Class Notes | 1950s

Bob Chase reports from a retirement residence in Virginia. Both children nearby keep an eye on him. Bob still follows politics and his favorite sports teams. As many of us do, he worries about the outlook for his grandchildren. He remarked favorably on President Roth’s comments and responses to pressures being applied to education. Ted Fiske and his wife, Sunny Ladd, also enjoy life in a retirement community, this one in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They recently took a Viking Cruise on the Rhone River with an extension to Paris. They enjoyed the fact that the boat took them to sights rather than having to chase the sights themselves. They spend July in Islesboro, Maine, then move to Alstead, New Hampshire, and a lakeside cottage with both daughters nearby. Ted continues to oversee his Fiske Guide to Colleges, 43 years of guiding high school grads, recently my own included. He is proud that Wesleyan has a president who has spoken eloquently on his opinions about pressures on universities.

Tim Day says he and Sandy spend a third of each year in Phoenix, La Jolla, and Jackson Hole. Overseas travel is a frequent supplement. He remains healthy, with gym workouts four times a week. The only change seems to be the pace. From Alan Brooks we learn that for the first time in 40 years, he has had to miss Masters/Senior shot-put competition due to a severe case of gout. He hopes to return to it next year. Pete Rockefeller recently visited Wes and spoke with President Roth who he commends for standing up with courage and integrity for Wesleyan’s principles. Pete is coming to grips with the end of a 50-year career in computers.

We heard from Paul Stevens, who is still working part time for SMRT Architects, a company his great-grandfather started in 1884! After back surgery, he recently ran a two-mile race, at a grandfatherly pace, with his two sons and three grandsons. Well done! They summer in Maine at a cottage they have been to since 1968. Plenty of continuity in this family. Recent hot weather reminded Charlie Huchet of sunning on the roof of the Deke house on “Tar Beach.” The hot weather stands in contrast to the weather at an archaeological dig his daughter was at in Ireland, digging for medieval objects in the mud. He suggests it was easier to find the pub.

Bob McKelvey is still working at the investment company his family started and has recently partnered with a California group. Lots of new systems and issues to resolve. Various ailments have slowed his travels to Wes. He stays in touch with two groups of classmates, an Alpha Delta Phi group and an Oxford College group. He recently joined a group of Alpha Delts, Classes ’57–’61. It is interesting to find out what they have done, including a dining steward who has published eight novels. As with others, he thinks Roth’s defense of academic freedom was well reasoned.

Herb Steiner says that one of his 12 grandchildren is at Wesleyan. He and Ellen still winter in Delray Beach, Florida, then spend the rest of the year in Mahwah, New Jersey. He is “aging out of those difficult violin parts, so I’m playing the viola. The viola music is in the alto clef. Learning the clef is like trying to master a foreign language. I’m still in close contact with Joe Vander Veer, Bob Ogren, and Tim Martin. All are well.”

Joe Mallory was in Maine for the summer and early fall: “Enjoying the natural beauty of the earth while learning to live by myself. Health [is] good—walking a mile or two daily with modest discomfort from sciatica. Just had two grand-twins graduate from Dartmouth, with another scheduled for next year.”

Bob Gillette shares that he and Marsha “returned to our New England roots last year as we moved from Lynchburg, Virginia, to Springfield, Massachusetts, to a senior community. It was invigorating, recently, as we participated in a humanists discussion group that tackled philosophical questions that felt like the bull sessions of Wesleyan days. Thoughtful neighbors shared life insights and continued questioning where we are, where we have been, and where we continue to go. Indeed, I am finding this lap of life exciting, though not without its challenges. Luckily, Marsha and I, after 66 years of marriage, have settled into a time and place that feels just right. We have our health, canoe paddling is still a passion, [there are] plenty of cultural opportunities to experience, and being surrounded by kind and supportive folks our age, all have made for a very full and active life. I play my alto recorder every day, and I’ve teamed up with a resident violinist for Baroque playtime.

“Within the morass of our political situation, we recently participated in ‘good trouble’ at our own No Kings rally. It was stirring to hear the honking horns of supportive cars pass by as they viewed old folks in wheelchairs and walkers display posters and waving American flags.

“I am still writing with others in a writing group and giving book talks. I have gotten involved in the governance of our community, and my teacher’s blood still courses through my being, though a bit slower. How significant to realize that after 66 years since our ’59 graduation, the essence of our liberal arts education is still a driving force in our lives. Let’s keep going, as long as we have left. Best wishes to everyone with hope and courage that this country can flourish with humanity. Our four grandchildren and two great- grandchildren deserve the opportunities and freedom we experienced.”

In April, Hank Lifson hada show at theHudson River Gallery in Coralville, Iowa, (a suburb of Iowa City). “My exhibition, entitled The Stones of Tzfat (the title derived from John Ruskin and Mary McCarthy), was an impression of a town in northern Israel, which is a center for Kabbalistic mysticism, established in the late 15th century from Sephardic Jews fleeing Spain. I’m pleased at the results since many people viewed the work. I’m also still living, painting, and drawing in a retirement home in Cedar Rapids.”  

Sadly, Ed Murphy lost his wife, Marilyn, last year to dementia. They “had been married for 55 years. I’m slowly accommodating to her passing—near daily swim workouts, visiting friends and family, and making a few new friends. . . . Though my house now is much bigger than I need, I’m not tempted to move. The thought of having to clean out 54 years of accumulated stuff is too daunting. Looks like I’m here for the duration.

“The other day I happened on [the] thoroughly researched and engagingly written two-volume History of Wesleyan University [by Dave Potts ’60] in my library. It set me to reminiscing about our four years at Wesleyan, friends made, professors who inspired us, and President Butterfield, who kept it all focused on liberal arts education. It was 70 years ago this September that our Class of 1959 came together to begin its journey. What a journey it was and continues to be.”

Finally, Alan reports that Laird Burnett wrote to let us know that his dad, Walter Burnett, died on June 8. Alan and Walter were roommates throughout their years at Wes, and Alan said, “I will greatly miss his Christmas newsletter and occasional visits here in Connecticut and at our cottage at Maine.” Our condolences to his family.

Tony Codding remains active. He visited the Dominican Republic in February and spent three weeks in Aruba in April. He has turned 90 and plans a river cruise from Paris to Normandy.

Dick Goldman is at least as active—he is taking adult education classes at Brandeis on the topic of investing. He is exploring starting a discussion group on the same topic. He still winters in Florida and continues to play golf and tennis.

David Schalk is alive and well; he wrote briefly on June 19 but did not send an update.

And John Watson is a published poet. He was pleased to get a poem published in the winter edition of The Lyric. He does not play hoops anymore but plays billiards with his grandson and enjoys a daily walk with his wife, Marilyn.

Denny Allee is living comfortably in Provincetown where he and Mel Cote went to work summers after Wes graduation.

In June we had a Zoom reunion hosted by the Wes alumni office. Brisk discussions by Burr Edwards, Dick Goldman, Bob Hayes, Neil Henry, Art Levine,and yours truly. Much easier than in-person reunions, especially for our crowd.

Kay and I are still living in an active golf community and try to keep up with the youngsters, some as young as 70.

Keep the notes coming,

Cliff

Earlier this year we reported the passing of your class secretary Bob Smith. In Bob’s last email to the Class Notes editor, he wanted to ensure that he shared with classmates that his beloved wife, Betty, to whom he was married for 64 years, predeceased him in March. With the news of Bob’s passing, we received the following remembrances:

Ken Travis: “It is indeed sad that we have lost another stalwart member of the Class of ’57. We will miss Bob’s good-natured humor and gentle, but persistent, solicitations for news. I will always value the times we shared as classmates, teammates, and summer camp counselors.”

Mark Feldman wrote: “Bob Smith will be sorely missed. His children and their progeny should know that Bob was among the salt of the earth. I first knew him as an Eclectic pledge in the fall of 1953 and was delighted to correspond with him as class secretary in recent years. Every time I saw Bob, he was calm, thoughtful, and helpful. He was one of my favorite Eclectics, and his loss is deeply felt.

“I also want to salute my dear friend and classmate Bill Shepard on his 90th birthday earlier this month [June]. My daughter, Ilana ’91, drove Mimi and me to celebrate with his wife, Lois, daughters Stephanie and Robin, and sundry friends at their lovely home on the Eastern Shore. Bill was a fellow French major and distinguished his Wesleyan degree with a notable career in diplomacy that included a tour as U.S. consul general in Bordeaux. It was great fun to reminisce with Bill about the glory days of Wesleyan in the Butterfield years. He recently showed his gratitude to Wesleyan by gifting a significant collection of French novels to the Olin Library. Thank you, Bill.” 

A link to Bob’s obituary can be found online at classnotes.blogs.wesleyan.edu.

Please send news to your class secretary.

Most welcome responses from two classmates enable the reporting of more than 60 years to continue. I am grateful.

Tom Nall writes that he is finally in an assisted living facility. He’s still driving, but, of course, there are lots of things he cannot do, “such as getting up from a chair without arms and walking without help.” As he says, “God help me if I should happen to fall.” Tom no longer travels, but despite all this, he says he’s still doing well. Sounds familiar!

Jake Congleton asks, as he begins his 93rd year, “How many of us are left?” He says his claim to Wesleyan fame is that his brother, son, and grandson all graduated from Wesleyan!

Upon receiving Jake’s question, I checked with our Class Notes editor, Liz Taylor, who replied: “It looks like there are 99 individuals from the Class of 1955 that remain with us. Of those, 78 do not have email addresses in our system and 55 do not have phone numbers with us.”

If you are reading this and you have updates for any classmates whose information is incomplete, please encourage them to get in touch with me or to write to Liz directly at classnotes@wesleyan.edu. Sincere thanks to Liz for her continued help.

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

Sadly, there are two passings to report:

Art Goudey’s son let us know that he passed away at the age of 96 in Venice, Florida. A navy veteran, Art was remembered as “a lifelong learner with insatiable curiosity [who] was an avid reader and true outdoorsman.” 

Katy Storms Denman ’89 sent this: “Bruce Storms, age 92, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, passed away on January 16, 2025. Bruce was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and, after earning his BA from Wesleyan, was a banker by trade. He loved to attend Wesleyan reunions and to travel. Bruce’s beloved wife, Ann, passed away in 2024. He is survived by his son, Tim Storms ’81, and wife Teri; his daughter, Katy Storms Denman ’89, and husband Chip; his grandchildren, Dan Storms ’10 and wife Liz; Meghan Storms; and Chad, Will, and Jay Denman; and his great-grandchildren, Anna and Henry Storms.

Links to full obituaries of these classmates can be found online at classnotes.blogs.wesleyan.edu/class-of-1954/.

Dave Hodgin shared: “Nothing much to report. I have almost run out of consulting clients, nearly all retired or deceased. However, I remain busy with pro bono service as president of the Senior Life Association, and my newest venture, Damians Ladder, which provides free services to help senior citizens and the disabled remain safely in their homes. Still playing golf every week as part of an effort to keep mobile (and have some fun!).

John “Bud” Johnson Jr. still splits his time between a retirement community in Rye, New York, and Stuart, Florida, where he has had a home for 25 years. He wrote, “More time in Florida for more walking and outdoor vistas is winning! I’m still active with ASCF and it’s peace through strength legacy. My time in and around Taiwan and tracking China waters activity is still relevant to strategic defense planning. Our eight grandchildren still don’t believe grandpa was doing that at age 24! All best, Bud.”

We have about two dozen active emails for the Class of ’54, but like other classes, we know there are folks we don’t have any contact information for—i.e., email addresses or phone numbers. If you are in touch with anyone who may not have updated Wesleyan in some time, please encourage them to send their information to the Office of Alumni (alumni@wesleyan.edu) or to the Class Notes Editor, Liz Taylor ’87. Thank you.

Class Notes Editor | classnotes@wesleyan.edu

News from both coasts and in between.

From New Jersey: Richard Levinson claims to work every day in his office (free coffee?), while rooting for the Cubs. He may be our most recent grandfather with a three-and-one-half-year-old grandson. He thinks about and misses those Chi Psi reprobates. He plans to attend our 75th.

From California: Gerald Patrick has enjoyed the first six months of living in a retirement community, the Sequoias, meeting new friends and teaching bridge, along with sculpture and creative writing classes.

From Florida: Sandy and Jerry Zackin’s golf routine was set aside by her knee replacements. They were scheduled for a Great Lakes tour this past summer. Jerry celebrated the 80th anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah on his birthday.

From Washington, D.C.: Walter Cutler is tolerating an unending heat wave. “Helping out is news being made by our Wesleyan president and keeping in touch with two granddaughters who recently graduated from Wes in the same class.”

From Oklahoma: I am enjoying the additional space of a two-bedroom apartment at an independent living facility, Asher Point. I am delighted to have my voice back after many years of only being able to whisper. Many folks here had never heard anything else. Daily walks are part of my routine and one time around the facility is almost a 440.

These four ’53ers and I have been consistent contributors to our notes—I really would like to hear from the rest of you. Are you reading Class Notes? Please send me your name even if nothing else. Let us know if you’re still with us! Thank you.

Lastly, Bob Knapp’s daughter wrote to say he died in February. An army veteran, Bob worked for Southern New England Telephone for more than 30 years and was active in his community, including being a member of Rotary International for more than 50 years.

On Sunday afternoon, April 27, 2025, my wife, Barbara, and I had the pleasure of attending an alumni-sponsored performance of Maybe Happy Ending, produced by lead producer Jeffrey Richards ’69, who also led a dialogue after the production. Also attending were my daughter, Ellen ’82, and Michael Ostacher ’82, MD, who was visiting his mother in New York and was invited by Ellen to substitute for her husband, Samuel Bender, ’82,MD, who was on call. Michael is also the ’82 co-class secretary.

            While seated, I struck up a conversation with the gentleman next to me, who said his name was Pruzan. I replied that I once knew a Pruzan named Michael many years ago, who lived down the block in Neponsit, New York. To my shock, he was that Michael Pruzan ’87, who was attending with his wife, Helaine. Michael’s mother also rented the house next to us. Small world!

            On a personal note, Barbara and I are celebrating our 69th wedding anniversary. She says the secret to such longevity is “two bathrooms.” I say, “don’t divorce or die.” Also celebrating my 94th birthday and glad to still be working full time.

            I haven’t received any notes from classmates for several months, so PLEASE WRITE!

Reliable correspondent Charlie Selig shared, “I continue my good life here at Boca West, Boca Raton, Florida, with Madalyn, my significant other for 14 years—[she] is a very special person [and] I’m so lucky to have her in my life.” Charlie said that his great-granddaughter visited in June, and “my family is here quite often as well.” He now stays in Florida full time as it’s “too much to travel to New York anymore. Best to all Wes friends, Charlie.”

On a sad note, Bill Mitchell passed away on February 21, 2025. Bill was a biology major at Wes, and he spent many years employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He also served in the Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel. Bill’s obituary said, “He led a life marked by dedication to his family, country, and community.”

We also received news of the death of Leon Protass on August 15, 2025. After graduation from Wesleyan with honors, he went to medical school at John Hopkins and became board certified in internal medicine and neurology, a specialty he practiced for close to 70 years. His son Harlan wrote, “Medicine and science were my father’s passion. He was widely respected for his diagnostic skills, intellectual approach to the practice of medicine, and bedside manner. Even though he largely worked in urban areas, he always practiced medicine as if he were a small-town doctor.”

Our condolences to the families of both Bill and Leon.

We have email addresses for more than a dozen of our remaining classmates, so let us hear from you! And if you are reading this and don’t receive our emails, send a note to me or to the Class Notes Editor, Liz Taylor ’87, at classnotes@wesleyan.edu to let us know that you’re still here. Thank you.

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