Tag: 1955

Many thanks to Rick Congleton and Drew Clemens for making sure a “shutout” was avoided, and my 60-plus years of submitting to Class Notes is still ongoing!

Rick notes that “our class seems to be pretty depleted” but he is “hanging on and recently enjoyed a 90th party in July.” I did appreciate his “good luck with Class Notes” comment.

A last-minute email from Drew and Julie Clemens (sister of Tem Taylor) related Drew’s recovery from a small stroke three years ago, and they are still enjoying the move to a retirement community eight years ago, especially the friendships, bridge, and in the Wesleyan tradition, singing in a chorus! So good to hear from my freshman-year roommate once again!

On a much less happy note, I am saddened to report the passage of Andrew Holmes. I know I speak for all of us in offering sincere condolences to his family.  

Still acclimating to my Silver Spring surroundings and greatly enjoying new friendships with fellow members of our local senior center. Having a facility that provides lunches and athletic workout equipment is super. I do miss bicycling but am thankful for continued contact with members of my Florida riding group. Memories and friendships are really so important.  

As always, my best wishes to you and your loved ones in the days ahead. 

During my 60-plus years serving as class secretary, my greatest concern was that of not hearing from classmates and thus not having anything to report. So happy to say that thanks to receipt of Jim Shepard’s message, I’m still serving my function. And Jim’s message at this time of the year was perfect, for he wished us all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I continue to settle in here in Silver Spring, Maryland. Still driving and have even learned to use GPS! Awaiting the opening of a recreational center (attached to our building) within the next two months, and looking forward to mastering a stationary bike!

As always, my best wishes to you and your loved ones in the days ahead. 

Don

Delighted to receive Tom Nall’s note recalling our graduation trip throughout the country, visiting the national parks, camping on Mount Hood with the bears, bathing in icy creeks, and even dishwashing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. And yes, I do remember our class moniker, the “Crucial Class”! What wonderful memories we share. Glad to hear from you once again, Tom, and stay well!

Stuart Rapp sent “thanks for enabling me to keep in touch, even as I recede ever farther into old age! I have been truly gratified throughout my post-Wes career to enjoy the steady (and steadily advancing) march into the always obscure future, [remembering] the ‘college on the hill’ of my grateful memories.”

I received news that David Rich passed away on July 20, 23. He studied English at Wes and some may remember that he performed as a jazz clarinetist with the High Street Five band. His obituary can be read here. My condolences to his wife, Ellen, and their family.

It would be super if more of our classmates could find the time to send a note my way, helping us relive these wonderful times and experiences.

As for me, I relocated to a brand-new apartment building in Silver Spring, Maryland, and am now about 4 miles from my eldest Peter ’86 and his wife, Annice. So grateful for their love and support, especially at this stage of my life. All will be perfect in another few months, when the pool and recreation center at our building are completed. Can’t wait to get back on a stationary bike, assuming my knees agree!

As always, wishing you and your loved ones good health and much happiness in the days to come.

Thankfully, I don’t have to report two consecutive months of no word from classmates.

Thanks to Jim Shepard for letting us know he survived the earliest flooding disasters that struck California. Obviously, I’m sure we all hope his good fortune carried through the remainder of the extraordinary downpours to date.

I continue to acclimate to the Maryland weather and almost found it a pleasant experience to witness snow for the first time in more than 20 years, even if it were only a dusting. I’m still waiting for the warmer weather to test my knees and bike the local area. I appreciate there are two friends in this area with whom I biked when they were in Florida. It will be interesting.

As always, my very best wishes for good health and happiness to you and your loved ones.

Just after I submitted the following note, I received news that John Mosher passed away earlier this year, on March 28, 2022. He is survived by his wife Liz of 63 years, children, grandchildren, and his brother Tom ’58. Our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and classmates.

While class secretaries know the day might come when they have no news from fellow classmates to share, the occurrence of such a happening is thankfully rare. But for this guy who has held the position for more than 60 years, it’s hard for me to accept the fact there’s nothing to share other than letting you know the transition from Florida to Bethesda, Maryland, has been accepted, and once the adjustment to weather differences, all will be well and I will continue to act as your secretary with the hope of hearing from classmates in the future!

As always,  my very best wishes for good health and happiness to you and your loved ones in the New Year.

My thanks to Tom Nall for submitting his thoughtful comments that prevented an absence of communication from classmates for this edition of Class Notes. Tom kindly wrote: “I don’t have any news (I guess that’s a good thing). Just wanted to say ‘hi’ and see how you’re doing.” RIGHT ON, MY FRIEND!

On the home front, Marianne and I have moved to Bethesda, Maryland, from Florida as we believed it was advisable to be closer to my family. Good thing is we now reside in a condominium building that is only a 10-minute walk from my son Peter’s home! At this age, knowing “HELP,” if needed, is nearby makes good sense. As for cycling, my knees still ache despite orthopedic treatments, and I’ve limited my current activity to a stationary bike and leg weights, which are available in our building’s fitness center directly across the hall from our apartment. I will always have wonderful memories of the miles and friendships experienced for many years on my bicycle in Florida. Facing reality can be difficult at times!

I was delighted to receive a text from Paul Tractenberg ’60, a fellow former cyclist, who offered suggestions on several methods for trying to relieve the knee pain I have had. He asked me to “keep the regimen up and keep inspiring the YOUNGER Wes alums!” His kind words certainly reaffirm my strong feelings of the real benefits of cycling—that of meeting such grand people.

Unfortunately, I received the news that Tony Arena passed on August 17, 2022. My condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren, and classmates. His obituary can be read here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/middletownpress/name/anthony-arena-obituary?id=36442524.

As always, my warmest good wishes to you and your loved ones. May your days be filled with good health and happiness.