Tag: 1953

Categories Class Notes | 1950sPosted on

CLASS OF 1953 | 2019 | ISSUE 2

Walter Cutler’s book, Wandering the World: Personal Recollections of a Life in Diplomacy, is no ordinary memoir. This book, fast-moving and highly personal, focuses on the human side of a profession that can be at once sobering and stimulating, and includes a chapter on Wesleyan and the Fletcher School. It’s available on Amazon.

Basil Anex sent the first page of The Seattle Times business section that featured Herb Kelleher’s career with the comment, “Only HK could make an airline revolution this fun.” Basil and his wife, Gretchen, remain in their home enjoying when possible the many events available in Seattle, including weekend dance band evenings. In-home care 24/7 for Basil and a nighttime CPAP machine make all this possible. Their son Doan is employed at the Livermore Labs, following his father’s footsteps as a physical chemist. Their two daughters are employed in the Seattle area.

Phil Olsen is one of the most traveled classmates, after our Reunion, having spent the summer 720 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle at the site of his great-uncle’s fishery connecting with family relatives. He planned to spend his 88th birthday in February on the Trinity Peninsula, Antarctica. (I assume he did, but have not heard otherwise). In between travels he enjoys a comfortable seat at Honolulu’s Waikiki Elks Club lanai, inches from the foamy sea.

Martin L. Coyne’s daughter Melissa ’81 is sad to announce that her father died on April 9 following a valiant battle with emphysema. Marty was born in Brooklyn in 1931 and graduated with honors in psychology. As the president of Psi Sigma Kappa, he encouraged the fraternity to break away from its national affiliate when it refused admission to an African American member and formed Gamma Psi. He served in the Army and then worked in commodities where he was one of the top people in his field worldwide as senior vice president at J. Aron & Company then a partner at Goldman Sachs. Following his early retirement, Marty devoted his time to philanthropic and charitable causes, volunteering for Hospice-by-the-Sea, Jewish Federation, the Mizner Festival for the Arts, and as chairman of the Florida Philharmonic, to name but a few. He used a $1 million work bonus to found the Coyne Family Foundation (which has donated almost $2.5 million since 1985), established AMORE (which provided free financial advice to the elderly), was co-founder of the Boca Raton Symphonia (now in its 15th year), and recently started the Healing Sounds of Music (which provides healing music programs by professional musicians in assisted-living facilities in Boca Raton). For those who are interested, contributions to healingsoundsofmusic.org would be gratefully accepted.

Condolences of the class to Martin’s family and thanks for his generosity.

I find myself again this summer at my Shunpike Farm in Morris, N.Y., with my two girls, a long-haired Chihuahua and a pit bull. Let me know your summer activities for the next issue.

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

Categories Obituaries | 1950-1959Posted on

Martin L. Coyne ’53

Martin L. Coyne’s daughter Melissa ’81, is sad to announce that her father died on April 9, 2019 following a valiant battle with emphysema. Marty was born in Brooklyn in 1931 and graduated with honors in psychology. As the President of Psi Sigma Kappa, he encouraged the fraternity to break away from its National Affiliate when it refused admission to an African American member and formed Gamma Psi. He served in the Army and then worked in commodities where he was one of the top people in his field worldwide, as senior vice president at J. Aron & Co then a partner at Goldman Sachs.

Following his early retirement, Marty devoted his time to philanthropic and charitable causes, volunteering for Hospice-by-the-Sea, Jewish Federation, the Mizner Festival for the Arts and as Chairman of the Florida Philharmonic, to name but a few. He used a $1 million work bonus to found the Coyne Family Foundation (which has donated almost $2.5 million since 1985), established AMORE, which provided free financial advice to the elderly, was co-founder of the Boca Raton Symphonia (now in its 15th year) and recently started the Healing Sounds of Music which provides healing music programs by professional musicians in assisted living facilities in Boca Raton. For those who are interested, contributions to healingsoundsofmusic.org would be gratefully accepted.

Categories Class Notes | 1950sPosted on

CLASS OF 1953 | 2019 | ISSUE 1

The most widely known member of our class, Herbert David “Herb” Kelleher, 87, died Jan. 3, 2019. He was remembered in the Wall Street Journal for his friendship and incredible inspiration with a half-page obituary with photographs and a full page ad by the employees and retirees of Southwest Airlines and by Chase. He “democratized the skies” as Southwest claims. “The affordability and availability of airline travel is now taken for granted for one reason—the tenacity of Herb”(WSJ editorial). Herb was an English major, a DKE, college body president, a student-athlete in football and basketball, and NYU law school graduate. Each member of the class has his own memory of Herb as an undergraduate. Mine is his catching for a touchdown, a tipped pass in the Amherst end zone to tie the score and end the game. Unable to attend our 65th because of a doctor’s travel restriction, Herb asked me to pass along his greetings to all. Herb is survived by his wife, Joan, three children, and many grandchildren.

George Alfred Lewis, 87, of Westfield, N.J., passed away Dec. 22, 2018. George was a history major, an Alpha Delta Phi, and four-year baseball player. After Army service he embarked on a career in data processing management with New York Telephone and then AT&T, even though he never touched a computer and struggled with technology. A longtime tennis player, he umpired around the state including the US Open in New York. George had a passion for history, especially 1920-1945 and Winston Churchill, having served on the board of the International Churchill Society. His son, Peter ’78, said if George could pass a message to the alumni it would be: “Next time you come upon a homeless person, instead of walking past, reach into your wallet and pull out a $10 bill.” He was thrilled to hold his great-grandson shortly before he died. George is survived by his wife, Barbara; son Peter; daughter Amy; and a granddaughter.

Jerry Zackin became a great-grandfather of William, son of Katie Zackin ’10 and Robert Roose ’04 and grandson of Michael Zackin ’80 and Mary Nastuk-Zackin ’80 in December, while Sandy and he were on a cruise/expedition to Antarctica “making ‘wet’ (water up to our calves) landings every day, seeing lots of penguins, whales, and seals.” In May they cruised from Dubai to Rome with stops in Egypt, Jordan, Israel, and others.

Ed Lifset’s note described his recovery from a fall three years ago that resulted in a fractured right hip, elbow, and tibia. This caused him to abandon a planned trip, two days later, to Afghanistan and central Asia. This would have been his 54th trip out of the country. With a titanium rod in his leg from hip to knee and plenty of screws, he is relatively mobile, with the aid of a cane. Ed hopes to visit the campus one more time if an occasion arises.

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

Categories Class Notes | 1950sPosted on

CLASS OF 1953 | 2018 | ISSUE 3

Response to our 65th Reunion continues. Sidney Alexander is disappointed to have missed, because he was not informed by mail. Unfortunately, I do not believe mail notices were sent: all was online, thereby missing some. Sid, a cardiologist, sees patients at the Lahey Clinic, teaches, and finds time for a little clinical research.

Clapham “Cope” Murray continues his acting career playing a senile old man in a wheelchair during the summer season. Cope lives with his son, his wife having passed away a few years ago.

In addition to spending time with his children, Eileen ’79 and Mike ’81, Jerry Patrick serves on two nonprofit boards and corresponds with Jim Waters ’52, who lives in Florida. Jerry planned to visit Cope in September followed by skippering bareboat a 44-foot sloop off the Maine coast. He is building an elaborate model of a 5th century B.C. Greek trireme used in the Persian War and he is also writing short stories.

George Anderson called, seeking a contact for Warren Eastman, our past class agent (which I do not have since he moved to Connecticut). George and his wife, Rue, of seven years, live in Savannah, Ga., as does Homer Eckerson, who sent me a message from Japan in August, where he was on a family vacation. After an aorta aneurysm four years ago, George has recovered sufficiently to shoot his age on the golf course—86. He finds water aerobics preferable to the gym.

Rev. Edward White checked in from D.C., stating he was fine, with a wife, five children, and 12 grandchildren—all doing well.

James Dutcher Griffis, a native of Troy, N.Y., a DKE, passed away July 6, 2018, in The Woodlands, Texas, where he had been living since his mobility decreased. He is survived by his son, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a sister.

Erik Sprague Taylor, born in Tientsin, China, a math major, and a Sigma Nu, died Nov. 27, 2017, in Denver, Colo. A long-term employee of the Colorado National Bank of Denver, he served as trust officer and head of the trust department. Active in the community he enjoyed hiking, backpacking, skiing, and especially his cabin in South Park. He is survived by his wife, Frances, three children, four grandchildren, a sister, and a brother.

Condolences to the families of Jim and Erik.

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

Categories Obituaries | 1950-1959Posted on

Milton L. Smith ’53, MAT’55

Milton L. Smith ’53 passed away on Aug. 23, 2018 in Georgia. Smith majored in English and went on to earn his master’s in teaching at Wesleyan. Smith retired from his role as an executive at SUNY at Utica, where he was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

Categories Obituaries | 1950-1959Posted on

James D. Griffis ’53

James D. Griffis ’53 passed away on July 6, 2018. Jim was preceded in death by his father and mother, Rev. Harold William Griffis and Evelyn Theresa Dutcher, his brothers David Griffis and John Harold Griffis and his loving wife Margaret ‘Peggy’ Hart. Jim is survived by his son James Fredrick Griffis (Susan) and his sister Nancy Evelyn Griffis. He was very proud of his grandchildren Patrick Griffis (Laura), Michael Griffis, Kevin Griffis, and Megan Griffis, and his grand daughter in law Jenna Beck. He adored his great grandchildren Kylie Griffis, Colton Griffis, Patrick Griffis, and Madelyn Jancigar-Griffis. Jim was also proud of his nieces and nephews and their families, Mark Griffis, David Griffis (Romina), John Griffis, Andrew Griffis (Ceci), Shari DiMeo (John), Kimberly Homeyer, and Tara Sherman.

Family and close friends, who essentially became part of his “family,” are what mattered most to him. He genuinely and fiercely cared for this small group of people in his life. He supported, in a wide range of ways, all those he loved through thick and thin. Jim was the backbone of his family.He also accepted everyone in that circle for what and who they were and was quick to forgive whatever shortcomings or misfortunes they experienced. He never held a grudge. He was proud of everyone’s accomplishments. He wanted everyone to get along and have a good life.

He had a great sense of humor and could laugh at other’s experiences as well as his own. His personality and presence were felt by all who came into contact with him. He loved life and those around him. He could be funny evenwhen he was grouchy. Who else could lose a tuba on a weekend away in college or have Carl Sandburg quip during class while looking out a classroom window, “I see Mr. Griffis has elected to sun himself on top of the fraternity house rather than be present for our poetry class!”? His stories were countless, and he would light up any room he entered.

He loved his sports and enjoyed seeing his family in sports. He was a four-year varsity letterman (football, basketball, track, and tennis) and was inducted into the Troy High School hall of fame. Whenever he could, he went to all of his grandson’s games.

He believed in brevity and directness when communicating. He stressed working hard and achieving one’s best, playing fair, and respecting people regardless of their social position and not taking yourself too seriously. There are many virtues and values that many of his family have inherited from him. Jim loved music. He played trumpet, baritone and an occasional tuba in Dixie land bands in college. He taught himself to play piano in the style of Jerry Lee Lewis and loved county music.

Jim graduated from Wesleyan University and had a successful career in sales in the commercial building sector, first with Kimmey Company in Troy, N.Y., Sanymetal Company in Cleveland, Ohio, and All American Company in Long Island, N.Y. His ultimate success and personal pride were establishing his own company, Gratton Building Specialties in Mentor, Ohio, before he retired.

Everyone has their own stories of Jim that will live on. He has made an indelible impact on those he loved. These memories will soften the heartache of his passing.

We thank Mr. Griffis’ son for this heartfelt obituary.