Bob Gelardi serves on the board and as chairman of the Charity Relations Committee of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, the fourth largest charity wine auction in the U.S. This year the Foundation will be giving a record $3 million to 16 local children’s’ charities.
Bob Saliba wanted to share with classmates a book rewritten by Peter Mooz, American Masterworks of Religious Painting 1664-1964. Bob writes, “I always thought of ‘religious painting’s being from Europe 1200-1600. But no, the religious has been a vital part of a longer painting history; I just didn’t see it until Peter focused on it. A great read. Thanks, Peter.”
Steve Trott says, “I’m still hearing cases on President Trump’s favorite Circuit, the dreaded Ninth, but nothing involving him.” A former Justice Department official in Washington, Steve adds, “I’m plenty glad to be as far away as possible from D.C. without going all the way to California. Idaho is a great place to live.”
Chuck Work and Roni are enjoying retirement on the eastern shore of Maryland and Naples, Fla. He makes a familiar lament: “I know time is passing too quickly when my son Ben ’99 tells me he is attending his 20th Reunion in Middletown.”
Finally, a sad note on the passing of Richard Knapp in January at his home in Asheville, N.C. For most of his career, he was a professor of foreign language at nearby Mars Hill College. We extend condolences to his family.
Russ Robertson described his Vietnam experience as follows: “I spent eight months in DaNang as the head and neck surgeon. After repairing a perforation of the eardrum of a 12-year-old girl, I learned that her father was the head general of South Viet Nam. The following Sunday, I played a tennis match in downtown DaNang with the general. The court was surrounded by four tanks at each corner with four machine guns interspersed between them! Multiple other times were filled with one to two days continuously in the operating room. Most cases involved three teams of surgeons simultaneously working on the same patient—orthopods completing amputations, general surgeons repairing abdominal wounds, and me repairing through-and-through neck wounds as well as multiple facial fractures . . . no sleep and little food.”
Before moving on to other subjects, I would like to insert a few comments regarding my own involvement in the Vietnam conflict. The U.S. Navy offered a program to dental students which fundamentally insured the student a Navy internship immediately after graduation from dental school. I entered the Navy my sophomore year as an ensign, performing basic training at Annapolis the following summer, and then began my internship two years later at St. Albans Naval Hospital in NYC. Normally, the internship would be completed in one year, but I was offered an additional year as a resident in anesthesiology. Upon completion of that unique training pilot program, it was customary to meet with the admiral and determine future assignments. My meeting went something like this:
Admiral: “Well, Dr. Magendanz, have you given any thought to where you would like to be assigned next?”
My reply: “Yes, sir . . . maybe Naples, Italy?” (Silence!) “Or a hospital ship?” (Still silence!) “Perhaps it’s Vietnam? . . .”
“Very good, Dr. Magendanz. That’s an excellent choice!”
So, after Marine Corps training at Pendelton, Calif., I shipped out to Southeast Asia. Oddly enough, I was immediately positioned at a dental facility in DaNang, straddled with the responsibility of training dental corps staff members. After normal work hours, however, I would sneak off to the station hospital OR and put my anesthesia training to use. (My initial dental CO would not tolerate his dental officer “passing gas.”) When the new CO arrived (an oral surgeon), I was quickly transferred to the hospital anesthesia staff, with an additional part-time assignment to the USS Sanctuary hospital ship anesthesia staff. The clinical exposure, the experience and the respect that I gained that year could never have been achieved in the States.
I was later discharged from the regular navy to reserve status as a LCDR, allowing me to return to the States to get my medical degree. Unfortunately, the academic world was hesitant to set a precedent allowing a dental alumnus advanced standing admission to the medical school. Also, hospitals shied away from employing a dentist as an anesthesiologist because guidelines were inadequate and the risk of litigation was high. As dreadful as the Vietnam conflict was, it did, in my case, provide a silver lining on that dark cloud of history, providing me with the knowledge and training to treat apprehensive children and adults for 20 years in my private practice, providing dental care which they would not otherwise have tolerated.
Sadly, my concluding comments address the deaths of Steve Wainwright and Wayne Glazier. Six months before Steve’s death, I received a letter from Steve describing his cancer treatment. Paul Dickson forwarded the following note: “Steve died March 2. Funeral March 13. His obit is in today’s Globe. It’s one of the longest obits, three columns, I’ve seen in the paid obit section, which I cannot find online. Quite a life as an attorney in Brockton and North Easton.”
Responses to Steve’s death include Dickson’s: “Every once in a while it hits me what an odd, talented and unpredictable—to say nothing of motley—crew Jack Hoy ’55, MALS’61 created when he created the Wesleyan Class of 1961.” From Rich Corson: “His obituary brings it all back, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and all! He did have a colorful life.” And Brad Beechen: “Truly one of a kind. Many fond memories.”
Wayne Glazier’s wife Jan provided insight to Wayne’s career, travels, and accomplishments. She said, “Wayne passed away July 14, 2018, after a prolonged and very brave battle with cancer. He was always proud of his Wesleyan connections and kept in contact with Jim Stewart, his fraternity brother throughout the years, sharing holidays in the States, Australia, and around the world, including a house-building project in Cambodia.” Wayne was described as “a quiet, gentle man with high intelligence and integrity.” Family was important to Wayne and Jan. With an MBA from Harvard, an Australian CPA, and a master’s in taxation, he was appointed editor of the Australian Tax Guide, reaching retirement in 2008.
Jon K. Magendanz, DDS | jon@magendanz.com 902 39th Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205
John Dobson has not skied the past two seasons in his hometown of Big Sky, Mont. In January, he underwent a complicated lumbar spinal fusion that required 12 screws and two long rods. Walking has been his physical therapy after the operation. He has some physical restrictions. In May, he had a prostate operation and is doing well after the surgery. John and Nici invite you to come for a visit: johndobson4@gmail.com.
Peg and Dave Hale are trying to “age gracefully.” They had a nice cruise in February from Barcelona to Lisbon with stops in Spanish ports, Tangiers, and Gibraltar.
Pam and Tom Mansager finished their 11th season as junior varsity girls tennis coaches at their local high school and have announced their retirement from coaching. Although they did not have a winning record this past year, working with the girls was a joy for them.
Bill Walker had total ankle surgery and appreciated Janet’s great support during recovery. They celebrated his return to good health with a May week in California wine country that included an enjoyable evening with Sharon and Jay Levy. He returned to the golf course that same month.
Bill is the author of two popular and highly respected novels of inter-war Europe, About Danzig and About a Spy in Vienna. For more information, consult authorwilliamwalker.com. He is working on political intrigue novel number three.
Bob Williams has written an autobiography, From Away: The Maine Origins of a Russian Historian. He urges others to do likewise for their children and grandchildren before most of it is forgotten.
February in Bellingham was the coldest recorded in the past 70 years. I am glad that we are past that.
“You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely!” –Ogden Nash (1902-1971)
The 60th Reunion of the Great Class of 1959 was a spectacular treat, and we broke the record for attendance at a 60th along the way!
Things really got rolling on Friday at the lunch under the tent behind Russell House (Honors College). The day was glorious, the food was good, and three tables of classmates had come to begin the celebrations in earnest. There was ample time for registration before the next Friday afternoon event at the Silloway Gymnasium honoring the 1959 basketball team, the first Wesleyan basketball team to make it to the NCAA tournament. Dick Cadigan and Dick Wenner, co-captains, and teammates Joe Mallory and Dave Hohl ’60 accepted the banner on behalf of the team. They were saluted by Mike Whalen ’83, athletic director, and Joe Reilly, men’s basketball coach. It was a fitting tribute to this extraordinary team in the wonderful setting of the Silloway Gym, bedecked with banners and gleaming varnished floors. We also heard from Andrew Daggon ’20, a current military veteran scholar, about his experiences at Wesleyan as a 28-year-old. There are pictures of the event below.
There was a well- attended late afternoon cocktail party hosted by President Michael Roth ’78 on Andrus Field to honor Barbara Jan Wilson on her retirement for her great service to the school followed by a 1959 reception in Wasch House.
Dinner Friday evening was fairly casual. The 1959 Eclectics carried on a tradition of having a dinner downtown at Luca. We were around 20 in number with wives, some children and grandchildren, and special guests Loni and Al Haas ’56, and Mr. and Mrs. Wolfram Thiemann. Dinner was accompanied by some lusty singing and storytelling.
Saturday dawned a lovely day. The class had a memorial remembrance at 10 a.m. for our classmates who had passed away, led by Rev. Dick Cadigan. He began the memorial with a reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, and reflected on knowing those departed. The class read the names out loud in unison, 77 in all, remembering each one, and closed by singing the alma mater in harmony!
A quick but delicious boxed picnic lunch was followed by the parade which got off about 11:30 a.m. You will find parade pictures below.
Our boys showed well as they marched behind a tremendously enthusiastic, if slightly aged, Dixieland band. The march was quite short, fortunately, and north rather than south, to the Crowell Auditorium, where the Alumni Association meeting was held. High spots for us were serious awards for Bert Edwards and Ed, our stalwart class agents and a brilliant talk by Thomas Kail ’99, director of Hamilton.
The memorial service for classmate Doug Bennett began in the chapel at 1:30 p.m. A block of seats had been reserved for the Class of 1959 on the left side of the chapel just under the plaque we had given in his honor. It was a lovely service, with Doug’s brother, John, three grandchildren, and his son, Michael ’87, painting an indelible, and appealing picture of the man. The Wesleyan Spirits sang two lovely hymns, and chamber musicians played at the beginning and end of the service. We were all honored to be there. The Bennet Family graciously thanked the class for the memorial plaque and the Bennet Endowment Fund in a note on the program.
Our class dinner followed in Doggon, the old squash court building. The space has been transformed totally, and we dined in great comfort in a charming room big enough to hold all our gang. Dave Darling, our Reunion chair, led the proceedings with style, in the face of a sound system which looked brand new but just would not work. Once turned off, Skip spoke with great affection about Doug and presented Donna Morea ’76, board chair, with a replica of the Bennet plaque. We all toasted Barbara Jan Wilson again, and she and Dave gave Skip Silloway and John Spurdle touching Wesleyan Service Awards.
With three ex-Jibers present (Moody, Steiner, and Vander Veer), it did not take much to get the place rocking, 1959 style! You can just imagine how brilliant the singing was and how long it lasted! What fun. Dinner was followed by the All Class Sing led by Bill Moody next door on the steps of North College.
Nice note from Ted Bromage: “Joan and I enjoyed the programs and found conversations with classmates I had not known well most rewarding. Now in our 80s, we are who we are, and not too worried about who we will become!”
Dick Cadigan wrote, “Fabulous time, great conversations, well-organized weekend. Looking forward to our 65th!”
Jerry Doolittle said, “Haven’t been back for years. I had no idea of the scale of change nor the impact of Doug’s Presidency. It felt great both to wander alone in places of the past, and to visit with Classmates. Very glad I came.”
Wolfram Thiemann, all the way from Germany, wrote, “Thanks so much for the great event, which I was allowed to participate, even only as a foreign scholar. It was the first time I attended Reunion, now the 60th one. I am grateful to have taken the opportunity to visit my one-year alma mater which had given me so much for my future life. And what a blessing to meet so many of my former mates back at Wesleyan . . . I was stirred to be given the title Eclectic member.”
Hugh Lifson, decked out in a bespoke blazer and Wesleyan patch at Reunion, wrote: “Gratification of my nostalgic cravings was the main reason I came back. A walk along Brownstone Row, even without the ivy was special. General agreement about the debt we owe Vic Butterfield for finding the most amazing teachers in the nation and getting them to Wesleyan for us: Professors Shorske, Brown, Caspari, Shattsneider, Rudich, Mink, Winslow, and many more.
“We were able to share the memories of our deceased classmates, particularly Doug Bennet. His son, Senator Bennet, gave a eulogy reminiscent of the Kennedy speeches. Two other events stood out: The Weseminars, particularly the one on prison education, and the All Campus Sing led by our own Bill Moody and the Class of 2019!”
One bit of particular sadness: Dave Mitchell passed away this spring. He had a terrible battle with cancer. Al Brooks, who played tackle next to Dave, used to feed him bits of Hershey Bar before our games to keep him from being sick from nerves. We will miss Mitch!
Don’t forget to do two important things: Join the Olin Society before it is too late; and support the 1959 Bennet Endowment if you have not done so already. The two are not mutually exclusive, and Mark Davis (mdavis@wesleyan.edu) at Wesleyan can help you take care of both.
Diane and Joe VanderVeer and Ellen and Herb Steiner
It seems each set of notes is slightly slimmer than the previous. I finally realized it may be due to the fact we have fewer men responding. Sadly, the alumni office notified me of the deaths of Darnall Burks and Laurence Miller. I have received obituaries for each and will scan them to anyone requesting them.
Recent note from Burr Edwards contained very little news. He and Pirkko will remain in Lectoure, France, for the spring and summer.
John Corkran has been giving presentations on Black Mountain College, where his father David Corkran 1923 taught. His audience was continuing education and enrichment groups.
Bob Terkhorn writes from Paris. He and Kay are finishing a two-week holiday there. They started in Bilboa and the Guggenheim Museum. He praises the Frank Gehry building and enjoyed a river cruise out of Bordeaux with wine tastings in Médoc and Saint-Émilion. Finally, they toured the chateaus of the Loire Valley and the Louis Vuitton Museum.
Dick Goldman is still very busy. In January, an article he wrote on networking for lawyers was published in the American Bar Association Journal. He also spoke on that topic at the University of Miami Law School Real Property LLM program. He continues his law practice and teaches a class at Boston University Law School. He touts a book, The Last Pass: Cousy, Russell, the Celtics, and What Matters in the End.
Bob Furber visited Hawaii, Maui, in particular. His grandniece was “Maui-ed” there. He also heard Kip Thorne at Cal Tech speak on the role of interferometers that have seen sensing gravitational waves from colliding neutron stars and black holes. Bob will attend a reunion for his high school class in Bristol so he will also travel to the Van Vleck Observatory to see the new sundial. And he still bikes eight miles a day.
Younghee and Art Geltzer just returned from a cruise around the Baltic Sea. He believes St. Petersburg has changed significantly since his visit in 1993, mainly more crowded. His summer house in Provincetown will open May 16 and classmates are invited to stop by and visit.
I missed my annual luncheon with Bart Bolton, but he did lunch with Ed Kershner.
A short note from Tom Mosher has good news. He and Heidi are blessed with good health and living in La Jolla, Calif. This June his first two grandchildren graduate from high school. He adds, “Wesleyan was a good beginning.”
Neil Springborn is getting ready to deal with tornado season in Oklahoma. He feels OK despite a recent diagnosis of a-fib. And he has a brand new great-grandbaby!
I keep in touch with my former roommate, Dan Woodhead. He recently had a stroke, but, he still is pursuing “Lefty O’Doul for Cooperstown.” He had a recent conversation with Bob Costas and he has Warren Buffet backing his quest. Dan’s hope for Lefty O’Doul’s induction into the hall of fame springs eternal!
Roger Turkington just published his third volume of poetry, 80 Poems. It is available on Amazon and booksellers. He sold his violins to other violinists who can still perform. And he sends greetings to all the beloved classmates.
Bob Wuerthner and wife Joan traveled extensively this winter. First. a month in Central America in February and March. Then Panama City and the canal for a couple of days. After the canal, a week on the beach in Sámara, Costa Rica. Next two weeks in Guatemala in Antigua and Panajachel on the shore of Lago de Atitlán. And one final week in Copán, Honduras, site of Mayan ruins. Bob laments not being a more conscientious Spanish student at Wesleyan. Bob and I hope to meet for lunch this summer at the Andover Inn, where Dick Goldman and I have met for several summers.
Kay and I will travel to Vancouver in June. My grandson is graduating from high school and will be off to the University of Toronto in September. Our health is excellent, my golf is a struggle, but I am getting the hang of contract bridge. Until next time, keep the info flowing.
I hope all are enjoying the summer: Sonnet 18 tells that “summer’s lease has all too short a date.” Jim Brown continues to be fit with regular gym workouts. Wife Betty underwent a second knee replacement with success. He says that keeping up with children and grandchildren keep both he and Betty well occupied. Son Dr. Chris Brown is active in fields distant from medicine, e.g. a third book about DaVinci, a PBS film, and earlier this summer, an expedition in search of the Ark of the Covenant (which, for Wikipedia fans, is thought to be a chest containing the Bible’s sacred treasures, even possibly the Commandments—at least some of them). Jim adds that he knew he was outflanked when Chris beat him at chess, daughter one swam faster, and daughter two made PBK at Wes.
Bill Pratt reports that the “blue wave” democratic victory in New Mexico in the 2018 elections helped his win, taking a seat that had been Republican for some years previous. He was pleased with the 2019 legislative session—constructive in addressing practical problems such as water conservation, criminal justice, and surprise medical bills. Some disappointment in failing to take on gun legislation. So far he likes his new career, adding that being retired and experienced has its advantages.
My eldest grandson Johnny Maggio entered the University of Wisconsin last fall and—early on—had a meeting with Jeff Williamson in Madison that provided a unique and valuable intro to college life. Jeff has been busy managing repairs to his winter home on the island of St .John (USVI) that sustained damage following a severe hurricane that struck the Caribbean.
Sad news upon the loss of two classmates past May:
Allen Jay, suddenly, of a heart attack. In recent issues herein, I wrote on Al not allowing orthopedic problems to dissuade him from an adventurous trip, but his passing was, of course, unrelated thereto and unforeseen. Condolences to wife Ricky and the Jay family.
Then, Bob Sharlet. Bob’s Wes tenure was interrupted by military service, and upon said conclusion, he transferred to Brandeis, where he graduated in 1960. He taught at Union College for 35 years and authored a number of books, many focused on international political science.
Sam Bergner is ensconced in a new apartment in Metuchen, N.J., having sold his house last year. He says that wife Lynn loves the new digs, adding that her view is all that matters. He is dealing with early stage Parkinson’s.
Bill Shepard writes that his Wes decision to major in French lit was influenced by the choice of something that would remain active even in retirement, which has proven to be the case. He mentions reading Hugo’s Notre Dame de Paris at about the time last spring when the fire hit the cathedral. He adds that his command of the language is adequate, surely aided after his years of usage in France during his years of service.
Art Typermass | joanarth64@gmail.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942
Barry Passett died on April 17. Barry was a local boy (Hartford) who became a decision-maker in the field of health care in the big city (Washington, D.C.) Barry was an extraordinary human being: Soft-spoken, genial, compassionate, smart, and wise. When he wrote that he was growing cranky in his dotage, I dismissed the notion as pure rhetorical fiction. Rest in peace, Barry. We’ll miss you as we miss only a precious few.
Jay Kaplan invites you to read the reviews of his book Secrets and Suspense at Amazon. Better yet, read the book and write your own reviews. His second book In Search of Beauty, now finished, will be published by New Academia Press.
Betty and Jim Wagner celebrated their 50th anniversary in August! Praise the Lord!
Judy and Tom Plimpton celebrated their 62nd in June. Also in June, Tom shared a birthday (85) with his daughter Liz (61). Tom’s first therapy protocol for bladder cancer went well; his doctor says the cure rate is at least 70 percent. Quoting Tom, “Peace and joy.”
Marge and Gary Miller celebrate their 63rd in September. Their summer dwelling on Sheepscot Pond in northern Maine is a gathering spot for friends and family. Granddaughters: One received three promotions in a year from SEI in Pennsylvania; the other is a costume designer at Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia. Grandsons: One is a brewmaster, concocting specialty beers for the Itasca Brewery near Chicago; another (age 14) in on track for Eagle Scout.
Susan and Mort Paterson toured northern India last summer. “Taj Mahal at 7 a.m. is as magnificent as they say. Cremation fires at night along the Ganges, priests chanting Sanskrit, are mind-blowing. Lots of gods to worship. Learned that if I can get similarly cremated on the banks of the Ganges, I can escape forever the burdens of reincarnation. I think I’d prefer the banks of the Wabash—‘back home again in Indiana’—where I’m from.
“Still treading the boards in and around Philadelphia—Much Ado About Nothing, Winter’s Tale, and Purlie Victorious (by Ossie Davis). One theater performed my play, The Crimes of Diana Eastlake (a newly-poor widow must sell the family Matisse to raise the ransom for her daughter, kidnapped by terrorists in Syria, then learns it’s a fake). I am told all this is ‘healthy’ and may hold me in no worse than Stage 1 dementia (‘very mild cognitive decline’). My oldest son and his daughter from San Francisco visited us and eastern colleges. Wesleyan, I hope.”
Tamara and Dave Cox moved from Washington State to Silver Spring, Md. “We’re in day-visit range of one son and closer than before to the other two. Travel resumes: Tamara spent six weeks cruising about Europe, visiting three sets of British relatives. In October, we’ll do overlapping tours to Germany, mostly filling in gaps in the former DDR. Then, in February, we’ll cruise around Cuba with a dip into the Bahamas on the way back. We’re stubbornly plodding along as long as possible. So far, so good.”
Ginny and Dick Bauer “cheered grandson number two at his graduation from UNH and celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary.”
Dick continues: “As for me, more of me hurts, less of me works, and semantic memory goes AWOL on me now and then. I survived aneurysm surgery, do an informal piano concert once a month, take part in a discussion group and a Global Warming Action Group, and have abundant occasions to care for souls. Don’t travel much, but read quite a bit, and relish the easy access to bright and interesting people who are gracious enough to welcome me into their lives.”
Bette and Al Grosman are now residents of Linden Ponds, joining the Bauers and the Van Au family in a cluster of Wes ’56ers there.
Writes Art Van Au: “We are delighted that our fourth grandchild, Hannah, will be entering Connecticut College, the alma mater of my wife Rosalind, my sister Elizabeth, and our son Peter. Connecticut College’s re-invention of liberal arts education, called ‘Connections,’ integrates one’s interests into a meaningful educational ‘pathway’ through college and into a fulfilling career and life. We are eager to be present for the results.”
Bob Bretscher is trying to rehab his shoulder for tennis, finishing a memoir, and being awed by his five grands, one of whom has his degree from Ole Miss and another will graduate next year from UNC Chapel Hill.
Jim Jekel writes: “Time is limiting us more, but time also brings a bigger family. Jan and I now have three great-grandchildren, and we have received reports that three more are underway. As their number is increasing, and our memories are decreasing, a time may soon come when we will no longer be able to remember all their names!”
Finally, Ann and I and our nuclear family went to Chile this summer—for the eclipse, of course. Granddaughter Jeannette becomes a University of Vermont Catamount this fall.
Always pleased to hear from classmates who are willing to share their words with us and this time around is no exception. As I’ve mentioned before, nothing beats “material” submitted to your secretary. So please, let me begin by asking all of you to consider sending a word or two this way in time for the next edition of the magazine!
A grand philosophical thought from Stu Rapp examined the term “Crucial Class” that we, the Class of ’55 called ourselves. He doubts anyone else has thought of us that way and wrote that we were the “crucial class” just like every class before and after has been and will be. He stated that this is what this quixotic quest called “higher education” is all about, doing its best to help us face Henley’s “fell clutch of circumstance,” and wrest from it its lessons from the past, and implications for the future. Stu believes that this is still a live issue for him even though, in his 86th year, one would probably never know it! The late Charlie Hume and the still lively Bob Pooley were precious friends over those intervening 64 years. He says his friendship with the late Jim Wright was equally precious in its own way. “Here in the brave new world, the somewhat overripe sentiments of the old college songs don’t apply much anymore, unless—like some of us—you keep moving on into older age, and discover their relevance once more. Then, “the alter fires our (forbears) lit shall still more brightly glow.”
John Ineson questioned whether his note to me was “front page” material but then exclaimed he didn’t want to start talking politics! So wise. He says he finally has realized that he does need help with his ALS and that spinal and hip issues have caught up with him, and with the death of his wife, Lori, last summer he found living alone in their home to be depressing. So, he’s moved into a two-bedroom apartment in an assisted-living facility in Williamsburg Landing. He appreciates the fact that he now has people to talk to and eat with, as well as staff to provide assistance as required. John states that Williamsburg remains an easily accessible place to live with lots of activities if one is so inclined, which he states he fortunately is. “Folks used to say that getting older in not for sissies, but they sure are making it easier,” he concludes!
Word of the death of Ted Stein on March 25 was received. Ted enjoyed a successful professional life with Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company (now Mass Mutual) as an underwriter before being named assistant vice president of marketing in 1970. He was a pioneer in the use of personal computers for the company’s agents and worked on some of the earliest network applications. In 1985, Ted started TELIC Inc., an early independent software implementation and training consultancy, which he ran until his retirement in 2011. Sincere condolences are offered to his family from his classmates.
On the home front, Marianne and I have moved once more, returning to our original Florida location at Hunters Run Golf and Country Club in Boynton Beach. Being able to once again grip a golf club after a suspected bout with early Parkinson, we feel blessed that Marianne can begin to resume an activity she loves. And the fact that the location is a few miles farther and a 10 minute longer drive from the start of two of our weekly bike rides doesn’t bother me at all! Now, if the weather cooperates and the heat and rain treat us kindly, we will truly feel we are in “paradise.”
As always, to you and your loved ones, sincere best wishes for good health and happiness in the days ahead.
DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@gmail.com 34 Southport Ln. Apt. C, Boynton Beach, FL 33436
Gentleman of ’54: It was an interesting but brief 65th Reunion on May 24-25 at Wesleyan. Five stalwarts were there: John Binswanger and Gay, George Ray and Pree, Dick Matthews and Bjorg, and Bob Carey and Libby, plus Jim LaCrosse ’57, who started with us in 1950, but departed after sophomore year for the Army, returning later to graduate. George and Pree were at St. Lawrence University for a granddaughter’s graduation just prior to joining us in Middletown for the 65th.
Seven of you had e-mailed that you were coming. The four who did make it, plus three who couldn’t: Marty Feins, Bob Gruskay, and Bob Monstream. John Mesch had hoped to make it, but was unable to do so.
Bob Gruskay moved to Duncaster, a retirement community in Bloomfield, Conn., where he is teaching a course in opera and one in duplicate bridge. Bob Monstream’s health issues required a three-plus day hospital stay the week of our 65th. Len Stolba sends best wishes to all.
Rod O’Connor writes that he is a survivor of stage 4 melanoma and resides these days at his house in Aiken, S.C. Rod has two daughters plus four grandchildren “well along in successful careers.”
Dave Hodgin checked in with me but couldn’t attend Reunion. Jim Yashar was still in Florida until early June, so he couldn’t attend either. Ruth and Norm Stuessy missed seeing everyone at the Reunion. Terry Hatter was having eye surgery during Reunion week, and Trudy was about to have back surgery. Terry hopes to be there at our 70th. Bruce Storms and Ann are “well and happy but were unable to attend the 65th.” Dan Resnick checked in to say hi. Shep Johnson was unable to make it. Dave Walden says they are not doing much traveling now, so was unable to get to the Reunion. Curt McLaughlin was unable to make it due to a conflict with local family activities.
Sad news, guys: Zeke Richmond passed away on April 9 in his Rhode Island home, reported Ann.
Your scribe, Bob Carey, and bride Libby enjoyed the 65th Reunion with our classmates and their wives. Hope that more than four can make it to our 70th in 2024!
All the best to all of you,
BOB CAREY | popscarey@gmail.com
618 W. Lyon Farm Dr., Greenwich, CT 06831 | 203/532-1745
Walter Cutler’s book, Wandering the World: Personal Recollections of a Life in Diplomacy, is no ordinary memoir. This book, fast-moving and highly personal, focuses on the human side of a profession that can be at once sobering and stimulating, and includes a chapter on Wesleyan and the Fletcher School. It’s available on Amazon.
Basil Anex sent the first page of The Seattle Times business section that featured Herb Kelleher’s career with the comment, “Only HK could make an airline revolution this fun.” Basil and his wife, Gretchen, remain in their home enjoying when possible the many events available in Seattle, including weekend dance band evenings. In-home care 24/7 for Basil and a nighttime CPAP machine make all this possible. Their son Doan is employed at the Livermore Labs, following his father’s footsteps as a physical chemist. Their two daughters are employed in the Seattle area.
Phil Olsen is one of the most traveled classmates, after our Reunion, having spent the summer 720 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle at the site of his great-uncle’s fishery connecting with family relatives. He planned to spend his 88th birthday in February on the Trinity Peninsula, Antarctica. (I assume he did, but have not heard otherwise). In between travels he enjoys a comfortable seat at Honolulu’s Waikiki Elks Club lanai, inches from the foamy sea.
Martin L. Coyne’s daughter Melissa ’81 is sad to announce that her father died on April 9 following a valiant battle with emphysema. Marty was born in Brooklyn in 1931 and graduated with honors in psychology. As the president of Psi Sigma Kappa, he encouraged the fraternity to break away from its national affiliate when it refused admission to an African American member and formed Gamma Psi. He served in the Army and then worked in commodities where he was one of the top people in his field worldwide as senior vice president at J. Aron & Company then a partner at Goldman Sachs. Following his early retirement, Marty devoted his time to philanthropic and charitable causes, volunteering for Hospice-by-the-Sea, Jewish Federation, the Mizner Festival for the Arts, and as chairman of the Florida Philharmonic, to name but a few. He used a $1 million work bonus to found the Coyne Family Foundation (which has donated almost $2.5 million since 1985), established AMORE (which provided free financial advice to the elderly), was co-founder of the Boca Raton Symphonia (now in its 15th year), and recently started the Healing Sounds of Music (which provides healing music programs by professional musicians in assisted-living facilities in Boca Raton). For those who are interested, contributions to healingsoundsofmusic.org would be gratefully accepted.
Condolences of the class to Martin’s family and thanks for his generosity.
I find myself again this summer at my Shunpike Farm in Morris, N.Y., with my two girls, a long-haired Chihuahua and a pit bull. Let me know your summer activities for the next issue.
JOHN W. MILLER | Jwalmiller@aol.com
306 Autumn Court, Bartlesville, OK 74006 | 918/335-0081
“You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely!”
The memorial service for classmate Doug Bennett began in the chapel at 1:30 p.m. A block of seats had been reserved for the Class of 1959 on the left side of the chapel just under the plaque we had given in his honor. It was a lovely service, with Doug’s brother, John, three grandchildren, and his son, Michael ’87, painting an indelible, and appealing picture of the man. The Wesleyan Spirits sang two lovely hymns, and chamber musicians played at the beginning and end of the service. We were all honored to be there. The Bennet Family graciously thanked the class for the memorial plaque and the Bennet Endowment Fund in a note on the program.
