Tag: 1955

It’s been more than 50 years that I’ve had the privilege of putting together our class notes and I can honestly report for the most part, it has been a joy. The spirit of the Crucial Class has always been evident through the notes and memos sent my way. And, I must confess that editing this edition has probably been the most difficult as the messages conveyed are those of deep sadness; the passing of my freshman roommate and the loss of a lifetime partner of a friend.

First, let me quote the words of John Ineson. “In the fall of 1955 I was at Cornell in Ithaca, just starting on studies for my MBA. One of the sororities on campus, Chi Omega, had a ‘get acquainted’ open house and the combined prospect of free food and meeting coeds was too much for me to resist. One of the coeds I met that day, Lori, became my wife two years later. She died suddenly this past July. She had been receiving long term care for dementia, but it was cancer that ultimately caused her death. I have lost my best friend of 62 years, not long after our son died in a gruesome accident. It has left a big hole in my life. Fortunately, the rest of my family, some close friends, and my church have stepped in to at least partially fill the gap and I am starting to look ahead again. I will let you know how things progress.”

John, I know I speak for all of us in extending deepest sympathies and condolences.

Thanks to Jay Shapiro for sending notification of the passing of Ben Di Iorio on Oct. 9. As many will remember, Ben was an outstanding athlete who lettered in six sports, including football, baseball, basketball, track, and swimming, and won a state championship in handball while in high school. At Wesleyan, his track team was undefeated during his four years and the entire track and field team were inducted into Wesleyan’s Sports Hall of Fame. He was probably best known for his talents as a skeet shooter and, starting at the age of 14, he was a 10-time “All American” during the 13 years he shot professionally. In 1972 he was inducted into the skeet and trap shooting hall of fame. He is survived by his children Ben III, Gregory, Bradford, Tessa, and Jamie, and their families. I’m sure Drew Clemens, like me, still has memories of Ben telling us about the role his father played in the development of skeet shooting, as well as examining the rifles Ben used in the sport.

The fact that heat, humidity, and rain throughout most of the past six months of Florida weather prevented me from reaching the yearly 5,000-mile annual biking goal doesn’t seem to be such an important item at this point. I am thankful to say I did record a hair less than 3,900 miles and more importantly, Marianne and I remain in good health and we are very happy. We did relocate to a larger condo in our development and are pleased with the additional living space while keeping our dear friends!

As always, to you and your loved ones, sincere best wishes for good health and happiness in the year ahead.

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@bellsouth.net
14790 Bonaire Blvd., Apt. 210, Delray Beach, FL 33446

Once again, it is with sadness that I report the passing of several of our classmates. On May 14, Ed Rowe died suddenly in Overland, Kans. After his graduation, Ed went on to the University of Michigan and then taught biology for 30 years at Emporia State University. He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Lenore, and his three children. In accordance with his wishes, Ed’s body was donated for scientific research.

Bill Gordon passed away on July 9. A gifted athlete, he worked briefly for General Electric before being drafted into the Army and serving in post-war Korea. He joined Traveler’s Insurance in 1958 and after obtaining an MBA from the University of Connecticut in 1970, moved on to Colonial Insurance, before joining and leading Eastern Management Services, a personal consulting firm. Bill was an active community member, serving on numerous church committees and library and town boards and he was past-president of the Cheshire Rotary Club and First Congregational Church on the Green. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Sue, of almost 60 years and his son, David, as well as members of his large and extended family. A devoted Wesleyan alumnus and member of Eclectic, Bill’s Wesleyan family included his father, cousins, father-in-law, and brothers-in-law. He may have been the perfect definition of “legacy.”

Wesleyan received word of the death of Elliott DeGraff, who died a year ago on Oct. 24, 2017. Elliott was a member of the Class of ’55, but earned his degree from New York University in Aeronautical Engineering. He made his first flight as a pilot in 1953 and went on to become a flight instructor. Elliott was a volunteer pilot for an animal rescue organization, Pilots N Paws , and was credited with flying 700 dogs to safety. He was happy to be a member of the Flying Octogenarians!

With sincere thanks, I’m delighted with the responses from two of my former Sigma Chi brothers. John Sheaff and wife Lois report they continue to function on “a reasonable level” in upstate New York on the Vermont border. They are fortunate to live in an area of natural beauty with access to all the mental stimulation one could desire. And truthfully, he states, “Of course at our age, no leaping over tall buildings!” Bill Shepard sent regards and best wishes while mentioning he doesn’t have “news” this time around! Always a treat to hear from you guys!

Tony Arena is enjoying life in paradise here in Florida and continues to golf with his wife. Tony, where are you residing? Perhaps, we can arrange a get-together sometime in the near future. Drop a line this way when you get a chance.

Since 1982, Andy Holmes has been working full-time running his travel agency Worldwide Cruise Headquarters on Southport Island (Boothbay Harbor) in Maine. He complains that “One of the damnable parts about selling cruises is that we have to go on them . . . thus I am not ashamed to say that we are on nine of them between now and May. Maine winters are extremely bearable when you can be away in the Caribbean on a cruise ship.” Andy, on behalf of all of us, do accept our appreciation of your trials and tribulations!

Drew Clemens and wife Julia have moved to a retirement community near their son in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. He is still writing and teaching about psychoanalysis and psychotherapy in psychiatry. He still plays tennis and his family enjoys their cottage on Lake Chautauqua.

Lots of heat and rain have marked the past several months here in Delray Beach. As with many other parts of the country, Delray Beach has been experiencing record temperatures and the heat index climbs above 100 as the sun rises. It certainly has an effect on my cycling as my riding companions agreed that reducing speeds and distances are a must, especially at our ages. To date (Sept. 21) I’ve recorded 2,661 miles, which is nearly 800 miles less than last year at this time. Still glad that my doctors tell me to continue doing what I enjoy with only one reservation; keep my heart rate below 140 bpm for the most part! If all goes well, I will participate in a fundraising ride of some 50-75 miles for muscular dystrophy. I’ve never done a fundraising ride before, but in honor of two companions who have family members stricken with this disease, I’ve signed on to ride. Marianne continues to encourage my riding. We recently celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in July and she has been a wonderful companion!

As always, to you and your loved ones, sincere best wishes for good health and happiness in the year ahead. And, should you find a spare moment, I’d really love to hear from you.

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@bellsouth.net
14790 Bonaire Blvd., Apt. 102., Delray Beach, FL 33446

Sincere thanks to Stuart Rapp for his loving tribute and words upon notification of the passing of Jim Wright earlier this year. Although the full text is too lengthy to be included in class notes, highlights were sent specifically intended for inclusion. “Our generation was called ‘the Silent Generation,’ but I believe our history will one day be heard, albeit in a different voice from some before, and no doubt some after. Our story was not heroic as some are, but in terms of our individual lives, I believe all of us who have occupied this niche in time will one day be seen as deserving as the others, with the same memorable qualities of which King Harry spoke so long ago (begging our collective pardon for his timebound assumption of male supremacy)—

“This story shall a good man teach his son,

And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remembered!”

A notice of Jim’s passing is included in the obituary section of the magazine and a full obituary is available online.

Ric Fisher is doing “fine” and living in Sweden. He is now the proud owner of a pacemaker as the result of a Type A aortic dissection late last year. Understandably, he lauds the Swedish health care system and praises his wife Ula “who has been not only loving, but also indispensable” during his recuperation. While no longer playing tennis seven hours a week, nor biking anymore either, he still finds time to vigorously walk his dog! Ric, one of my cycling buddies (an 80-year-old youngster) has been riding with a pacemaker for a number of years and says the Swedes are second to none in the field of pacemakers. Wish you the very best.

Laughed while I read the update sent by Jim Shepard and let me quote his May 15 submission in its entirety: “Friday morning I must leave by 5:30 a.m. to get to Silverado for the annual renal transplant meeting. Lectures don’t start until 1 p.m.; but I want to get there by 8 a.m. That is when I am scheduled to play the South golf course. At Wesleyan I realized the most important premedical school course was intramural golf.” Glad you haven’t lost your sense of humor, big guy!

Marianne and I have survived an unusually wet several months and, thankfully, we didn’t have to contend with flooding as did many in this part of “paradise.” We, for the most part, are still relatively in good health and able to enjoy the daily routine. I agreed to serve on the board of directors of our community, filling a vacancy until the end of the year. I do have the option of not standing for reelection if for any reason I feel it necessary. One provision I insisted upon was there would be no way my service would interfere with my four-day-a-week cycling schedule! Still at it in spite of the frequent rainouts these past several months. I’m only approximately 400 miles behind my annual target. As of today (June 5) I have logged a hair under 1,700 miles. While not as fast as I used to be, I can still hold my own with the youngsters (those under 80) in our group!

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

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@bellsouth.net
14790 Bonaire Blvd., Apt. 102., Delray Beach, FL 33446

So happy to have received responses from several members of the “Crucial Class” for this issue of our Wesleyan magazine. And, speaking of the magazine, let me offer my praise to the staff for such an outstanding issue with its history of the university. I’m sure many of you also appreciate the words regarding Ed Beckham, whose influence helped launch Wesleyan on its “color blind” policy.

John Sheaff wrote that he and Lois have really no reason to complain at this stage of life, which in truth means they are in decent health without any infirmities holding them back. He adds, “just no more leaping over tall buildings.” They continue to be active in their church, which John stated that would make “John Wesley proud of them.” Like many others, the record-cold weather kept them indoors more than usual, but he recalls that he skied in such weather for 45 years with family before giving up the sport some 10 years ago. His sage advice to all of us when it comes to the brutal cold weather is “just stay indoors and dress appropriately.” Obviously, he’s put his Wes education to good use.

Looks as if Drew Clemens and Julie are changing their lifestyle somewhat by moving into senior facilities with an independent living facility in South Franklin Circle near Cleveland. As many of us have experienced, downsizing can be intense, but the results can be very worthwhile! Drew does a little teaching, writing and professional society work, and continues as an emeritus professor while finding time for some tennis and, of course, singing! He reports both remain in good health. Their four grandchildren are doing well, even if one graduated from Williams like her dad! Drew wishes “good health and good cheer in 2018 to all of us.”

Our Class Traveler, Jim Shepard, sent a message of encouragement to me, reminding all of experiencing the brutal winter weather that “this too will pass!” My response was to relate what my dad had told me many years ago when he moved to Florida in the 1970s, and this was to file a complaint with the Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce and demand a refund! No reports of any travel experiences, but knowing Jim, I’m sure the next class notes column will describe great adventures.

“I can’t play golf anymore” began Jake Congleton’s note. Jake related he was driving a golf cart while his wife, Sally, played a course in Bradenton, Fla. They were teamed with a man and his father who were visiting from Boston. The father turned out to be 87, a pretty good golfer, and he was carrying his own bag. They talked about prep schools and education in general. As Jake said, “To make a long story short, he turned out to be Brad Turner ’53 who was an Eclectic fraternity brother. It wasn’t until the 12th hole that we figured that out. Small world indeed.”

Sadly, we were notified of the passing of Duncan Wall on Jan. 9. Duncan was the president of Delta Upsilon and played baseball at Wesleyan until an arm injury sidelined him. Duncan had a long and fulfilling career as a librarian.

Marianne and I felt lucky, compared to many others, to have made it through the end of 2017 will relatively little discomfort. My biggest disappointment was finishing the year with less than the annual 5,000-mile cycling goal. Rain and unusually high heat index figures really did make me and the gang accept what was reasonable and sane! The final miles ridden figure was 4,631. All I needed was another month, but I’m still very thankful I can continue to ride four days a week (weather permitting). Now, as long as my knees continue to behave, let’s see what the new year brings.

As always, to you and your loved one, my very best wishes for good health and happiness throughout the year.

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@bellsouth.net
14790 Bonaire Blvd., Apt. 102., Delray Beach, FL 33446