CLASS OF 1965 | 2026 | SPRING ISSUE
1965 ARCHIVES | HOME
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Gar Hargens writes: “Sold my office building last September; after 57 years there, I’m surprised I don’t miss it more. My firm, Close Associates, continues from my home office. I moved most of our remaining files to the University of Minnesota Northwest Architectural Archives, where I’ve established a foundation to support their work. Instead of fees, I’m asking current clients to contribute to the foundation. I’m working on houses and remodelings for friends and with a younger firm, reworking a residential development that includes assisted living and low-income housing.
“Missy and I attended a large wedding in Vermont this summer that brought family we hadn’t seen from near and far. We had several recent holiday family events with grandkids from California and [in] spring, college graduates we hadn’t seen for a while. Grandson Soren was just early admitted to Williams. I preached a different W but he’s a Junior Olympic Team cross-country skier, so no chance. Son James is working remote from New Haven as partner; Cara studies law there. Her summer internship is with our Minnesota attorney general, so we’re excited they’ll be here with us.
“Missy continues to chair the board of the Saint Paul Public Housing Agency. The PHA houses about 8% of Saint Paul residents, all low income, with 80% of funding coming from the federal government—it’s been extremely challenging. Time-outs at our lake house are ever more precious. Our door(s) are always open for anyone venturing into our demonized state. We decry what’s happening in Washington and encourage our representatives, with financial resources and vocal support, to do all they can.”
Arthur Rhodes writes: “Enjoying life after retiring five years ago from 50 years of medicine. Spending quality time with my spouse, Leslie C. Newman of New Orleans, taking care of my small home in Illinois, feeding the birds, and tolerating deer mooching the food in the bird feeders. Am painting with photography, showing my work on Instagram (ArthurRRhodes_Photography). Most of my six grandchildren are in or finished with college or getting ready to matriculate. Am still enjoying relatively good health for now.”
John Graves writes: “This has been a year of stimulating reunions with Blanche and Bob Bast and Mike and Rob Abel with us in Denver. Bob continues to teach, see patients, and do research at MD Anderson in Houston, as well as completing his tour of all U.S. national parks. Rob and Mike also joined us for an extended lunch, describing their international travels and their ongoing work in extending eye care and social justice. (Congratulations, Rob on your Distinguished Alumnus award!)
“Janmarie and I are both enjoying retirement and planning a visit to my brother, Charles, and his family in Geneva, Switzerland, following our visit to southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast. We’re enjoying our reading groups, and I’m continuing to write, study classical piano, hike, snowshoe, and fly-fish.
“I’ve become active in Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence and also participate on the vestry of a small Episcopal parish, with a focus on social justice with homeless and immigrant populations.”
Rob Abel, MD, writes: “I am teaching a course on How to Read the Mind through the Eyes this spring at Washington College. As president of Delaware’s Vision to Learn (VTL.org), we have made Nicholas Kristof’s 2025 donation-request list and will outfit a second mobile clinic van. The 27,000 children who have received free glasses have improved their classroom standardized test results.
“There is always more going on, such as our donation of AfroBrasilian art to three major museums. Wellesley’s Davis Museum will be sharing their expertise in this area with Wesleyan in the spring.”
Geoff Geiser writes: “Our family is thriving. Our two children, Lynn and Erik, are at the top of their game and getting close to retirement age. Our four grandchildren are likewise doing very well, and we were blessed recently with the birth of our first great-grandchild, Raelynn Tait. Carole and I celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary on June 12, and we still enjoy our home in Pennsylvania and summer home on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Regards to all.”
Tony Accetta: “Having retired from a career chasing fraud and corruption as, first, a lawyer and federal and state prosecutor, then, as a fraud investigator with major Wall Street investment banks, I am safely retired in Colorado, enjoying the greatest wife in history, along with sons, stepdaughters, and six grandchildren. I’ve lost some mobility to nerve damage but am otherwise healthy and can still play some golf from an adaptive cart. No complaints. Ran 10 marathons in the day; happy to go around the block with a cane now. Active with OpWalk, a volunteer orthopedic group doing free surgeries in South and Central America and Mexico, and the Education Program of the Colorado Symphony.
“My book, You the Jury, How Wall Street Cashed in on the American Dream and Nearly Killed It, is an insider’s view of what really caused the mortgage crisis of 2007. In short, I was on the inside and know who did what. I recommended all my clients go to jail and then retired.”
Robert MacLean writes: “As fellow classmates follow the growth of their families combined with aging, they are relocating in bigger numbers. Nonetheless, I remain in touch with Phil Russell, Ralph Jacobs, and occasionally John Dunton of Wombat fame.
“On a personal note, I ended a 50-year full-time/part-time teaching career as a ski instructor, most recently with the Snowmass ski school in Colorado, now preferring to ski with friends here and abroad with my new reverse shoulder replacement—one of many skiing related surgeries.
“I also continue to be haunted by age with the FAA and the insurance world as a whole, as I continue flying personally, occasional charter, and as a CFI-I flight instructor.
“All in all, spending time with family and friends in the San Francisco Bay Area, Baja, California, and Basalt, Colorado, skiing, hiking, flying, and socializing while ‘giving back’ as a member of a few boards, has been more than rewarding in retirement.”
Tom Pomeroy writes: “Gretchen and I spent the holidays in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where we have been going for 20 years. It’s sort of like summer camp for old adults: The same folks have been coming each Christmas, and we love spending time with them. Our kids enjoy their kids, and their grandchildren and ours have become good friends too. Pretty special.
“After many years on our HOA board, the last few as president, I was pleased to announce my complete and full retirement. A terrific experience, but one that should only be endured once!
“I appreciate that President Roth has been very outspoken about the role and importance of liberal education, and I am grateful for my experiences and friends at Wes. Best to all!”
Carl Calendar writes: “I am retired from my work as dean of humanities at Brookdale Community College and living happily in my condo in Red Bank, New Jersey. Two grandchildren, Devin and Luke.”
John Dexter writes: “Carol and I consider ourselves blessed when we see the challenges others of our age are facing. There’s nothing wrong with us that being 30 years younger wouldn’t fix! Still we’re making adjustments to address where we are in life.
“After 55 years of boating together, our last boat, which we appropriately named Finale, is on the market. After 34 years in the same house, we are exploring independent living facilities. We’re somewhat less interested in travel, although we are going to Mexico in February. We both participate in YMCA activities to keep fit. We also volunteer locally, which we both find rewarding.
“After all these years I still consider my scholarship to Wesleyan to be one of the most significant gifts I ever received. I had no idea how valuable a Wesleyan education would be while I was receiving it. Best to all.”
Lanny E. Walter writes: “I am still practicing law since 1971. I live in Saugerties, New York, about 100 miles north of NYC on the Hudson River, a beautiful place to visit. My oldest son, Benjamin (’88), is a Wesleyan graduate; my other two sons went elsewhere. My wife of 39 years, Carole Furman, is a Vasser graduate, as was our son, Ryan. The third son was a graduate of the University of Rochester. He had a mind of his own.
“My focus in 2026 is to fight against the Trump presidency, standing on street corners in protest of all the harm he is doing to our country. As best I can tell, Wesleyan is standing tall [in the current political climate]. My best to all survivors for the New Year.”
Clyde Beers has been enjoying visits with family: “We had visits with two of three children [and had been with the third recently] and nine of nine grandchildren. Eldest granddaughter has finished a really good education from a super place called Wesleyan—yeah! She now is employed in a research role with Penn Medicine (part of the University of Pennsylvania). Second eldest (grandson) is about to finish from Sycamore later this year (not yet clear where he will head, but very open with multiple options), and our third eldest (granddaughter) will start later this year at Wellesley. All I can say is we are ecstatic at all of their options and to-date results!
“None is into wrestling, but lots of terrific joint sports activity with lacrosse, field hockey, football, and basketball.”
PHILIP L. ROCKWELL | prockwell@wesleyan.edu