Class Notes | 1950s

This will be mostly about Alan Gordon, who left us too soon in May 2010, but is fondly remembered. On Reunion weekend last May I talked with Larry La Brie and his wife Beth, who had just come from a memorial service in Hazardville, Conn., for Alan. They brought me copies of remembrances of Alan by Jim Wagner and Charley Longley, two of his freshmen roommates in Harriman Hall. I wish we had space to reproduce them here in full, but we don’t. I hope to capture a fraction of their eloquence in the excerpts below.

First, let me say that their fourth roommate, Bill Sieverling, left somewhat different impressions. According to Jim, Bill was “constantly worrying he was going to flunk out,” while Charley recalls the same Bill “suddenly appearing at 12 o’clock to nonchalantly type out a paper for a 1 o’clock class.” Well, we all know how that turned out [junior-year Phi Beta Kappa]!

JW: “I was the last to arrive, so I got the remaining upper bunk and the desk by the door, but I soon discovered that I had no trouble falling asleep when I only got about six hours of sleep a night!” He adds, “What an interesting assortment of guys we were!” Charles, he recalls “was a quiet fellow who kept to himself and didn’t talk very much, but was not at all unfriendly once you got to know him.”

CL: “I arrived at Wesleyan at my (our) quarters—and there was Alan’s mother. Don’t remember why she and I happened to be there alone, but I do remember learning that she was from Brazil, that I began pestering her with foolish questions about the country. I later learned that she wrote a gracious letter about our encounter to my mother, for they had been classmates at Wellesley. Alan’s mother made excellent guava jelly. [Alan] let me have a taste and no more! It must have been one of his favorites. No guavas in Maine. Delicious.”

JW: “Al [was] a serious, but pleasantly extroverted, friendly, and humble guy who seemed more amazing the longer you got to know him. He was the son of a missionary and planned to go into the same sort of work himself. But that was not all. Alan was very musical, and I got the impression that he could play almost anything that made sounds. Most definitely he could do very well on the guitar, accordion, piano, and organ, as well as sing quite well! Sometimes I wondered how he ever found time to study!”

CL: “Most of all. Alan loved things musical. I remember him at the organ in the darkened chapel on Friday night, with just the console lit up; and at the keys of the upright in the John Wesley House working out variations of songs for a composition class. About our junior year, he showed up with a big accordion, loaded with keys and buttons. And I remember Alan, elegant in tux, splendid in white shirt and black bow tie, full of smiles, eager and ready to sing!”

JW: “I remember Al best as a Christian brother and mentor who was very helpful to me as a brand new born-again Christian. I had had a very real conversion experience before arriving at Wesleyan. Al was there and often would encourage me when I hit a difficult spot or found studies or some other aspect of college life overwhelming. I remember Al more as a Christian who lived out his faith in practical way than one who talked about it a lot.”

CL: “It was through Alan that I became involved with the First Baptist Church in Middletown, teaching Sunday school and participating in youth fellowship… Occasional Sunday dinners after church with Rev. Johnson and family were lovely occasions.”

JW: “Alan’s girlfriend Alma visited from time to time. I seem to recall that they had been friends and sweethearts for some time, and it was really nice to attend their wedding in the Wesleyan Chapel just one day after we all graduated! I believe he was the first one in the class of 1956 to get married, and I was one of the last, not finding God’s choice for me until 1969! Indeed, I think that Al and Alma’s wedding was the first such ceremony that I had ever attended.

“I wonder what Alan is doing now in the great throngs that surround God’s throne as pictured in the Book of Revelation. Is he playing guitar, accordion, piano or organ, singing or perhaps directing the heavenly choirs? In any case, I do look forward to that Great Day when Alan and I and all the saints will be there singing (and playing) in the hugest orchestra and choir ever assembled to sing God’s praises forever! (I know he will be out of work as a doctor because there will be no more pain or sickness there.)”

Tributes to a great man, one sorely missed.

In July, Ann and I drove to New Hampshire to visit the sage of Antrim, Dick Winslow ’40. At 96. Dick is as gracious and witty as ever. He gets around with the help of two canes, but he still drives a car—too fast at times, he admits. Speaking of great men…

GEORGE CHIEN | gchien@optonline.net; 201/261-0997 

BOB RUNYON | rrunyon@unomaha.edu; 402/393-3320

The following sad news, sent to me from freshman roommate Drew Clemens, arrived just after I had submitted material for the previous edition of Wesleyan. I feel that even though the timeliness of this information may be somewhat “outdated,” it should be shared with all. Drew wrote, “Bob Sayre (’55 Eclectic) died on April 16 of complications of malignant melanoma. Bob is survived by his second wife, Hutha, three children, two step-children, and seven grandchildren. He taught in the English Department and American Studies Program at the University of Iowa for 33 years.” Drew and his wife, Julie, kept in contact with Bob over the years with occasional trips together including reunions that also included Mary Lou and Wink DelDuca.

Drew writes, “Julie and I remain in good health overall. I closed my private practice three years ago but remain very active in teaching and writing about psychoanalysis and psychotherapy at Case Western Reserve as an emeritus professor of psychiatry and at the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Institute as a training and supervising analyst. I’m on the executive council of the American Psychoanalytic Association and will be the president-elect of the American College of Psychoanalysts. Given a free hand by the editors, I write informative or reflective columns for a psychiatric journal several times a year (see Drew Clemens.net for PDFs). Being retired thus has been a relative matter, but there has been plenty of time to enjoy life. Julie and I make bird-watching trips (Ecuador, Colombia, Belize lately) and she monitors butterfly populations weekly. I play singles tennis and do some biking and hiking. Julie and I continue to sing great music with the Choral Arts Society of Cleveland, go to frequent concerts by the Cleveland Orchestra, and above all enjoy our cottage on Lake Chautauqua, N.Y. Our two sons are doing well in software architecture and residential architecture respectively, and we have four grandchildren.” Yes, Drew, it has been a long road since we first started out rooming together after the tragic start of losing a roommate during freshman orientation. Thanks so much for sharing your words with us!

I received a phone call from Hal Stuhl and enjoyed chatting with him and reminiscing about former acquaintances both at Sigma Chi and Wesleyan. Hard to believe the enrollment during our years numbered approximately 750, including graduate students! Certainly made for an environment where it was possible to know such a high percentage of the student body. Hal and his wife have been spending more time here in Florida, where they have a place on the west coast in Bonita Springs. He mentioned he celebrated both his 55th anniversary and his 80th birthday. I reminded him that middle age now runs through 85, so he should have plenty of time to continue playing golf and exercising! Our bike club tries to plan a weekend ride in Naples annually and as this is just somewhat south of Bonita Springs, I hope we can plan to get together one of these days.

Thanks to the wonders of Facebook, I have traded “words” with both George Edwards and Brad Miter. Needless to say, I’d welcome the opportunity to do so with more of you!

On a personal note, Marianne and I remain well and in decent spirits. Family-wise, my younger daughter, Pamela Torres, spent the summer months at the University of Hawaii earning a second master’s degree in education, this time in leadership. Proud to say she was one of 25 students chosen to attend the university on an all-tuition-paid basis. Really a proud dad! Cycling continues to keep me going and I am on a path to exceed more than 6,000 miles this year, assuming weather and knees cooperate! It’s fun teasing my “younger” riding companions to pick up the pace every once in a while!

As always, I hope these notes find you and your loved ones healthy and happy. Would love to hear from more of you if the chance permits.

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@bellsouth.net
27A Stratford Ln. W., Boynton Beach, FL 33436; 561/654-3711

Greetings all! Thought you’d be interested in who attended our 60th last May in Middletown: John Binswanger, Hank Bruner, Bob Carey, Eric Cone, Chuck Davis, Marty Feins, Joel Finegan, Bob Gruskay, Terry Hatter, Carter Hearn, Rich Hinckley, Bud Johnson, Bob Montstream, Myron Poliner, George Ray, Zeke Richmond, Bob Schnuer, Art Spada, Bruce Storms, Jim Swain, Dave Walden, and Hal White.

Meanwhile, here’s the latest from a few of you: New Yorker Bob Schnuer and Vickie will migrate back to Boca Raton around Oct. 1, bad knee and all. Bob’s refused a replacement, so far. Curt McLaughlin just published (with son, Craig ’79) the second edition of Health Policy Analysis: An Interdisciplinary Approach at Jones & Bartlett Learning. Curt says he’s got one more major project in the works, and “then time to adopt retirement completely.”

Marshall Umpleby was sorry to miss the 60th, and says his health is pretty good, considering. Cancer is in remission, chemo shot every six weeks. Nurse Mimi keeps Marshall on a strict diet, and his morale is okay.

Emi and Al Flynn, who now reside in Asheville, N.C., did some nice traveling this year. In May, they flew to Bozeman, Mont., to start a guided tour of these National Parks: Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and Zion; then Salt Lake City to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Later, Martha’s Vineyard with son and daughter plus families, staying at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown.

Lynn and Bud Johnson, in the fall of 2014, retraced steps through Italy’s lake country, with added time in Venice, Florence, and Siena en route to Rome. In early 2015, Bud and Lynn will visit Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand, with time at Angkor Wat before heading home via Singapore.

Dick McCray’s wife, Carol, tells us that Dick had a traumatic brain injury two years ago, and finds it difficult to travel. Dick had wanted to attend the Reunion, but it wasn’t really possible. Our prayers are with you, Dick

Bob Muir is sorry to have missed the Reunion. Meanwhile, he and Harriet have a new abode at Apt 302, 200 Bristol Glen Drive, Newton, N.J. 07860. Finally, sad news: Our Classmate Bill Morrison passed away last May.

I have a few photo collages left from the 60th; e-mail me if you’d like one. All the best to all of us!

BOB CAREY | bobcarey@optonline.net
618 W. Lyon Farm Dr., Greenwich, CT 06831
203/532-1745

In the last issue Jim Griffis’ family was enlarged by my misreading his note. Jim has not four children, but only one son, who we remember being born during our junior year. His son is the one with four children (all adults). Now living in Texas, Jim says that his attempts to contact fraternity brother Herb Kelleher have been unsuccessful.

Distinguished Alumnus Awardee, Trustee Emeritus, and New England gentleman David Jenkins passed away peacefully June 17, 2014. An English major, Dave was president of Eclectic, an end on the football team and member of Mystical Seven. Our sympathy is with his family, especially his wife, Shirley Muirhead Jenkins, who loyally cared for Dave during his final years.

Federal Judge James R. Miller Jr., died June 25, 2014, in Easton, Md. Jim was a history major, an Alpha Delt, and member of the track team. In November 1970, at age 39 when sworn in, he became the youngest federal judge in the country. He retired from the bench in 1986. Jim remained in private practice until 2006. An avid sailor, he spent much of his last years traveling and being with family. Condolences are extended to his four children and their families. For further details see online obituaries at magazine.wesleyan.edu.

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

The last issue of this magazine carried word of the death of John “Didge” Dodge on Dec. 8, 2013. Didge, a member of Sigma Chi while at Wesleyan, spent a very productive career with the Boy Scouts of America. We send sincere condolences to his widow and children.

Classmates may recall the 2010 China visit by Al Chien and family, including his brother George Chien ’56, to the site of the bridge his father had designed over the Mekong River (known as the Lancang River in China) as part of the Burma Road. They were disappointed to find that only days before their arrival the bridge had been dismantled because of planned construction of a dam downstream. But disappointment turned to thrilling news in June 2014, when the Chiens learned that the bridge had been reassembled across the river at a safer place and is available for visitation but not crossing by vehicles. The bridge is legendary in China because it was that country’s first cable suspension road bridge and was replicated by many other bridges on the Burma Road. The bridge is named for the Chien brothers’ father, Chien Chang Kan, who not only designed it, but supervised its construction in 1939–40. Tragically, shortly after the bridge was completed, their father was shot down by the Japanese and killed while conducting an aerial inspection of bomb damage to the bridge. Members of the Chien family, hopefully including Al, plan to revisit the bridge, now a museum piece, in 2015.

John Wood, his wife Pat, and granddaughter made a vacation trip through New England during the 2014 summer. Among others, they visited Sigma Chi brothers Kim Zachos (and Anne), and Ken Taylor (and JoAnne). At Kim’s, they happened upon Charley “Rogo” Rogovin (and Marcy) who were visiting Kim and Anne while en route to Nova Scotia. John missed seeing Hal Buckingham (and Joyce) by minutes. Having left his original law firm in Indianapolis sometime ago, John has continued practicing law with the Indiana Department of Family Services on a full-time basis.

While visiting Kim Zachos, Rogo was able to reconnect with his old Chi Psi mate, Dave Nixon ’53, in one of the weekly coffee breaks Kim has with fellow attorney Dave in Manchester, N.H.

We lost another of our exemplary classmates when Jim “Harpo” Reap died on June 8, 2014. Jim, based in White Plains, N.Y., had an extraordinary career as a practicing attorney, city, and state judge, Rear Admiral in the USN and Commander of the NY State Naval Militia, all the while being active in a wide variety of local and state civic and bar organizations. Remembered at Wesleyan as a nine varsity letter athlete and captain of the golf team, Jim continued his golfing prowess and won the Westchester (NY) Bar Association Golf Championship 13 times. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, two sons, a daughter, and two grandchildren, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy on their and our great loss.

As the deadline for submitting these class notes arrived, we received word of the death of Bill Bruner on Aug. 30, 2014, in Charlotte, N.C. Bill’s beloved avocation was competitive sailing and he was an acclaimed sailor until Alzheimer’s struck him down 13 years ago. He leaves his wife, Jean, two sons and several grandchildren, as well as all of his Wesleyan classmates, to mourn his loss.

DONALD T. SANDERS | dtsanders1@sbcglobal.net
33 Sunny Hill Drive, Madison, CT 06443

Just as this issue of the magazine was going to press, we learned of the death of Don Sanders. Don has been our faithful and dedicated Class Secretary, author of our Class Notes since the first issue after our graduation in 1952. He remained steadfast in his service, even after suffering a paralyzing stroke four years ago. He leaves a daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren and his longtime beloved companion, Joan Boutelle, to each of whom we extend our heartfelt condolences. To say that he will be missed by his classmates is a vast understatement. (HCB)

Charles Selig wrote from Boca Raton, Fla., that he was still playing lots of tennis and bridge. His wife died suddenly in 2010 but he was super fortunate to have found a wonderful lady, Madalyn, to fill the void in his life. He has three children living relatively close to him and five grandchildren living in New Jersey and Massachusetts. He made a trip back to campus with his granddaughter and was much impressed with the changes he saw. “It was all very beautiful,” he said.

Neil Keller wrote from Crompton, N.H., that his wife, Jane, has Parkinson’s disease and can’t leave Pine Rock Manor in Warren, N.H., but she still paints in watercolors, plays bridge, and loves to talk. Their children mostly live in Tilton and Durham, N.H., but they have a son in Corvallis, Ore. They were happy to have a visit from Pat and Bob Gardner, who came from Eastham on Cape Cod. Bob and Neil were freshman roommates at Wesleyan.

Fred Gilman lives in Weston, Mass., but spends a lot of time in New Hampshire. “I’m still practicing law somewhat,” he wrote, “with lots of pro bono work.” Fred said he was still in good health.

Bill Mitchell, writing from North Carolina, says life next to the mountains is quite good this year. “It has brought cooler summer weather and more rainfall,” he says, “Something the huge apple-growing establishment is rejoicing over.” Bill reports there’s plenty to do, with lots of concerts and theater. “Once in a while I get a call from John Taylor,” Bill says, “And I did hear from Charlie Culver at Christmastime.” Bill reported losing his wife four years ago. In three weeks time, Bill would see his second granddaughter go off to college. Another will follow next year. “I hope to see all of them graduate,” Bill said.

Chuck Exley wrote from Grosse Pointe, Mich., where he and his wife, Carol, were born and reared. He had just returned from visiting his son, Yates Exley ’83. Chuck commented on the Wesleyan football team’s loss to Trinity which spoiled an undefeated season. “I have two friends who are Trinity grads who have become temporarily unbearable,” he reported. Oh well, Wesleyan was once a football power and beat Michigan, 14–6. The year was 1884, Chuck. He has a granddaughter, Sara Guernsey ’15, who is a senior fine arts major at Wesleyan. “She rounds out the cast of three of my progeny at Wesleyan: my son Yates, a grandson, Brian Walker ’00, and now Sara. All have done a lot better than I as undergraduates,” Chuck says, “but I have not found it necessary to get into this with them.”

Richard De Gennaro wrote from Florida that he was going strong as was his brother George. “I’m in excellent health,” Richard wrote, “which I maintain with my fitness routine, which includes yoga workouts. My wife, Barbara, and George’s wife, Mary Jane, are also in good health,” he wrote.

Bill Churchill wrote from his summer home. After spending the last 25 years traveling the far corners of the world, he and his wife, Maggie, decided to look at the USA this year. They spent most of May visiting the Rockies, and the Southwest, including national parks. Their itinerary included Mount Rushmore, the Devil’s Tower, Yellowstone, the Tetons, Bryce Canyon in Utah, Zion, Monument Valley, and Mesa Verde. “This is an amazing part of the world,” Bill wrote, “and I’m glad we had the time and energy to discover it.” His other news involved the graduation of three grandsons, who will be entering Washington University, RIT, and Stanford. I’d say they did all right, even though they didn’t choose Wes.” Bill had his annual lunch with former roomie Bob Switzgable. “We shared memories and insults and had a great time. He looks good,” Bill said, “except for his scruffy beard that is supposed to make him look wise. He is a wise guy. Some things never change.”

In my latest notes to class members I spoke of Wesleyan’s accomplishments on the academic side, with three new courses of study being introduced. Bill Mitchell said he thought the diversity was laudable, but he wondered if that kind of effort might deny places in the class to non-diverse kids whose grades and SATs, are above those who are admitted. “What I wonder,” Bill said, “is whether a new kind of quota system has been put into place, the reverse of the kind of admission practices we felt existed and deplored 70-odd years ago.” Perhaps other classmates might want to comment on this and perhaps the president might want to address the issue.

DAVID M. PHILIPS | davephilips69@hotmail.com
100 Elena St., Apt. 618, Cranston, RI 02920-7620

Calling all gentlemen of the Class of 1950! Can you believe it—the 65th Reunion for this class! Save the dates: May 21–24, 2015. It’s sure to be a fantastic weekend—but only if you come! If you’d like to have input as we plan events, please e-mail Katie Tedford (ktedford@wesleyan.edu). And thanks to those already participating!

Further adventures of the “Great Class of ’59”: Tim Day has retired from Bar S Foods, which he built and ran for years. He continues to be deeply involved in the U.S. Marine Corps. Tim has helped in the organization and funding of a chapel at Marine Corps Headquarters and has established scholarships at Harvard Business School for marines who are promising entrepreneurs. The Marine Corps will be installing a plaque honoring Tim’s service at the Mt. Soledad Veteran’s Memorial in La Jolla, Calif. on May 3, 2014. Congratulations, Tim! A high honor indeed.

In the “who knew” department, your intrepid reporters have identified a shy and elusive artist. A good football player and a better golfer who thought about the professional ranks. He worked in real estate and investments before taking up the paintbrush. After 9/11 he wished to pursue something he truly enjoyed and chose landscape painting. His love of golf and “old style” course architecture promoted an artistic awareness that has been financially rewarding. He has painted some of the most famous holes on the country’s most renowned courses. He has added duck and quail hunting scenes in South Texas as well as wildflower landscapes to his repertoire. This reporter has seen a portfolio of his paintings and they are good! We speak, of course, of Steve Pyle.

Having infiltrated Wesleyan’s board of trustees, Charlie Wrubel writes of an eye-opening experience regarding the operations of our University. The Trustees are diverse, energetic, and intelligent (would one expect elsewise?) and are actively engaged in the discussions and decisions that make the Wesleyan experience first rate. He is pleased to be on the Board and to represent our “age group.” It’s a generational thing!!

Skip Silloway reports that he and Molly spent some of October and much of November in Argentina and Chile seeing the sights of Patagonia with three favorite traveling partners. Two days in the old part of Buenos Aires, a wonderful example of the colonial era. The core of the city is very appealing. Next they went to Bahia Bustamante, on the Atlantic coast, which is a marine nature preserve. The ranch is devoted to sheep and the collection of seaweed, which is an ingredient in innumerable products shipped around the world. Next, on to Ushuaia, at the bottom of the continent. From this point, hiking and wildlife viewing. Next to El Chalten with more hiking, fabulous views of Mount Fitz Roy and a glacier walk complete with crampons and a bit of Bailey’s and glacier ice. A wonderful interlude at a small hosteria, the only guests in a charming oasis-like place. Next, Torres del Paine for more hiking and glacier viewing. Lastly to a wonderful small hotel in Santiago, another charming former colonial city.

Mary and Dave Eklund are back from Washington State, where they spent the night with Susan and Tom Young on Whidbey Island. He tried to convince Tom to stay longer at the Reunion beyond honoring Fred Stone and the baseball team! Dave and Mary will be here and then on to Nantucket Island, where they have had a home for years.

Irwin “Sonny” Barnet is about to retire as a partner of Reed Smith, with whom he merged his firm, after 50 plus years of practice on the West Coast. He is coming East for a board meeting in NY, planned too far ahead to be able to stick around for the 55th. We’ll miss him. When his wife answered the phone and I asked for Sonny, she said “You must be from the ancient past! Nobody has called him ‘Sonny’ for years.” Got that right!

Bob Berls can’t make it back. He is a keen fisherman, fellow member of the Anglers’ Club of NY and revered past editor of the Anglers Club Bulletin. Bob has fished here, there, and almost everywhere around the world. He still wants to get out west this summer, but health problems are slowing him down.

Dave Britt reports (after a paragraph of strong disclaimers) that he is leading a couple of discussion groups on US foreign policy options on world issues. We sure need his help! He learns a lot, enjoys getting folks to talk, and no one has yet walked out. Dave continues to serve on the Board of Children, Youth and Families at the Institute of Medicine, which addresses health and development issues facing kids and families. Dave is also on the boards of other nonprofits that help kids. Sue and he continue to work through their bucket list; last fall, a cruise up the Amazon and this spring, back to Botswana and Victoria Falls for photo safaris. Two grandkids in college, including one freshwoman at Fordham, rowing varsity crew (thereby proving that genes are not destiny). He is walking a lot, playing geezer tennis, swilling Chardonnay, watching sunsets, and feeling lucky.

Weg Thomas writes that he and Peg could not make it back to Reunion because of a granddaughter’s graduation from Wake Forest the same week. He has just opened a show of 30 of his photographs at the Volo Bog State Natural Area in Illinois. It will be up until the end of May. The gallery is sited on the only “quaking bog” in Illinois! Hope it doesn’t quake during the show.

Hugh Lifson, another of our artistic sons, has regretted Reunion as he has been given an opportunity to paint for a week in Gubbio, Italy. Good decision, Hugh!

Sue and Bert Edwards have returned from a 10-day cruise as part of their 50th anniversary. Bert has heard form Carol McGrew, a de-facto member of the Class of ’59 and wife of Ed “Dusty” McGrew, that they regretted missing the 55th. Dusty has not been well and is hoping to get back home soon. He and Carol were married on June 20, 1959, so it is 55th all over the place. We send our best to them both and will raise a glass to them at Reunion. Bert seems well-rested and ready to lead the class in contributions to the WAF.

 

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

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

My appeal using the Lyris messaging system produced a plethora of responses.

Among those listed as alive and well are Pete Ralston, Tony Shrednik, and Mel Cote. Bob Terkhorn says he and Kay are in good health and will cruise the Norwegian fjords for 17 days this summer.

Bob Furber informed me that his esoteric, sophisticated paper, “Kepler Accuracy Model for Co-Periodic Satellite Separation Extrema” has been published. To read it, either Google the title or check Springerlink.com. Bob received a copy of Dan Woodhead’s book, Modoc Vengeance, which mentions a Furber (one of Bob’s ancestors).

Dan Woodhead related the story of his correspondence with Bob Furber and reaffirms his offer to send copies of Modoc Vengeance to classmates.

Charlie Keck retired from the practice of pediatrics at 62, then got a massage license and practiced part time until recently. He and Carolyn have moved to a retirement community near Olympia and their three children live within six miles of their home.

Bill Purinton reports that he retired to his home state of Maine 15 years ago. During retirement he has been active with nonprofits dealing with conservation and other environmental pursuits. He and Nancy are so far still sound of mind and limb.

Roger Turkington discloses that his volume of 200 poems is now available at his website, Love Poems to Art.

Dan Woodhead’s book, Modoc Vengeance, motivated Roger Paget to recall that Wesleyan’s first president, Willbur Fisk, played a central role in organizing the first surge of Protestant missionaries who came to the Northwest. So events like the Whitman massacre in the Oregon Territory have a direct link to early Wesleyan history.

Dave Hickox, who is retired from the practice of pediatrics, is heading to northern Scotland on a hiking trip there and the Outer Hebrides in May.

John Corkran wishes to thank classmates who have contributed to the alumni fund and remind others that there is still an opportunity to do so.

Art Levine is spending March in Florida. He informed me that Ted Wieseman had hip replacement surgery on Feb. 14 and it appears to be successful. If you know Ted, he would appreciate a call at 301/610-6726.

Dick Goldman is also in Florida until early April. He plays golf and tennis, but no checkers! He still practices law with Sullivan & Worcester in Boston and teaches as an adjunct professor at Boston University Law School.

Dick Tompkins and his wife are in Florida eight months and Minnesota four months. He plays golf, bridge, attends lectures, and enjoys symphony orchestra series.

Ron Nowek and partner Lynn flew to Aspen for four days of skiing and snow-boarding over President’s Day holiday weekend. They enjoyed the snow, but enjoyed more the return to Southern California where shorts and tank-tops are in fashion.

Another golfer from the class of ’58 is Neil Springborn. He often leaves Oklahoma to play some of the pristine courses in Arkansas.

Art Geltzer also reports about Ted Wieseman. Art visited Ted in January and found him to be in an upbeat mood.

Tony Codding traveled to Cuba in January 2014, under the sponsorship of the NYC-based Episcopal Church. Americans can go to Cuba only as members of a group. Tony reports that Cuba today is a socialist country of extremes: luxury hotels for the Canadian, South American, and European tourists (who are there in droves), and third-world conditions outside of Havana, which is truly a charming city. Because the people have so little, Tony’s group packed suitcases with donations from their parish and left them at the church in Cárdenas.

Burr Edwards is still well and active in Africa. He has a new knee and a new company (Crown Agents, from the UK). Burr still plays golf, but his tennis is slow motion. Their French house is a haven from Al Shabaab antics in Nairobi.

Good news from Randy Johnson. His wife, Carole, has been tumor-free for one year after being diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma. To celebrate, they cruised the Caribbean on the Sea Cloud. A future trip will be to Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. To prep for the trip, the Johnsons are reading a book about Edward Curtis, who made thousands of wonderful photos of Indians. A major puzzle: what happened to the Anasazi tribe who inherited the canyon a thousand years ago?

Jack Wright is still in harness, consulting with early childhood services, observing over 200 children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. He is also writing his third self-published book, which is about how we can feel stuck due to things that happened to us when we were children.

Bart Bolton was in Sarasota in February. One night he dined with Gail and George Kangas ’60. The next day he had lunch with Charley Denny at the Celtic Ray Pub in Punta Gorda. Bart will be in Sarasota in April and I have invited Bart and Charley Denny for a day of golf and lunch at my club in Naples. Hopefully we can agree on dates.

Also in full career mode is Ezra Amsterdam. He is still full time at UC,Davis, Medical Center and School of Medicine. He has earned many honors. Among them, Distinguished Professor of Internal Medicine and Master Clinician Educator. He is also chair of the writing committee to produce the new guidelines of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association for the Management of Patients with NonSTE Acute Coronary Syndrome. And he still plays tennis.

Bill Barnes is really anxious for our 60th Reunion, only he can tell you how anxious. He has been grandparenting, preaching, playing viola in a local symphony orchestra, and bike riding in good weather. He also looks longingly at the ski slopes he used to schuss. A bad knee interfered last year and his daughter told him to “quit while I am ahead.” But he still has the skis and boots, just in case.

Kay and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in our permanent home in Naples, Fla. We follow our local college basketball team, FGCU, known as Dunk City. We do some leisure activities and hardly notice we are not as proficient at them as we were a few years ago.

Again, thanks to the Class of ’58 for the overwhelming response.

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

Some corresponding with Mike Stein—we were remembering Scott Aiken and our Argus days—led to a story dealing with careers, choices, and the like. Mike was positioned to pursue journalism after his Marine Corps stint concluded in 1960. After a writing exam under the auspices of the Charlotte Observer was successful, he was accepted at Columbia Journalism, but couldn’t manage the cost—he said he earned all of $11,000 in three years of duty—so he went to work for the CIA where among other things he served in Vietnam as an intelligence officer and continued in that career. Here, I’ll add my own editorial comment that there’s probably a lot of additional stories in his catalog that would require security clearance for disclosure. Mike stays in touch with Carey Congdon, Bill Daley, and Bob Sharlet. He is looking forward to our 60th.

Bob Gorin writes in with the observation that this year would be ’57’s 57th anniversary, but he stopped short of lobbying for an intermediate Reunion—which is perhaps a good idea, but it’d have to be informal. He reports that his four grandchildren, ranging in age from 6 to 14, are busy in their respective school and sports activities. To borrow a title from a recent movie (which I recommend) The Kids Are All Right and they keep their grandparents young at heart.

Tony Austin is a regular contributor to the column, and he continues with commercial fishing off the North Carolina coast. I wanted to learn more about it from him, so here goes. He left academia in the late 1960s and was a Cape Codder for many years (the Capies call late-comers—that’s anyone arriving after the 18th century—washashores), originally as a lobsterman and then fishing out of Wellfleet, Harwichport, and Chatham. He’s been in North Carolina for 25 years and runs a 34-foot Duffy & Duffy, Ruthie’s Redress, and fishes for black sea bass some 20 miles offshore. Tony has also advised Puerto Rico on development for Vieques (island). He adds that during the Cape years, he tied up next to the owner of the Andrea Gail, the now famous boat of The Perfect Storm, which, of course, was written by Sebastian Junger ’84.

A better book than the movie, in the opinion of yours truly. My house in Chatham is minutes from Tony’s marina on the Cape. Our family has been summering on the Cape for many years, and it’s possible we enjoyed some of Tony’s catch back in the day.

On the literary front lines, Jim Brown alerts us to the recent publication of Mystery of the Mona Lisa by his son, Dr. Chris Brown. There’s a book tour, an expected second printing and, yes, a movie in the offing. The book is part of a trilogy focusing on heady subject matter such as the Shroud of Turin and the Ark of the Covenant. Jim adds that his youngest, Kimberly Stalford ’88, is a psychiatrist and lives in Asheville, N.C. Jim plans a move there next year to be near her family, including three grandchildren.

The West Coast is calling in the form of Allen Jay, who like so may of our classmates is enjoying grandchild-time. Sometimes it feels as though we are going around again, with the added perk of being able to leave when you want. Anyway, based on a heads-up from Sam Bergner, he and wife Ricky looked up Jeff Morgan ’75 and spouse who produce Kosher wines at their Napa Valley winery in St. Helena, which is the kind of town featured in the movie Sideways ( which I also recommend). Allen and Ricky give great reviews for the pinot noir and cabernet choices, which have earned marks in the 90s from Wine Spectator. To validate their review, the Jays purchased cases of the Landsman Pinot Noir and the Covenant Cab. He did not indicate in his note whether or not he intended to share any with Sam. We’ll have to wait and see.

I’m writing this on a grey-toned afternoon in early spring, but with the near future in mind, thus I trust all are enjoying the summer.

Art Typermass | AGType@msn.com
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