Tag: 1953

Melvin Katz, 92, of Westport, Connecticut, passed away March 17, 2024. He was a child of immigrants and grew up in Brooklyn. After graduating with our class, he attended Harvard Law School. During an active legal career, he became a dean of the New York Securities Bar. He enjoyed other activities including classical music, the New York Giants, and wintertime skiing. Mel is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judy, children, Jonathan Katz ’92 and Melissa Kane, and her husband, Jon, and his two grandchildren, George Kane and Lily Kane.

Gerald Patrick moved into a retirement community in January. His friend will continue to visit as she has for 15 years. A grandson, Mike (son of his daughter, Elaine ’79), recently was married. Jerry keeps occupied with duplicate bridge, writing stories, and building ship models.

Stephen Friedland retired in 2020 from pediatric practice. Life went smoothly until Anne developed undiagnosed leg problems. Healthwise, they have been pretty stable for the most part. Anne gets to her needlepoint meetings, and Steve is a docent at the FDR museum. Their daughters live in the area; their son and family live in Washington State. A June marriage of a grandson provided for a great family reunion.   

Richard Levinson reports he is working every day with his old law firm.

Jerry Zackin writes Sandy had a second knee replacement. They spend seven to eight months in Florida and the rest in Yarmouth. Golf four or five days a week. They have a full schedule of events—theater and music.

Glad for the two late reports—keep the news coming, anytime.

Please write to your class secretary.

Richard Edward France, 91, passed away May 6, 2023, at White Oak Manor, Waxhaw, North Carolina. Dick was born in Downsville, New York. Dick was president of Delta Sigma (Delta Upsilon). He was an MBA graduate of Syracuse University before being commissioned in the U.S. Navy in 1955. He began a long career in the paper industry, where he became vice president of human resources for Container Corporation of America and, subsequently, for Caraustar Industries. Dick missed our many reunions as union negotiations occurred the same weekend annually. Dick is survived by Jeanne, a daughter, two sons, and five grandchildren.

Dr. George “Bakes” Bacon, 91, died December 27, 2023, at his home in Michigan. George, a graduate of Duke Medical School in 1957, enlisted in the U.S. Army serving in Germany. His residency was in pediatric endocrinology, after which he joined the University of Michigan Hospital. In 1986 he accepted a position to rebuild the department at Texas Tech University. He returned to Michigan in 1995 and later became emeritus professor at the University of Michigan, retiring in 2005. He is survived by his wife, Grace, three children, and three grandchildren.

Class condolences to the families of Dick and Bakes, both my fraternity brothers.

For those who have not read the fall class notes that are only in digital form, know that our 70th was attended by Joe, Mel, and Woody. Please contact me to identify.

Jerry Zackin and his wife, Sandy, toured southeast Asia ending up in Australia, his seventh continent visited. He has two great-grandsons in Portland, Oregon, prepping for Wesleyan, 2038 and 2040. Their parents and grandparents are Wesleyan alumni.

A year and a half in an independent living facility is comfortable and convenient.

Please let me hear from you.

Ring the bells of South College for Joe, Mel, and Woody! Joe Buchman, Mel Katz, and Atwood Dunham proudly represented the Class of 1953 at our 70th Reunion in May. GO WES!

Bob Knapp, Psi U, government major, writes, “I’ve lived for 15 years in a retirement community (in Cheshire, Connecticut) with my wife of 65 years.” Occasionally they welcome 75- to 80-year-old youngsters from Wesleyan into residency.

Gerald Patrick, Alpha Delt, math major, lives independently in a condo overlooking San Francisco Bay, while reading and writing. One of his stories was recently published in the Evening Street Press, a literary magazine. He finds time to play intensive duplicate bridge and coach a couple of students. Earlier this year he vacationed with daughter, Eileen ’79, in Puerto Vallarta and lunches weekly with his son, Mike ’81, with whom he works on a nonprofit board. Gerald mentioned speaking by phone with Ed Biester ’52, who continues abstract painting, and with Jim Waters ’52, who lives in Florida.

Rev. Fred Wandall, Delta Tau Delta, English major, sent a photo of Will Rowe ’80 and himself having lunch in northern Virginia where he lives.