Tag: 1955

It won’t be much longer before our class notes are at the beginning pages of this section of the Wesleyan magazine! Hard to accept the fact that we graduated so many years ago and that our class number was small in comparison to present classes. It makes me very thankful to receive words from our gang to share with you all. Of course, I’ll add that it would be greatly appreciated if more of you would send a note this way when the pleas for a response are sent out!

     Sad to report the passing of George Edwards on January 4. George served as an officer in the Navy upon graduation and then received his master’s degree from the Wharton School. He served as assistant town manager in Bloomfield, Connecticut, then became the town manager of Granby, Connecticut before working for housing development programs in Middletown and Albany. He focused on commercial real estate brokerage before he finished his career as the director of the Connecticut State Properties Review Board. He is survived by his wife of 42 years and five children. Sincere sympathy to his loved ones is extended by all of us.

     Two of our faithful “responders” have sent in information to bring us current. Tom Nall apparently doesn’t regret leaving Kentucky as he is now living in the “Tennessee half of the town” in an independent-living facility with, as he says, “nice folks.” He had a mild case of COVID-19 which kept him isolated at home for 12 days but after a year of doing nothing he remarked he was used to it!

     Drew Clemens’ wife Julie sent a lovely and informative holiday greetings letter which updated Drew’s activities. He is serving as a trustee and psychoanalysis committee chair of the American Academy of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis. He continues to play tennis when, as she writes, “it’s safe to do so.”

     Hearing from both a fraternity brother and a former freshman roommate and remembering days together are what keeps me still willing to write these notes!

     On the homefront, all is well and I’m happy to report 4,379 miles   were logged on the bike for 2020. Our “gang” remains active in the new year and I’ve recorded 421 miles as of February 11. Keeping active, being with a wonderful and loving wife, and trying to maintain a positive attitude still seem to be working!

      As always, sincere good wishes to you and your loved ones in the days ahead!

Sad to report the only word heard this time around was from Jean Snow, who informed us of the passing of Kip, her husband of 63 years and father of two children, Becky and John “Jeep.” Kip passed away on September 16th. I was grateful to read Jean’s comments that Kip looked forward to each issue of Class Notes and “always turned to your notes first.” I’m sure I speak for all of us by expressing sincere condolences to the family.

It’s been an interesting spring and winter season here in Florida this time around as we’ve witnessed what seems like an unusual amount of both rain and extreme heat in addition to living with the pandemic plague conditions. Activities certainly have been reduced but fortunately, my hard core of cycling buddies have continued to brave the elements in good fashion and while still riding fewer miles at a slower pace this time around, I’ve managed to record a tad more than 3,300 miles to date (09/23/2020). We do observe proper social distancing in our pace line and while we ride without face masks in accordance to local requirements, we do wear them when at rest stops. I’m more than thankful for the continued chance to socialize and exercise with great friends!

As always, I do hope these notes find you and your loved ones in good health and spirits, and I once again ask that if the chance presents itself, please drop a note this way to share with other members of the Crucial Class!

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon35@gmail.com
34 Southport Ln. Apt. C, Boynton Beach, FL 33436

Always a delight to receive a note or two from fellow Sigma Chi brothers! It looks like they will do their part to keep me from rambling on about the traditional birthday ride celebrating my 87th with riding buddies from our local club. And yes, we did ride 87, but to be explicit, because of the coronavirus we did choose to mark the distance in kilometers instead of miles! Oh well, not too bad for a bunch of senior citizens. By the way, I’d certainly enjoy receiving a note or two from classmates in addition to fraternity brothers!

From Ric Fisher and for the record, a notice that he was the youngest resident on his street in Lund, Sweden, when he moved there in 1980 and now, he’s the oldest. He says he’s in the high-risk zone: 86, he’s survived an aorta dissection (2016), and still wonders what the next handicap will be! He gives thanks to his wife, Ula, and to Vera, his dachshund, for keeping him active and surviving!

Upon our graduation, I drove from my home in New Haven to St. Louis to pick up Tom Nall to begin a driving trip throughout the states. The original destination was Seattle to meet with one of our Sigma Chi brothers. Tom recalled the many wonderful memories from St. Louis to the end at the Grand Canyon, including picking apricots in Yakima Valley, a bear invading our tent at Mt. Hood, and bathing in mountain streams as well as the beauties all the national parks offered as we toured them. One item that stood out was being laughed at for wearing short pants as no one in the West wore them at the time! Tom has survived a concussion from a fall in 2019 and several illnesses, which resulted in the decision to move into an independent-living apartment in an assisted living facility across the state line in South Fulton, Tenn. He mentioned that it was quite a change from his former house situated on two acres, but he’s settled in and doing quite well.

Marianne and I are well and, like almost everyone else living during these pandemic days, are looking for the chance to resume our former habits. Can’t come too soon.

As always, sincere good wishes to you and your loved ones in the days ahead.

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon35@gmail.com
34 Southport Ln. Apt. C, Boynton Beach, FL 33436

Another year and another good start for the Crucial Class as two of our classmates have responded to my quest for items of interest for all of us. And, as always, my sincere thanks to both Jim and Drew, who took the time to say “hello” to all of us.

Jim Shepard enclosed what may be the perfect response to all who may consider retirement as an option. He wrote, “I have closed down my Expert Witness Practice. I had my first job at 16 as a Howard Johnson’s cook, then I completed 70 years of work. Now, ready to party.” Can’t say the man has his priorities wrong, can we? Jim, enjoy yourself.

I received a wonderful holiday greetings letter from Drew Clemens, filled with much information and news. As mentioned previously, Drew and Julie have relocated to the retirement community of South Franklin Circle in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, near Cleveland, and are pleased and happy with their decision. Drew continues to teach psychoanalytic technique and do local and national organizational work in psychoanalysis. He still finds time to read, play tennis, take long walks, and write for the residents’ newsletter, fittingly named The Cardinal! He and Julie, as founding members, continue to sing with Choral Arts Cleveland and now are relearning bridge, which he maintains is a humbling experience. He reminds all of us that there are still ways to learn, play, and contribute to the world around us.

Even though I might sound somewhat disappointed to announce my completed bike mileage for 2019 was much less than the usual 5,000-plus miles, I can honestly state that recording 3,894 miles in spite of much unfavorable weather was still very satisfying. The challenge for this year will most like be whether we do the annual birthday ride (87) in miles or kilometers.

To all of you and your loved ones, may the new year bring you health, happiness, and peace.

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@gmail.com
34 Southport Ln. Apt. C, Boynton Beach, FL 33436