Tag: 1951

Charlie Selig marked his 89th birthday in February still enjoying life to the fullest with winters in Boca Raton, Fla., and summers in Westchester. His wife, Madalyn, whom he married seven years ago, has given him “the greatest life to enjoy,” enhanced by visits from his son and grandchildren. Charlie follows Wesleyan football and hopes to get to a game next fall.

Jim McKeon’s wife, Betty, wrote that he had died a year ago, but his granddaughter was doing well at Wesleyan in the sophomore class.

Bert Roberts said he was sending his first message to a classmate since 1951. He had spent most of his years since then working as an executive with a wholesale electrical distributor, mostly with an industrial clientele. Prior to that, he had an Air Force tour. He and his wife, Joyce, spent their 67 years raising two daughters and seven grandchildren. They’d been fortunate enough to travel to Europe four times and even had time to enjoy Alaska. Bert said he’d slowed down greatly during the past year but hopes to try golf again this summer.

Harry Webb’s wife, Sylvia, gave a lengthy report on Harry’s death in New Britain, Conn., where he had enjoyed a long and distinguished law career, serving with two law firms and then founding his own as he approached retirement. He served on local, county, and state bar associations. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed running, hiking, tennis, and skiing into his 80s, and was an avid traveler, visiting Alaska, Turkey, Normandy, the Baltics, and South Africa. He leaves his wife, a son, three daughters, and 10 grandchildren. Harry entered Wesleyan with our class, but transferred to UConn, where he graduated in 1953, earning a law degree from UConn Law, and a master’s degree in tax law from New York University.

Howard Goodrich from Indianapolis wrote that he and his wife, Darlene, were still enjoying a full life—he will be 90 in September—for which they’re very fortunate and grateful. He wrote, “May peace and grace attend your lives.” Thank you, Howard. He also sent 24 lines of verse entitled, “In Times Like These,” ending with: “Our culture in Division / Longing for that fresh breeze / To articulate and change it / In the times to come.”

Bill Mitchell is “still alive and kicking here in the mountains of North Carolina.” He took one trip to New Jersey and several to the Atlantic area to visit family and attend his granddaughter’s graduation in St. Louis.

Biff Shaw and wife Jean take advantage of their close proximity to Wesleyan. They attended the dedication of Wesleyan’s refurbished tennis course paid in part by a gift from our own Dave Jones.

Dave and his wife couldn’t attend the dedication, so Dave asked Biff and Jean to stand in for them. Last summer, Bill and Jean attended the dedication for a wonderful gift of art to the Mattatuck Museum, also made possible by Dave Jones, which and he Ann were able to attend, along with Barney Kathan.

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

Barney Kathan sent me copies of two extraordinary books he had authored over the past year-and-a-half. The first one, My Prospects: Growing Up and Growing Old in a Small Connecticut Town, detailed his journey through life from a small farm to his career in the ministry and beyond. He was involved in some of the major changes in his town, church, library, and school district, and was a leader in the town’s successful celebrations. Barney’s second book, American Holy Days: The Heart and Soul of Our National Holidays, provided an invaluable primer of the history and significance of America’s special days. Again, Barney goes into extraordinary detail about these special days and how they came about.

Chris DeGraff wrote from West Hartford that he and his wife, Sandy, had a family get-together for the Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays. Chris was looking forward to hitting the slopes and had already bought his season pass. They thought about taking a trip to Europe this past summer, but decided against it because of the turmoil abroad.

Frank Hassell moved into a retirement residence at Bay Village in Sarasota, Fla. He wrote that he is no longer up for traveling, but fortunately family members are able to visit him. He reminded me that during our undergraduate years, he, his wife, and subsequent two sons, lived on campus, sponsored by his family and the G.I. Bill, which helped many of us. Frank is much older than the rest of us and at 95, still holds that distinction. Frank wrote, “Wesleyan was a very meaningful experience for me and I am grateful for the advantages I received. A gift to Wesleyan will be forthcoming after I pass on.”

Along with Frank’s note, I received word that Dean Egly, a fraternity brother of mine, had passed away on March 26, 2017. I’d appreciate hearing from any class members who received this magazine.

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

Bill Mitchell is very much the traveling man. Early in the year he took a trip to his oldest granddaughter’s graduation. A month later he drove from his home in North Carolina to Texas to see family and friends. Last fall he got back to see his first Homecoming game in well over 50 years and was rewarded with a Wesleyan victory. Bill wrote he might even try again this fall. He and I will keep rooting for the Red and Black.

Bob Hammett and his wife celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past summer with a family clambake, attended by two sons and their spouses, and seven grandchildren. Bob spent a month last winter with flu and pneumonia, but reported he was feeling better. He said his hearing was very weak, but he had a couple of great hearing aids “and a wonderful specialist who keeps me tuned in.” He’s also been getting shots in his left eye every six weeks to keep it going. Here again, Bob was helped by another special specialist.

Dave Morey wrote from Ithaca, N.Y., that he was serving on a few committees and a trip for him means going to the supermarket. “The old body is wearing out and I can’t get new parts for it, but at least it’s still going. It’s just not as far or as fast,” he wrote. That’s my situation, too, and I’ll bet all those still with us will say the same.

Chuck Exley wrote from Grosse Pointe, Mich., that he had lost his wife, Sara, 10 years ago and has since remarried a woman, who along with her late husband, were good friends of his and Sara’s. Chuck said it was remarkable that three members of our small class—he, George DeGenaro, and Richard De Gennaro—live within a mile of each other in Sarasota.

Bill Churchill wrote in September that he and wife Maggie were winding up another summer at their cottage at Mattapoisett, on Buzzards Bay, Mass. By late fall they planned to be back at their duplex in a retirement community in Burlington, N.C. “We really have the best of both worlds,” Bill wrote, “with lots of activities and interesting residents. Having Elon University is another source of stimulation. We will keep on trucking as long as the body allows and I’m sure all of us who are left will say amen to that.”

Ken Kenigsberg had replied affirmatively to my requests for news several times over the course of years, and I was sorry to get news of his death. His obituary gave a very full account of his impressive achievements during his 40 years of practicing medicine. He served as chief of pediatric surgery and researched the causes of sudden infant death syndrome. He devoted his life to saving children. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He was fiercely proud of his Jewish ancestry and the state of Israel, and provided volunteer service to the Israeli Medical Corps during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Ken loved nature and participated in scuba diving, sailing, and fly fishing. He left his wife Abby, to whom he was married for 54 years, three sons, and seven grandchildren.

I had one other communication from Sandy Malcomson, who indicated he was doing fine.

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

Biff Shaw wrote that he and Jean continue to be very busy, and have been back to the college for retirement parties and celebrations, but otherwise spend less time there. “Fewer and fewer familiar faces,” he wrote. The only familiar face was Barney Kathan. “He seems hale and hearty,” Biff wrote, “and continues to write and publish.” A more loyal alumnus is not to be found.

Biff noted the passing of Bob Gardner, a regular contributor to these pages. He had continued his writing of science texts right to the end.

Howard Goodrich wrote that the Goodrich clan had moved to the Indianapolis area. Howard and his wife, Darlene, had moved there from St. Louis. Howard wrote that they’re still involved in the ministry, as is their youngest daughter, and he continued to do some writing.

Les Aroh, who was at our 65th Reunion, is another hearty survivor.

When Don Sharp’s daughter, Dianne, wrote, Don was in an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s, but continued to live at his home in Fayetteville, Ga, across the street from Dianne. Sadly, Don passed away in December.

I’m hoping to dig up more news as the year rolls along.

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

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

Ken Barratt wrote from an assisted living facility in Green Valley, Ariz., some 25 miles south of Tucson, to which he and his wife, Sabina, moved two years ago. Ken reports he stays quite busy with a number of musical activities, including playing the piano in a 17-piece group. He also works with a trumpeter entertaining other residents in their assisted-living residence. Ken reports that he keeps in touch with friends through the Internet. Ken said he and his wife are in “reasonably good health.”

I also heard from Bob Willett, who is doing well in an assisted-living facility in Palm City, Fla. I also heard from Bob Hammett in Oak Bluffs, Mass., and from Jack Whiteman in Pittsboro, N.C.

I hope all you living outside of New England escaped the severe drought we’ve been having.

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

Bill Mitchell wrote from Henderson, N.C., that he continues to be quite active. Bill said he’d do his darnesdest to make the 65th Reunion and he was hoping a lot of classmates would, too.At any rate, he’d try to get to a Wes football game.

Bob Willet’s wife, Martha, wrote from Manhattan Beach, Calif., to report that Bob is living in a residential care facility.

I’d also heard from Jack Pfeiffer in Jonesboro, Ga.; Jack White in Wayzata, Minn.; and Bob Mack in Mexico, N.Y. Jack Pfeiffer lost his wife, Nancy, early in the year and he has moved to a senior citizen’s homestead. He would not be able to make it to our 65th but said, “Tell my classmates I wish them good health and a good turnout,” Bob said.

Our grand old row of college halls never looked more beautiful and the campus truly was fair and green the Saturday morning of our 65th Reunion. The first to show was Barney Kathan in his cardinal-red coat. He would lead us in the parade. Then came Bob Switzgable and his son, and Chris DeGraff and his wife, Sandra. Chris has made every Reunion I’ve made and then some. Bill Churchill was on time for the parade, as were Biff Shaw and his wife, Jean. Les Aroh had come from Kentucky with his wife, Janet, and Barney Kathan was there with his daughter.

I sat with Walter Cook at the WESeniors luncheon and he told of walking across campus early in our freshman year and coming face-to-face with President Victor Butterfield, whom he hadn’t met. The president astonished him by calling him by his first name and asking him how he was doing.

President Michael Roth ’78 gave us an upbeat report on where Wesleyan stands in the educational firmament—very high—and the Wesleyan Spirits sang the Alma Mater and the Fight Song, which ended with some vigorous clapping and the shout: “Go, Wes!”

The fitting climax to the day’s activities was an excellent roast beef dinner at the Usdan Campus Center. Chuck Exley served as host and spoke briefly, noting that the most welcome words in any speech were “and in conclusion.” Bill Churchill’s wife, Maggie, made us laugh by giving us a young person’s idea of what old people are like. Classmates not there were spoken of, and we understood it would be the last time we would get together as a class group.

“We wish the turnout could have been bigger,” said Biff, “but time is catching up.”

Our special thanks to Jenna Starr ’15 for the help she gave us before and during the event. We all loved the dear old college scenes. I’m sorry I had to leave early. It was a wonderful time to be at Wesleyan.

Others of our class who couldn’t join us were thinking of us. Dick Cashman sends his best wishes from Neenah, Wisc. He and his wife migrated there from Florida to be nearer to their family, which Dick said includes 22 great-grandchildren.

Bob Hammett had already committed to attending graduation ceremonies for two grandchildren.

Sandy Malcomson wrote that his appointment book is so filled with doctor’s appointments that there is little room or time for other activities. He sends his best wishes.

Charlie Selig wrote that he would be returning from Florida on May 17 and would have too much to do to get away soon after that. Charlie lost his wife in 2010 but found a “wonderful lady” to join in his very active life. “Say hello for me to everyone here,” he wrote.

DAVID M. PHILIPS | davephilips69@hotmail.com

100 Elena St., Apt. 618, Cranston, RI 02920-7620