CLASS OF 1951 | 2026 | SPRING ISSUE

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Hi ho, classmates!

Barney Kathan sent some news: “I have completed 11 years in a memoir-writing class, and the group is now meeting in my house twice a month. [Last] August, my caregiver and I celebrated 12 years together, and we are still speaking to each other! I have been in the hospital four times this year [2025], the first because of a fracture in the pelvic region and the last for a surgical procedure. I hope to come to Wesleyan for my 75th Reunion in May.”

Charlie Selig checked in: “I am still alive and kicking with a hospital visit, etc., here and there. Glad to see our football wins. Best to all Wes friends from the past.”

Finally, some of you may have missed the notification of Chuck Exley’s passing last year, on April 17, 2025. His obituary stated, “Timing is apparently not everything: Despite being born in 1929 as the Great Depression brought the country to its knees, Charles E. Exley Jr. went on to live a life full of accomplishment, friendship, and love.” After graduating from Columbia Business School in 1954, Chuck spent decades working for the Burroughs Corporation, which was followed by a 17-year career at NCR; he served in executive leadership roles for both companies. He also served on numerous boards and was a supporter of many charities. Chuck “was a lifelong supporter of Wesleyan, and his many contributions include the endowment of the Exley Science Center. His honors from Wesleyan include the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1976 and a Doctor of Laws degree in 1991.”

BIFF SHAW | rshaw2@aol.com