in the ’60s and ’70s and its implications for the world today. It’s a powerful book.”
“Since I have been on the West Coast for the last 30 years, I am a little out of touch with my former classmates,” writes George Tapley. “Here’s my news. My wife Jan and I are healthy and weathering the pandemic well. I spend a lot of time doing drawings, photos, and oil sketches of the local scenery; the hills behind Fullerton provide endless visual stimulation. (c.f. georgetapleyart.com). I paint, Jan plays ukulele with various groups on Zoom. We both joined OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) for their mystery book club. Best of all, our two children and four granddaughters are doing well.
I am now reading Zachary Carter’s The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and The Life of John Maynard Keynes (different sort of book for me but I like the Bloomsbury artists and am curious about Keynes and his monetary theory and then and now).”
Walt Pilcher, too, has news. “First, my second novel, The Accidental Spurrt, a Mark Fairley Mystery, was released in late 2019. It’s hilarious (if I do say so myself), a fish-out-of-water story available on Amazon. You’ll be sorry if you miss it.
“Second, Carol and I have moved into a continuing care retirement community in High Point, North Carolina, next door to Greensboro, our home for 30 years. It has about 700 residents and a 9-hole golf course. We love it so far. I’ve always wanted a Jeep Wrangler, but we now have a personal golf cart we named “Happy,” and so that itch has been scratched.”
Bill Roberts and Melissa still live in Middletown, two blocks south of the campus. “I ride my bike on the campus several days a week, and the grounds have been just beautiful since late March as spring
unfolded and almost all of the students are gone.
“For two weeks in October 2019, I spent my noon hours in the Usdan Student Center, registering students to vote in the Middletown mayoral election. I was happily astounded by two things—the incredible diversity in the student body, and the number of women among them. It is always a very pleasant surprise to see the students return to campus.”
Russ Richey’s latest book is A Church’s Broken Heart: Mason-Dixon Methodism and will appear in the New Room Book series. The book is his 25th as author, co-author, or editor. Russ is now working with Columbia University Press on yet another book project, on several editorial boards and continues teaching at Duke University Divinity School.
JAN VAN METER | bensfamily@aol.com; 212/427-2062
CLASS OF 1962 | 2020 | ISSUE 3
At the beginning of October, coping with the COVID-19 social distancing was a common thread in the handful of comments received this cycle.
Robin Berrington laments being “holed up in my apartment” and says, “the only times I get out, it seems, is to see a doctor or go to the physical therapist.” However, he says there have been bright spots when, “on glorious fall days, I have asked various sets of two or three friends out for a late afternoon drink and conversation. We can take off our face masks and watch the sun go down.” In a comment that many of us probably will nod our heads at, he writes, “It passes for a social life in D.C.” He says, “I hope everybody else has found their own solution for the current emergency.”
Jim Dossinger and Ginny are in Winston-Salem, “living at a wonderful retirement community called Arbor Acres.” He has been retired from Exxon for 23 years. He writes he is still in contact with Jim Schroeder on a regular basis. Referring to the COVID-19 distancing, he writes, “Our life is constrained like everyone’s due to the pandemic, but we cope with Zoom meetings, classes, and music. I am also into croquet, golf, and soon, fly-fishing for trout.”
Dick Dubanoski checked in to say that he is “just staying hunkered down.” He says he spends time “doing daily two-mile walks and exercises for my various joint replacements, etc.”
Bob Gause writes that he is still working two days per week as a pediatric orthopedic consultant, which he says is “mostly to continue teaching residents, med students, and family.” Relating to the social distancing, he offers this piece of advice: “To everyone stuck at home, get a dog! A Jack Russell terrier will make you ten years younger.”
The pandemic did not deter hundreds of residents of Branford, NY, from staging a drive-by retirement party for pediatrician Gary Wanerka in front of the local town hall in July. The hours-long parade of former and current patients capped a 38-year local pediatric practice, with one colleague saying, “He’s just a damn good old-fashioned doctor.” (Thanks to ’68 class notes editor Lloyd Buzzell for sending me the local Shoreline Times article on what was a literal and figurative “moving tribute” to Gary.)
DAVID FISKE | davidfiske17@gmail.com
17 W. Buckingham Dr. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
Note: Wesleyan received the sad news that David Fiske passed away on December 15. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and classmates.
CLASS OF 1961 | 2020 | ISSUE 3
Previously, a search was begun by a classmate for a lost fraternity brother. Paul Boynton wrote, “I remember that he was a tall, lanky, easy-going ‘cowboy’ from W and I liked him a lot, being a farm boy myself. One more clue: He occasionally wore a dark green Stetson worn in prior years while herding sheep.” The reason for this search is that the Stetson was given to Paul, who still fondly wears it and who now wants to express his appreciation to his benefactor. Through the assistance of Emil Frankel, Casey Hayes, Chuck Work, Jack Mitchell, and Tom Spragens, the “lost brother” has been identified as Chris Rich ’63. Contact with Chris Rich is still in the offing so Paul Boynton would appreciate any suggestions regarding contact info.
Casey Hayes reports: “Bobbie and I just sold our Wellesley home of 51 years to move into a nearby retirement community.” Reflecting on the past, Casey continues his comments to Paul: “I recall our good times washing dishes together at Eclectic all those years ago. I’m still grateful for all your knowledge of physics and explaining how best to get the grease off those pots and pans. That much has not changed, so I feel that I will have a secure spot in the labor force just in case things turn a bit more troublesome than they are already.”
Emil Frankel writes: “Kathryn and I remain largely hunkered down in our house in Washington, D.C., getting out occasionally for errands, lunches or dinners with friends—carefully and outside. Mostly, I seem to spend my days at my computer, corresponding with friends, and reading online articles and newspapers. I’m still doing a little writing on transportation policy (I had an op/ed in the Hartford Courant about two months ago on post-pandemic transportation issues), but mostly I have been reading and worrying about politics and the November election. I recently joined a virtual presentation, sponsored by Washington’s famous independent bookstore, Politics & Prose, of classmate Paul Dickson’s new book (The Rise of the G.I. Army). Paul has received great reviews of this book, and the Class of ’61 should be very proud of Paul’s career, as a journalist, historian, and biographer. Kathryn and I are still doing ok and hope that my classmates and their families are healthy and safe in these challenging and dangerous times.”
In reply, the “immodest” (his claim) author Paul Dickson summarized a few of his reactions to Emil’s comments: “A whale of a good time Monday night talking about my new book at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C. During my Zoom session, I got a gracious message from Emil Frankel. If I seemed a bit befuddled at the outset I could neither see myself or my host and spent the hour speaking to a logo. Just for the record, Nancy cut my hair, picked out my shirt and tie and I tied the tie. Tying the tie was a moment of pre-COVID nostalgia when one actually got duded up for such things.”
George Little and his wife, Carol (Middlebury ’67), continue growing old in place in a circa 1800 Vermont brick colonial house to which they’ve been entrusted since 1976. They met at the University of Vermont Medical School after George’s return from a tour as a Peace Corps staff physician in Africa. Both being pediatricians, they settled in Vermont while crossing the Connecticut River to practice as academic clinicians at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
George is currently an active emeritus professor of pediatrics at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and remains involved in global medicine. He currently serves on the boards of Action, a Kosovo foundation committed to women and children, and Group Care Global, a US NGO focused on group antenatal care globally. He has also edited a book with Ronald M. Green, a fellow Dartmouth retiree, entitled Religion and Ethics in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (2019).
The Littles have three children—Nicholas ’95, Malaika, and Katrina. The Littles have enjoyed contact with Dom Squatrito, Bob Carey ’54 and Jack Woodbury. When a COVID-19 vaccine is sufficiently evaluated and disseminated, they anticipate returning to travel and visits including Middletown.
Finally, Dave Parker and his wife, Borgny, returned to Middletown in August, settling into Assisted Living at Luther Ridge. “After nearly fifty years editing and writing for community newspapers,” Dave relates: “I thought I’d seen a lot of challenges and change for journalism. Yet, they pale in comparison to the tumult and shocks which now confront not only my old trade but all of us as citizens. I hope and believe my old colleagues, as well as my old John Wesley Club comrades will be keeping the faith.”
Jon K. Magendanz, DDS | jon@magendanz.com
902 39th Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
CLASS OF 1960 | 2020 | ISSUE 3
John Dobson shared the following: “Nici and I continue to love our new home in Ocala, Florida. It is sunny, warm, and flat here, which allows me to walk for my exercise. Because of COVID-19, we are wearing masks and keeping to ourselves, except for visiting our state parks occasionally.”
A new book, Target Switzerland, written by Bill Walker, has been published. Like Danzig and A Spy in Vienna, it is a novel of political intrigue set in Europe, this time in 1939. It combines real history with a good story and continues the adventures of Paul Muller, a Swiss intelligence agent charged with protecting Switzerland from plots being hatched in Germany but also in Britain and France. More information is available on Bill’s website, authorwilliamwalker.com.
SAL RUSSO | salandjudy@hotmail.com
2700 Kentucky St., Bellingham, WA 98229
CLASS OF 1959 | 2020 | ISSUE 3
“He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.”—Abraham Lincoln.
Not, we hope, dear classmates, referring to your humble scribes, but perhaps casting a shadow over tonight’s first presidential debate!
Dick Cadigan sent us the following note: “Ned Lemkemeier has been desperately ill with COVID-19, spent several weeks in ICU, four to five weeks in hospital, and two weeks in rehab. Ned is now home and is mending, but walker/wheelchair-bound and 30 pounds thinner. His doc said he was as close to death as any patient he has had. If you’d like to drop him a line, his email is Lemkemeier@aol.com.
News from the heart of Trump country and our “starving artist” Steve Pyle is good. Steve is still actively painting, and has finished over 80 works. Who knew what hidden talents lurked in our favorite tight end!
Tim Day is ensconced in Jackson Hole and having all sorts of adventures. On his morning bike ride the other day he encountered a dead moose, apparently hit by a car sometime during the night. They are rather large beasts, Tim reminds us city-slickers. He also writes: “Yesterday morning, a large hot air balloon full of tourists got into some sort of trouble and was headed right for our house as a landing spot. Luckily the pilot was able to bring everyone down safely on the lot next to ours!” He adds: “In spite of all these incidents, Jackson is having a mini-boom as people head for the National Parks and the great outdoors.
We live on the west side of the Snake River, about 10 miles from Jackson, so things are quieter here. We are planning to stay here until early October.
My granddaughter, Sophia, has just started her freshman year at Fordham, near Lincoln Center. We are all worried about her safety from COVID-19, and the waves of protest in New York. I suspect it will be a long time before we have the urge to visit NYC again!”
Charlie Wrubel checks in from a rehab facility after having had a bit of work done on his leg. His recovery is progressing well. He has been most concerned about people who continue to refuse to wear a mask. Perhaps the refusers don’t worry about infecting other people. Your scribes agree!
John and Cyndy Spurdle are back in New York, not having many adventures, but surviving. They had a delightful stay on Fishers Island for August and early September, and were sorry to have to leave! While there, they celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary with their children and those grandchildren in town at the time. As Clint Eastwood said: “They say marriages are made in heaven! So are thunder and lightning!” Their ushers included Dennis Allee, Dick Cadigan, and Bing Leverich
They have three grandchildren now in Montana, one helping Governor Bullock run for the US Senate, one working at the Yellowstone Club as a fishing guide while awaiting return for his junior year at St Lawrence, one granddaughter in Hamburg working and polishing up her German pending university next fall, and English grandson in his first year at the University of Exeter. They are hoping to get to the UK for Christmas, but that is far from a sure bet at this point.
Skip and Molly Silloway have sold their house in Salt Lake City and are on their way to their new home north of San Francisco. They write: “We are in a kind of pandemic limbo as we move into a retirement community in California. Restrictions imposed because of the virus have delayed the construction of our new home. Looks like we might finally move in this October. One does wonder what the longer-term effects of the pandemic will be.
People working from home and liking it will open up huge space in office buildings. Retail will never be the same and owning restaurants will be a tougher business than ever. Colleges and Universities are facing multiple challenges. The well-endowed legacy institutions of which Wesleyan is one, will likely make it through if well managed. Our endowment, kick started by classmate Doug Bennet. Is the foundation that will enable Wesleyan to handle any transition, along with strong, continued support by our alumni. The Great Class of ’59 has been particularly generous over the years. Please don’t forget to help this year, the most crucial ever!
Wolfram Thiemann writes from Bremen: “This COVID-19 pandemic has indeed left a very bad imprint on the whole world. I have had sort of a double quarantine, suffering from the general restrictions imposed by our German government as well as knee surgery, which kept me hospitalized for some time. Survived happily and am now getting my mobility back with strict therapy! Living here in Germany has kept us reasonably safe compared to New York. We are pleased about ushering in a new presidency on January 20th and looking forward to positive change in 2021. Wen and I cannot forget our wonderful trip to Manhattan and the Bronx just over a year ago in the wake of our wonderful reunion of the Class of ’59! Wen and I send our very best.”
For those who missed it, we had the first ever Zoom call for the Great Class of ’59 on June 30. Those participating were: Tim Day, Bob McKelvey, Skip Silloway, Walter Burnett, Charlie Wrubel, John Spurdle, Tom McHugh, Herb Steiner, Ted and Jane Bromage, Dick and Linda Cadigan, Bob Hydeman.
It was a unique experience organized by Mark Davis at Wesleyan, and a brilliant job of organization it was. The call was for 6:00 pm and everyone made it. Terrific fun,even without the pandemic. You can imagine the strict discipline, organized note taking, etc. Ho Ho! That is where it should remain. A perfect Wesleyan gathering!
Don’t forget as well that WE ARE ALL OLD ENOUGH to join the OLIN SOCIETY. Please consider leaving whatever you might have left over to Wesleyan. It is an easy way to do good things via your will and estate plan.
On a terribly sad note, Weg Thomas wrote on July 1: “Just to let you all know that Peg passed away early this morning. She never recovered from the diabetic coma, but lingered five days after we ended life support. You were all very special to her and meant a lot to her at Eclectic and later at our reunions and visit to Maine. Thank you for being part of her life. Paz Y amor, Weg.”
Our thoughts go out to Weg and the family.
Skip Silloway | ssillow@gmail.com; 801/532-4311
John Spurdle | jspurdle@aol.com; 212/644-4858
CLASS OF 1958 | 2020 | ISSUE 3
I am sure the pandemic has curtailed travel plans for our class. My emails depict how our guys are coping.
So, Neil Henry writes of his excitement: the installation of central air in his wife’s 120-year-old house. He and Liz are in Richmond and admire the restaurants and brew pubs from afar. And he hopes his classmates are keeping safe.
A bike accident caused Bob Furber to break his right hip. Then, six weeks later he tripped over a wet floor sign and multiply fractured his right femur. Shortly thereafter the surgeon stood at the foot of the operating table and said, “We have to stop meeting like this.” Staying indoors is not that bad since he escapes temperatures that are 90-plus.
Bart Bolton moved into a condo to minimize use of stairs and it was close enough so they kept their “staff’ of doctors. He spoke to Ed Kershner and he and Marilyn are unsure about going to Sarasota in February, obviously due to the virus. His condo is close to a challenging golf course and he hopes his game will be up to the challenge.
Burr and Pirkko Edwards are in southern France and keeping a low profile. No travel or restaurants. Socially they do have an occasional small gathering of friends. They encourage all to keep their heads down.
In July, Dick Goldman ran to be president of the Wesleyan Lawyers Association. He lost, but, was appointed vice president. He received support from Bart Bolton, Neil Henry, Rick Pank, Ramsey Thorp and Ted Wiesman. A major activity for him now is to help start networking groups in major cities for Wes grads who are lawyers. He is doing all this and is a caregiver to wife Patty, who has significant health issues.
Since March, Joanna and Bill Fryer have stayed close to home. He retired in 2001 but still helped to merge four congregations in Reading, Pennsylvania.
Dick Tompkins and wife Betsy are fine. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August. They split their time between Florida (eight months) and Minnesota (four months).
Dan Woodhead is fine, but would like to connect with classmates to discuss our president. Protocol forbids me from stating his views.
All is well, writes Bill Richard. His granddaughter, Riley, has returned to Wesleyan for her senior year.
Kay and I are keeping a low profile. Our governor has opened all bars and restaurants, but we stay away. I play golf on our fine course and bridge online. Keep the emails flowing.
Cliff Hordlow | khordlow@gmail.com
Apt. 103, 4645 Winged Foot Court | Naples, FL 34112; 239/732-6821
CLASS OF 1957 | 2020 | ISSUE 3
All a-ok in Washington State on Guemes Island, Bob Anderson writes that having studied thousands of years of human history and a focus on the signs of empire in process, he sees patterns emerge (any relationship to the present?). He rounds out a busy time with sculpture and gardening as well as continuing with his life’s work in the UCC in any way that he can. His note concluded about whether we “keep the Republic.” Quote attributed to Ben Franklin.
My family is scattered all over our great nation. Daughter Laurie and son-in-law Joe are in Houston, Texas, the latter in a new job in pro sports marketing. Two of three grandsons are in college. Johnny a junior at Wisconsin and Will a frosh at UDenver. Son Dave and daughter-in-law Crystal working from home in Quincy, Massachusetts; Dave is a client investment manager with Morgan Stanley. They expect a first child, a daughter, very soon. No shortage of places to visit, should the occasion arise.
Two years ago Sam Bergner decided to make some changes. After 50 years in the commercial real estate business, he retired and downsized into an apartment in nearby Metuchen. This in-town location seemed ideal, with trains to NYC, restaurants, etc. Unfortunately, the pandemic plus Sam’s health issues have curtailed his taking advantage of these amenities. However, he continues to enjoy audio books, online lectures, and his seven grandchildren. And even after 58 years of marriage, he and Lynn continue to make each other laugh every day.
Sadly, I report on the loss of Dr. Bill Pratt and Bob Gorin, both earlier in the year. Bob had been a steadfast supporter of Wes through the years. Previous columns highlighted his underwriting of skating parties at the Central Park rink. He was proud of Gorin generations attending Wes. Dr. Pratt, after retiring following an exceptional career in medicine, took on a different role as a member of the New Mexico legislature. Notes in preceding columns evoked his satisfaction therewith. On behalf of the class, our sympathies to their respective families.
Jack Braitmayer writes: “My wife, Nancy, and I are fine, living the life of Reilly in our house in Marion, Massachusetts, if one can do that in COVID-19! I have gotten to the age of 90+ (originally ’52), and I am now having a hard time expressing myself in phone conversations and phone calls. My oldest daughter Karen, an architect specializing in ADA issues, was recently quoted in The New York Times, which made me very proud. My second daughter Kristina ’83, married to “Bo” Hewey ’82, is still teaching and they have acquired a small island off the coast of Maine for family fun. My son Eric, my youngest child, is the CEO of IMTRA, a supplier to the marine trade, and enjoys cars and golf in his free time. Kristie and Bo have a granddaughter living in Nicaragua, where both her parents are employed. We get them to visit once a year at Christmas, but maybe not this year.”
Art Typermass | joanarth64@gmail.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942
CLASS OF 1956 | 2020 | ISSUE 3
How to describe 2020? Weird? Scary? Boring? Lonely? Frustrating? Challenging? For Ann and me it’s been all that and more—I’ve rarely left our house except to walk around our block. But we celebrated our 60th anniversary at home with our daughter Judy ’84 and our granddaughter Jeannette. The next weekend we gathered our whole family—all eight of us. The “kids” (all masked) played a board game named Pandemic. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Other stay-at-homes included Walt Ebmeyer: “I’m in ‘The Home’ and not an awful lot goes on here. But I did make contact with my old roomie, Phil Crombie, who seems fine and busy. My kids are fine,
and their six kids range from 16 to 7. I don’t know who’s going to Wesleyan. A few months ago they visited New York and now talk about nothing but NYU.”
And Tom Plimpton: “The COVID-19 kept us at home. No Minnesota vacation with our cousin; no Civil War trip; no visiting our daughter in Bloomington, Indiana—just staying very close to home. We do have a state park in Indy, and Judy and I go picnicking once or twice a week.”
Dick Bauer is “maintaining sanity, but succumbing to what I’ve dubbed ‘COVID-19 Irritability.’ Trying to make my peace with Zoom, but not always succeeding. Most recent experiment: having residents request songs from the American Songbook that have special meaning for them, then playing them on the piano. Interesting stories . . . and a little different way to at least attempt to foster connecting in this isolating era.”
Just before COVID-19 shut everything down, Betty and Jim Wagner moved into a nice senior living community that has excellent protocols for protection and has had very few cases. What’s more, the food is excellent, and Jim has “a superb view of the sky for spectacular meteorological and astronomical observations!”
Anne and Bill Moyle “left our retirement community and moved to our nearby lake place in March and stayed for 5½ months. We had anywhere from no one else there to up to eight other family-member escapees. That included a NYC granddaughter, her husband, and their two-year-old son, our first great grandchild. No way we would have gotten to know Will as well as we did except for COVID-19!”
Jay Kaplan used the COVID-19 recess productively, “reading some of those books I should have read years ago. I started with British writer Ian McEwan, and loved his work so much that I read 20 of his books. My favorite was The Children Act. (A wonderful movie based on this book was made, which you can find on Amazon Prime.) I then turned to J.M. Coetzee and read a good number of his books, including Disgraced, which was my favorite. I then turned to Saul Bellow, who I am enjoying very much. Thus far, Herzog is my favorite.” Jay’s book Secrets and Suspense is selling well; his In Search of Beauty, about his art collections, a little less well. Zoom lessons have enabled Jay to maintain his fitness.
Bob Calvin has been reading, too: Caleb’s Crossing, Spying on the South, and Eric Larson’s book on Churchill, The Splendid and the Vile. He reports no medical problems and staying fit with swimming, tennis, and walks with Jane. They have taken a few car trips to Western Illinois to walk along the Mississippi River and commune with nature. Once a month, they have a delightful four-way telephone conversation with Ronna and Art VonAu. Bob adds, “All the violence in Chicago and the U.S. is very upsetting. It’s interesting to see the Civil Rights movement in which so many in our class were involved is emerging with some changing issues.”
From Jim Gramentine: “Our first great grandchild, Boden James Finke, was born on July 19th. Weighing in at 9 lbs, 3 oz, he mastered the fine art of eating and figured out the political landscape quickly.”
Our best story came from my one-time roommate, Whit Rusk: “I went to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, in late January with a sore, raspy throat and came back home with a plan to remove my entire voice box—diagnosis: cancer! Not really wanting that, we went to Greenwich, Connecticut, where son Rob lives. His wife Alice, who is chief of neurology at the Yale New Haven Hospital System, sent me to Sloan Kettering in New York where she interned. The tiniest doctor there immediately told me, ‘You don’t need surgery; you need treatment.’ So—chemotherapy, radiation, and 36 visits (every weekday) to the New York Proton Center—plus a bout of pneumonia thrown in—and I’m now said to be cancer-free! All this during the COVID-19 debacle! For six months we didn’t leave our son’s house except for treatments. We are home now just waiting for the chemo and radiation effects to wear off—but I am regaining strength, and I can talk! I suppose you could say that 2020 has been pretty good to me.”
Way to go, Whit!
George Chien | gchien@optonline.net
CLASS OF 1955 | 2020 | ISSUE 3
Sad to report the only word heard this time around was from Jean Snow, who informed us of the passing of Kip, her husband of 63 years and father of two children, Becky and John “Jeep.” Kip passed away on September 16th. I was grateful to read Jean’s comments that Kip looked forward to each issue of Class Notes and “always turned to your notes first.” I’m sure I speak for all of us by expressing sincere condolences to the family.
It’s been an interesting spring and winter season here in Florida this time around as we’ve witnessed what seems like an unusual amount of both rain and extreme heat in addition to living with the pandemic plague conditions. Activities certainly have been reduced but fortunately, my hard core of cycling buddies have continued to brave the elements in good fashion and while still riding fewer miles at a slower pace this time around, I’ve managed to record a tad more than 3,300 miles to date (09/23/2020). We do observe proper social distancing in our pace line and while we ride without face masks in accordance to local requirements, we do wear them when at rest stops. I’m more than thankful for the continued chance to socialize and exercise with great friends!
As always, I do hope these notes find you and your loved ones in good health and spirits, and I once again ask that if the chance presents itself, please drop a note this way to share with other members of the Crucial Class!
DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon35@gmail.com
34 Southport Ln. Apt. C, Boynton Beach, FL 33436