Tag: 1958

Categories Obituaries, Obituaries | 1950-1959Posted on

Thornton Roberts “Bob” Fisher ’58

Thornton Roberts Fisher passed away peacefully at his home on June 3, 2024. Born to Margaret Trussler Fisher and Vardis Alvero Fisher in Santa Monica, California, Bob’s parents were a significant influence in his life. Both were accomplished academics, each holding a PhD. His mother taught English at the college level, and his father was a writer and author known for historical novels of the American West.

Bob’s academic journey began at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, where he completed his undergraduate degree. He later earned a PhD in nuclear physics at the California Institute of Technology, studying under Nobel Prize–winner Richard Feynman. Bob made notable contributions to experimental fusion technology during his career at Lockheed. He was also selected to train as a payload specialist in the NASA astronaut corps, an opportunity tragically lost with the space shuttle Challenger disaster.

Beyond his professional career, Bob had a zest for life and adventure. He enjoyed hiking, skiing, racquetball, photography, playing bridge with friends, and traveling the world. Bob and his wife particularly loved the island of Maui, where they vacationed every year. While studying and working at Stanford, Bob met his future wife, Yvonne, in the Stanford physics library, where she worked as a librarian. They were introduced through her four children, who became his ready-made family. Bob cherished spending time with them, taking the kids skiing and fishing, and embracing his role as “dad” to the whole crew. He was later known for fishing the world for elusive rainbow and brown trout. At their vacation home in South Lake Tahoe, Bob and Yvonne could often be found fishing at nearby lakes, aiming to catch trout for their Tahoe dinners. Their approach was catch and eat, not catch and release.

Despite his many accomplishments, Bob remained a kind, humble, and caring man. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife, Yvonne, of 52 years and a proud father to their four children: Robert MacLean; Richard MacLean (daughter Sarah); Brian MacLean (daughters Katie and Kelly); and Katherine MacLean Davenport Craig (children Jeff [deceased], Brian, and Alex). He is also survived by his niece, Sharon Sherbert, and her children, Sean and Staci.

Bob’s life was a testament to intellectual curiosity, adventurous spirit, and deep love for family. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Categories Class Notes, Class Notes | 1950sPosted on

CLASS OF 1958 | 2024 | SUMMER ISSUE

Class of ’58,

My quest for “exciting” info was met by some—for example, Neil Henry bought a brand-new washing machine and has a new puppy.

Dick Goldman continues his post-career activities. He continues as vice president of the Wesleyan Law Alumni Association. He is interested in doing some consulting in the area of succession planning for privately held businesses. He did spend two and one-half months in Florida this winter.

Dan Woodhead is proud of his three grandchildren, who are going to the Paris Olympics on the United States Water Polo Team. All three have Stanford roots.

Bill and Rosemary Krenz are still students. They regularly walk four blocks to the campus of Lebanon Valley College. Younger students interview them, especially inquiring about their work with refugees and the hungry. They will soon celebrate 67 years of marriage.

Exciting news from Bart Bolton, his great-granddaughter is now two years old. He points out that for most of us, our 70th high school reunion will be this spring. And by now he and wife are in Florida.

Burr Edwards contributes a lengthy piece where he has suggestions to make golf easier for “ordinary” folks. For example, place the ball at waist to eye level—much more natural than at one’s feet.

Bill Richards wrote to me inquiring about Walt Karney. I responded telling him of Walt’s death on January 29, 2024, and sent him a copy of his obituary.

Kay and I celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary in March. Still manage to play golf three times a week, despite using a driver on par 3s. Bridge and gardening are my pastimes. 

Keep the emails flowing.

Categories Class Notes, Class Notes | 1950sPosted on

CLASS OF 1958 | 2024 | SPRING ISSUE

Class of ’58,

I should not have asked for your escapades when I requested info for the alumnus.  I forgot that we old-timers have few escapades. I did hear from John Watson who thanked me for some golf equipment advice I gave him, but he gave up golf for billiards. He plays with his grandson, who is a senior at Sacramento State.  

            Tom Mosher and his family of 15 spent two weeks in southern Germany and on the Rhine. He labeled it the best trip ever.

            Dan Woodhead is OK, nothing exciting going on. Dan, that is a plus.

            I have received emails from Bob Hayes, who is in Massachusetts and going it alone after losing his beloved Poog.

            Ezra Amsterdam is still in harness in Davis, California. He is not full time, but I am sure his colleagues think he is.

            Art Geltzer went to our reunion last June. He stayed in Portland. He observed that the school had changed little in the last 10 years.

            I had a phone conversation with Bob Fisher—doing OK, gave up skiing and tennis.

            I have frequent phone calls with Dick Goldman; he still plays golf and tennis and does some legal work. Kay and I plan to have lunch with Dick and his lady friend in February in Weston, Florida.

            I have kept in contact with Rick and Brenda Pank. Rick is doing well after his stroke. He speaks well and walks well.

             I still play some golf, casually and not competitively. But I play online bridge on Mondays with Barbara Levine, Art Levine’s wife. Art and Barbara are now on a two-week family cruise. I play casual bridge with Ted Wieseman on Thursdays. Ted has used oxygen and hopes to put it in the past. He also visits Walt Karney, who is in a nursing home.

Burr Edwards commented again on the legacy issue. Harvard will give preference to a legacy if two candidates are equally promising. He believes that is fair (and I agree).

            My next request will simply ask to respond to show you can.

Happy New Year!

Cliff

Categories Class Notes, Class Notes | 1950sPosted on

CLASS OF 1958 | 2023 | FALL ISSUE

Gentleman, I was not swamped with replies.

            Dan Woodhead’s three grandchildren are all aiming to make the USA Water Polo 2024 Olympic team for the Paris games. Grandsons Dylan and Quinn both graduated from Stanford and helped Stanford win the Men’s NCAA Water Polo Championship in 2019. They are now playing professional water polo in Europe. Granddaughter Ella contributed the game-clinching goal in Stanford’s NCAA championship win against USC this past May. She will step away from Stanford this fall to train full time in Seal Beach, California, with the USA Women’s Olympic Water Polo Team.

            Tom Mosher and his family, 15 strong, just completed a two-week trip in southern Germany, Switzerland, and France. They were on the Rhine for eight days and report that the weather, the surroundings, and the people could not have been nicer.

The Moshers during their European tour, summer 2023

Good to hear from Bart Bolton who aims to visit Florida next March.

Kay and Bob Terkhorn decided to explore the U.S. after some bad European airline experiences last year. They visited Napa and Sonoma in the wine country and followed that with a cruise on the Snake and Columbia Rivers following the Lewis and Clark route. He and Kay are doing well and do not intend to slow down soon.

Joanna and Bill Fryer keep busy with family activities, including great-grandchildren. Bill is retired but works part time as a Lutheran pastor.

Art Geltzer did attend our reunion in person along with one other classmate. He is traveling less, but still enjoys retirement. He winters in Providence, volunteering for the medical school where he spent his career; and summers in an old whaler captain’s house that he inherited from his grandmother.

A few months back Rick Pank suffered a stroke. I have followed his recovery via phone calls to his wife, Brenda. He is much better and anticipating a full recovery. He would enjoy hearing from classmates. Phone: (203) 853–0375; email: wfpank@aol.com.

Recently I had a long phone call with Dick Goldman. He is in good health and continues both tennis and golf. And he dabbles in the legal profession. Dick was a good friend of Don Hill who passed away early in the year. Dick contacted Don’s daughter, Martha Hill-Enright, who asked me to include the following in our class notes:

Don Hill

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Don Hill, Class of ’58. Don grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. He went to Wesleyan with his good friend, John Hobbs. In high school he met his wife, Ann. They were happily married for more than 60 years. He played on the tennis team at Wesleyan for three years. Don had a distinguished career in public service and in education in public high schools and Stanford University. He had three children and three grandchildren. There was a lovely memorial service celebrating Don’s life in Cloverdale, California, on June 18.”

Heard from Burr Edwards who is keeping a low profile in Lectoure (southwest France) due to the heat. Burr is the son of Wilbur N. Edwards ’16 and the grandson of Nelson Edwards 1879. Suffice it to say he has some concerns about the new “no bump” policy for legacies.

            Tony Codding wrote that he thoroughly enjoyed our Zoom reunion with our classmates, “who seem to be holding their own at this stage in life. I reconnected recently with my Eclectic fraternity brother and former roommate, Bob Smith ’57, who is the Class of ’57 scribe.”

Kay and I keep busy; visited my sister in Alabama in May, saw my grandson graduate from University of Toronto in June, and spent six days on Long Island in July.

Keep moving!

Cliff