CLASS OF 1969 | 2024 | FALL ISSUE
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David Freedman reports: “Our 55th Reunion provided enjoyable opportunities to visit some of our fellow ’69ers and meet some alumni from other years. Kudos to you [Charlie] and the other organizers! As I said to John Mihalec, ‘see ya in five years—if not sooner!’”
David continues, “Starting with the reunion, it has been a good summer. After a series of family gatherings and the Peachtree Road Race, my wife, Carmen, and I returned to Puerto Rico for a six-week visit, visiting old (in more ways than one) friends and sampling some new restaurants that sprouted after Hurricane Maria. Not as ample as the Atlanta food scene, but there is progress. The frequent power outages have made the Puerto Rico restaurateurs resourceful and creative. And they are busy—after all, eating out beats cooking at home in the dark! As for daytime, the ocean water is warm, and the foliage lush; quite a contrast to the Middletown winters we remember.”
Charlie Morgan writes: “I got a wonderful review of my book on the Massachusetts Constitution from an attorney in Massachusetts.” The reviewer said:
“Mr. Morgan’s book is a must have for any litigator who practices corporate law focusing on the rights of not only those with ownership or managerial interests therein, but those who are otherwise aggrieved by their actions or inaction. It is an extraordinarily erudite treatise on every aspect of the subject and includes a meticulously detailed history of American constitutional jurisprudence. I highly recommend Attorney Morgan’s book for anyone who loves the law and wants to delve a little deeper into it.”
Charlie continues, “There is not much to report except that I am on the verge of publishing another book, tentatively titled Truly Dumbfounded, Dismayed, and Delighted: A Journey of Discovery, which is nearly 200 pages of anecdotes about events in my life, many humorous, some philosophical, and some sad—including several from my days at Wesleyan. One reviewer had this to say about the manuscript: ‘The quote in the “Waxing Philosophical” subchapter, “Human Behavior,” is, for me, beautifully put: “Frankly, human nature is one of those things that cannot be regulated into submission.” The whole “Waxing Philosophical” chapter is exceptional, in fact. The way in which the chapter approaches ideas from a logical, non-ideological perspective is refreshing and heartwarming. To be honest, I enjoyed the whole book. It’s funny, humble, introspective as much as it is retrospective. The tone is light and heartfelt.’”
Bill Eaton says: “Thanks for continuing to keep everyone in touch! Attached is a cover of a short novel I finished last year. Writing it kept me busy during the first year of retirement! Can you believe the sales from Amazon have skyrocketed to over 10!
“We have moved to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, near Doe Run, Pennsylvania, where they make a cheese from a mixture of goat, sheep, and cow milk, called Saint Malachi. It has won international cheese competitions!”
Darius Brubeck writes, “Catherine and I are planning a U.S. book tour in April that will hopefully include Wesleyan.”
Stuart Blackburn shared a photo from his and Judy’s (his wife) organic food store in Brighton. He said that his next novel, “Luck of the Draw—out early next year—begins in 1969 with the draft lottery . . . should spur a few memories.”
Tom Goodman continues producing new work during the most productive period of his life as an artist: https://www.tomgoodman.com/
Last year, Michael Fink “retired subject to wrapping up few loose ends on August 31, 2023, and Susan and I moved to a mid-’60s home on [a] three-quarter acre in a lovely older subdivision in Columbia, South Carolina. Love our area, love the city and environs, love our neighbors, and really appreciate how people say ‘hi’ and wave with a smile even to perfect strangers. We installed a pool in June 2024 and are enjoying it most days. Loving retirement in every way. So busy making some cosmetic changes to house including landscaping all around so it takes a lot of time, research, and decisions. Middle daughter Jenni got married in a fabulous venue outside Philly to a guy we welcome in our close-knit family. The other two girls are doing great as well, and we spend major holidays together here or there. Off to Portugal with the girls and their main squeezes for two weeks into mid-September. Then back to South Carolina football—Division 1!
“I’m recovering from bilateral C5 palsy reaction to 3 level cervical spine surgery on March 7. It’s been a long road back to use of my arms and building muscle, but I’ve made great strides and am close to fully functional. Time will bring 100%. It’s been quite a journey! Y’all stay well and happy. —Michael”
From Andrew Cohen: “I’ve retired from clinical medicine, now emeritus professor at Brown (Alpert) Medical School. Carol and I have moved from Rhode Island to a wonderful home in Shelton, Connecticut, where we love to hike and swim. Still teaching medicine and physiology (now at Yale), writing, and starting a history podcast with the American Society of Nephrology. I remain in regular contact and have running conversations with my buddy Rich Kremer and sometimes with Orrin Baird.
“Best to you and all my classmates.—Andy”
Steve Gleich reports, “Lilly and I are still living in rural Nova Scotia. Both [of us] are retired from careers in psychology—school and clinical, respectively. We are active in teaching and administration of our local Buddhist retreat center (Dorje Denma Ling in Tatamagouche) and a local meditation group. We have a former foster son, Andrew, whom we see often. He lives in Halifax and will turn 42 in November. Yikes!
“Here is a photo of our visit last year to Campobello Island with Lilly’s brother and sister-in-law who live in Maine. Also, a photo of our solar panels hard at work cranking out 7,000 watts.
“We are well, yet old. Thinking fondly of all you classmates and would especially love to hear from Peter Pfeiffer or Nick Browning or anyone else I crossed paths with 57 years ago.”
Tony Mohr says, “It’s been a pleasant season. Beve and I took a ‘grand tour’ of Europe during June and July. We started in Paris, where we met up with old friends well before the Olympics, thank you, and visited some out of the lesser-known places like the Place Furstenberg and the Dior Museum. Then we hopped on the Orient Express and rode to Verona and headed up to three days at Lago di Garda, staying at the Villa Feltrinelli, a budget-busting paradiso. Next, we went to Venice for three days before jumping on a weeklong cruise from Venice to Athens via Croatia, Monemvasia, Crete, and Santorini. We hung out for a few days near (not in) Athens before flying home.
“Now once more, I’m judging part time. Retirement is good.”
Steve Smith shares:“I am writing to let you folks know that while I expect to be in Garden Island Health and Rehabilitation Center in Lihue, Kauai, until I pass away, I really enjoyed, appreciated, and learned a tremendous amount at WesU!!!!!
“I can no longer eat—I get three one-hour liquid feedings daily via a feeding tube that enters my body in the middle of my chest. I also cannot walk anymore, get out of bed, etc. But I can continue to do many things that keep me very positive, happy, and motivated like talking with/seeing my wife, Margaret Bubon Smith; family, friends, and colleagues; texting/emailing/calling people; reading and writing; using my computer; watching TV (approximately 60 channels available); listening to all kinds of music, etc., etc., etc.
“I get visitors regularly—my wife, brothers, sister, friends, and colleagues living on or visiting Kauai, etc.—so I am very fortunate. Also, am planning/expecting to assist a local resident/colleague in development of their family sandalwood plantation project—you may recall I owned and operated my private company, Forestry Management Consultants–Hawaii (FMCH) for over 30 years, and prior to that worked for 12 years (1982–1994) in a family owned and operated forestry company, Kamika Timber.
“Hope it is clear my life is/has been trucking along pretty well.
“So much aloha (love, affection, peace, compassion, mercy) and many ‘mahalos’ (thank yous) to the Class of ’69 and other class members, faculty, and people I met at WesU. —Steve”
And, lastly, this from Paul Melrose: a picture of he and Fred Coleman in Madison, Wisconsin, where they live and meet for breakfast once a month.
CHARLIE FARROW | charlesfarrow47@gmail.com
11 Coulter St., #16, Old Saybrook, CT 06475