Tag: 1957

Gordy Wilmot and family are enjoying a summer cruise out of Boston to Bermuda. This is an event that the Wilmots have done previously, and it attracts almost the entire participation of the family, 19 in all. His eldest grandson married in May and all the Wilmot children (three) and grandchildren (nine) attended. Gordy hosted a bachelor party in his rec room, where the fare consisted of pizza and games included Dungeons and Dragons.

John Chaplick writes novels, the latest entitled Parchments of Fire. Deep sea divers discover a 2,000-year-old Roman shipwreck that harbors secrets proving potentially catastrophic to modern day Greece. This is the fourth of John’s published novels in the adventure genre. His fiction writing career began on the first day following his retirement, after finishing his morning cup of coffee, and he has not looked back. The novels are framed against the dark shadow of foreboding, but with a real event likely to occur in a contemporary setting. The books are available via Amazon or EngagingBooksBlog.com.

I’ve heard from Naren Bali in Buenos Aires, where, among other things, he reminds me that it is winter in Argentina. He has a consulting practice and says wife Margarita is busy with a variety of cultural pursuits including modern dance and video production. She completed a three-month program as an invited artist under a Mellon fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle. Their children teach at the university level; daughter poly-sci at Michigan State and son math at the University of Buenos Aires.

Naren updates on a “periodic economic crisis” in Argentina with a resignation that this will ultimately pass. He cites a Spanish saying, “No hay mal que due cien anos” loosely translated as “there’s no harm that lasts a hundred years.” Somehow that sounds more resonant in the original language. He concludes his note this time with some nostalgic thoughts about our time at Wes, where the so-called Silent Generation benefited from government by a “reasonable Republican” and the Yankees won the World Series. (Naren, I second the motion, especially the baseball reference even though it wasn’t every year, just many of them.)

A note from Dick Cassie informs the class of the passing of Roger Nelson in April. Friend and roommate at Wes, Dick played basketball versus Roger in high school and when they found out they were both headed to Middletown, they decided to room together, along with Ted Kuhn. These two Jersey boys kept in touch all throughout the passing years—a lifetime of fun and laughter. Dick writes that Roger was always upbeat, true to his associations in business and personally. He adds that Roger was wont to say that Wesleyan gave him “a terrific education.”

Bill Shepard’s wife, Lois, is recovering from a knee replacement. He endorses Jim Brown’s comments (in my last column) on the values of regular swimming and the backstroke in particular. Bill writes for the periodical French Wine Explorers and will teach an American history course on World War I at nearby Chesapeake College.

Art Typermass | joanarth64@gmail.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

Hearing from Jim Brown who writes that he missed our 60th due to conflicts with graduations of granddaughters, one at the University of Georgia and another at the University of Virginia. The Browns’ grandson is a senior in high school and is in the process of college selection. He adds that the Georgia event was held on their football field with “a cast of thousands” and was “a little different than Wesleyan.” Jim and spouse Betty have cut down on travel, but he still works out three times weekly, with a menu of the bike, weights, and swimming—the latter, the backstroke for easier breathing, which I did not realize. See, we’re never too old to pick up new advice.

Jack Braitmayer and wife Nancy wound up with a dose of pneumonia in the early winter, but made a complete recovery. They, too, have dialed it back on travel, adding that they do not get to Florida any longer, but are at home in Marion, Mass., next door to where he grew up. Still, as of this writing, it is winter in the Northeast and Jack comments that waiting for spring seems an eternity. Jack has recently turned 88, and is looking forward to many more springs to come.

John Allison updates that he and Judy have an expanded family when in May last year they attended a grandson’s marriage to a young woman with two children, adding to the Allison’s “stepgreats” at ages 4 and 6, while their “greats” turned 1 and 10. He goes on to share an experience involving a successful procedure to repair a detached retina. The surgery he describes as in-and-out while the recovery is another matter, requiring one’s nose pointed downward for considerable time over two weeks. In John’s telling, he had plenty of time to think, reflect, and remember. Regarding the latter of these, it brought to his mind freshman Sigma Nu pledge adventures, one a gravestone search where the frosh weren’t even in the correct cemetery. Better luck awaited on a scavenger hunt over in Portland where a random stumble over a Coke bottle allowed for a deadline victory, much to the dismay of the ’56 brothers. John, I hope you do not need any further eye work!

While on the subject of freshmen and sophomores: my son Dave, happened upon an antique shop that had one of those postcard bins and he found one of Wesleyan dated February 1905 showing the chapel, the library, and Judd Hall. The card was addressed to a (presumably) young lady in Bridgeport by a young man in the Class of 1908 reporting that “we” won the Douglas Cannon “scrap,” i.e., the competition between the aforementioned classes. The scrap was for real—consult Dave Potts ’60’s initial volume of Wes history as to this annual event. Recall that ’57 had its own caper with the legendary cannon, as Jack Goodhue so elegantly wrote about in our 50th Re-u book. Where does that somewhat infamous cannon reside today?

Sparky Watts reports staying busy with travel, walking, reading, and pursuing philosophical studies. Further, their house in Madison, Wisc., will be placed on the market as he and Sarah determine where to move. She prefers a dry climate like New Mexico, yet two daughters live in Jacksonville, Fla., who want them there. On the whole, nice options. As POTUS often says, “Stay tuned.”

By now, the Bob Gorin family-sponsored skate party at Chelsea Piers has taken place. The event raises funds for the Brian Gottlieb ’88 Memorial Scholarship Fund. It is a yearly event with an outstanding record of participation and benefit to Wes.

Bob wrote in with happy news: “My grandson, David Harrison Gottlieb, will be entering Wesleyan this fall with the class of 2022. He will be the third generation of the family to attend. He is the son of my daughter, Bethel Gorin Gottlieb ’90, and her late husband, Brian Gottlieb ’88. It seems like yesterday that our class walked into North College in the fall of 1953 to begin our journey. I wish David and all of his classmates the best of everything.”

In the category of how a few chosen words speak volumes, this next from Tony Austin: “I sold my boat and am presently not fishing. Never should have sold it.”

Happy summer to all.

Art Typermass | joanarth64@gmail.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

Writing from his home in Nova Scotia, Ed Porter is active in his printmaking interests, and recreational sailing. He and wife Lainie enjoyed a summer family trip aboard a narrowboat along canals in Warwickshire. The Porters highly recommend it—“a grand way to float through the English countryside.”

In New Mexico, Bill Pratt is working to enact a co-op statewide healthcare plan that would be nonprofit. If there is interest in such a plan—which he believes would work in other States—the site is nmhealthsecurity.org.

Last September Dick Cassie underwent a total knee replacement—turns out it was the second such procedure, the initial one resulting from a basketball injury in a 1956 game at Williams (he adds that it occurred 10 days prior to junior prom). Further, Dick would think it fitting for the old knee remnants to be donated to the archives of the athletic department in Williamstown. Continuing to teach oral diagnosis at Rutgers, he was afforded several weeks of rehab before returning to the classroom.

In a note from Sparky Watts, he reports that he and wife Sarah will re-lo to New Mexico in 2018. The Watts’ enjoy visiting with their daughters in Jacksonville. Sparky adds that he reads and studies films about “an entity Ramtha,” whom (he) met almost many years ago. My search engine discloses that Ramtha is a school of enlightenment established in 1988 in Washington State. His note also added a kudo for the work your scribe does for the Notes (as did Bill Pratt). Much appreciated, Sparky and Bill.

Gordy Wilmot says his pacemaker has been performing well enough to produce a normal heartbeat. He and Marilyn have (by now) completed an annual migration south. With an eye towards global warming, he wonders if the family can stay all year-round in Rhode Island. The Wilmots have booked a summer Boston-to -Bermuda cruise for the entire family—19 in all—their third such event.

Heard from Jack Braitmayer that he’s not on his boat as often as previously, but that his son is. He adds that there are all manner of new “toys” for sailors, e.g., equipment to ease docking maneuvers, and that he needs to be brought into the “modern world.” The Braitmayers enjoyed an October western trip seeing their daughter and her family and then taking to the Colorado and Snake rivers.

Sam Bergner continues to unbundle his real estate portfolio, apparently with success, as he’s down to a sole commercial property. Sam and Lynn are giving careful consideration to downsizing from their home to apartment-condo type space. They did a bit of traveling up to Niagara Falls this past summer, as part of an Elderhostel-style tour.

A late summer note from Bob Gorin informs of the loss of his wife of 57 years, Natalie. On behalf of the class, Bob, our deepest regrets. Bob and family continue their support for Wes…recalling his organization of annual skating parties in NYC in honor of his daughter Bethel ’90 and his late son-in-law, which have raised funds for scholarship programs throughout the last several years. He reports that the first such recipient thereof will graduate in 2018.

Sadly, Carey Congdon died of acute leukemia in August. A memorial service was held in New London. Carey’s entire career was in graphic arts and publishing. Prior to coming to Wesleyan, he had served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. I talked with Carey often and always found our conversations to be informative and upbeat. I know he leaves behind active projects that he was passionate about. I extend our class’ condolences to wife Bonnie.

Al Fitz-Gerald reports on the progress of his play, Prisoners of Hope. There have been several performances to date, most recently at SUNY Potsdam. Al received praise from a UN scientist, who applauds the play’s impact both on the performing arts and climate control.  Other performances have generated accolades, including an endorsement from the Florida Studio Theatre, whose reviewer cited an effective contrast between comedic moments and the serious issues that are addressed.

Bill Shepard lectures on American history at Chesapeake College and finds growing interest in the Civil War as well as WWI. He is using his father’s combat notebook from the latter conflict as teaching vehicle. He also thinks classmates might be interested in his wine-tasting course. More info: bsshepard@aol.com.

A note from our Re-u emcee: Whitey Johnson rounds out reporting on the event. “The fine dining and conversations in the Taylor Room were replete with remembrance, exemplified by words from ‘Campus Memories.’ Old times, old friends we hold to you, hands joined, hearts full, pledge every man, your love and honor to old Wesleyan!” Whitey extends appreciation for the event committee: Messrs. Reiss, Travis, Ochsner, Williamson, Braitmayer, and yours truly. Bill Reiss and Ken Travis received 2017 WUSA’s (Wesleyan University Service Awards).

Expressing thanks for the opportunity once more to serve as emcee, he closes with Vic Butterfield’s charge to our class at graduation: “Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding.”

Best wishes to all for happy and healthy 2018.

Art Typermass | joanarth64@gmail.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

Late May our class celebrated a Reunion on campus—the 60th for those who are still keeping statistics. The weather was more or less cooperative, especially for the Saturday programs; sun broke through and the campus was in its best-dressed mode.

1957 turned out at some 33-strong, comprising classmates and guests. The roll-call of Wesmen is as follows:  Paul Schwaber, Jack Braitmayer, Bill Riess, Herb Camp, Hal Ochsner, Gordy Wilmot, Bob Smith, John Allison, Bob Sharlet, Art Typermass, Whitey Johnson, Rusty Clowes, George Willauer, Rod Henry, Jim LaCrosse, Mike Stein, Ken Travis, and Jeff Williamson.  Math majors will note this list as being in random order and English majors please excuse the usage of any additional nicknames. I merely thought that Messrs. Clowes and Johnson, being among the more colorful class members, deserve special “ink” on the subject. To the best of my knowledge, we have no others of us endowed with colorful nicknames; should I be in error, please correct me.

Jeff Williamson’s WESeminar on American income inequality was standing-room only in a large Fisk Hall classroom. He was introduced by Richie Adelstein, economics professor. The subject matter covered income inequality that predates the founding of the Republic to contemporary times. His book is titled Unequal Gains: American Growth and Inequality Since 1700 (Princeton, 2016: with Peter Lindert).

Copies available at the campus bookstore sold out quickly. Jeff received Wesleyan’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1987 and served on the Board of Trustees from 1988-1994. Along the way, he authored some 22 books, of which the aforementioned is the most recent.

At our Saturday night dinner, our guest speaker Mark Hovey, associate provost and professor of mathematics, provided a sense of what it is like to teach at Wesleyan today. He emphasized that faculty are encouraged to combine teaching and research that is unique among smaller liberal arts colleges. Accordingly, Wes students have exceptional opportunities to engage in primary research with their professors. The interaction results in positive experiences on both sides of the desk. Mark cited as an example his own daughter, having transferred from Brown because she felt there would be better opportunities to collaborate with faculty.

Professor Hovey was introduced by our dauntless emcee, Whitey Johnson, who conveyed greetings from retired Professor Bob Rosenbaum, who has recently turned 101!

I know I speak for 1957 in expressing gratitude for the tireless efforts of Mark Davis ’96 and Jenna Starr ’15 in developing and bringing about the events comprising our 60th Reunion, not the least of which was working with our own Reunion committee on the planning phase thereof.

Jim LaCrosse mentions that granddaughter Thea LaCrosse ’21, daughter of John LaCrosse ’85, is in this year’s entering class. Pride in continuing generations at Wes.

Mike Stein reports that on the Saturday afternoon of Reunion weekend he and fellow Deke brothers, Rusty Clowes and Bob Sharlet, attended a meeting and rally (organized by Bill Daley) aimed at re-opening the house. He said there were nearly 100 alumni, undergrads, and guests in the house living room, all in high spirits.

Allen Fitz-Gerald continues to refine his play, Prisoners of Hope. The play is being tried out at college venues including SUNY Potsdam, as well as associated education conferences. It was summarized at The SUNY program as ‘‘Mother and son vs. father and daughter….with billions at stake.  The climate crisis hits home.” Allen extends appreciation to Paul Schwaber for his advice along the way.

I picked up some commentary to the effect that the class is moving inexorably toward the front of the parade as our Reunions progress. I recall as an undergrad looking on at that parade tradition, and wondering “Who are those guys?”—much like Butch and Sundance asked as they were pursued throughout the West. Well, in Middletown it is those who march proudly around the 1957 banner.

Art Typermass | joanarth64@gmail.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

Everyone’s on the move—one way or another. Jim Killough and wife Donna have relocated to Granbury, Texas, southwest of Ft. Worth, where the couple met in 1983. Jim says that it’s short on snow and long on longhorns. He’s selling his software business and establishing an online consulting practice aimed at improving performance for knowledge workers—like he had set up with Morgan Stanley. He’s also working in a similar vein with Psi U brothers, Ken Travis and Hal Ochsner, for Psi U undergrads on development of leadership skills. He adds a note of remembrance for a lifetime of good works by Jack Corrodi and family.

The Wilmots are still along the East Coast seasonal route—north to south, and return. Current transportation is a Fusion plug-in hybrid sedan—gets good mileage and charging stations are becoming more accessible. Gordy reports that their oldest granddaughter is in the U.S. Army’s language immersion school. He’s now acclimated to his pacemaker, achieving the proper number of beats.

Bill Shepard and wife Lois were invited to Budapest for events recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising. One of Bill’s State Department assignments was there in the early 1970s, and he observes that the city “still welcomes the visitor.” In addition to the range of social and theatrical events at the celebration, there were addresses by the Hungarian prime minister and the president of Poland.

In a remembrance of Bill Christopher ’54, Bill relates a story where Bill C. asked his Sigma Chi bro, Bill S., to join him for a drink at a town bar. Turns out no one would serve youthful-appearing Bill C., but freshman Bill S. passed muster, and two drinks (at least) were put up. No doubt “Father Mulcahy” overcame all of that in his great acting career.

Another Bill—Dr. Pratt—continues to work for health improvement within his community in New Mexico. He thinks much illness is related to toxic stress. He believes that social conditions have a direct impact on the quality of healthcare in a given community. The emphasis is on families with young children. Realizing that it’s a hard sell, an investment in healthcare for such families would yield positive benefits all around.

Staying with health for the moment, I report that we’ve had two classmates on the DL. Mike Stein is feeling better following four hospital days with a bout of pneumonia. He observes that our class is moving inexorably towards the front of the Class Notes section, a point that has not been lost on your scribe. Further, Al Kalb now concludes that “getting old isn’t so easy” after undergoing a quad bypass and aortic valve replacement. I’m happy to report that both are recovered and will suit up for the Reunion. Al says that three grandchildren are now in college—Emory, Colby, and Niagara, and a fourth will be at Bowdoin. He and wife Elizabeth enjoy driving around visiting them.

Far to the south, find a note from Naren Bali, officially retired yet taking on some consulting, while wife Margarita continues to work at producing sculpture-related videos. A daughter and husband are in Michigan—both university professors—and a son likewise at the University of Buenos Aires. He adds that life in Argentina is “not easy,” what with high inflation in a struggling economy. Alluding to having witnessed this before, Naren quotes an old Spanish proverb that “man is the only animal that trips on the same stone twice.”

The Braitmayers—Jack and Nancy—enjoyed a trip through the upper Midwest last summer. He bought a new boat, a 33-footer well-suited to cruising on Buzzards Bay. While not on the water, Jack finds time to work with Tabor Academy and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. A holiday family reunion included a pleasant surprise via a marriage proposal to granddaughter, Anina.

Tony Austin checked in with a reminder that he’s also out on the deep, still reeling them in for the ultimate benefit of seafood fans.

Al Jay celebrated the big 8-0 with a Disney cruise. One of his two granddaughters offered the comment “that’s a lot of numbers, Papa”, and the younger one made a reference to “chopped liver.” Both of his sons work in tech in San Diego, one result of which is that he and wife Ricky are the recipients of electronic gadgetry they are unable to comprehend. Some help comes from the granddaughters.

Courtesy of John Allison, who passed on a January issue of Connecticut magazine about college radio stations, including WESU. The station, which dates back to 1939, has moved beyond its traditional campus market to the greater Middletown area, wherefrom there are as many volunteers as from Wes itself. Programming includes a Saturday Italian language segment, a testament to the influence of Italian immigration in Middletown. Sounds as though the station has come a long way since yours truly hosted “Jive at Five.”

Art Typermass | AGType@msn.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

A late summer note from Dick Cassie reported that he has five grandchildren in college—three men at Northwestern, Tulane, and the Hartt School in Hartford, and two women at Penn State and Colgate. The young ladies were recruited for lacrosse and basketball, respectively. Dick adds that he has two of his own children yet to go on to college. He teaches three days a week at Rutgers Dental, and admits all the activity is exhausting—not so much the teaching, but attending games and tournaments.

Hardly to be outdone, Jeff Williamson’s oldest grandchild, Sarah ’16, graduated from Wesleyan at this past Commencement. Two other granddaughters are Erin at Middlebury, and Nell, looking at University of Chicago or Wes. Jeff and his wife, Nancy, summer in Maine and winter in St. John, Virgin Islands. The balance of the year they are in Madison, Wis. He has planned some “academic” travel to Australia next year, which I’d bet will focus on a recent publication entitled Unequal Gains: American Growth and Inequality Since 1700.

Gordy Wilmot endured a bit of a heart episode last summer that resulted in the implant of a pacemaker. He says he’s now feeling fine. Not as fine as golf with three grandsons. Always forthright, he says that none of them know how to play the game so they compete on who comes in with less than 10 per hole. Seems to me they’ve yet to figure out how to adjust the scorecard. And Gordy was a stellar math major.

In keeping with a lifetime of work in book publishing and an ardent interest in history, Carey Congdon turns his energies toward the development of a documentary film about submarine warfare in World War II. He is collaborating with film producer Noel P. Cortell, retired U.S. Coast Guard member, furnishing research materials and placing him in contact with fellow historians. One of the strangest stories of the war—that will be featured prominently in the film—concerns the French Surcouf, said to be the largest sub in the world in 1942. Escaping occupied France and continuously on the run, Surcouf wound up in Martinique in May 1942, where she was destroyed by a USN PBY plane. How it came to be that our own navy sank a French sub, we will wait on the completed documentary to find out. Nonetheless, Carey’s report offers a few “teaser” hints, e.g., an insubordinate captain, a majority of crew were German sympathizers, and the convoluted politics among the Allies in those early days of the war. Carey expects the film to be shown on PBS.

Tony Austin continues his commercial fishing business based in Morehead City, N.C. He reports that his daughter landed a position with Northrop Grumman in Huntsville, Ala., and is happy that she was hired right out of undergrad at an attractive salary.

Mike Stein provides an incentive for DKE brothers to attend the upcoming Reunion by organizing a get-together at the fraternity house. He’ll furnish the time and additional details.

Gary Miller ’56 hosted a meet-and-greet for Sigma Nu and Kappa Nu Kappa brothers during this past Reunion weekend. Yours truly attended as well as John Allison. I was also glad to see Don Ritt ’56, and Al Grosman ’56. I took a little extra time to stroll around the campus on that handsome spring afternoon.

Notification of the passing of David Schurman came through. David had moved to Germany some years ago, and his death dates back to 2013.

Art Typermass | AGType@msn.com
144 East Ave., #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

On the move are the Shepards, Bill and Lois, to a golf course home at Easton Club on Maryland’s eastern shore. Classmates are welcome to visit and share a glass of wine—or three glasses. Bill keeps his wine column for the French Wine Explorers website, and his writing—with e-books and now audible books. As for the latter, he has selected his work on his father’s WWI experience, titled Over There: A Doughboy in France, 1918. Granddaughter Christina Lipson received a graduate degree, an MS in computer technology from Carnegie Mellon.

Gordy Wilmot reports that he and wife, Marilyn, vacationed in the Bahamas at the Atlantis resort. They have made several trips to the Bahamas, and Atlantis is the most impressive place they’ve stayed at. Located on Paradise Island, it features waterparks (that’s plural), walkable sea parks and a world-class outdoor aquarium, just to name a few activity choices. The Wilmots have by now made their annual “pilgrimage” back to Rhode Island for the summer months.

Mark Feldman celebrated his 80th birthday last fall with family in Philadelphia. The occasion was highlighted by several dinners and visits to Constitution Hall and the Barnes Collection, known especially for its important assembly of French Impressionist paintings. Barnes welcomed its one millionth visitor at about the time Mark was there. Mark continues to teach foreign relations law at Georgetown. He also helped to organize a symposium on the 40th anniversary of the enactment of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, which he was involved in drafting. The law governs all relevant litigation in U.S. courts.

Mike Stein includes a special reminder for DKE brothers that our 2017 Reunion year also marks the 150th anniversary of the fraternity at Wes.

Allen Jay is as busy as ever, although he admits to losing some bounce in his step, due at least in some respect to hip replacements. He mentors international graduate students at San Diego State and as a bridge (cards, not overpasses) aficionado competes in the southern Cal tournament circuit. Along the way, he and wife Ricky enjoyed a Disney cruise up the West Coast and the two spend a good deal of time with two granddaughters.

Another ’57 author is George Davies, who published Cookin’ with the Old Coach in 2014. Cookin’ is particularly suited for the neophyte home chef, and Amazon reviews are highly favorable: some refer to recipes for Thanksgiving “feasts” and dishes such as sausage and egg casserole and peach pie. Sure sounds good to me. Oh, and the cover portrays George resplendent in his chef’s apron.

On a sad note, we have lost two classmates. Recently,

On the move are the Shepards, Bill and Lois, to a golf course home at Easton Club on Maryland’s eastern shore. Classmates are welcome to visit and share a glass of wine—or three glasses. Bill keeps his wine column for the French Wine Explorers website, and his writing—with e-books and now audible books. As for the latter, he has selected his work on his father’s WWI experience, titled Over There: A Doughboy in France, 1918. Granddaughter Christina Lipson received a graduate degree, an MS in computer technology from Carnegie Mellon.

Gordy Wilmot reports that he and wife, Marilyn, vacationed in the Bahamas at the Atlantis resort. They have made several trips to the Bahamas, and Atlantis is the most impressive place they’ve stayed at. Located on Paradise Island, it features waterparks (that’s plural), walkable sea parks and a world-class outdoor aquarium, just to name a few activity choices. The Wilmots have by now made their annual “pilgrimage” back to Rhode Island for the summer months.

Mark Feldman celebrated his 80th birthday last fall with family in Philadelphia. The occasion was highlighted by several dinners and visits to Constitution Hall and the Barnes Collection, known especially for its important assembly of French Impressionist paintings. Barnes welcomed its one millionth visitor at about the time Mark was there. Mark continues to teach foreign relations law at Georgetown. He also helped to organize a symposium on the 40th anniversary of the enactment of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, which he was involved in drafting. The law governs all relevant litigation in U.S. courts.

Mike Stein includes a special reminder for DKE brothers that our 2017 Reunion year also marks the 150th anniversary of the fraternity at Wes.

Allen Jay is as busy as ever, although he admits to losing some bounce in his step, due at least in some respect to hip replacements. He mentors international graduate students at San Diego State and as a bridge (cards, not overpasses) aficionado competes in the southern Cal tournament circuit. Along the way, he and wife Ricky enjoyed a Disney cruise up the West Coast and the two spend a good deal of time with two granddaughters.

Another ’57 author is George Davies, who published Cookin’ with the Old Coach in 2014. Cookin’ is particularly suited for the neophyte home chef, and Amazon reviews are highly favorable: some refer to recipes for Thanksgiving “feasts” and dishes such as sausage and egg casserole and peach pie. Sure sounds good to me. Oh, and the cover portrays George resplendent in his chef’s apron.

On a sad note, we have lost two classmates. Recently, John C. (Johnny) Allen died in April at his home in Woodruff, Wisc. Johnny had a successful career as an executive in the transportation industry. His true calling was music. We all remember him as a member of the Jibers at Wes, and through succeeding years he continued to perform and record albums. Survived by his wife, Judith, please accept condolences on behalf of ’57.

Art Largey passed away in May 2015. Art and family lived in Raynham, Mass., and he co-owned several businesses in nearby Brockton. Retiring in 1990, he turned his energies to a wide range of community charities and organizations. He founded Taunton Community Services in 1998. Art was 83.

Art Typermass | AGType@msn.com

144 East Avenue, #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

Having retired from his orthopedic surgery practice some years past, Bill Pratt became involved in social justice issues in his home state of New Mexico. In 2014, he ran for the state legislature as an independent—failed to win but came away with the thought that many voters like the “independent” tag, kind of relevant in this election year. His focus is on improvement of conditions for vulnerable children. Bill’s website is drbillpratt27.org.

Another Bill—Bill LeSuer—retired recently as player assistant at the Presidio golf course in San Francisco. Located close to the heart of town, Presidio is truly a gem. I know, having played there myself back in the day. Sadly, he reports that he lost his wife of 33 years, Joan, last August. Our deepest condolences go out to you, Bill.

John Parkin and wife Penny have moved to Crystal Lake in northern Michigan, a vacation area they’ve enjoyed for some time, after selling their home in Bucks County, Pa. He got together in New York City before the holidays with Alpha Delt brothers George Willauer, Rod Henry, and others from surrounding classes of the ’50s. Rod has started a “dropbox” for ADP brothers who wish to share stories of the ’50s at rdhjjh@verizon.net.

John Allison reports the arrival of a great-granddaughter, born to granddaughter Gwynn and her husband, Sid.

It turns out that my lacrosse story in the December magazine continues to have legs (pun intended), a journalist’s delight yet also a form of curse. George Davies, our erstwhile class secretary for many years, was instrumental in the formation of the club. He cleared the way for it with administration, traveled far and wide to garner equipment, e.g. a trip to coastal Connecticut to commandeer fish netting for the goal, and arranged for field space on campus. The club soldiered on until 1958, at which time lacrosse was sanctioned as a varsity sport. Further, Herb Hinman writes that he, along with George, were initial recruits as players. Herb was undoubtedly in demand for his track prowess but thought twice about the game when he ran up against men waving sticks at perilously close range. Herb extends greetings to all from Whidbey Island, Wash. He and wife Betty celebrated their 53rd anniversary last year.

I want all to know that I am suspending my brief career in Wes’s sports history insofar as lacrosse is concerned.

Wesleyan University, 1910 to 1970: Academic Ambition and Middle-Class America by Dave Potts ’60 has understandably received praise in this magazine, as well as in other quarters. The Victor Butterfield years command a central part of the book, and our class is in the middle of that time. Many of our professors figure prominently in the narrative. Fred Millett went “from Milton to Morse Code” during World War II (the war years being an outstanding section of the book). The postwar years proved to be an active period for faculty recruiting by President Butterfield; hires included Carl Schorske (fresh out of OSS duty) and Norman O. Brown. Faculty remained all male. The eminent Clyde Olin Fisher—responding to a woman applicant for a teaching position in economics, counseled that such a move would “invite mental thrombosis on the part of the senior faculty.”

Not all of the commentary about our years is rosy. We were the “silent generation,” described as “docile note takers” (this from a Time magazine article). I take umbrage at this—yes, we took notes, but isn’t that part of the education process? At least we went to class.

Potts masterfully blends all of the principal university constituencies—administration, faculty, students, trustees—throughout the milestone events comprising the years covered. I guarantee to ’57 that it will prove to be a rewarding read. Oh—one more fact—our tuition in 1953 was $650.00. Not a bad return on investment, eh?

Art Typermass | AGType@msn.com

144 East Avenue, #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942

Catching up with Sam Bergner, I learned that he is gradually unwinding his long-standing commercial real estate business, Laric Properties, which is based primarily in New Jersey. Through a combination of sales to various of his partners and outright sales in the open market, he is becoming more liquid (in financial jargon). I reminded him that given current paltry interest rates he might not realize the kinds of returns he has been used to seeing, and his response was a figurative brush of the hand and a comment that he is sleeping a lot more comfortably. I suppose that’s a high-grade worry, then.

Otherwise, Sam and wife Lynn have fourth-quarter trips planned: New Orleans and a cruise along Scandinavian waters­—a diverse pair of destinations and indicative of a kind of bucket list travel. I commented that my own bucket-list remains more modest and includes a visit to the baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. I was last there as a pre-teen and I’ve heard rumors that several additional players have been elected to the Hall since that time.

Staying with sports for a while, Bob Sharlet and Mike Stein collaborated on a piece of Wes memorabilia centering on our late classmate Dick Griscom. Among Dick’s many contributions to campus life in our student days was his organization of the Wesleyan Lacrosse Club, predecessor to the University’s official team some years later. For the club team he recruited jocks regardless of experience. Dick was talented with the lacrosse stick, the others less so. Bob played on the club team and remembers Deke brothers Len Rhynus ’58 and our classmate, Dave Walker, who played along with Dick on the attack.

The club played two scrimmages—against Amherst and Deerfield School. Though the Wes bench was thin and most of the players not in shape, the club survived the Amherst JV, and then naively assumed the Deerfield young men could be taken easily. Dick scored the first two goals and Deerfield—New England prep champs that year—the next 18. Nevertheless, lacrosse was launched at Wesleyan.

Kudos to Hank Fulton on publication of his biography of Dr. John Moore by the University of Delaware Press. Note the review thereof in the “Just Published” section of the previous edition of Wesleyan, page 8. The column represent a nice piece of “ink.” I could not help but observe that his book is the thickest one appearing in the stack illustrative on the review page. Wishing Hank all the best, as his work gets out in the academic literary world.

John Chaplick writes: “In my retirement I’ve become a published author who has written three novels. Who knows, maybe some of our alumni might want to read some of these engaging books. The three are: Forbidden Chronicles of a Roman Centurion(an archaeological dig under the streets of London uncovers a Roman Centurion’s 2,000- year-old letter that provides evidence that the New Testament is a forgery); The Rivergrass Legacy (a Harvard University bookworm becomes the target of a vicious Colombian drug cartel when he discovers an international money-laundering plot in a South Florida tropical fish hatchery); and Bridge of the Paper Tiger (in a story that demonstrates the likelihood of a terrorist attack from within, a mild-mannered accountant teams up with a tough, maverick FBI agent in an attempt to thwart the efforts of a foreign coalition to blow up the Golden Gate Bridge).” They are all available on John’s website at EngagingBooksBlog.com—and breaking news: The Rivergrass Legacy received a first place award from the Florida Writers Association in their 2015 Royal Palm Literary Award Competition.

John Allison reports on an autumn lunch with Dick Clarke and his wife, Katie. The Clarkes are moving to Winchester, Va., to be near family. John adds that his youngest granddaughter married in August on John’s 80th birthday, and the celebration was enjoyed by all.

Art Typermass | AGType@msn.com

144 East Avenue, #302B, Norwalk, CT 06851 | 203/504-8942