Tag: 1955

Categories Class Notes | 1950sPosted on

CLASS OF 1955 | 2014 | ISSUE 3

The following sad news, sent to me from freshman roommate Drew Clemens, arrived just after I had submitted material for the previous edition of Wesleyan. I feel that even though the timeliness of this information may be somewhat “outdated,” it should be shared with all. Drew wrote, “Bob Sayre (’55 Eclectic) died on April 16 of complications of malignant melanoma. Bob is survived by his second wife, Hutha, three children, two step-children, and seven grandchildren. He taught in the English Department and American Studies Program at the University of Iowa for 33 years.” Drew and his wife, Julie, kept in contact with Bob over the years with occasional trips together including reunions that also included Mary Lou and Wink DelDuca.

Drew writes, “Julie and I remain in good health overall. I closed my private practice three years ago but remain very active in teaching and writing about psychoanalysis and psychotherapy at Case Western Reserve as an emeritus professor of psychiatry and at the Cleveland Psychoanalytic Institute as a training and supervising analyst. I’m on the executive council of the American Psychoanalytic Association and will be the president-elect of the American College of Psychoanalysts. Given a free hand by the editors, I write informative or reflective columns for a psychiatric journal several times a year (see Drew Clemens.net for PDFs). Being retired thus has been a relative matter, but there has been plenty of time to enjoy life. Julie and I make bird-watching trips (Ecuador, Colombia, Belize lately) and she monitors butterfly populations weekly. I play singles tennis and do some biking and hiking. Julie and I continue to sing great music with the Choral Arts Society of Cleveland, go to frequent concerts by the Cleveland Orchestra, and above all enjoy our cottage on Lake Chautauqua, N.Y. Our two sons are doing well in software architecture and residential architecture respectively, and we have four grandchildren.” Yes, Drew, it has been a long road since we first started out rooming together after the tragic start of losing a roommate during freshman orientation. Thanks so much for sharing your words with us!

I received a phone call from Hal Stuhl and enjoyed chatting with him and reminiscing about former acquaintances both at Sigma Chi and Wesleyan. Hard to believe the enrollment during our years numbered approximately 750, including graduate students! Certainly made for an environment where it was possible to know such a high percentage of the student body. Hal and his wife have been spending more time here in Florida, where they have a place on the west coast in Bonita Springs. He mentioned he celebrated both his 55th anniversary and his 80th birthday. I reminded him that middle age now runs through 85, so he should have plenty of time to continue playing golf and exercising! Our bike club tries to plan a weekend ride in Naples annually and as this is just somewhat south of Bonita Springs, I hope we can plan to get together one of these days.

Thanks to the wonders of Facebook, I have traded “words” with both George Edwards and Brad Miter. Needless to say, I’d welcome the opportunity to do so with more of you!

On a personal note, Marianne and I remain well and in decent spirits. Family-wise, my younger daughter, Pamela Torres, spent the summer months at the University of Hawaii earning a second master’s degree in education, this time in leadership. Proud to say she was one of 25 students chosen to attend the university on an all-tuition-paid basis. Really a proud dad! Cycling continues to keep me going and I am on a path to exceed more than 6,000 miles this year, assuming weather and knees cooperate! It’s fun teasing my “younger” riding companions to pick up the pace every once in a while!

As always, I hope these notes find you and your loved ones healthy and happy. Would love to hear from more of you if the chance permits.

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@bellsouth.net
27A Stratford Ln. W., Boynton Beach, FL 33436; 561/654-3711

Categories Obituaries | 1950-1959Posted on

ROBERT F. SAYRE ’55

ROBERT F. SAYRE, emeritus professor of English at the University of Iowa, died Apr. 16, 2014. He was 80. The son of Harrison M. Sayre of the class of 1916, who was the founder and publisher of My Weekly Reader, and the brother of the late James W. Sayre ’46, M.D., he served in the U.S. Navy after receiving his degree with honors and distinction. He earned his PhD. From Yale University. After teaching at the University of Illinois and as a Fulbright Scholar in Sweden, he received a Guggenheim award to conduct research at Princeton University. In 1965 he moved to the University of Iowa, whee he taught in the English department and American Studies program for 33 years. His primary academic focus was autobiography, and his anthology, American Lives, was published in 1994. His love of Iowa’s natural and social history led him to edit a series of books that championed a greater appreciation of his adopted home state, and he did the same for Fire Island, New York, where he and his family summered. He was also active in many sports and in community organizations and causes. Among those who survive are his wife, Hutha Colby Sayre, whom he married in 1988; three children, two stepchildren, and seven grandchildren. He was also the uncle of Dixon F. Miller ’69, Robert K. McNamara ’73, Jean S. McNamara ’77, and of Elizabeth W. McNamara ’83.

Categories Obituaries | 1950-1959Posted on

VICTOR H. LANE III ’55

VICTOR H. LANE III, a retired language teacher, died June 26, 2014, at age 80. A member of the John Wesley Club, he received a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a PhD from New York University. He taught at Nebraska Wesleyan and the City University of New York, among other places. His wife, Caroline Warram Lane, and one son are among those who survive.

Categories Obituaries | 1950-1959Posted on

JOHN J. MILLER III ’55

JOHN J. MILLER III, 79, professor emeritus of pediatrics at Stanford University and a noted leader in the study and treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, died Dec. 11, 2013. He was a member of Gamma Psi and received his medical degree from the University of Rochester. After completing a residency in pediatrics at the University of California at San Francisco, he traveled to Australia as a National Institutes of Health post-doctoral fellow to pursue a PhD in immunology at the University of Melbourne. Upon completion of his PhD, he returned to California to fulfill military duties at the National Radiological Defense Laboratory and then began a 35-year career at Stanford Children’s Hospital and Stanford Medical School. During his tenure at Stanford, he conducted extensive research on childhood autoimmune diseases and the health care delivery and psychosocial outcomes for children with them. In 1967, he developed the Northern California Center for Children with Arthritis and Related Diseases at the Children’s Hospital at Stanford, which became an important West Coast center for study and treatment, and a valuable resource for patients and their families. After retiring from Stanford in 1997, he spent time mentoring young pediatricians and served as a consultant and visiting professor in London and in Mexico City. He was an avid outdoorsman and devoted theatergoer. Survivors include four sons; three grandchildren; his longtime companion, Mayo Marsh; his former wife, Anne Miller; two siblings; and a large extended family.

Categories Class Notes | 1950sPosted on

CLASS OF 1955 | 2014 | ISSUE 2

Sincere thanks for the response to my requests for information from classmates for this column. I was cheered when I received two from non-’55 members; one from George Anderson ’53 and the other from Don Ritt ’56, in addition to three e-mails from members of the Crucial Class!

George recalled the days when upon graduation, he, Don Fodaski ’54, and Len Stolba ’54 hitchhiked from Connecticut to Santa Monica and found both jobs and a great place to stay. He remarked that after many years he leads a wonderful life, having remarried after his first wife’s passing and now is the proud father of seven children and 17 grandchildren.

Don Ritt brought back memories from 2002 when we traveled to Ireland on an Alumni Tour. For me, most memorable was hearing the call for a doctor aboard the Aer Lingus flight to Shannon. As we deplaned, I saw Don and he told me he was the doctor who attended a woman having a diabetic attack. He also mentioned the chilling thought that he was given “command” of the flight and it was his decision to land as soon as possible or continue on to Ireland! In what I hope was a humorous vein, Don did have an idea of why notes from classmates become less and less frequent. He says, “Your classmates are in the early stages of dementia and are now 80-years-old plus. Seriously, when you get over 80, your ego does suffer and these guys are probably having such feelings.” He did suggest a positive approach and I will give it a try!

Dick Bauman brought us up to date after these many years. He retired from Liberty Mutual Insurance after 37 years and moved to Blacksburg, Va., home of Virginia Tech, in 1995. He took advantage of all the benefits a university town offers, such as auditing classes, theater, concerts, tennis, and more. He and Peg had four children and as he says, “Life has its joys and sorrows, and loss happens.” Their youngest son, Erik, contracted ALS and died in 2009. Peg passed away in 2008 from complications following back surgery. They had been married 52 years. Thanks to family and friends, he has kept on going and now, with a new relationship and a new knee replacement, he is looking forward to life again! He did conclude his most welcome note with a serious question: “Were we really the Crucial Class”?

Our noted traveler, Jim Shepard, and his wife, Sally-Jean, spent several days in Kiev and the Balkans last fall. Jim recently attended a local Wesleyan gathering “in a darkened back room of a hotel bar in San Francisco.” He remarked that 90 percent of the attendees were female whom he believed were aiming for graduate degrees. “I wondered where they get the money,” he wrote and then related when he was a freshman and he was called into the Dean’s office and told if he stopped selling evening sandwiches in the dorm his scholarship would be raised from $700 to $800. As he says, “that wouldn’t buy lattes at Downey House now.”

John Sheaff moans that he gave up skiing a few years back and thus hasn’t been able to take advantage of the “wonderful New England weather” this winter (and spring, I might add!) With only a few limitations on physical activities (no more leaping over tall buildings, he says), he has been doing well. While he hasn’t been on a bicycle in a year due to balance problems, he does say he might try again if and when spring does really come! And John, should you come to Vero Beach to visit Cheryl, bring your bike and we can ride together!

I’ve exchanged e-mails with Tom Nall and am happy to report that he’s mending well from heart surgery. As John Sheaff wrote, he’s gone back to his “old Kentucky Home” and hopefully, family and friends are with him during his recovery.

An update on my cycling: I finished 2013 with a new personal best, having logged 5,807 miles. Still feel strong and healthy and have ridden more than 1,600 miles to date (4/8/14). Marianne and I continue to enjoy the warmth of Florida but still miss the Midwest culture and old friends.

Hopefully, these Class Notes find you well and even in the mood to send a few e-mails this way.

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN | ybikedon@bellsouth.net
27A Stratford Ln. W., Boynton Beach, FL 33436; 561/654-3711

Categories Obituaries | 1950-1959Posted on

LEON M. ALWARD ’55

LEON M. ALWARD, 80, who retired as an international marketing manager with Advanced Micro Devices, died Apr. 24, 2013. A member of Gamma Psi, he received his degree with honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include two nieces and many friends worldwide.

Categories Obituaries | 1950-1959Posted on

JOHN C. HOY ’55

JOHN C. HOY, 79, the dean of admissions at Wesleyan in the 1960s who oversaw a radically new commitment to expanding racial, religious and economic diversity on campus, died July 9, 2013. Hoy, who also held an MALS degree from Wesleyan in 1961 and was the parent of two alumni from the classes of 2003 and 2005, was deeply involved with Wesleyan for nearly his entire adult life. As an undergraduate, he majored in history, competed on the swim team, and was a member of the Eclectic Society fraternity. He returned to his alma mater a year after graduating, as assistant director of admissions, a post he held until 1959. In 1960, he was appointed director of admissions at Lake Forest College in Illinois, and in 1962, he became dean of admissions at Swarthmore College. Hoy returned again to Wesleyan in 1964, serving as dean of admissions and freshmen, assistant to the president, and dean for special academic affairs. In the latter position, he was responsible for implementing new approaches to teacher education, international education, urban education, Upward Bound, and the development of new doctoral programs. In 1966, he traveled to several countries in Africa under the auspices of the African Scholarship Program of American Universities (ASPAU) to interview promising students, who would be given scholarships and placed in American schools. Above all, Hoy was committed to enhancing diversity on campus, and his efforts reverberated throughout the Northeast and nationally as other colleges followed Wesleyan’s lead. Writing in The Wesleyan University Alumnus in May 1965, he noted that though Wesleyan’s student body had included black students for generations, the number of minority and economically disadvantaged students applying to the school each year remained in the single digits. “We discovered that we had falsely expected these students to seek entrance to Wesleyan, although they probably had never had occasion to hear of the college and if they did would most certainly conclude they could never afford to come,” he wrote. The decision to recruit more minority and low-income students “meant we would have to visit schools never before solicited by Wesleyan representatives. It meant increased alumni awareness and participation in cities like New York, Detroit, and Chicago.”

“One of the greatest strengths of this college has always been and remains the extraordinary breadth of backgrounds represented on the campus: religious, racial, geographic, social, economic, and just plain diversity of opinion,” Hoy wrote. “Wesleyan is a stronger college for having maintained this tradition of excellence and diversity.” “Jack Hoy had a historic role in the story of modern Wesleyan,” said Steven Pfeiffer ’69, a student when Hoy oversaw admission and later chair of the Board at Wesleyan. “Jack set Wesleyan on a course of leadership in equal access and racial diversity in American higher education, from which it has not departed over the past almost half century. Under Jack’s leadership, Wesleyan was the first of the top tier colleges and universities to give African American students of talent and potential a fair shot at what private institutions of higher education like Wesleyan had to offer young Americans.” In 1969, Hoy left Wesleyan to serve as vice-chancellor of student affairs, and later as vice-chancellor of university and student affairs, at the University of California, Irvine. In 1987, he was appointed executive director of the New England Board of Higher Education, a position he held until 2001.

Hoy remained involved with Wesleyan, serving as a member of the Boston President’s Council from 1998-99, and as an Alumni Elected Trustee from 1998 to 2001.

He authored several books, including Choosing a College (1967); The Effective President (1976); and New England’s Vital Resource: The Labor Force (1982, co-authored with Melvin Bernstein).

In 1985, Wesleyan honored Hoy with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. He also was awarded honorary degrees from North Adams State College, Franklin Pierce College, Notre Dame College and Bryant College.

He is survived by his wife, Marie, as well as seven children, including Elizabeth Hoy ’03 and Peter Hoy ’05, and seven grandchildren.

Categories Obituaries | 1950-1959Posted on

JOHN E.P. BORDEN ’55

JOHN E.P. BORDEN, who retired as vice president of operations at Gorton’s, a division of General Mills, died Apr. 16, 2013. He was 79. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, he received his degree with distinction in economics. After serving in the U.S. Army intelligence service, he received an MBA from Harvard University and joined General Mills. He served both as the selectman and as town moderator of Topsfield, Mass. Predeceased by his wife, Margaret Leith Borden, he is survived by two sons, including John E.P. Borden Jr. ’80; and grandchildren, including Adele Borden ’12.

Categories Obituaries | 1950-1959Posted on

FRANK B. WILLIAMS ’55

FRANK B. WILLIAMS, who retired as special assistant to the president and associate professor of education at Gettysburg (Pa.) College, died Jan. 16, 2008. He was 74. A member of Eclectic, he received an MAT from Wesleyan and a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. He taught for several years and then joined the staff at Swarthmore College as associate dean of admissions and director of financial aid. From 1966 to 1979 he was dean of students at Gettysburg College and served in several administrative and advisory capacities there. In 1981 he was appointed to a new position as dean of student life and educational services, and from 1990 until his retirement in 1995 he was special assistant to the president as well as associate professor of education. One son predeceased him. Among those who survive are his wife, Suzanne Hermann Williams; three children, including Laurel Williams Wise ’95; five grandchildren; and his brother.

Categories Class Notes | 1950sPosted on

Class of 1955 | 2014 | Issue 1

That old familiar phrase of “there’s good news and there’s bad news” applies to this rendition of Class Notes. First, the “Good News” is that there has been no notification of the passing of a classmate and the sadness that it entails. For this, we are all grateful. Now, for the “Bad News”: I think this may be the first time in my 50-plus years as your Class Secretary that nary a word has been received from members of the Crucial Class for inclusion in this edition of our alumni magazine. I know that I’ve raised the question concerning relevance of Class Notes previously what with the world of electronic communication seemingly taking over what we thought was the norm. I have read a line or two from Gail Clarke, George Edwards, and Brad Miter on my Facebook page but other than that, I do admit to being frustrated with the lack of e-mails or notes from you. I’ve wondered if stepping down as Class Secretary and letting someone new assume the role would inspire more communication that can be shared with all. What I’d appreciate most are your thoughts and comments. Hopefully, you’ll respond.

Now, on a more positive theme, I can report that Marianne and I continue to enjoy our lives here in Florida. We’re both in good health and have our fingers crossed that we will not witness a hurricane this season. The last time we huddled together in the recommended “safe area” was in 2005. There’s still a month to go before the Hurricane Season officially ends (end of November) and the outlook is good. As for taking advantage of the lack of real storms, I’ve racked up just under 4,800 miles on my bike (as of 10/22) and feel confident of reaching several more miles than the annual 5,000 mile target. I will admit as I begin to age I do take a nap after some rides and my knees sometimes call out in protest when we kick up the speed. Most of all, I feel blessed that I am able to continue this enjoyable activity and the social aspects that cycling with our local bike club affords.

Once again, let me wish you and your loved ones health and happiness in the days ahead.

DONALD J. BRAVERMAN
27A Stratford Ln. W., Boynton Beach, FL 33436; ybikedon@bellsouth.net; 561/654-3711