Class Notes | 1950s

“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

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

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

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

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

Terry Hatter writes: my wife, Trudy, and I are staying safe and following state, county, and local guidelines for dealing with COVID-19, as well as dealing with the smoky air from the many California fires. Our four kids, four grands, and other family members are also “hanging in there.” I am still working but from home as the federal court remains closed. Hope all of you stay well and strong!

BOB CAREY | popscarey@gmail.com
618 W. Lyon Farm Dr., Greenwich, CT 06831 | 203/532-1745

Even before the pandemic, the concern of our 90s and soon-to-be 90s should have been our health and safety. We are kept going with many doctor appointments, but DIY projects require thoughtful decisions: i.e., if it is too high, do not call for a ladder, request assistance; if it is too heavy, call for help. DIY projects can be hazardous.

Restrictions on travel have caused Jerry Patrick to postpone a trip to Tahiti for sailing, meanwhile passing time building ship models including a 5th century BC Greek trireme with 186 hand-carved oars, and a New Bedford whaleboat about 1880.

Daily walks and time with Netflix take a portion of Walt Cutler’s time in Washington, D.C., along with Zoom conversations with two granddaughters now freshmen at Wesleyan. Reading Wesleyan history in the last issue reminded him when he hosted a broadcast of 1920s–1930s Dixieland jazz recordings from his collection of 78s, but nothing better than the High Street Five.

For the first time in 18 years I spent the summer in Oklahoma rather than at my New York farm, because of COVID-19 and a knee replacement four months ago. Fortunately, it was cooler than usual.

For those who did not receive my email requesting news, let me know how you are creatively spending time or if you recently have moved, your new location or how you celebrated your 90th.

JOHN W. MILLER | jwalmiller@aol.com
306 Autumn Court, Bartlesville, OK 74006 | 918/335-0081 

We have a new leader in the classmate who exceeds Ron Daniel or myself in the number or generations of offspring attending Wesleyan: Richard Barth. Mary E. Barth reports that her family counts three children, two in-laws and one grandson with Wes degrees and she is hoping to add to the list. They are Lea Barth ’84; Michele Barth Still ’91; her husband Charles Still ’90; Alexander Barth ’97; his wife Sara Brodsky Barth ’97 and Lea’s son Nicholas Petrillo ’14. What an accomplishment—keep it up!

Maggie Sanger, the wife of our classmate Richard Paulett Sanger, known as “Dixie” (a nickname coined when he pitched for his high school baseball team), wrote that he passed away on April 20, 2020, survived by three children: Christopher Dick Sanger (Jane Biggs), Peter Marvel Sanger (Mary Jane Macintire) and Molly (Margaret) Sanger Carpenter (S. Preston Carpenter), seven grandchildren and four great granddaughters. Dixie graduated with honors, was an editor of the Cardinal, and served as president of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. Dixie spent 24 years with the Wilmington Daily News Journal in various reporting and editorial assignments and was elected president and editor-in-chief of the two newspapers it then published before leaving the company in 1975. In 1976, he founded TRIAD, the Trinity Alcohol and Drug Program, also known as TRIAD Addiction Recovery Services, an important outpost in the community’s struggle to come to grips with the major public health crisis of our time. He joined his wife in becoming one of the first husband-and-wife real estate teams in Delaware. Dixie spent nearly 50 years as a trustee for Wilmington University and longtime chairman of the University’s Student and Alumni Affairs Committee. Maggie spent many happy years visiting him while he was at Wesleyan and is still in touch with his Alpha Delta brothers though many have died. They would have celebrated 67 years of marriage in August. 

I also received notice that Anne Delight Colby Zachos, the widow of Kimon Zachos, our classmate, who passed away in 2014, died on July 2, 2020, having battled Alzheimers for almost 10 years. She was survived by their three daughters, Ellen, Elizabeth and Sarah, having instilled in them the belief that they could accomplish anything. She hosted Gloria Steinem in her guest room, lobbied for passage of the ERA, and actively supported Democratic candidates, despite Kim’s position in the New Hampshire Republican Party and their frequent political debates. 

Hal Buckingham informed me that kudos are due to Seth Rosner, who received this accolade from Michael J. Van Zandt, chair of the Senior Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association in its 35th year of existence: “I want to express my appreciation to the extremely dedicated past leaders of the SLD under whom I’ve served and who’ve been an inspiration to me. Since my association with SLD, I’ve been privileged to know and experience the leadership of many past leaders, but I especially want to thank  . . . Seth Rosner. . . . These leaders of the SLD are an inspiration and model for us all.”

The COVID-19 epidemic caused cancellation of the June cruise I planned to celebrate the numerous occasions mentioned in the last newsletter, but we are hoping to plan another as soon as we are able, as I will be celebrating 90 years of age and 65 years of marriage to Barbara. Also, Maddie Bender (daughter of Samuel and Ellen ’82) will be graduating from Yale School of Public Health with a master’s degree, and grandson Gabriel is graduating high school in Tucson, Arizona.

Please keep well during this unprecedented crisis and send me news.

Joseph N. Friedman  | jfriedman@regalnyc.com
400 East 56th Street, Apt. 28LM, New York, NY 10022 | 917/715-8881

Those with class notes, please contact: 

Class Notes Editor
classnotes@wesleyan.edu

Arthur Chickering passed away on August 15, 2020, surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his wife Joanne Chickering six weeks earlier. An obituary is in the Vermont Times Argus.

Jud Miner writes: “I have completed my memoir, They Didn’t Mention That In Sales Class, 174  pages with illustrations. It has been published by Amazon. If someone is interested in reading it, it is available. The book plus illustrations took me about 10 years to complete.” 

BUD DORSEY | margiedorsey5@gmail.com
121 Renegar Way #105, St. Simons Island, GA, 31522 | 912/638-5616