Class Notes | 1950s

It seems like a long time past—summer, that is—so here go a couple of recollections.

Dick Cassie and son Scott toured Russia. Scott was a history major at Trinity. Dick’s message was illustrated with a photo of the two with a backdrop of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, which was blown up during the Stalin years and later completely rebuilt. The Cassie duo spent four days in Moscow and the same in St. Petersburg.

Marilyn and Gordy Wilmot reunited with the Brancarts—Claude and Lesley. The latter couple live in Brunswick, Maine, and the Wilmots in Warwick, R.I., so the difference was split with a house rental in Hampton, N.H. Claude has medical issues including dementia, which did not detract from an enjoyable time for all, but Claude did not recall his Wes years very much—although he did remember yours truly when we roomed together in Clark Hall junior year!

He went on to MIT the following year under the “three and two” program and I recall visiting him in Boston in a nifty apartment that he had at the time.

And while on the subject of roomies, here’s a note from my freshman year roommate in North College, Bob Anderson. From Washington State, where Bob spent many of his years as a minister in UCC churches, he writes that he lives in a house he helped design and build on Guemes Island which is halfway between Seattle and Vancouver, which he (and many other people to be sure) never tire of visiting. Keeping him busy are landscaping and art. He lost his wife of 31 years just a little more than a year ago. He too attached a photo along with his note. Replete with beard, and longish hair, looking quite in style.

Two classmates with strong family continuance with Wes are Bob Gorin and Ed Mehlman. Ed’s son, Jeff ’84, and his wife, Lynne ’84, are both alumni. Jeff did coaching on the first women’s rugby team, which is where he met Lynne who played on said club. Ed has several grandchildren ranging in age from 19 to 25. This past summer he vacationed in the Canadian Rockies. He checks in with Ed Stein ’60, Al Jay, and Dick Cassie.

Bob Gorin’s grandson, David Gottlieb ’22 is residing in a dorm named for President Vic Butterfield which, Bob informs, sits on a site once occupied by Bob’s Gamma Psi house. Bob visited during Family Weekend.

News from Allen Jay: Rehab following a third hip surgery and he was not dissuaded beforehand to take a 10-day expedition cruise to Antarctica and some close associations with such as penguins, seals, and a boat-rocking humpback whale. Al sent a photo wherein he appears heavily bundled up.

Jack Braitmayer wrote, “Didn’t do much cruising this summer; our son used our new Hunt 33 more than we did. It all relates to his position and what we get out of it—he is now CEO of his company and the boat is loaded with his products. Spent the past summer and winter in Marion, Mass. Used to go to Florida for three months, but the marina closed and we decided to stay north after it closed—we spent 10 years there; and that was enough.”

The Parkins—John and Penny—live in their (originally) vacation home in northwest Michigan, where the summer population is about eight times the year-rounders. The County is a poor one, and John and some other residents organized a task force to address a wide range of economic issues, e.g. job creation. They have been able to raise state and local funding for projects, including skills training. Further, John convenes with fellow Alpha Delt brothers in NYC during the holiday season.

Mike Stein reports that he has chronic kidney failure and must have dialysis treatments three times a week. He sends his regards to his classmates.

I realize I’m stating the obvious in bringing attention to our inexorable movement to the front of the class notes section, especially now with the conclusion of the Class of ’38 notes. Hope that we read Grace Bennett’s piece in the summer magazine—a tribute to the class and a heartfelt l’envoi. Well done, Ms. Bennett.

Art Typermass | joanarth64@gmail.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

We’ve just received the sad news that Glenn Boynton died quietly at Porter Hospital in Middlebury, Vt., on May 28. He was 83.

Last June Marge and Gary Miller attended their younger granddaughter’s graduation from the Art University of Bournemouth, U.K., where she majored in costume design. She was also a finalist in an all-U.K. student competition. She is a costuming apprentice at Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theater and appears to be poised for a fascinating career.

Writing in September, Gary said he was “biting my nails, watching hurricane Florence bear down on Wilmington, N.C., where we have our winter home. We’re warm, dry, and comfy here in Maine, and I’d hate to have to dump things in the car and haul it down to North Carolina to pick up the pieces! Time will tell. Oh, and Sept. 15 is our 62nd anniversary, and we’ve planned a great lobster dinner to celebrate. Another reason to hope for a high-pressure ridge to save us.”

Julius Kaplan: “The big news is that my book, Secrets and Suspense, came out several months ago. Google it and share with me my delight in the great reviews it has been getting. It is essentially a memoir of my career as an international lawyer, presented in the form of stories arising out of matters I worked on as a lawyer, but presented for the lawyer and non-lawyer.

“I enjoyed writing the book so much that I am now in the process of writing another one! This one deals exclusively with the world of art and my participation in it over the past 50 years.”

Bob Bretscher writes: “My piloting days are over. I’m selling my Cherokee Dakota, tail #N86FE. Every flight was a joy. My next project is an effort to write my memoirs up to when I retired 1996. After the first year as a widower I appreciate my family and friends more than I could have ever imagined.”

Walt Ebmeyer reports: “I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease a year ago, thus again joining my old pal Muhammad Ali. Class of ’56 athletic types will remember my similarities to ‘The Greatest.’ Anyway, I’m too old to worry about it and kind of enjoy my children and grandchildren waiting on me.”

And Tom Plimpton: “My last e-mail to you stated that I would report on my trip to the state of Washington in September. Well, my health, which has been very good, took a turn for the worse. I wound up in the hospital in late July for five days. My health has since been precarious, and I did not go on vacation and have no news for you. Now I’m taking life one day at a time. Keep up the good work. Peace and joy!” Get well, Tom.

Writes Larry Fung: “Nothing much to report except I am getting older.” Larry: I’m not sure that qualifies as news!

Jack Shuman sent this tribute to his Wesleyan roommate, Ron Benson, who died on March 29. Ron, remember, was cocaptain of the ’55 football team that won the Little-Three Championship. Jack wanted us to know some things about Ron that he left out of his communique in the last issue.

“After school and the Navy, Ron worked in advertising, but in midlife he tired of big company life and formed his own consulting company. He also took up his favorite cause, helping business persons to further Christian morals and ethics in the business world.

“When his wife Polly was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Ron dedicated his life to her, refusing over 10 years to have her institutionalized even in her last ugly days. But as a result of this he joined a support group at his church, where he met his second wife-to-be Shirley, who had just gone through the same process with her spouse. They hit it off and eventually enjoyed a winter romance that culminated in their marriage last September. But that also was the culmination of Ron’s other life problem.

“In his early 40s Ron was on his daily jog when he suddenly collapsed. Luckily, he was almost at the feet of a well-trained emergency technician who recognized that his heart had stopped and immediately went into life-saving maneuvers. For the next 40-plus years Ron wore a defibrillator, which restarted his heart at least three times. But worse, Ron had another heart attack in September, just before the marriage. He insisted on going through with it. He and Shirley tried greatly to rehab his heart during the next six months, but he succumbed in March.

“Ron leaves behind his wife, Shirley, two daughters, Beth and Sarah, and a stepson, Stephen. He was my lifelong friend and I’ll miss him!”

And so will we.

George Chien | gchien@optonline.net

Once again, it is with sadness that I report the passing of several of our classmates. On May 14, Ed Rowe died suddenly in Overland, Kans. After his graduation, Ed went on to the University of Michigan and then taught biology for 30 years at Emporia State University. He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Lenore, and his three children. In accordance with his wishes, Ed’s body was donated for scientific research.

Bill Gordon passed away on July 9. A gifted athlete, he worked briefly for General Electric before being drafted into the Army and serving in post-war Korea. He joined Traveler’s Insurance in 1958 and after obtaining an MBA from the University of Connecticut in 1970, moved on to Colonial Insurance, before joining and leading Eastern Management Services, a personal consulting firm. Bill was an active community member, serving on numerous church committees and library and town boards and he was past-president of the Cheshire Rotary Club and First Congregational Church on the Green. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Sue, of almost 60 years and his son, David, as well as members of his large and extended family. A devoted Wesleyan alumnus and member of Eclectic, Bill’s Wesleyan family included his father, cousins, father-in-law, and brothers-in-law. He may have been the perfect definition of “legacy.”

Wesleyan received word of the death of Elliott DeGraff, who died a year ago on Oct. 24, 2017. Elliott was a member of the Class of ’55, but earned his degree from New York University in Aeronautical Engineering. He made his first flight as a pilot in 1953 and went on to become a flight instructor. Elliott was a volunteer pilot for an animal rescue organization, Pilots N Paws , and was credited with flying 700 dogs to safety. He was happy to be a member of the Flying Octogenarians!

With sincere thanks, I’m delighted with the responses from two of my former Sigma Chi brothers. John Sheaff and wife Lois report they continue to function on “a reasonable level” in upstate New York on the Vermont border. They are fortunate to live in an area of natural beauty with access to all the mental stimulation one could desire. And truthfully, he states, “Of course at our age, no leaping over tall buildings!” Bill Shepard sent regards and best wishes while mentioning he doesn’t have “news” this time around! Always a treat to hear from you guys!

Tony Arena is enjoying life in paradise here in Florida and continues to golf with his wife. Tony, where are you residing? Perhaps, we can arrange a get-together sometime in the near future. Drop a line this way when you get a chance.

Since 1982, Andy Holmes has been working full-time running his travel agency Worldwide Cruise Headquarters on Southport Island (Boothbay Harbor) in Maine. He complains that “One of the damnable parts about selling cruises is that we have to go on them . . . thus I am not ashamed to say that we are on nine of them between now and May. Maine winters are extremely bearable when you can be away in the Caribbean on a cruise ship.” Andy, on behalf of all of us, do accept our appreciation of your trials and tribulations!

Drew Clemens and wife Julia have moved to a retirement community near their son in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He is still writing and teaching about psychoanalysis and psychotherapy in psychiatry. He still plays tennis and his family enjoys their cottage on Lake Chautauqua.

Lots of heat and rain have marked the past several months here in Delray Beach. As with many other parts of the country, Delray Beach has been experiencing record temperatures and the heat index climbs above 100 as the sun rises. It certainly has an effect on my cycling as my riding companions agreed that reducing speeds and distances are a must, especially at our ages. To date (Sept. 21) I’ve recorded 2,661 miles, which is nearly 800 miles less than last year at this time. Still glad that my doctors tell me to continue doing what I enjoy with only one reservation; keep my heart rate below 140 bpm for the most part! If all goes well, I will participate in a fundraising ride of some 50-75 miles for muscular dystrophy. I’ve never done a fundraising ride before, but in honor of two companions who have family members stricken with this disease, I’ve signed on to ride. Marianne continues to encourage my riding. We recently celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in July and she has been a wonderful companion!

As always, to you and your loved ones, sincere best wishes for good health and happiness in the year ahead. And, should you find a spare moment, I’d really love to hear from you.

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@bellsouth.net
14790 Bonaire Blvd., Apt. 102., Delray Beach, FL 33446

Gentlemen of ’54: Thanks for prompt responses from eight stalwarts as we approach our 65th next year . . . Here’s what you told me: John Binswanger is doing OK, plus a lot of traveling—recently to Australia, the Bahamas, and Aspen. John’s company has been reorganized with a minority interest going to the sales staff. John’s been retired for nine years, but still goes into the office four days a week.

Bud Johnson and Lynn have three grandkids out of college, four still in, and one being teed up. Bud’s Navy pilot memoirs (unclassified version) were published in June. Their “reward” was a Baltic cruise to seven countries, then London.

Rod O’Connor writes that at 85 he’s finally stopped actively working and has given up his longstanding passion for golf—so as to be able to spend more time at their house in Aiken, S.C. Rod’s two daughters and four grandchildren are planning a major Thanksgiving fiesta there with 20 relatives from around the country.

Chuck Davis proudly reports that his granddaughter, Caroline, was a member of the U.S. Women’s World Junior Ultimate Frisbee Team that was undefeated in the championship games played in Waterloo, Ontario, in August. Caroline attends Dartmouth.

Ken Davenny has recently been through the flu, two types of pneumonia, and heart failure! His heart has been repaired, and Ken is now undergoing a lengthy rehab process, and, he writes, “I seem to be recovering well.” Go, Ken!

Jeff Lockhart’s two youngest granddaughters are at college in the Carolinas—one at Chapel Hill, the other at the College of Charleston. Both had mini vacations during Hurricane Florence.

Jules Schwaber and Evelyne, at this writing, are staying in Israel, in an apartment near two of their married sons and eight of their 10 grandchildren. Jules, who has been retired from medical practice since 2012, sends his best wishes to all his former classmates and their loved ones.

Lenny Stolba is still wandering around his refuge: 1.6 acres with seven structures, two horses, one pony, one dog, and a box turtle. His kids, grandkids, and one great-grandchild are all healthy. Len send cheers to all “WESU remainers.”

Finally, very sorry to report the passing of Bob Schnuer this summer.

Your scribe, Bob Carey, has been busy in Greenwich with volunteer work, which includes driving for Call-A-Ride as well as Meals-on-Wheels, and manning the phones at Community Answers. That’s it, guys. The 65th is practically upon us. Get ready!

Best to all,

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

Response to our 65th Reunion continues. Sidney Alexander is disappointed to have missed, because he was not informed by mail. Unfortunately, I do not believe mail notices were sent: all was online, thereby missing some. Sid, a cardiologist, sees patients at the Lahey Clinic, teaches, and finds time for a little clinical research.

Clapham “Cope” Murray continues his acting career playing a senile old man in a wheelchair during the summer season. Cope lives with his son, his wife having passed away a few years ago.

In addition to spending time with his children, Eileen ’79 and Mike ’81, Jerry Patrick serves on two nonprofit boards and corresponds with Jim Waters ’52, who lives in Florida. Jerry planned to visit Cope in September followed by skippering bareboat a 44-foot sloop off the Maine coast. He is building an elaborate model of a 5th century B.C. Greek trireme used in the Persian War and he is also writing short stories.

George Anderson called, seeking a contact for Warren Eastman, our past class agent (which I do not have since he moved to Connecticut). George and his wife, Rue, of seven years, live in Savannah, Ga., as does Homer Eckerson, who sent me a message from Japan in August, where he was on a family vacation. After an aorta aneurysm four years ago, George has recovered sufficiently to shoot his age on the golf course—86. He finds water aerobics preferable to the gym.

Rev. Edward White checked in from D.C., stating he was fine, with a wife, five children, and 12 grandchildren—all doing well.

James Dutcher Griffis, a native of Troy, N.Y., a DKE, passed away July 6, 2018, in The Woodlands, Texas, where he had been living since his mobility decreased. He is survived by his son, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a sister.

Erik Sprague Taylor, born in Tientsin, China, a math major, and a Sigma Nu, died Nov. 27, 2017, in Denver, Colo. A long-term employee of the Colorado National Bank of Denver, he served as trust officer and head of the trust department. Active in the community he enjoyed hiking, backpacking, skiing, and especially his cabin in South Park. He is survived by his wife, Frances, three children, four grandchildren, a sister, and a brother.

Condolences to the families of Jim and Erik.

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

I had the pleasure of attending the 2018 Reunion weekend on June 26 with my wife, Barbara, hoping to enjoy an out-of-sync reunion with several of our classmates who indicated such a desire but they were no-shows so we had a pleasant time chatting with several representatives of the university at the post 50th Reunion lunch.

As is becoming usual, I have more sad news to report. Two of our classmates, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Warwick Taylor and William Ashley Morrill, died. Dwight Herrmann (my first roommate at Harriman Hall in 1949) wrote that Leslye, his wife of 56 years, passed away on May 30, leaving four daughters who were on watch with him. Leslye and Dwight attended our 65th Reunion in June 2017 and we extend our sincere condolences to Dwight and his family and the families of Ken and Bill.

Ken, 88, a leader in advancing LGBTQ rights within the United Church of Christ in Connecticut and nationally, passed away peacefully at Seabury hospice on Aug. 11, survived by Jo Anne, his wife of 66 years, along with his daughter, Janet, his sons David, Mark, Gregory, and Andrew and their families, including 11 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, who were the joys of his life. Ken was born in 1929 at Women’s Lying-in Hospital in NYC, although he preferred to say he was born at Yankee Stadium. He married Jo Anne at the Wesleyan Chapel the day after graduation. He received a master of divinity degree from Virginia Seminary in 1957 followed by a doctorate of ministry, conferred by Hartford Seminary in 1978.

Bill, 88, died on July 25, at his home in Pennswood Village, Newtown, Pa., survived by his wife, Nancy Porter, and four daughters; Margaret, Carolyn, Elizabeth, and Janet, their spouses, seven grandchildren, and two great- grandchildren. After graduating from Wesleyan, Bill got his master’s in public administration in 1953 from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University. He began his over 60-year career in public service in 1953, holding many influential positions. Bill was a true Renaissance man: wine enthusiast, accomplished cook, self-taught guitar player, author of illustrated travel journals, aspiring tennis player, impressive poet, singer of all Methodist hymns by number, and consummate workaholic.

More sad but uplifting news from Duncan Nelson, who included the following poem:

On hospice now, but no matter

Amidst whatever idle chatter

I might manage to have with you

I’m proud to be Class of ’52-

ln ‘48 a Harriman Haller:

If I had a dollar for each stair

I climbed I’d be a trillionaire,

Which I already am, having cast my lot

In with guys who helped me hit the jackpot

Of eight children and then the God’s plenty

Of grandchildren now numbering twenty

Upon whom the bard places reliance

On the ways they are using hard science

To bring about—and do so pro tem—

The much needed New Jerusalem!

Frank LaBella reported that he and Arlyne, both Middletowners, married on July 26, 1952, starting off at Vets Village during his MA studies at Wesleyan, and then Mudville (more barracks) at Emory in Atlanta, where he got his PhD. After various residences in Winnipeg, including a horse farm for 25 years, they are now in a senior residence. All his children—Jennifer, Michael, and Lisa, and granddaughter, Chloe—live in Winnipeg, which makes life very enjoyable. He is a professor emeritus at Manitoba University, still doing research and publishing.

Barbara and I spent an enjoyable two weeks in London, Paris, and cruising the Mediterranean, although (as a still practicing real estate attorney) she spent a lot of time working on two complicated transactions, despite the time change and difficult e-mail and phone connections.

My best wishes to all of you, and send me some news for the next edition!

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

Frank McCathran is living in a small subdivision in Germantown, Md., and he writes that one of his neighbors was originally from Uzbekistan.

Herb Lessow is doing well in retirement living in New York City.

Charlie Selig is enjoying a “wonderful lifestyle in Boca Raton, Fla. Truly one of the most beautiful spots in the country.”

Frank Hassell moved to his retirement home in Sarasota, Fla. He has become unable to travel, but his children and their families come to visit. At Wesleyan, he and his wife, Marjorie, and two sons had lived off-campus, sponsored by family and the G.I. Bill.

I have to report the death of Bill Steele in St. Louis. Until his final illness, he’d been very active, enjoying hiking, biking, and playing ping pong. He enjoyed kayaking, too. He never lost his sense of humor and ready smile. Following a memorial service, his ashes were scattered in the river he used to kayak.

David McMillan passed away late this spring, four days after the death of his wife, Margaret. He’d had a long and influential career in Delaware banking, serving as president and chief operating officer at the Bank of Delaware before his retirement. He was also the president of the YMCA of Delaware and held several high offices in the Episcopal church.

DAVID M. PHILIPS | davephilips69@hotmail.com
43 Cannon Street, Cranston, RI 02920-7620

Cliff Milner wrote, “Just reached 90 and am continually grateful for my good fortune with my good health. This despite my frequent visits to a wide variety of doctors! Keeping busy with many different things has been my secret. This is the third year I have taken a two-week cruise to somewhere. First, I did the Viking Cruise of the Danube and Rhine. Last year it was Norway and this June I hit my 50th state by cruising to Alaska. Back here at home, I am a volunteer at WXXI, our local PBS station helping at special events like last week’s open house or answering phones during fund drives. I get out to as many concerts (free ones!) as possible. I have a good friend with whom I share driving chores. That does remind me that my latest health annoyance is neuropathy, in which the feet become numb, which, in turn, makes me pay special attention to my driving!

“My wife, Lynn, passed away four years ago but I have my youngest son (56) living with me. As my daughter says, You can look after him and he can look after you! Good luck to all and stay out of those listings in the back pages of the alumni magazine.”

The Rev. Allen W. Scott died Aug. 20, 2018. After Wesleyan and Yale Divinity School he pastored his hometown church in East Lyme, Conn., and was a leader in the community. He is survived by his daughter, Margaret Watson, and sons MacKenzie, Alan, and Jonathan.

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

Further doings of the Great Class of 1959:

Bert Edwards and Skip Silloway went on to Stanford Business School (’61) after Wesleyan and attended a mini-reunion in Boston. These are regular events held around the country involving around 24 couples and are great fun.

Marilyn and Ed Murphy spent six weeks this winter skiing in Winter Park, Colo. They have two boys, both living in Florida: one in Tampa, a Navy Seal attached to the Special Operations Command; and the other a blooming entrepreneur in Jacksonville starting a business importing tequila! Fuel for our Reunion?!

The spring lunch in Washington hosted by Ed at the Hamilton Restaurant included Messrs. Edwards, Chase, Errington, Leverich, Moody, and Ogren. “In spite of the uplifting conversation about developments at Wesleyan and our recent travels and activities, the unexpected no-show of Josiah S. Carberry, honorary member of ’59, professor of psychoceramics (the study of cracked pots) at Wesleyan and Brown, cast a bit of a pall on the afternoon.”

Paul Stevens and wife Dodo celebrated two 50th anniversaries last fall: Their marriage and 50 summers on Little Diamond Island in Maine. Paul is still working at SMRT Architects and Engineers (52 years), traveling last winter to Costa Rica, Italy, and Florida, and running competitively, though he says the competition is thinning out in the 80-plus group. No more marathons, however.

Bert Edwards needs no introduction, but we wanted to share a bit about his career, which is extraordinary! Bert became an accountant after Stanford and went to Washington to work for the government. He retired, with many awards, as the assistant secretary and CFO of the State Department. The Interior Department then called Bert out of retirement to help them settle a long-running suit for $175 billion brought by several Native American tribes, representing 300,000 people. The suit was settled eventually for $1.4 billion. Bert worked for two female cabinet secretaries, Madeline Albright and Gail Norton, one Republican and one Democrat. A man of great talent and flexibility!

Hugh Lifson still lives a block from the campus at Cornell College, where he is a professor emeritus. He works a couple of hours every day in acrylic and plastic wrap, his signature medium since the 1960s, except Sunday, reserved for the New York Times.

Phil Pessoni reports the wonderful news that his daughter, Clare Frey, gave birth in April to their fifth grandchild, Nicholas Peter, in Montgomery, Ala.

Steve Pyle has completed two oil paintings of holes at the Whispering Pines short course, the best in Texas by far. His message to Skip: “Come for a visit and we’ll tee it up for old times’ sake.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cyndy and John Spurdle hosted “A Salute to Sir Tom Stoppard” at the Roundabout Theatre in New York in early April. Tom was retiring as president of the famed London Library after 15 years of noble service. His play, Travesties, was opening in New York for a limited run.

Ellen and Herb Steiner are well, Herb hitting 81 in July. They are in close touch with the Martins and the Vander Veers and will be visiting the Martins at their farm in Connecticut to pick blueberries! Sounds perfect.

The Wesleyan lacrosse CLUB got its first coach in 1959, Nate Osur, football line and wrestling coach, and went 4-4 for the season. Fifty-nine years later at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., the Wesleyan lacrosse TEAM took the Division III national title by defeating Salisbury of Maryland (read the article here). Heartiest congratulations to the team and coaches from some of the “founding fathers.” Lacrosse got started on campus four years earlier thanks to the efforts of George Davies ’57, Kent Davies ’57, and Dick Griscom ’57, among others. Long gone are the days of hijacking classmates as they came out of class to go play away games, whether they knew anything about lacrosse or not, and borrowing equipment, as we could, from the opposing teams.

Finally, three sad notes: Ernie Dunn passed away just weeks before his 81st birthday. Born in Harlem, Ga., he grew up in Erie, Pa. Doug Bennet, friend and former Wesleyan president passed away in June. Reminiscences from classmates can be found here. Walter McCann passed away last summer. Tom McHugh wrote: “I found a delightful and well-illustrated memorial to Walter at waltermccann.com.” Our deepest sympathy to his wife, Dr. Alba Ambert. Please contact us for her address if you’d like to send her a note.

Skip Silloway | ssillow@gmail.com; 801/532-4311 

John Spurdle | jspurdle@aol.com; 212/644-4858

The last hurrah has come and gone. For our 60th Reunion Wesleyan was very accommodating with golf carts to transport us old-timers around the campus and a designated area to park. Meals on Friday were cafeteria-style and satisfactory. Saturday lunch at Patricelli was superb and our gala Saturday evening was spectacular. Unfortunately, John Corkran’s wife, Toni, sustained a serious shoulder injury and she and John had to head to North Carolina so they missed our Saturday evening dinner. Sad because John had worked so hard to make our 60th a success. Priscilla and Bob Hayes were also absent due to confusion over their motel reservations. And we missed Mel Cote and Bob Schoetz.

Bill Herbst, professor of astronomy, was our featured speaker and his 30-minute presentation was relevant and interesting.

Dick Goldman received the Wesleyan University Service Award, richly deserved, presented by Bill Krenz.

On Saturday at 3 p.m., Dick Goldman and Dick Seabury led a one-hour discussion group where we discussed what we do in the way of community service. From my perspective, Brenda and Rick Pank were the clear leaders in this area.

Besides the attendees, I received a note from David Schalk (alive and well, nothing outstanding to report) and a lengthy e-mail from Ezra Amsterdam. He is working hard as ever, publishing papers and books and was listed among the top 27 cardiologists in the U.S. Bart Bolton, who did attend Saturday night, is excited by the marriage of his oldest granddaughter and the granting of an academic scholarship to another granddaughter. Neil Springborn says hi to all classmates. His health is good, but he was injured and damaged his hip socket. Six weeks in traction cured him, but he fears that a hip replacement is in his future. Funny note: He advises not to vacuum while wearing headphones. He wore headphones, did the whole house then realized the vacuum was not plugged in. Finally, Jack Wright reveals that his study of neurobiology is paying off. He believes that recent discoveries are evolutionary, challenging many theories in education, psychology, and sociology.

Bob Wuerthner apologizes for missing the 60th; too much on his plate. He and Joan are well, enjoying Kennebunk and their home, and they feel fortunate to be living close to their kids and seven grandchildren. Bob, despite a fused lower back and a new knee, plays doubles tennis three times a week, mostly against opponents 15 to 20 years younger. He and Joan did a wonderful Road Scholar trip to Cuba in March.

John Corkran reports that Toni is recovering from her injury well. Three weeks in a sling then physical therapy. John was published for the third time by the Black Mountain College (BMC) special edition of the Appalachian Journal. His article “Extra Innings” traces his lifelong relationship with BMC students and faculty whom he first met as an 11-year-old. His first article dealt with alumni programs for the support of education. His second was a humorous poem about the mysteries of recognizing gender today. John wants to express his gratitude to the donors who helped us reach and exceed our goals and to those who served on the Reunion committee.

Thanks to Theresa Kidd, our Wesleyan liaison. We were able to receive our latest yearbook, Class of 1958 60th Reunion. Send to the alumni office for a copy. At our gala Saturday evening the list of our deceased classmates was on the back of the program. We took about 15 minutes to eulogize some who were close to us.

Question, will we have a 65th Reunion?

Cliff Hordlow | Khordlow@gmail.com
Apt. 103, 4645 Winged Foot Court | Naples, FL 34112; 239/732-6821