Class Notes

My thanks to Tom Nall for submitting his thoughtful comments that prevented an absence of communication from classmates for this edition of Class Notes. Tom kindly wrote: “I don’t have any news (I guess that’s a good thing). Just wanted to say ‘hi’ and see how you’re doing.” RIGHT ON, MY FRIEND!

On the home front, Marianne and I have moved to Bethesda, Maryland, from Florida as we believed it was advisable to be closer to my family. Good thing is we now reside in a condominium building that is only a 10-minute walk from my son Peter’s home! At this age, knowing “HELP,” if needed, is nearby makes good sense. As for cycling, my knees still ache despite orthopedic treatments, and I’ve limited my current activity to a stationary bike and leg weights, which are available in our building’s fitness center directly across the hall from our apartment. I will always have wonderful memories of the miles and friendships experienced for many years on my bicycle in Florida. Facing reality can be difficult at times!

I was delighted to receive a text from Paul Tractenberg ’60, a fellow former cyclist, who offered suggestions on several methods for trying to relieve the knee pain I have had. He asked me to “keep the regimen up and keep inspiring the YOUNGER Wes alums!” His kind words certainly reaffirm my strong feelings of the real benefits of cycling—that of meeting such grand people.

Unfortunately, I received the news that Tony Arena passed on August 17, 2022. My condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren, and classmates. His obituary can be read here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/middletownpress/name/anthony-arena-obituary?id=36442524.

As always, my warmest good wishes to you and your loved ones. May your days be filled with good health and happiness.

Please write to your class secretary.

Rev. Edward Allen White passed away March 31, 2022, at the home of his son in Darlington, South Carolina. He grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts, attended Union Theological Seminary and McCormick. He spent much of his career helping congregations find fulfillment in their missions, stressing outreach.

Monroe (Monty) Neuman died July 13, 2022, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, leaving his wife of 60 years, Bobbie, three sons, and six grandchildren. Two sons attended Wesleyan—Doug ’87 and Charles ’91.

W. “Cope” Clapham Murray of Tamworth, New Hampshire, passed away May 1, 2022. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, a member of Alpha Delta Phi, and a theater arts major, the third person to pursue what was, at that time, a new major at Wesleyan. A longtime artistic director of Barnstormers Theater, he was professor of Theater Arts at New England College and established a theater program there. He is predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Patricia, and is survived by a daughter and a son and two grandchildren.

Please excuse the shortened items. My life has turned a corner since Ash Wednesday when I went to the ER. Pneumonia kept me in the hospital for a month and rehab for a bit more, then I moved to an independent living facility. My house has been renovated these past months and now I need to decide whether to return or not.

I attended our 70th Reunion on May 21 and sad to say, I was the only one from our class present at dinner, as Seth Rosner, who I was supposed to meet, left early because he wasn’t feeling well. It was saddened further by the handing out of pamphlets with the names of all our deceased classmates. However, I spent a pleasant evening with the 65th Reunion Class, the 40th Reunion Class with my daughter Ellen F. Bender ’82, and my granddaughter Eliza Bender ’24 and her friends.

Unfortunately, I must report that Hal Buckingham, my predecessor as class scribe, passed away on June 5th, survived by his three children, Margaret, Harold III, and Janet, and his six grandchildren, having been predeceased by his wife Joyce last year. After graduation from Wesleyan, he served in the Korean War in the 24th Infantry Division, 54th Regiment, and was present for the truce on July 27, 1953, and participated in the subsequent exchange of prisoners of war at Panmunjom. He married Joyce one day after returning home on September 16, 1954, having known her since he was 7 and she 5. He graduated Virginia Law School in 1957. Hal was eager to make it back to campus for our 70th before his health took a turn for the worse. For further details about his life, see The Hartford Courant, June 10–12, 2022, or read his obituary here.

Zdenek David wrote that even though he retired in 2003 from his position as librarian of the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., he continues to hold the position of senior scholar at the center and continues conducting research and writing in the history of East Central Europe. He attached a list of his recent publications and other activities, which is quite impressive.

PLEASE SEND NOTES!

Hope to see you at our 75th!

Slim pickings this issue for two possible reasons: First, the spring issue just arrived, and the news was old at best; and second, my address has been listed incorrectly. Someone out there may have received mysterious messages from unknown “friends.” Please note the correct address in this issue and PLEASE send some news.

I did receive a follow-up to the last issue from Charlie Selig. No real new news, but he does stay in touch. Thank you, Charlie.

A note from Chris DeGraff says, “Sandy and I are still enjoying our home in West Hartford. No more skiing, but we have been able to spend time in our Stratton ski house with family.”

Jean and I have survived the hot, dry summer in Connecticut and look forward to our 70th wedding anniversary in early winter.

Cheers to all.  Write when you can.

I heard from one classmate this time. Cliff E. Milner writes:

“Hi Bud,

“Sorry I never met you while we were at Wes. I just reviewed again my latest issue of the alumni magazine and see no one sent in news for the class of 1950. In years past, I have written up short bits and had the pleasure of seeing them in print, so will try again! I feel very fortunate to show some evidence of not losing my marbles. At 94 years, I ventured out to an auto dealer and bought myself a new Subaru, which turns out to be quite a challenge as it has a vast number of special features, most of which I haven’t figured out yet! I do love the ‘passing car warning’ however. I have a pronounced case of neuropathy of the feet, and I warn friends not to be in front of me when I am driving!!

“In February, I acquired a girlfriend . . . a young 91 and we have had a great time taking boat and train excursions and attending the frequent band concerts in this area. This weekend we are going to a blue grass festival down on the Finger Lakes.

“My family is scattered but still fortunate to have some here Rochester. My youngest son (in his 60s!) lives with me and helps with household chores and purchasing food. I have been visiting my Florida families every year in June (my favorite weather time). At the moment, we are stabilized with 12 great-grandchildren. — Cliff

“P.S. Very much saddened by the loss of Len Hippler, a great friend.”

I received a couple of responses to my request for news.

Bob Wylie kindly wrote in with this update: “I was a World War II veteran at Wesleyan but doubt that there are any left. After Wesleyan, I entered the corporate world and eventually became a vice president of marketing at Celanese and Hoescht. My wife Karen and I and our four children lived in Greenwich for 50 years, but we recently moved to Meadow Ridge, a senior living facility in Redding, Connecticut. Over time I attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard, and as my interest has been in history, I obtained two master’s degrees at the New School and Western Connecticut State University. I ran for political office and was soundly defeated, but I successfully managed a number of successful candidates. I am 97, have given up driving, but not Scotch.”

Dick Steuart sent a note too. He said that he couldn’t recall which class he would have been in officially—1949 or 1950—but he attended Wesleyan for one year. He had some association with one of the fraternities, but not as an official member. He also competed on the swim team. Upon leaving Wesleyan, he joined the army and entered West Point, graduating in 1950 and, soon afterward, was in the Korean War. “During 27 years in the army, I served in numerous countries throughout the world, but still have fond memories of Wesleyan. One of my Wesleyan classmates was Chuck D. Stone. With regards, Dick Steuart.”

It would have been one of my 100th birthday wishes to gather with my friends.

Each of us six—Bill Cunningham ’47, Peter Hemmenway ’48, Frank Bowles ’44, Phil Dundas ’48, Tex Reynolds ’48, and I—would come together at Sal’s to play a round of liar’s dice and quaff a cheap beer. We were all teachers from 1947 through 1986, and we had seen great changes over those years. Each had taught secondary, three had gone on to college teaching, and we agreed that time back then had been given to subject matter that required thinking for oneself, not as you were told to think. We urged students to study facts, not opinions. We hoped that they would learn that in a world so little understood there should be room for two to be mistaken. Two on the same side or on opposing sides? Two people? Two causes? Two subject matters? Two truths? Party over, we broke up still clinging to our belief that subject matter is better for fact rather than opinion, which can lead to preaching morals or ethics, or racial outrage or sexual anguish. Some subject matter is better suited to the classrooms of religion or medicine, or even the home, we argued among ourselves. We lamented the passing of the time when students accepted that they had not lived long enough to know who was or was not qualified to teach what, nor should free speech be free only when it says what you want to hear. We had worried, too, about the current stage of political correctness. Why multiple valedictorians? Why euphemisms for words denoting sex or gender, or race? Have we become so fearful of being accused of being prejudiced that we make verbal pablum of robust words; and that is simply obsequious censorship. We last remnants of the class of 1945 urge the inclusion of factual history as subject matter, for we hear echoes of the suppressions of our past. Remember the fraternity landmarks? We 45ers remember what we fought for. Censorship was not among our ideals. Nor are foul discourse, rampage, or gun madness.

Slán go fóill.

Dear Class of 2022,

Four years ago, we were Wesleyan frosh learning how to navigate college, both academically and socially, and just trying to find our groove. Today, we are Wesleyan alumni and all in different aspects of our lives trying to find our groove again. I hope that wherever you are, whatever you’re up to, everything is going well!

My name is Tashfia Jilu and I was your senior class secretary last year. I will now be coordinating the class notes for the alumni magazine for the Class of 2022! This means that I will be collecting notes about your life updates, achievements, and anything you’d like to share with other members of the class through the magazine. I can also take picture submissions for the online magazine as well.

A little update from me: I moved to Michigan in July and recently started at the University of Michigan School of Public Health for my master’s in public health in the Health Behavior and Health Education Department. I also work at Michigan Medicine as a patient care tech and am enjoying exploring the coffee shops in Ann Arbor! I’d love to hear about what you’ve all been up to since graduation, so please send over your updates!

I look forward to hearing from you all and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Best,

Tashfia Jilu

We heard from several classmates this time around.

Two classmates are in graduate school: Gayon Yang wrote to say that “I started school at UC Irvine. I’m [getting] my master of arts in the teaching program.”

And Sofia Colorado said, “I am just entering my second year of a PhD program in computational biology in Denver, Colorado. Could not be happier with the program.”

Two other classmates are working and living in big cities: After a year working for the U.S. Forest Service in Washington, D.C., Andrei Pinkus switched over to the nonprofit world in July. He is now a coordinator on the Corporate Climate Solutions Team at Conservation International, working to facilitate business investment in protecting, managing, and restoring nature at scale to limit the worst effects of climate change. He is living in a two-person house in downtown D.C. and making plans to move abroad after a little while longer in the nation’s capital!

And Kiki Vetoulis-Acevedo wrote, “It’s about a year since graduation and I’m currently living in Manhattan and working in immigration law. The Wesleyan-to-New York pipeline is definitely not the road least traveled but being here with so many friends (like my wonderful roommates Luca LaFayette and Lina Marcinczyk <3) made the transition to real world living as easy as it could be. Mostly, I’m writing this because my parents and sister read this magazine, so: mamá, μπαμπά, and Mari, I love you and miss you; thank you for everything!”