Tag: 1954

Len Stolba sends in this update: 

“We are both happily ensconced on our 1.6 acres in Fair Oaks, California, with our daughter’s horse. She is an equine veterinarian who lives up the lane and looks after us as we do her horse.

“I am long retired from 30-some years with an international engineering firm, plus some
teaching and consulting with the BArch and MS building construction [programs at] MIT—[degrees I] obtained after Wes U and four years in the USMC as a helicopter pilot. I also continued as a pilot and squadron commander in the reserves until retirement.

“After my retirement, as my wife, Soheir, continued to teach anthropology, consult internationally, and monitor our combined family—two sons, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild—I was able to travel to multiple countries. I now putter around our properties and follow my interests.

“To think all this was enabled by a local-boy scholarship from Wes U to a not-very-good
football guard, whose father was the campus mailman, attests to the value of luck in life and seizing opportunities and never giving up.

“Cheers to all.—Len”

Bud Johnson says that he at 93 and his wife, Lynn, at 91, “are dealing with a range of medical challenges. Rarely answers or solutions; mainly explanations!” Bud says they keep “optimistic and appreciative by eight grandkids, with their engagements and weddings.”

John Binswanger writes, “All is good. We are traveling to California to see two new great-grandchildren next week and will be in Florida for 10 days in March. Still playing a little golf (badly), but it is fun, so why stop? Gay keeps me in good shape.”

Sadly, there are two passings to report:

Art Goudey’s son let us know that he passed away at the age of 96 in Venice, Florida. A navy veteran, Art was remembered as “a lifelong learner with insatiable curiosity [who] was an avid reader and true outdoorsman.” 

Katy Storms Denman ’89 sent this: “Bruce Storms, age 92, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, passed away on January 16, 2025. Bruce was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity and, after earning his BA from Wesleyan, was a banker by trade. He loved to attend Wesleyan reunions and to travel. Bruce’s beloved wife, Ann, passed away in 2024. He is survived by his son, Tim Storms ’81, and wife Teri; his daughter, Katy Storms Denman ’89, and husband Chip; his grandchildren, Dan Storms ’10 and wife Liz; Meghan Storms; and Chad, Will, and Jay Denman; and his great-grandchildren, Anna and Henry Storms.

Links to full obituaries of these classmates can be found online at classnotes.blogs.wesleyan.edu/class-of-1954/.

Dave Hodgin shared: “Nothing much to report. I have almost run out of consulting clients, nearly all retired or deceased. However, I remain busy with pro bono service as president of the Senior Life Association, and my newest venture, Damians Ladder, which provides free services to help senior citizens and the disabled remain safely in their homes. Still playing golf every week as part of an effort to keep mobile (and have some fun!).

John “Bud” Johnson Jr. still splits his time between a retirement community in Rye, New York, and Stuart, Florida, where he has had a home for 25 years. He wrote, “More time in Florida for more walking and outdoor vistas is winning! I’m still active with ASCF and it’s peace through strength legacy. My time in and around Taiwan and tracking China waters activity is still relevant to strategic defense planning. Our eight grandchildren still don’t believe grandpa was doing that at age 24! All best, Bud.”

We have about two dozen active emails for the Class of ’54, but like other classes, we know there are folks we don’t have any contact information for—i.e., email addresses or phone numbers. If you are in touch with anyone who may not have updated Wesleyan in some time, please encourage them to send their information to the Office of Alumni (alumni@wesleyan.edu) or to the Class Notes Editor, Liz Taylor ’87. Thank you.

Class Notes Editor | classnotes@wesleyan.edu

John Binswanger writes, “All is well. Doing a little traveling.” John planned to spend time in Florida in January and February visiting family. “Disappointed with the election but willing to wait and see.” He works out “three or four days a week when weather permits. Hope to make the next reunion. Best to everyone for the new year.”

Martin Feins says, “Now living in Naples, Florida, full time. Lost my wife five years ago and remarried to a lovely woman from the UK about two years ago. Would love to get together with any ’54er in my area or any Wes guy from my era.” Marty can be reached at martinfeins@gmail.com.

Bud Johnson and his wife, Lynn, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in February. “We are thankful to have been blessed with years to watch our grandkids start their families. A year ago, we moved into The Osborn, a senior living campus in Rye, New York. Down south, we still have a seasonal home in Florida to avoid ice and snow.” Bud is an active senior advisor on the American Security Council Foundation Board. His several years as a naval plane commander— involved in Formosa, South China Sea surveillance—is helpful in defining ASCF’s Peace through Strength Mission in the Far East. Bud says he’s a “very lucky boy!!!”

Dan Resnick has stepped away from his role as your class secretary. We thank Dan very much for his work connecting you with each other. If you’d like to become the new class scribe or have any news to share for the next issue of Class Notes, please write to classnotes@wesleyan.edu.

Dan Resnick has stepped away from his role as your class secretary. We thank Dan very much for his work connecting you with each other. If you’d like to become the new class scribe or have any news to share for the next issue of Class Notes, please write to Liz Martin Taylor ’87, Class Notes Editor, at classnotes@wesleyan.edu.