Glenn W. Boynton ’56

Glenn W. Boynton died on Feb. 28, 2018 at age 83 in Middlebury, Vt., after a recent illness. He was born on June 23, 1934 in Jay, N.Y. He attended Lake Placid High School before graduating from Northwood School in 1952 and received his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University. On June 11, 1955, he married Rose Wilkins. After graduating from Wesleyan, they settled in Lewisboro, N.Y., where he worked in the petroleum industry with Esso. Glenn changed careers and served as vice president of Bard College, then as associate dean of the Harvard University Divinity School, on to the development office at Belmont Hill School, and as the development director of the Groton School. Glenn was a lifelong lover of winter sports. He played goalie on the first Wesleyan University hockey team, mentored Wesleyan hockey players, and was an avid supporter of the team for his entire life. He leaves behind his wife, two sons, and several family members, including a nephew, Russell Bradshaw Jr. ’70.

We thank the nephew of Mr. Boynton for this information.

CLASS OF 1956 | 2017 | ISSUE 3

Congratulations and wishes of happiness to Ron Benson, on “[his] marriage to Shirley Chitty, she 79, me 83, the second for each of us. Her first was 53 years, mine was 55. Each of our spouses had long bouts with dementia, and we met in a support group for caregivers. We began dating about three years ago, after each of our spouses had gone home.

“It is surprising and invigorating to touch strong affections that had not been a part of our lives for a while. In addition, the second wedding for me was an entirely different experience. The first time, I spent the ramp-up period in Seattle, while my bride-to-be carried the load of planning and executing the event. I hopped off a Navy plane in Atlanta on July 2, to be married on July 3 in Athens, Ga. This time I have had the pleasure of being in on the planning of every nuance and floral stem. Though the vows were much the same, their weight and significance have been subjected to greater introspection.

“We will be living in Peters Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh.”

Photo of the eclipse in Tennessee by George’s nephew Kelly Chien.

The event of the Chien family’s year was August’s coast-to-coast total solar eclipse. We moved our annual family reunion from New York’s Catskills to a lake house in southeastern Tennessee we had rented the previous October—giving us 10 months to fret about the weather. Forecasts were dire, but we awoke on eclipse day to cloudless skies. Our eclipse was picture perfect! It was Ann’s and my 11th total, but the first for 13 of our gang of 20, ages 16 to 94, and including four Wesleyan grads: Al ’52, yours truly, Chris ’83, Judy ’84. It was especially gratifying for our granddaughter Jeannette, whose only previous try was foiled by rain in Shanghai in 2009. Now 16, she mused, “I’ve waited half my life for this.”

More about the eclipse.

Walt Ebmeyer writes, “What a wonderful way to do the eclipse.  A few friends here at the old folks’ home planned to drive to Charleston. Even if it snowed, we could still have fun in The Holy City. But more and more people got sick as the great date approached, and we ended up watching a partial on the roof.”

Jim Gramentine gave it the old college try. “The day before the great event found my wife and me having lunch in Beatrice, Neb., with Shelia and Bob Runyon and their strapping grandson, Gabriel. That morning we had inspected Homestead National Monument, an official site for observing the eclipse, only to determine that by sunrise it would be hopelessly crowded. Therefore, we and the Runyons agreed to go our separate ways.

“By mid-morning the Gramentines had stumbled upon Fairbury, Neb., which seemed to have it all: few people, a large, treeless field, several porta-potties, and even a nearby McDonald’s. Partially cloudy when we arrived, the skies began to darken and then gently to rain.

“The horizon was brighter to the north, so on we drove to a dirt road traversing a corn field, only to move again yet two more times. In spite of the overcast, we enjoyed as much of the partial eclipse as we might have had we stayed in Milwaukee, but by 12:55 p.m. the sun had been swallowed, though not by the moon.

“We returned to Fairbury to drown our sorrows in Big Macs, only to find that the town had been true to its name. All who stayed had viewed a perfect eclipse. Would that some other life-altering celestial event had changed my restless nature before we flew to Nebraska.”

Alas! From John Foster: “Hate to say I’m not an umberphile, a word I suspect you must have created. I have been accused of having my head in the clouds occasionally though. Thanks for keeping flickering flame alive for the ’56ers.” (Actually, someone else made it up, though it’s not yet in the dictionary.)

But, Jim Wagner writes: “Betty and I saw the eclipse from Charleston, S.C. My brother-in-law had just moved there, so we were able to combine eclipse viewing with a nice visit. It was touch-and-go with variable clouds all day, but they parted just at totality and we could see the corona and the spectacular ‘diamond ring effect.’ It wasn’t clear enough to see planets or stars near the sun, but a bonus was visible lightning and audible thunder from a thunderstorm several miles away!”

Finally, from Frank Cancian: “Since our retirements from academic jobs in California, Francesca (a sociologist) has become a psychotherapist (part-time), and I’ve focused on the documentary photography I did with anthropology. Our kids, Maria and Steven, often use the Spanish they learned during many months in Mexico, and granddaughters, Emma and Rosa, are now in their 20s. We all travel a lot.

“My photos, taken in Italy in 1967, are now getting lots of attention there. See my websites: frankcancian.net and museomavi.it.

“I owe thanks to the memories of three Wesleyan people many of us knew: David McAllester, Sam Green, and Jack Paton ’49.”

That’s all for now, folks.

George Chien | gchien@optonline.net

CLASS OF 1956 | 2017 | ISSUE 2

There’s a hoary joke about two old guys at a reunion. First guy spins a long, convoluted tale about his horrendous near disaster. Wide-eyed, the other guy asks, “Did you live?” First guy responds, “You ought to see me now!”

Last December, I had an aortic valve replaced, but, thanks to the evolving wonders of modern medicine, I went into the hospital on a Tuesday, came home on Thursday, and started cardiac rehab the following Monday.

Barry Passett asked, “George, what in the world are you doing with heart disease?” Darned if I know, but I’m pretty well back to what’s normal for me, thank you.

Walt Ebmeyer chipped in: “I had a similar heart problem in 2002: aortic aneurism pulling the valve apart. But in those days they opened the chest, put a nylon sleeve on the aorta and a titanium valve above that. Three weeks in the hospital! Things have changed for the better. Moved a year ago to a building for ‘active seniors’ in Silver Spring, Md. Dave Fricke’s grandson is in my granddaughter’s sixth-grade class. Is there a Washington Wesleyan club I could join?”

Back to business. Jay Kaplan writes: “I have been devoting most of my time to four activities: “1. The Cosmos Club (cosmosclub.org); 2. The Explorers Club (explorers.org); 3. The National Gallery of Art. where we are members of their Circle; 4. So You Want to Be an International Lawyer? (A b

 

ok I have written which is now being edited and hopefully will soon be published)

“Both my wife, Ann, and I still enjoy good health. I retired from the practice of international law and have cut back on my exploration. In the past we climbed live volcanoes in Kamchatka, Siberia; climbed giant sand dunes in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia; trekked through the Peruvian Amazon; and climbed the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

“We placed an Explorer’s Club flag and white roses on the grave of John Glenn on the day of his funeral in Arlington National Cemetery. He was honorary chair of the Explorers Club and a member of our chapter, of which I have been president.”

This from Dick Bauer: “Dave J. Cox visited Ginny and me. He’s tallied over 100 countries visited by this point, and still counting. Most recent discussion topic for my Linden Ponderers seminar: ‘Does religion make us better, or nastier?’ No one fell asleep; but there was no blood on the floor either. Still truckin’, albeit a bit slower.”

In brief: Dick Boyden: “Nothing really here to report from Mashpee on Cape Cod. Doctors’ visits, grandkids, and gratitude.” Bob Calvin: “We are leaving for a few days to visit friends in Wisconsin.” Dave Fricke: “Beryl and I are doing well here in Silver Spring, Md. Classmates and friends are welcome to visit.”

New digs: Dick Smith: “I retired for the third time after 22 years at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, where I had been doing eye research with mouse models. Linda and I downsized, so we moved to a smaller home in Orland, Maine. Four of our grandkids live nearby.”

Also Peter Gardiner: “Last year, after losing my wife, Jean, to pancreatic cancer, I moved back to Florida from Michigan. I’m in Port St. Lucie on the Treasure Coast. (Move coincided, so had to miss Reunion!)”

And, of course, here’s Bob Runyon: “Sheila and I are happily ensconced in our new apartment. It was the unique ordeal of downsizing from a large house in which we had been accumulating stuff for 36 years.

“A welcoming treat was watching a Canada geese couple in the pond just below our apartment window. The two birds seemed inseparable: always so close and attentive to one another. Then for several weeks, there was only one. Sheila said that the female must be away giving birth to their offspring. Just yesterday, she called me to watch the activity on the pond. There below our window was the happy couple with five little goslings paddling close behind. The lifelong bonding habits of Canada geese are one of nature’s wonders.

“When people ask about our future journeys, I tell them about our latest long trip—house to apartment in six months: two miles’ distance, still in the same zip code! The next real trip will be to Charlotte, N.C., in September, where Sheila will be conducting official conference duties for her Omaha chapter of P.E.O.”

Bob is stepping down from his role as class co-secretary. Over the past several years it’s been my good fortune and pleasure to have him as a partner—always helpful, full of good ideas, and devoted to Wesleyan and the Class of 1956. Thanks, Bob.

Gordon Rogers informed me of the death of his father, G. Ford Rogers III (Ford was a member of our freshman class, but transferred the following year), writing: “Dad died after being bedridden for almost nine years. We had a memorial service for Dad on May 7, 2017. My mother preceded my father in death 25 years ago. I was Dad’s full-time caregiver the last nine years after he became incapacitated.

“Dad told me some stories of his time at Wesleyan. He loved to laugh and share stories at times. I think laughing helped him hang on all those years. God answered my prayers and gave him more time after he almost died that first time in 2008, just two weeks after my Grandma had passed.

“Our travel business, Anchored Eagle Travel, helped us stay afloat as a supplement to his Social Security. I was able to work on that from home while taking care of him. Originally, he was going to do all the bookkeeping for our business and I would work with the clients booking travel. Dad was a great bookkeeper. He retired in 2000 as the docket manager of a major law firm in Chicago and he needed all his attention to detail and skills there.”

George Chien | gchien@optonline.net

Bob Runyon | rrunyon@unomaha.edu

CLASS OF 1956 | 2017 | ISSUE 1

Desperately trolling for class news, I threatened to write about my recent operation (a TAVR, for those who know), which would have made for dull reading. But that turned out to be unnecessary, since I received more responses than I could fit into our limited Wesleyan magazine space. Here’s what you missed.

From Don Price:

Happy to hear that your cardiac procedure went well and that you are on road to rapid and full recovery. Helen and I are now fully retired from Hopkins and spend leisure days with kids (all of whom are in medicine—eye surgery, neurology, and intensive care) and grandkids at our house in North Carolina, at our home in Columbia, Md., and at our home in Woods Hole, Mass., a place we first visited at the suggestion of Fred Millet ’65, who offered us his home in Falmouth, Mass., for our honeymoon in 1957. We love Cape Cod and have been going there in the summers since my training at MGH and faculty position at Harvard in Boston. Great place for family, friends, and science.

Grandkids are doing well. First grandson in medical school; second is a summa cum laude graduate from Chapel Hill; another accepted at Wesleyan for coming year. Very exciting.

Helen and try to see performances with George Ray ’54, Dan Josephthal, and other Bardolators at Blackfriars Theatre (Staunton, Va.) several times per year (8-10 per season). Great fun.

Let us know if you are in any above areas. Love to see old friends.

From Bill Moyle:

We are currently following the development and exploits of four kids and 11 grandkids. Schools have been all over the map from Bates to the U.S. Naval Academy to Elon to the Royal Academy of Music in London. Wesleyan unfortunately was deemed “too far out” by those who looked. Majors have varied from Arabic to business to psychology to becoming a mezzo soprano. Hard to keep up with them, even with Facebook. Anne and I have joined the legions having joint replacements. Keeping busy in choirs and with woodworking. Happy to hear your valve job went well via the latest techniques.

From Jim Gramentine:

In September, we drove to and from Colorado, and stayed at three mountain bed and breakfasts. The last one, our favorite, was 10 miles north of Durango. We arrived on my birthday, September 28 (yes, I was born the same day and year as Bridget Bardot), and stayed through my wife’s birthday, October 1.

On September 30, we visited Mesa Verde and took a ranger-led tour of Balcony House, which features three significant ladders and two narrow passages, testing the average tourist considerably, us especially. I do recall that it was about the last day that Balcony House was to be open in 2016 and that others were closed.

Brings to mind the lyrics of a song: “A Chi Psi went meandering . . .” Or was that from one of the many other fraternities I frequented?

Hoping a good new year clears medical issues for you both.

From Bob Runyon:

Good to hear from you and to learn of your successful operation. As per our Christmas letter, Sheila and I are taking off on Thursday for a three-week cruise from Miami to Honolulu. We have been immersed in preparations for the last several weeks to sell our house and move into an apartment. As soon as we get back we’ll be pounding that challenging decluttering journey again. It’s 38 years of stuff we’ve assembled that has to be parsed and parted with. Sheila is upstairs as I speak, re-reading all of yours and other Christmas letters and birthday cards, and shredding thousands of documents that contain account or Social Security numbers. This is a job to test your attention, stamina, as well as aortic and ventricle valves and more.

Happy New Year.

From Pete Deacon:

Glad you made it without open surgery.

In my opinion, that Lin-Manuel Miranda ’02 is the best booster for Wesleyan in decades. The guy’s a genius. The school might now be enticing for my granddaughter, who is beautiful, talented, and bright, but, because of me, has looked upon a Wesleyan education as somewhat negatively liberating. (Her mother’s view coincides; She’s a Gator and Tea Party-ite. Our son went to Kenyon, but managed to survive as an English major.) Nice talking with you. I’m thanking you for doing a thankless job so cheerfully well.

Bonne santé.

From Gary Miller:

Nice to hear you’re doing well, but missed the games in the OR. As for me, I had a busy year also, but nothing like your adventure.

Marge and I started by visiting our granddaughter, Jenny in Bournemuth, United Kingdom, where she is studying costume design with a concentration in films. Evidently the construction of costumes is different for the stage and film productions. A very interesting arts university in a picture-perfect location. She loves the school and the country; we may not see much of her if she is able to get a work visa after graduation. After a good visit, we spent a week in Cornwall with visits to Port Isaacs (Doc Martin—if you’re a fan of the show), Penzance, and Land’s End. We’d still be on those roads if it wasn’t for GPS. Beautiful country, but we rented too big a car and had to fold in the mirrors many times to clear the buildings and trees on both sides of the road as we raced along the country roads. We were also able to score a couple of tickets to the musical Beautiful before leaving London for the return home. A good trip via Iceland Air which has about the best leg room in the international air travel business.

We followed that up with Jenny’s sister’s (Kyndra) graduation from James Madison University in Virginia. We were able to sit for three hours in 45 degree rain for the big event. Kyndra was sad to leave the university because she had a great experience, but landed a really good position with SEI (banking services) in Pennsylvania to match her degree in business. We had a good visit with her, our son, and our daughter-in-law before heading home to pack for the annual trek north to Maine.

Once in Maine, I received a heart monitor implant to enable the doctors to search my data recordings for suspected A-fib. So far, nothing to report, which is good news, but the batteries last for three years, so I’m going to have my new friend with me for another two-and-a-half years or so.

Summer was wonderful, but very dry as we enjoyed sunny warm weather well into the fall. The only problem came in the fall when I needed to get the boat out of the lake, which had fallen almost three feet due to the drought. Marge had to push me off the bottom to deeper water as I gunned it in reverse to get to the boat launch ramp. Getting the boat to the ramp required navigating several rocks I never knew were there before, scraping bottom all the way. Got it out on the first try, so all ended well and it is winterized and parked in the driveway up there. We’re hoping for lots of snow this winter to refill the lake and they’re off to a good start on that goal.

Since returning to North Carolina, we’ve had a family-filled Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we wish all of the class of ’56 a Happy New Year.

From Walt Ebmeyer:

Neat trick with your valve replacement. In 2002, I grew an aortic aneurism and went into Johns Hopkins for an aorta sleeve and a titanium valve. I was very open and in the hospital for weeks. Now just fine. Moved at the end of May to a Maryland suburb called Silver Spring near my daughter and company. I like it very much—very divers and very blue. OK! No more politics! Phil Crombie, Jim Hartnett and I came back for May Reunion and had a fine time, to a great extent due to Alpha Delt’s miraculous survival. We had dinner in a big tent on the college lawn and looked sadly at Chi Psi, Eclectic, and Beta. It’s another era. If someone asked me why we survived, I’d say a large factor was the House going co-ed way back in the 1970s. Very civilizing. Happy New Year to you.

From John Foster:

Hello to those class members still extant and sitting up and taking nourishment. A good thing. But healthcare sure can occupy a lot of one’s time.

Sixty and one years out is quite a spell, and I’ve lost track of the many changes at WesTech, as we used to refer to it, since my son and daughter-in-law graduated. One of their daughters just finished a Wesleyan joint program in Paris and we all were fortunate to spend Christmas there with her and bring her home and back to Vassar. What a truly lovely city.

My wife and I still reside in our Marblehead home of many years and are fortunate to have both our sons here in this lovely seaside town as well…to take care of us as we become less capable. How good is that?

May you all continue to weather well.

From Dick Bauer:

Good to hear from you. Especially good to learn aortic valve replacement procedure (love that word) went smoothly. Speedy recovery.

[Ginny and I are into the “slow-go” phase of retirement]: less enthusiasm for driving; I gave up bicycling; Ginny surrendered her garden patch for the simplicity of windowsill plants…that sort of thing. But on balance, we’re very hale: exercising regularly, lots of reading, no traumatic health threats, and enough stamina to be able to make at least a modest contribution to the world around us.

For Ginny, this has meant coordinating a group of 10 volunteers to create and lead several botany enrichment programs in a local grammar school, actively participating in our photography club and book club, as well as keeping us socially engaged. For me it has meant monthly piano/vocal performances, reinventing the Linden Ponderers (monthly discussion group focusing on contemporary issues), participating on a panel featuring the DVD, Being Mortal, sponsored by the South Shore Hospice Association, and writing a column “Riffs on Aging” for our bi-monthly newsletter. Both of us serve as “ambassadors”—hosts for people considering moving into Linden Ponds.

Our progeny continue to contribute to the commonweal: Cindy as communications director for the Massachusetts General Insurance Commission; Steve with HP at a senior level position in the printing division; Andy as investment advisor. Our two sets of grandchildren—two in college, two in grammar school—make us keenly grateful.

A couple months back I spied an obit in the Boston Globe reporting that Russ Winslow from our class died. Lived in New Hampshire. Apologies for not alerting Wesleyan or you earlier. (Assumed, erroneously, those in charge of arrangements might have done that.)

I’ll be seeing Dave J. Cox this May at our side mini-reunion. (Regrets for missing last spring’s official Reunion, undoubtedly our class’s last hurrah.)

All good things for you this new year.

From Max Roesler:

Two great-grandsons have joined our family during 2016, and cancer has claimed a half-brother of mine. We volunteer weekly at a food center which serves poor people mostly from Trenton, N.J., and southeastern Bucks County, Pa., with staples and sundries. Curiously, since my major was math and Paula’s was human relations, she uses a computer to determine clients’ eligibility while I help deliver their groceries to their cars, wagons, bicycles, or whatever. We also help maintain a nearby nature center, keeping trails cleared of overgrowth and undergrowth and removing trash. As the son of a man born in 1882 and a woman born in 1912, I also wrestle with, not only generational ambiguity, but also, since I have lived longer than any of my direct or collateral ancestors, other than my mother’s two grandmothers, with “grand old man” status in my family. Being one of the youngest in our class didn’t help me prepare for that. Visited Venice, Florence, Orvieto, and Rome, last October. In Rome ran across a young woman from New Zealand who is probably a distant cousin of mine via common descent from the MacLeods of Skye. Was surprised to see that Forbes magazine recently rated Wesleyan ninth among all colleges and universities offering baccalaureate degrees. Best to stay humble.

All the best in the new year.

From Glenn Boynton:

Last summer I was contacted by two current Wesleyan hockey players who wanted to hook up with hockey old-timers, so I sent them some recollections and some remarks made at the dedication of the Spurrier-Snyder Rink. Now they know who Bill Spurrier ’58 was! Our class supplied many of the players on the original teams.

So glad your operation went well!

Enjoy,

George

George Chien | gchien@optonline.net

Bob Runyon | rrunyon@unomaha.edu

CLASS OF 1956 | 2016 | ISSUE 3

You will have already savored George’s brilliant recap of our 60th Reunion in the last issue. He vividly captured the grand themes and many closely observed small details of that memorable event. His was truly a “you are there” essay, almost a Bach cantata, mirroring George’s passion for the great music master. George’s multi-generational family ties to Wesleyan are deep and lasting. It is an honor to serve as co-class secretary with him during these years of fond recall.

Nevertheless, I will try here to recapitulate a few other stirring moments and memories from that significant six-decade milestone in our Wesleyan journey.

Relax, Reminisce, Reunite: These were the three R’s of our days on campus during the 60th Reunion. Twenty-two stalwart ’56ers (with some more frosty than frisky) were on hand, along with spouses, to trip the life fantastic.

We formed a resilient coterie of WESeniors from 1935 to 1965. Old friendships were renewed and new ones formed. President Michael Roth ’78 reported on dynamite enrollment data: Twelve thousand applications for 740 seats, a rate far exceeding Amherst and Williams with less than 8,000 applications each. He also waxed eloquent, witty, and visionary on several occasions. His commitment to liberal arts education resounds with the same strong passion that drove former president Vic Butterfield. Roth has moved on from Vic’s “well-rounded man” mantra to new themes of diversity and multi-culturalism. With allusions taken from Thomas Jefferson and other historic figures, he portrayed Wesleyan’s goals as active verbs: assimilate, animate, cooperate, and instigate.

On each of these themes, he gave illustrations and examples of the process on campus, often with the names of prominent achievers. Notable among these was Lin-Manuel Miranda ’02. Lin-Manuel, along with Thomas Kail ’99, have taken Broadway by storm. With the blockbuster, hip-hop musical Hamilton, they have opened creative new streams of American ethnicity and creativity. President Roth had doubtless imbibed some of the hip-hop Kool-Aid as he bopped up and down and all around the Art Center auditorium during his animated presentation.

He followed this energetic performance later on during the traditional class luncheon in the ’92 Theater. His personal story and reflections on the life and death of Carl Schorske, who passed away at 100, were special since he was Carl’s last doctoral student at Princeton. These allusions rang the strong bells of Wesleyana memories in this rapt observer. President Roth reflected about the identification and passion for student learning and discovery that was the hallmark of Vic Butterfield’s leadership.

With the special THIS IS WHY issue of the magazine, you will have noted the results of the latest Wesleyan fundraising campaign—$482 million! President Roth’s commitment to Wesleyan leadership is seen in this important area as in so many others. In this volatile economy, with changing workforce and job structures, there are factors that push students toward vocational, technical, and job-specific university programs. Wesleyan’s emphasis on lifelong learning is counter to those national trends. To glean the enrollment and financial challenges facing small liberal arts colleges in this era, you should check out Roth’s Beyond the University: Why Liberal Education Matters (2015).

We have received a note from Sue Van Voorhees, that our classmate, Peter Van Voorhees, has died of natural causes. “Our family lived in Middletown and was the seventh family to move into Wesleyan Hills—a new concept in planned community living. Our children went to Wesley School (elementary). Harold Kaplan was the principal. We have fond memories of its safe, simple, lifestyle—walking to school, skating on the pond, parties and Scouts in the barn, and kids roaming free from one cul-de-sac to another.

“Peter was employed at Wesleyan from 1969-1970 under Colin Campbell. He was an assistant development officer. When administrations changed, he moved into banking as a trust officer in Meriden. This became his major career that ended in Philadelphia with First Pennsylvania Bank.

“While in Middletown, he was instrumental in helping Oddfellows Playhouse obtain nonprofit status from the IRS. This was the year they were founded and held performances in the old Oddfellows Hall on Main Street. Our children became part of the troupe from the first performance of Middletown Fantasia by Nat Needle ’76, until we moved away when they were teenagers.

“Peter was an avid fan of Wesleyan football, and our family did not miss many games. We attended with Joe Lynch ’47, who was your most loyal fan for many years. Peter loved Wesleyan as a student. He talked many times about the lifelong value of required Freshman English. It taught him basics he applied and quoted for years. He needed to leave Wesleyan for financial reasons. He worked odd jobs for two years, then transferred to the University of Vermont, where he earned a B.A. in geology.”

George Chien | gchien@optonline.net

Bob Runyon | rrunyon@unomaha.edu

CLASS OF 1956 | 2016 | ISSUE 2

Can you believe it? Sixty years! We’ve had Ike, Jack, Lyndon, Dick, Gerald, Jimmy, Ron, George, Bill, W., and Barry since we left those ivied walls and storied halls. Yet 22 of us, most accompanied by spouses, managed to make it back to Middletown for our 60th Reunion in May. Not too shabby. Don Ritt and Fred Boynton both came from La Jolla, Calif., where they never see each other. Getting them together in Middletown was rather special. Also from the Golden State was Jim Hartnett. Out from the heartland came Bob Runyon (Nebraska) and Tom Plimpton (Indiana). Larry Labrie (North Carolina) was our southernmost reuner; Gary Miller (Maine) our northernmost one. Sandy Mendelson (Maryland) and Jim Wagner (Virginia) ventured north from the Capital District. Max Roesler and Walt Ebmeyer (Pennsylvania) and Al Grosman and George Chien (New Jersey) represented the Mid-Atlantics. The rest were from Massachusetts (Harry Barr, Dick Boyden, Bill Horrocks, and Jay Jenkins) and the home state, Connecticut (Phil Crombie, Al Haas, Andy Mason, Dave Thompson, and Phil Trager).

For this observer, it was a grand weekend with highlights galore. Examples:

• Parking in the Usdan lot without a placard. We were waved right in and told to ignore the 15-minute limit. If that doesn’t say “Welcome back,” I don’t know what does. (My placard reached our mailbox in New Jersey about the same time we hit Middletown.)

• Peeking at the full moon through Van Vleck’s giant ’scope and showing Bill Herbst, who led Wesleyan’s eclipse tour in 1999, pictures from our six subsequent totals. (And learning there from Bill Horrocks about his distinguished ancestor, Jeremiah Horrocks (1618–1641), a pioneer of English astronomy. Look him up!)

• Telling tales about the good old days to members of the music and art faculties—as if they don’t hear the same stories every spring!

• Being whisked around the campus in all sorts of conveyances.

• Sitting in on the gamelan workshop. Our daughter, Judith Chien ’84, played in it as an undergrad, and we had just seen one in Indonesia. We declined to participate when we were told that we would have to lose our shoes (not a problem) and sit cross-legged (big problem). Incidentally, we skipped the WESeniors luncheon for the gamelan. Heard that President Roth’s talk was spot on.

• Viewing Phil Trager’s latest photography project and hearing him tell about it.

• Don Ritt leading an impromptu “Gimme a W…” cheer in Usdan’s Marketplace.

• Transporting Jim Wagner and his wife, Betty, to and from the far reaches of the Wesleyan empire, a hotel in Wethersfield. Unfortunately, neither of us signed up in time to get dorm rooms.

• Walking through the Lodge, courtesy of a band of alien invaders. Actually they were Alpha Delt alums who were temporarily domiciled at the former Chi Psi residence because there was no room for them in the inn (i.e. the Alpha Delt house). Remarkably, none of these alien creatures had green skin or two heads. They looked astonishingly just like real people!

• Hanging with Don Ritt.

• Wondering just how long it would take to wipe off the 3000 or so wet folding chairs set up on Andrus Field for Sunday’s Commencement.

• A delicious dinner, followed by heartfelt camaraderie and some serious and not-so-serious talk. Sandy Mendelson spoke about the remarkable developments in cardiology that have taken place over the course of his career. Don Ritt told how he got into gastroenterology (it took guts) and his current work in and urgent concern with palliative care. Bill Horrocks took us back to 1896, and how the 60 years before we graduated stack up against the 60 since. What will transpire over the next 60?

Thoughts about Reunion from Jim Wagner: “It was truly a great pleasure to participate in the 65th Reunion of the Class of 1956 and see so many classmates again. My wife, Betty, and I decided it was too much of a hassle to fight the traffic all the way from northern Virginia to Middletown, so we went via a combination of Greyhound and Peter Pan busses, taxis, and Uber. There is definitely something to be said for leaving the driving to someone else!

“Highlights for us were seeing both yet another and completely different fascinating exhibit of Phil Trager’s photography and senior thesis art projects by graduating students, hearing three other graduating seniors give oral presentations of their senior theses projects in the College of the Environment that sounded as good as many a master’s thesis at MIT, and seeing the 100th anniversary exhibit at the Van Vleck Observatory, complete with a peek at the moon through the 20-inch refractor telescope.

“With four independent adult children and four young grandchildren nearby, we stay happily involved. During the past five years since our 55th Reunion, we have enjoyed renewing our interest in art by taking classes at a local senior center. We also enjoy occasional concerts in the area, as well as an annual pilgrimage to the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, where one can hear quality performances not only of Bach but of other great composers.

“I still take weather observations in the back yard and continue to be active in church, keeping alive my interests in science, music, art and a faith-oriented life. My Wesleyan liberal arts education encouraged and helped develop all these interests. God willing, we hope to see you all at the 65th Reunion in 2021.”

And from Dick Boyden: “I was struck by the differences of the Wesleyan of our time and the Wesleyan of today, as I saw countless students with their heads bowed to a myriad of electronic devices.

“The Wesleyan of 60 years ago numbered 740 men. Most of us were in fraternities or eating clubs, where personal interaction was the norm. Our interaction of necessity was face-to-face with our peers and it was also the expectation. We did learn to go beyond our initial visual or quick impressions of our classmates that were often wrong. We matured to a greater understanding, affection and acceptance of our differences.

“Our classes were small, our struggling opinions were valued, and we grew in understanding, knowledge, and creative thinking, thanks to the fine group of faculty that President Butterfield had assembled. I was a history major but several courses outside of that realm—such as geology, music appreciation, and humanities—have lasted far longer and have been recalled much more often in my life. Most of us could say we had a place or places in the ‘sun’ of Wesleyan, areas where we shone within a particular organization, academic area, sport, fraternity or club.

“Over the intervening six decades I have learned that to nourish the special associations of our years has required caring and contact. When those are given by us ‘the fires do still more brightly glow.’ How fortunate we are to have gathered again to sing the old songs and renew friendships, casual and close, even though we might have had to sneak a quick peak at a name tag to remember a face or friend. Hoorah for the Red and the Black.”

On to 2021! We ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.

Addendum: The saddest news: Frank Avantaggio, our forever president, died Feb. 8, 2016, in Damariscotta, Maine. Reunions weren’t his thing, but the Class of 1956 was always close to his heart. We’ll miss you, Ollie.

Bob Runyon | rrunyon@unomaha.edu

George Chien | gchien@optonline.net

CLASS OF 1956 | 2016 | ISSUE 1

From Sandy Mendelson: “After 60 years, Bob has persuaded me to put pen to paper for his deadline.

“I’ve been a cardiologist at Washington Hospital Center my whole career. At various times I’ve taught house staff, fellows, and technicians; directed the coronary care unit; introduced formal CPR, advanced cardiac care courses, and paramedics in the DC area; and practiced clinical medicine. Our department staff totaled two of us when I arrived, and we did ‘everything’ that could be done for patients in a community hospital in 1967. Now the department is huge, with nine subdepartments, a nationally ranked program. My present activity is small, but it’s been wonderful to play some part in the amazing progress of cardiology! Beyond hearts, I consult in bioethics, as part of our hospital’s Center for Ethics.

“Irene and I are healthy, travel a lot—in ’15 to China and to Patagonia, spend time with our three sons and their families (including six grandkids), and do volunteer work. I’ve served as synagogue president and remain deeply involved with other Jewish educational organizations.

“We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the Reunion!

“A sad note: the passing of our dear friend and my Wes roommate, Rabbi Harold S. White ’54. Hal was beloved and effective in his career at Georgetown University and in the DC area more generally. He attributed his passion for learning and teaching to his Wesleyan education and is widely mourned in this community.”

From Bill Bixby, several warm handwritten notes: “Hope to see everyone in May if Fran is well (dementia). Love Wes… Did not write Christmas letter last year due to a stroke Dec. 19th. In rehab six months—couldn’t drive and really missed it! Still have speech problems and work with a UMass graduate student here two to three hours a month…I can walk our dog, Barney, now but not like before!! He has to settle for 15-minute jaunts, not one hour, miles-long hikes. I miss not being able to read the way I could—I haven’t been able to finish a book yet!! Reading newspapers takes several days. (By then, it’s old news). I also missed my 64th high school reunion and Cape Cod this year!

“Mark (son) is with the same law firm (27 years) and has finally given up coaching soccer after 15 years. Jen (wife) fell on ice while walking the dogs last January and is still having headaches. Tucker (grandson #1) will be a senior at Trinity College and a U.S. Marine Reserve. His girlfriend graduated this year. They are very serious. Reed (grandson #2), will be a senior at Union College, will go to Italy to study Italian and the culture. Kevan (grandson #3) is a freshman at Hobart-William Smith College, five hours away in the Finger Lakes area. Kira (granddaughter) is a freshman in a new high school a half hour from home. She’s a goalie in field hockey. Mark picks her up on his way home. Merry Xmas, Fran and Bill.”

From Al Haas: “Not many of us could match George’s journey back through time to revisit his roots. My story is serendipitous but inauspicious. I spent three years after graduation as an officer on a destroyer with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, then a year at the University of Copenhagen, before coming back to the USA as navigator on the maiden voyage of a new yacht built in Germany. I was at the Berlin Wall when it was built, and our daughter was there when it was torn down,” he reports. He taught math at Hotchkiss School, returning each summer to Copenhagen, where he met and subsequently married Loni. The next two-plus years they lived in Micronesia, where he was deputy regional director of the Peace Corps. “We had our first child in the village [there] among the people…quite a spectacle!” They moved back to Cambridge, Mass., where Al attended graduate school in counseling and educational leadership.

“Over the years, I have been the principal or director of three secondary schools, two in Connecticut and one in Geneva, Switzerland. In between, we packed up and ‘hitchhiked’ around the world for a year, during which my wife and I were our two children’s teachers. Family and friends thought we were mad, but it was a life-changing and enhancing experience for all of us, especially for our son, 8, and daughter, 6. We ended up in Geneva at the International School. During our time there, I started helping expat children with the college admission process. This turned into Educational Futures (educationalfutures.com} that I co-founded with a Dutch woman in Geneva. This was in the mid-’80s, and the rest is history. I am still working full time with students from around the world who wish to study in North America at boarding schools or colleges and graduate schools. Working with young people keeps me legitimate and relatively ‘with it.’ Although I cannot keep up with them technologically, I continue to learn from my students, which helps to keep me in the game of life and a changing world. Loni and I are celebrating our 50th anniversary with a family cruise to Alaska this summer. Health is good, thanks to seven stents. Our two children have made us proud and have produced six unique and wonderful grandchildren. Basically, I think I have survived ‘old age’ by taking each obstacle in life as a challenge and turning each problem into an opportunity. We have few regrets and hope to see many classmates in May.”

From Phil Trager: “Ina and I plan on coming to the Reunion and look forward to seeing you there. To coincide with Reunion, there will be an exhibition of photographs from my forthcoming book, Photographing Ina. The years have surely flown by!”

“Dear Classmates of Robert J. Kaplan: I am so sorry to send you the news that Robert died of cancer in 2014. He was a wonderful father to our four children of whom he was very proud, a beloved husband, and a great cook. A psychiatrist, he worked in diagnostic centers for troubled youth in the ’70s and ’80s, and his unpublished manuscript, We Are All Afraid, was inspired by his compassion for disadvantaged youth. Subsequently, he was appointed by the New York City Family Court to evaluate custody cases, where his judgment was well esteemed. Wesleyan was the only educational institution of all he attended that Bob spoke positively about—for opening up new worlds of possibility and stimulation. Best regards, Peggy Jarrell Kaplan.”

See you in Middletown!

Bob Runyon | rrunyon@unomaha.edu

George Chien | gchien@optonline.net

CLASS OF 1956 | 2015 | ISSUE 3

Hi, fellow classmates,

George and I hope that you are planning, or at least considering, your return to campus for our Grand 60th Reunion on May 19–22, 2016. It will be great fun to join you there and to celebrate our survival and loyalty to Wesleyan. Bring your spouse.

Don Ritt has begun an important conversation on Physicians Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST). Please read his comments and mine that may be found in the online version of Class Notes: classnotes.blogs.wesleyan.edu/class-of-1956/

George kindly wrote this marvelous story of Chien family and country loyalty for our current column:

“Our family trip to China in July (2015) was not unlike the third act of an improbable, real-life show.

“If you remember my slide show at our 2011 Reunion, or my profile in the spring 2013 issue of Wesleyan, you might recognize in our 2009 trip a sort of first-act exposition. Our primary goals were to see a total eclipse from my birthplace, Shanghai, and to visit my father’s grave in Kunming. Well, our eclipse was rained out, and our local agents couldn’t find the grave. However, our guide, Jasmine Zheng-Behrens, found a documentarian who had included my father in his work-in-progress about the Burma Road, on which my father’s war-time task was to build and maintain bridges. He was killed while flying to inspect a bombed-out bridge he’d built. Professor Ge flew from his project location in Burma to dine with us in Kunming. He told us that my father was remembered and revered in Yunnan for his sacrifice and for the bridge, subsequently renamed for him, over the Lancang (Mekong) River. These revelations, in a word, eclipsed our disappointments.

“The second act came the following year when we returned to Yunnan for a ceremony of remembrance on the bridge on the 70th anniversary of my father’s death. This time our cohort included my brother, Alan Chien ’52, and members of his family. On the way to the ceremony we were shocked to learn that days earlier the bridge had been taken down! Our somber mood was tempered by the knowledge that our quest, recorded by Yunnan TV, would be shown nationwide and that the bridge was not demolished, but dismantled, to be rebuilt in another location, away from the flooding caused by a newly-built dam.

“In the fall of 2013 I learned that the Chang-kan Bridge had been relocated and reassembled. In 2014, eight family members signed up for our return tour: our children, Judith Chien ’84, David, and Paul; David’s wife, Cheryl, and daughter, Jeannette, now 14; nephews Chris Chien ’83 and Dan, and Dan’s wife, Becky. All three branches of our family were represented: Chris’s father is my brother Alan ’52. Dan’s was my brother Philip Chien ’53, sadly long deceased. For Dan and Becky, it would be not only their first trip to China but also their first out of the USA and their first commercial flights.

“All of our trips to China have encountered pre-departure obstacles. In 2009 it was bureaucratic objections to our visa applications and Ann’s ruptured ankle tendon, which had to be repaired six weeks prior to takeoff. In 2010 we put off a late, troubling health issue until after our return. This time it was tickets. The agent bungled our booking, misspelling our name—but not our credit-card number. We had 10 reservations but were billed for 20. MasterCard cancelled eight tickets, and when we pointed out that it should have been 10, they cancelled ten more, leaving us with two tickets for 10 passengers. After two months of wrangling, it was finally resolved, two weeks before our departure. I spent more time on the phone, each time with a different person, than I spent flying from Newark to Boston to Beijing. But all’s well that ends well; the flights proceeded without a hitch.

“From Beijing we flew to Kunming and drove to the Stone Forest, a natural geological wonder, a national park, and an International Heritage site. Its strangely shaped limestone pillars have stimulated imaginations over the ages. Ann and I delegated the exploring to the younger generations and took the less challenging walk.

“Next, the bridge, now set in a remote location on a tributary of the Lancang River. About one-and-a half football fields long, it was the first steel suspension bridge in China, built with components from the USA and carried to its original site by hand and foot over the Burma Road. The towers are newly poured concrete, but the superstructure, cables, supports, and platform are mostly original. It’s now a bridge to nowhere, really, intended only for pedestrians and inaccessible for motor traffic. Three free-standing marble slabs identify the bridge and tell its history. They are all in Chinese, of course, so we couldn’t read them. The Bridge proudly stands as a monument in what will probably become a park.

“On the bridge were the local historian, who presented us with a hand-drawn map showing the original location of the Bridge; TV crews from Yunnan and Shenzhen, 750 miles away; local reporters; Mr. Ge; and a representative of Yunlong County’s governor, who invited us to lunch at the governor’s residence. After exploring and photographing the bridge and its surroundings, we had our modest ceremony, bowed thrice to my father’s portrait, posed for group photos, and ate (without the governor). Lunch over, the historian walked me to our bus. I tried to thank him, but he wouldn’t have any of it, instead thanking me passionately for what my father had done 70 years before and for its impact on the region. Extraordinary!

“We were interviewed individually by both TV crews. By general consensus, Jeannette stole both shows.

“For the remainder of the trip we were tourists—a night in Dali, a day in Kunming, then back to Beijing. Call it the coda to our grand finale. We went to the Wild Wall, a partially restored section of the Great Wall. It was the fourth section of the Wall for Ann and me—we have only about 13,168 miles to go—but the first for Dan and Becky. On our last day we went to the Forbidden City, the 999-room imperial-palace complex. Ann fell in a cobblestone courtyard and partially tore a ligament in her left elbow. We waited until we were home to have it treated. This time, unlike 2009, she was in a cast after our trip, not before it. But now she’s as good as ever. Actually better.

“Oh, yes. My cousin in Chengdu saw a report of our trip on the Shanghai news.”

Bob Runyon | rrunyon@unomaha.edu

George Chien | gchien@optonline.net

CLASS OF 1956 | 2015 | ISSUE 2

George here. As I reported in the magazine our classmates were more than generous in sharing their news. Mind you; we can receive more news than we have space to print, but never too much to appreciate. So here is what you missed.

Incidentally, I began my appeal for news by expressing my reservations about social media in general to elicit opinions on the subject from our fellow 56era. And, in this informal and very unscientific inquiry, a substantial majority of my respondents apparently agree. Even Bill Moyle, who pointed out the obvious flaw in my logic (grandchildren), wrote, “Otherwise, I do about the same as you.  I don’t have that much time to waste.” Those who didn’t respond evidently were too occupied with texting, posting, and tweeting to bother. They’ll still be welcome at our forthcoming reunion, as long as they promise to look up at least now and then from their small screens.

I’m leading off with Jim Gramentine because he’s been trying valiantly for the better part of a year now to get this story, and it’s a good one, into the class notes.

“Shortly before we boarded mid-afternoon on January 27, 2015, Nancy, a friend we had made over the previous ten days, told my wife that she had a ‘strong feeling of impending doom.’ We were passengers on the Discovery, a three-decked catamaran, numbered 19 and the crew nine.

“After touring Tobago Island, we crossed the bay back to Panama City harbor. As night fell, we were moored perhaps a ½ mile from the shore and ¼ from the entrance to the canal. First course had just been cleared; virtually all of us had glasses of wine as well as water, when a strong wave hit the side of the ship I faced from the head of one table. Then another, then a stronger, then the mother of all harbor waves put the small catamaran at a ?? degree angle. I thought we were going to capsize. Most of the guests (average age 75?) and their chairs fell to the floor along with nearly all of the glasses.

“I grabbed Sarah by the shoulders, preventing her from falling (or was it for the sake of my own stability?), also saving my glass of wine. Pandemonium for two, three minutes; people with cuts, bruises, perhaps one concussion, but no one hurt seriously. The crew responded magnificently. The captain later explained the cause as a huge jet boat that almost hit us. Plantains instead of the rice dish in which they discovered glass. Drinks on the house but paper cups. Sarah asked Nancy if the event had been her ‘impending doom.’  Nancy supposed it had.

“So ended our most memorable overseas adventure. The next two days we enjoyed a calm but highly interesting passage of the Panama Canal.”

Here’s a more tranquil report from Betty and Larry Labrie.

“We are now grandparents of seven. The last four have come two at a time! Beth likes to tell that our second child, who with his wife had our three oldest grandchildren one at a time, did it the ‘right way.’ Our oldest son and his wife had twin girls in 2008, and our daughter (the youngest child) and her husband had twin boys March 7th. We were there the day after the births to help for two weeks or so and sent home to rest. Needed lots of rest and are back with them in PA for a week plus. The boys have grown and weigh over 11 pounds each and doing more laughing and smiling.

“I am still in the carving class at the local community college in Morehead City, NC carving decoys and enjoying it. Doing less on the lovely beach here in PKS and more visits to the doctors.

“Enjoyed being with you a year ago at Wes. Looking forward to our 60th reunion year.”

Find the common denominator in these two reports.
From Bob Calvin:

“Always nice to hear from you and Bob. No social media, limited use of on line devices? I think you are moving away from your Chinese heritage . [What??? G.C.] Every month Art Von Au and I correspond. He sends me a wonderful hand written note on a tasteful greeting card, and I send him an email filled with local activities and views on world events. Email vs tasteful hand-written card. Therein lines the contrast between digital and analog. I probably enjoy his notes more than he enjoys mine.
“I am teaching entrepreneurship courses on line now at Novoed.com which is part of Stanford. I prefer the class room experience that I enjoyed for 30 years at the Graduate Business School at the University of Chicago, but online courses allow me to interact with students in Russia, China, Brazil, and Africa. Jane and I are planning a trip to Italy and France this fall, and hopefully we will take it. Bob Buckley, our classmate, is teaching Jane French. We visit our daughter and grand daughter in NYC several times a year.

“Time seems to be speeding up. Days turn into months and months into years very quickly. I have less patience than before, and I never had much.

“Peace.”

And Dick Bauer: 
“My take on the new digital technologies is about as enthusiastic as yours. Fortunately my wife, Ginny, protects me from this particular deficit—some others, too….Health pretty good given the age thing—bicycle regularly; walk at better than a waddle pace, but not much better. Remember our life-sport requirement: golf or tennis? One of these days I really should try them out….Presented on the privacy vs. security problem for a Great Decisions program, and led a couple of discussion groups for Life Long Learning using Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal (along with other materials). Relevant for our age cohort….A very happy bit of news—Art and Rosalind von Au moved into our CCRC a few months back! See them pretty regularly. Now, if we could entice a few more of you to come to Linden Ponds…”

It’s Art von Au, of course. Hey, Art! Drop us a line one of these days!

Barry Passett is a kindred soul, not just with me.

“George, I’m with you 95% on social media:  I had to let myself agree to LinkedIn because some friends asked. but then I realized it was a mistake and I don’t check it (even when Don Ritt tries to send me stuff.)  You are not alone! [Don’s the one who told me to ignore LinkedIn! GC.]

“I am spending half my time going to doctors for my ailments and the other half trying to provide counsel to friends and acquaintances on how to navigate the health system.  Some of the smartest people turn to mush when a doctor tells them to do something, no matter how stupid it is.  They don’t question, and they don’t argue.  Often that means they get hurt.  Almost everyone I know has had a hip replaced, half have had knees done. I don›t believe there are that many diseased joints in Washington (well, excluding the Capitol of course.)  And so many back surgeries, where the success rate may soon hit 50%.  Anyhow, mine is useful work.  Despite (or maybe because of) all that, I did get an Honorary Lifetime Membership in the American Hospital Association.”

I promised more from Fred Boynton. 

“I share your aversion to social media, partly as a hangover from when the security officers on our government contracts used to advise us not to be overexposed.  I also haven’t received a copy of the Wesleyan Alumnus in years, and wasn’t sure you were still in business.

I am retired (about five years now) and live in La Jolla with my wife Beverly.  We have two sons and four grandsons.  (I was one of four boys.  Something seems to be barring the second X chromosome.)

“Beverly and I have been traveling around North America.  In 2009 we drove to Alaska, hit the usual tourist spots and then took the ferry back to the lower 48 along the Inland Passage.  In 2012 we drove across the US to Virginia, where my surviving  brother lives, stopping on the way in Kansas City for my 60th High School reunion.  We have also made some wine tours along the West Coast, from San Diego to British Columbia and points between.

“Our sailboat has become a ‘harbor queen.’  I considered selling it earlier this year, but an acquaintance has taken over the maintenance in exchange for his use of it from time to time, so I remain a boat-owner for now.”

By the way, Fred sent me his Tales from the Annals of America. I’ve only been able to sample it so far, but so far so good!

This was the unkindest cut of all! I’m embarrassed to say that I left out the best part of Don Price’s communiqué.

“You may remember that, in my senior year, I had a hard time deciding between medicine/science and the humanities. Thanks to support of Fred Millet and Norman Brown I was offered a scholarship to Columbia to study with Jaques Barzun. However, I decided to attend medical school. ‘The Road not Taken’ (Frost). Over the past several years, I have begun to walk back up the humanities road and started to give talks on literature and the brain. For example, next week at the Hopkins Biennial, I am speaking on ‘Dementia: From Shakespeare to Alzheimer to 2015.’ The idea goes back to C.P. Snow’s two cultures which I discussed with Fred and Nobby so many years ago. In this enterprise, I have been encouraged by many friends, including George Ray ‘54, great Shakespearean scholar. We, our wives and other friends, including Dan Josephthal, get together to see performances at Blackfriars Theatre in Staunton, Va. A great venue/company and our favorite theatre; over several decades the ASC/Blackfriars program has allowed us to see virtually the whole Shakespeare canon live.”

Right on!

And speaking of Fred Millett, Walt Ebmeyer, commenting on my claim that I proofread my email, made this observation. “Being an old Fred Millett baby, I worry a lot about typos and misspellings and bad grammar.  Where, after all, are standards?”

Where indeed?

Thanks to all.

Assembled Chiens at the Bridge 2015 Chang Kan Bridge [1)

I’m also attaching two photos from our trip to China. One is of the rebuilt bridge itself; the other is of the assembled Chiens by the bridge’s historical marker: Left to right: nephew Chris ‘83, daughter Judith ‘64, son Paul, Ann and George ‘56, (kneeling) granddaughter Jeannette and Dan’s wife Becky, daughter-in-law Cheryl and son David, and nephew Dan. My father, Chang-kan Chien is pictured on the right.

ON THE ROAD

We all kick the can down the road from time to time. But every once in a while, we must stop to take stock. That happened recently at my GADZOOKS early morning coffee club. One of the guys commented about my shiny new, blue Toyota RAV4 car parked just outside the door. Sitting to my right, Fred asked,
“Well, Bob, how old are you?”
“Eighty,” I said.

Without dropping a beat, Fred replied, “Well, that was your last new car purchase.”
We all laughed knowingly because Fred was prescient as always. With that purchase, I dropped out of the great American car chase. I won’t be kicking my can down that road again.

Many other travel journeys must also soon come to an end. I cannot say this better than our ever-mindful Don Ritt, M.D., who resumes his many notable contributions to ’56 Class Notes, with the brief memo below:
Dear Bob
Admittedly, I am obsessed and driven but now that I have given away my endoscope and concentrate on Palliative Care and end of life situations, I plead with you to remind our classmates that they are now 80 years old and that time is running out. Please remember, tell them, that they should complete their end of life directives and POLST documents (to avoid chest compression, intubation and tube feedings). It is okay to talk about death; it’s a very common event. Tell them to remain in control.
Best wishes,
Your visionary, aka, d ritt

I believe that a Google search of POLST is good place to begin the process advised by Don above. When I did that, I came up with this:
“A growing number of states are promoting Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Paradigm Programs, with the goal of helping physicians to better respect their patients’ wishes for end-of- life care. The tool turns an advance directive into actionable medical orders, allowing seriously ill patients to specify choices about certain interventions, giving patients more control of what end-of-life care they receive.” (Medial Ethics Advisor, April, 2013).

It may seem like I am leading you into another deep cave during income tax season (this note prepared in March). And to be candid, it is no short or simple task to address the complex End of Life issues on our plate. Complex questions emerge: What advance directives? Which patient’s rights?, What about a timely case-by-case diagnosis?, Can a hospital or family member assert final authority?

Although people have been dying for some time, it just so happens that the public health, medical, cultural, economic, and ethical landscapes have been changing big time in recent decades. It’s no longer about your “father’s Oldsmobile” as people said long ago. We must each become conversant with the new realities of dying in America.

I just purchased a highly acclaimed, recent book entitled, BEING MORTAL: Medicine and What Matters in the End, by Atul Gawande, 282 pp. This paragraph rang my bell:

“But this is an unsettled time. We’ve begun rejecting the institutionalized version of aging and death, but we’ve not yet established our new norm. We’re caught in a transitional phase. However miserable the old system has been we’re all experts in it. We know the dance moves. You agree to become a patient, and I, the clinician, agree to try to fix you, whatever the improbability, the misery, the damage, or cost. With this new way, in which we together try to figure out how to face mortality and preserve the fiber of a meaningful life, with its loyalties and individuality, we are plodding novices.” (p. 193).

I thank Don Ritt for introducing this important topic to our Class Notes discussion. I hope you have found this note appropriate and instructive.

In any event, you are encouraged to send George and me your comments, considerations and personal stories. Let us resolve to plot a buoyant future course, while preserving memories that bring honor to our lives and family legacies.

George here. I fervently hope that Doc Ritt and Bob will stir us octogenarians into action.
I’d like to kick in my two cents worth.

My great uncle Frank H. Ryder, Wesleyan Class of 1900 and a trustee of the college for 50 years, lived a full and productive 91 years, actively involved to the end in countless organizations. At a dinner with my mother he revealed what kept him going. He had something scheduled for every day—always something to look forward to. Not knowing that it was to be his last, he told her that it had been a perfect day. He died that night.
Get your POLST documents in order, folks, but mind your calendars, too.

JAMES K.L. HARRAGAN ’56

JAMES K.L. HARRAGAN, an advertising executive and executive recruiter, died Oct. 28, 2014. He was 80. A member of Alpha Delta Phi, he was the son of Edwin J. Harragan of the class of 1926. He served in counter-intelligence in the U.S. Army. An advertising executive and more recently an executive recruiter, he was also an arbitrator for FINRA. His wife, Winifred DeNunzio, survives, as does his daughter and his extended family.