News from both coasts and in between.

From New Jersey: Richard Levinson claims to work every day in his office (free coffee?), while rooting for the Cubs. He may be our most recent grandfather with a three-and-one-half-year-old grandson. He thinks about and misses those Chi Psi reprobates. He plans to attend our 75th.

From California: Gerald Patrick has enjoyed the first six months of living in a retirement community, the Sequoias, meeting new friends and teaching bridge, along with sculpture and creative writing classes.

From Florida: Sandy and Jerry Zackin’s golf routine was set aside by her knee replacements. They were scheduled for a Great Lakes tour this past summer. Jerry celebrated the 80th anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah on his birthday.

From Washington, D.C.: Walter Cutler is tolerating an unending heat wave. “Helping out is news being made by our Wesleyan president and keeping in touch with two granddaughters who recently graduated from Wes in the same class.”

From Oklahoma: I am enjoying the additional space of a two-bedroom apartment at an independent living facility, Asher Point. I am delighted to have my voice back after many years of only being able to whisper. Many folks here had never heard anything else. Daily walks are part of my routine and one time around the facility is almost a 440.

These four ’53ers and I have been consistent contributors to our notes—I really would like to hear from the rest of you. Are you reading Class Notes? Please send me your name even if nothing else. Let us know if you’re still with us! Thank you.

Lastly, Bob Knapp’s daughter wrote to say he died in February. An army veteran, Bob worked for Southern New England Telephone for more than 30 years and was active in his community, including being a member of Rotary International for more than 50 years.

On Sunday afternoon, April 27, 2025, my wife, Barbara, and I had the pleasure of attending an alumni-sponsored performance of Maybe Happy Ending, produced by lead producer Jeffrey Richards ’69, who also led a dialogue after the production. Also attending were my daughter, Ellen ’82, and Michael Ostacher ’82, MD, who was visiting his mother in New York and was invited by Ellen to substitute for her husband, Samuel Bender, ’82,MD, who was on call. Michael is also the ’82 co-class secretary.

            While seated, I struck up a conversation with the gentleman next to me, who said his name was Pruzan. I replied that I once knew a Pruzan named Michael many years ago, who lived down the block in Neponsit, New York. To my shock, he was that Michael Pruzan ’87, who was attending with his wife, Helaine. Michael’s mother also rented the house next to us. Small world!

            On a personal note, Barbara and I are celebrating our 69th wedding anniversary. She says the secret to such longevity is “two bathrooms.” I say, “don’t divorce or die.” Also celebrating my 94th birthday and glad to still be working full time.

            I haven’t received any notes from classmates for several months, so PLEASE WRITE!

Reliable correspondent Charlie Selig shared, “I continue my good life here at Boca West, Boca Raton, Florida, with Madalyn, my significant other for 14 years—[she] is a very special person [and] I’m so lucky to have her in my life.” Charlie said that his great-granddaughter visited in June, and “my family is here quite often as well.” He now stays in Florida full time as it’s “too much to travel to New York anymore. Best to all Wes friends, Charlie.”

On a sad note, Bill Mitchell passed away on February 21, 2025. Bill was a biology major at Wes, and he spent many years employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He also served in the Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel. Bill’s obituary said, “He led a life marked by dedication to his family, country, and community.”

We also received news of the death of Leon Protass on August 15, 2025. After graduation from Wesleyan with honors, he went to medical school at John Hopkins and became board certified in internal medicine and neurology, a specialty he practiced for close to 70 years. His son Harlan wrote, “Medicine and science were my father’s passion. He was widely respected for his diagnostic skills, intellectual approach to the practice of medicine, and bedside manner. Even though he largely worked in urban areas, he always practiced medicine as if he were a small-town doctor.”

Our condolences to the families of both Bill and Leon.

We have email addresses for more than a dozen of our remaining classmates, so let us hear from you! And if you are reading this and don’t receive our emails, send a note to me or to the Class Notes Editor, Liz Taylor ’87, at classnotes@wesleyan.edu to let us know that you’re still here. Thank you.

Please share your news or Wesleyan memories with your remaining classmates by sending updates to classnotes@wesleyan.edu.

We are sad to report the loss of two ’49 classmates: Anthony “Tony” D’Esopo on August 15, 2023, and David Knapp on July 29, 2023. Our sincere condolences to their families and friends.
 

Those with class notes, please contact: 

Class Notes Editor
classnotes@wesleyan.edu