While no details are available at this writing, I sadly inform classmates of the passing of Richard Burrage in March. Information should be included in the obituary section of the magazine.

Our candidate for the “Most Traveled” member of the Crucial Class, Jim Shepard, did not disappoint us as he wrote that this time around, he and Sally-Jean enjoyed themselves on an Alaskan trip in July. Flying first to Juneau, they then took a local cruise boat and spent a week with an excellent lecturer and great food!

Kip Snow responded to my “plea” for words with a welcome e-mail that began, “Long time, no write. Life is good. Still married to my Wesleyan sweetheart—happiness unbounded. (Oh, ok, some minor scuffles.) Two adult children happily married. Two adult grandchildren—grandson about to graduate from Fordham, and granddaughter a sophomore at WPI. Jean and I are aging nicely in spite of age, habits, and customary minor annoyances. We both retired from the life and health industry—she from selling, and me from claims. Both with very satisfying industry associations. Now in retirement on Cape Cod, we keep out of trouble with several local pursuits. Some to help others, some for plain old fun. My continuing thankfulness for my WesTech education endures. Although I have not contributed to your notes (shame on me!), I do read about ‘55ers, the folks before us and after us.”

A most pleasant surprise was receiving a note from Karl Heiser. Karl withdrew from Wesleyan after his sophomore year with all good intentions to return after serving a three-year Marine Corps enlistment. As he stated, the three years turned into 22, and a second career doing defense work in the D.C. metro area. He stated, “I remember Wesleyan as a lost opportunity and classmates with respect.”

An update from Hal Stuhl came via a phone call just a week ago. Hal, a fellow Floridian, resides on the west coast of the state, just north of Naples in Bonita Springs. We recalled our Sigma Chi days and the loss of a fellow fraternity brother, Bill Christopher ’54, with whom Hal roomed. Our tales of “downsizing” were, needless to say, amusing. Of course, we also discussed the adventures and successes of grandchildren and how, even though we are advancing in age, we are not ready to call ourselves “old.” Really, it was a treat for me to chat with Hal, and let me state I’d be more than glad to hear from you, by mail, e-mail or by phone!

I did manage to reach my annual 5,000-mile riding goal in 2016 and in spite of the excessive heat, rain and wind in the fall months, actually recorded 5,275. As of today (1/17/17), I’ve gotten a start towards the new year with 201 miles on the odometer. As you can imagine, I still look forward to being on the bike and socializing with so many great friends.

Know that my sincere best wishes for good health and happiness to you and your loved ones accompany these notes.

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@bellsouth.net
14790 Bonaire Blvd., Apt. 102., Delray Beach, FL. 33446

Gentlemen, thanks for your response, and here’s what you sent me:

John Binswanger and bride are busy traveling and tracking their grands. John reports that travels to Aspen, Greece, Italy, and South America have “kept us very busy this year.” Their last granddaughter is off to U. of Maryland. Four others have migrated to San Francisco and LA; others are close by, but one received a Fulbright and is now in Germany.

Ben Cope writes that he and his bride are enjoying an active, eventful life in retirement. 2016 saw their 60th anniversary. Prior to retiring, Ben had spent 41 years in banking. They have seven children and 15 grandchildren. Ben claims to be physically and mentally sound—at 85!

Mary Ann and Chuck Davis celebrated their 60th anniversary with a family gathering at Seven Springs Resort in Seven Springs, Pa. Bill Drury remains happy, healthy, and enjoying the easy life in Nashua, N.H.

Terry Hatter writes that “we lost a wonderful classmate with Bill Christopher’s passing. He was one of Wesleyan’s finest.” The Hatter’s youngest son, Scott ’92, is spending a year in Spain and Italy with his girlfriend before returning to law. Their older granddaughter, Lauren, is working toward a master’s from Queen’s University in Ireland, and she’ll be going to law school at Penn in the fall. Her brother, Eric, is in his second year at Georgetown Law. The Hatters’ two younger grands, Leah and Wilson, are 12 and in middle school in Santa Monica and Sacramento, respectively.

Bud Johnson notes two more grands are in college app mode, with one set for Colgate, the other, okay for Notre Dame, but wants Princeton. Three others are now in college, and another just graduated from UChicago. Bud and Lynn remain happy and healthy.

Jeff Lockhart reports attending a charity reception at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Club in Palm Beach. Quite an estate, Jeff notes, originally built by Marjorie Post in the 1920s.

Barbara and Curt McLaughlin went on a tour of Spain in November, returning to Chapel Hill just in time for Thanksgiving. They’re doing well in their apartment in a retirement community.

Rod O’Connor’s big news is that his granddaughter, Cameron Arkin ’17, will be graduating from Wesleyan with two majors completed: neuroscience and art. Rod believes he is now clear of melanoma stage IV after two years of immunotherapy. Rod still goes to his office often, and golf is now a drink at lunch followed by nine holes at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island.

Norm Stuessy tells of his daughter, Helen, happily married to a middle school teacher in Cinnaminson, N.J., and of his four sons: Ted, chief of police, Haddonfield, N.J.; Kevin, living in Chery Hill, N.J.; Bill, who teaches and lives in Westminister, Mass.; and Bob, living and teaching in a community college in Columbia, S.C. Norm reports that he’s been diagnosed with dementia. Ruth is helping him manage the situation.

Bob Muir reports that he has seven grandchildren, with one on the way. “I had the joy of holding our youngest granddaughter on my lap. As she slept there I felt the warmth of holding one of my progeny who is four decades removed—thanking God for that opportunity.”

Sadly, Doris Swain reports that Jim Swain died on Nov. 28 of pancreatic cancer. We also got word that R.J. Dunham passed away on Jan. 18, and Dick Bertini passed away on Jan. 27 from complications of vascular disease.

In our last class notes, I asked for any remembrances of Marshall (Mike) Umpleby, who passed away last October. I am very appreciative that two of you responded as follows:

George Ray wrote that Marshall was a modern renaissance man in his remarkable life as an aviator, author, educator, and family man, in addition to being a nice guy and loyal classmate. Graduating from Englewood School for Boys, where his father, a Wesleyan graduate himself, was the headmaster, Marshall was an English major at Wesleyan, and played on the squash and baseball teams. After flight school and a stint in the Navy as a pilot, Mike lived the rest of his life on the West Coast, first as a beloved English teacher at Burlingame High School in California, then as principal, and finally living in retirement sometimes as a teacher at the local Oregon State College in Ashland. He also wrote a novel and short stories about two of his abiding passions—flying and baseball. One of his former Burlingame students regards Mike as “one of the finest teachers and individuals associated with the long and illustrious history of Burlingame H.S.”

Marshall’s father would be proud of him, and those of us who knew him at Wesleyan are, as well. We mourn his passing and send our heartfelt condolences to his widow, Mimi, and his daughters, Amy and Sarah.

George Klein tells of Marshall’s novel, On Falcon’s Wings, one of the best George has ever read. George had done a review, writing that “this compelling and gripping novel about five teenagers’ lives during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia is hard to put down…”

One final word about our dear friend Bill Christopher; we all will miss you! That’s it for now, guys. Stay healthy and be happy!

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

As many struggle to survive winter’s blast, others bask in Florida and our southern border states, but none go as far south as Phil Olsen, who will enjoy Antarctica’s summer. No longer flying, he did pilot in a command for three years after his 80th, thereby joining the Union of Flying Octogenarians (UFO). Phil reports the passing of his wife, Gail, in May. We remember Gail as faithfully accompanying him to Reunions. Our condolences are extended to Phil.

In anticipation of our 65th next year, send me your latest. At our age, even the mundane can be interesting to our classmates.

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

Class of 1952 Endowed Wesleyan Scholarship Fund

Nathanael Mathieu ’20, Freedom, NH

Good news about our classmates is absent, as these class notes are being written on Jan. 15, 2017. Bad news is prevalent, unfortunately.

We have lost five more of our classmates. Mel Roboff died on Apr. 11, 2014. Mel was an Alpha Delt with an enormous sense of humor. After Harvard Business School, Mel spent his career in marketing, which included stints with Royal and Underwood Typewriter, Fanny Farmer, and Converse Shoes before forming his own Boston-area Roboff Management Group consulting firm. He is survived by two daughters and his former wife.

Ferg Alleman died on Mar. 7, 2014. Ferg was a Deke who left Wesleyan during our junior year. He was a native of Orlando, Fla. After graduating from law school, he practiced law in Orlando for a number of years and then engaged in investment banking in Vermont. His wife of 61 years predeceased him, and he is survived by three children and seven grandchildren.

Tony Brewer died on Sept. 27, 2015. Tony was a Crow at Wesleyan. After college, he joined Procter & Gamble as an industrial engineer. He moved on to Welch Foods in a similar capacity and later became president of Nature Nook, Inc., a floral and gift shop in Southfield, Mich. When last heard from, Tony was married and had four children.

Bill Hicks died on Oct. 31, 2016. He was an Olin Scholar, a Psi U, and, a member of Skull and Serpent. In college, he excelled on the football and baseball teams until, as I recall it, injuries waylaid him. Bill had a highly successful career in sales and leadership positions in the flooring industry with first Armstrong World Industries and then Shaw Industries. His obituary makes clear that Bill carried over the “wild sense of humor” and ability to “throw a great party” that we witnessed during our days at WesTech. Unfortunately, his wife predeceased him by 18 years; he is survived by a daughter and two grandchildren.

Bill McCluskey died on Christmas Day 2016. Bill, a member of Alpha Delt and Mystical Seven, was captain of the Wesleyan football team our senior year. He had a very successful career as an educator, principally as an administrator in private schools. He served the Menlo School in Atherton, Calif., was assistant headmaster of Northwood School in Lake Placid, N.Y., then headmaster of Park-Tudor School in Indianapolis, Ind., and capped his career as founding headmaster of Marin Academy in San Rafael, Calif. Most of us will remember that Bill courted and married Betsey Banks, daughter of Professor Ted Banks and sister of Dave Banks ’56. In addition to Betsey and Dave, Bill is survived by two daughters, two grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

We extend our sincere sympathy, albeit belated, to the families of these classmates.

Hopefully, this magazine will arrive in your home by late April and will serve as a reminder of our 65th Wesleyan Reunion, which will occur May 25-28. Time is running out for us, so if you are physically able to attend, but have reservations about doing so, please set those reservations aside and join us on campus. Our group will be smaller than it was five years ago, but that should enable more intimate conversations and reminiscing than has been possible in the larger crowd at past Reunions.

Harold C. Buckingham, Jr. | hcbuckingham@daypitney.com
400 Seabury Dr., Apt. 2114, Bloomfield, CT 06002

William K. Wasch | wkwash@gmail.com
150 Coleman Road, Middletown, CT 06457

Howard Goodrich and his wife, Darlene, are living a very active life in Indianapolis. They both serve on various organizations connected to the internal aspects of church life. Howard has been doing some writing, recently publishing an article on the social factors affecting the decline of churches. He met a retired history professor from Butler University in Indiana who mentioned having met E. E. Schattschneider, who taught political science to so many of us. He earned considerable renown for his book, Party Government. Howard said Donald Trump is creating the necessity for a whole new approach to that subject.

Keith Whiting’s wife, Marjori, wrote of his passing in North East, Md. She also enclosed a copy of the very eloquent funeral service at his church. Obviously he had a great effect on those he served during his years as a physician.

I also heard from Bill Churchill, who came to our 65th Reunion last spring. He reminded me that he served as a member of the administration from 1964-74.

David Jones and his wife, Ann, have donated a wonderful collection of prints by American Master artist Winslow Homer to the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Conn., which will be on display from July 30 to Sept. 3. There will be an opening reception on July 30 from 1-3 p.m. and David hopes many classmates and friends can attend the reception or get to the show on another date. 

Walter Cook, who was at our Reunion last May, wrote that he and his wife, Marie, were enjoying sunny warm Florida and he was passing the time reading some really excellent books. He was not driving any more and was relying on Marie to get them around. Her reflexes, Walt wrote, are excellent.

The return address on King Berlew’s letter was a facility in Topsham, Maine, which he described as “having most everything in an assisted living facility. But King also planned to spend four or five months in Vero Beach to get away from snow. King lost his wife of 64 years, Jeanne, last spring, beginning what he described as “the most difficult period of my life.” Fortunately, his daughter, Sarah, lives in nearby Brunswick, and his son, Derek, lives not far away in Kennebunkport.

I received Roger Tracy’s note just as he was setting out from Suffield, Conn., to root for the UConn women’s basketball team in its bid for a fifth consecutive NCAA championship in Dallas. The Tracys had been on hand for the four previous ones. Unfortunately, the Huskies came up just short this time. Roger said he had maintained contact since graduation with fraternity brother Phil Alden, living in Naples, Fla. They had both entered the USAF Aviation Cadet Program after graduation.

I’ve also heard from George Young, who is doing fine in Bronxville, N.Y.

Lastly, Ken Kenigsberg died on Sept. 27 of complications from a subdural hematoma. Word of his passing came from Austin, Texas, to which he and Abby, his wife of 54 years, had recently moved. In 40 years of practicing medicine, Ken performed one of the first successful separations of conjoined infants. He also researched the causes of sudden infant death syndrome. Fiercely proud of his Jewish ancestry and the State of Israel, he served as a volunteer in the Israeli Medical Corps during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. He also served as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He enjoyed nature, scuba diving, sailing, fly fishing, and skiing. Besides his wife, he leaves three sons, Matthew, Ezra, and Amos, and seven grandchildren.

DAVID M. PHILIPS | davephilips69@hotmail.com
43 Cannon Street, Cranston, RI 02920-7620

Hello, classmates! It’s a new year—2017! In the last issue we enjoyed hearing from Cliff Milner, Roger Haskell, and Jud Miner. And now, how about hearing from you? Please call me or drop me a line with your latest news.

We are sorry to inform you of the death of our classmate, James Mutrie, on Oct. 26. He was a native of New Haven, and was well known in state political and journalism circles as dean of the Capitol press corps.

We also have been informed of the passing of Kenneth Widing on Oct. 16. Kenneth studied math at Wesleyan, then earned a master’s at Indiana University, Bloomington, and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. He worked as an astrophysicist for the Naval Research Laboratory.

We are pleased to hear from Arthur Chickering, who sent a clever and thoughtful poem that he composed, “Turning Toward Ninety.”

“I’m entering my ninetieth year,” he said,

Patting the old gray mop on his head.

Perhaps boasting a bit to have reached such an age,

bemused by peers who had called him a sage.

Books, papers, and speeches aplenty

triggered awards from diverse cognoscenti.

But now he seems to be all written out

except for an occasional shout

calling on leaders, politicians, and factions

for tough minded, timely, deliberate actions,

Now happily home loving renaissance wife

after sixty five years creating their life.

They traveled the world whenever the chance

always up for whatever the dance,

tackling new cultures, relationships, tasks,

harvesting knowledge, replacing old masks,

learning and growing

from seeds they were sowing.

Tennis, hiking, swimming, canoeing,

downhill skiing, moonlight snowshoeing,

living an active adventurous life

free from conflict or serious strife.

Then out of the blue it went up in smoke

when she was struck by a serious stroke..

It was two-twenty-three, nineteen- ninety- nine,

A cloudless sky, the weather was fine.

After tuna melts and good red wine

they were ready to go

out to enjoy the fresh fallen snow

never to do so they did not know. Left arm and leg had no sensation

Walking with help was a major occasion.

A brand new existence

would test their persistence.

Multitasking had been their norm

now one at a time is the dominant form.

Since that day their lives have been shrinking

more and more time for leisurely thinking.

Listening, reading, checking TV

enjoying each series from BBC.

Visiting friends provoke thoughtful talks

meetings in town cause occasional walks.

So thus the years keep rolling by.

Deaths of friends prompt heartfelt sighs.

Living wills and power of attorney

all in order for the final journey.

Comfortably ready for the years that remain

two lives well lived is their final refrain.

BUD DORSEY | margiedorsey5@gmail.com
161 Shore Rush Drive, St. Simons Island, GA 31522 | 912/638-5616

Lacking news of any sort other than that I’m losing my vision, and being disinclined to offer fake news, I submit the following bit of translation from an Old Irish marginal note by an Irish monk who was working on one of those beautiful medieval manuscripts. That scholar and his cat each loved his work:

I and Pangur Bán, my cat,

‘Tis a like task we are at;

Hunting mice is his delight,

Hunting words I sit all night.

In case you’re curious, pangur means “fiddler” and bán is “white.” Slán go fóill.

FRANCIS W. LOVETT | lovettfrancis@gmail.com
805 Compassion Dr., Apt. 208, Windsor, CO 80550 | 907/460-9338

It has been great receiving many RSVPs to our Reunion this spring from all around the world. Micha Balf and Rachel Helfer, from Israel, plan to attend. Jim Lyons from Germany and Wendy (Brown) Giardina from Switzerland are also looking forward to returning to campus.

I had a chance to spend quality time with Wendy last November. We met up in Paris where I was visiting with my family and friends in honor of my mom who passed away last summer. We spent a few days museum viewing, walking the grand boulevards, and joyfully eating fine French food. Wendy was a great sport for being part of my family for the whole time.

Back to Jim Lyons: He is living happily in Frankfurt these days, and is still active writing and directing in the German theater scene. Recently he directed the European premiere of Dinah Was, a musical biography of the singer Dinah Washington. Jim’s e-mail: jamesedwardlyons@gmail.com.

Louise Hazebrouck and husband Steve Rome ’78 are currently teaching English in Dajia, Taiwan, after having traveled around Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand for six weeks. This is the first of many adventures for the retiring public school teachers.

Jerry Caplin is the proud parent of three kids who will be attending Duke University next year. The three are accomplished fencers. Jerry remarked that, while thinking of three kids in college at the same time is a bit numbing, at least he will not have any issue surrounding parents’ weekend.

Janet Malkemes in Charlotte is busy hosting a bevy of friends and family.

Bob Glasspiegel is thankful for many good things this past year. Bob and wife Sue are especially thankful for traveling to see many friends/relatives. They began a new tradition of spending Januarys in another part of the world. They had a fabulous trip to New Zealand and Australia recently.

John Fink, from Hawaii, writes asking for good, danceable, 1970s music at our Reunion event(s). I certainly second this sentiment. The month prior, John will be visiting with Peter Guenther and Rick Dennett in New York. Otherwise, John makes sure to visit Oregon to spend time often with his grandson, as well as his son and daughter.

Speaking of Hawaii, Jason Baron and his wife celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary there.

It is always fun when you run into a friend when you least expect it. That was the case when I visited with Sarah Kendall at an art exhibit opening at the deCordova Museum in Lincoln, Mass., last fall. Sarah came south from Nelson, N.H., to support an artist friend who was featured in the show.

Wes Protheroe and wife Robin are enjoying what they are calling their “pre-tirement.” Wes serves on two Boards—the advisory board of a Research Triangle-based pharma firm specializing in developing Alzheimer drugs, and the Atlanta Humane Society. He is also executive coaching and consulting with private equity and venture capital firms focused on direct-to-consumer financial services. I am intrigued to learn that Wes and Robin participate in “team trivia” weekly with friends. Jeopardy! cannot be far behind.

Doug Green met up with Iddy Olson before the holidays in Chicago (Evanston precisely). Doug and wife Katie were in town to celebrate the graduation of their son from Northwestern.

By the time we read this, Susan Jacobson will have attended the Women’s March in January in D.C., connecting with many friends there from WesU. Susan’s great quote: “Our class was always told we missed the glory days of student protests. Well, what do you know? Now we have another chance!”

Doug Hauschild, Jody (Cosgrove) van Geldern, and James Udelson each expect to be at Reunion. Everyone is looking forward to being together in May. Just a reminder, Reunion is over the weekend of May 26-28. We are expecting a record number of classmates in attendance at our 40th. You won’t want to miss out!

Gerry Frank | Gfrank@bfearc.com