Tag: 1958

Categories Class Notes, Class Notes | 1950sPosted on

CLASS OF 1958 | 2025 | SPRING ISSUE

Class of ’58,

Eleven responses; I will not speculate as to what percent of the class that represents.

           Neil Henry is recuperating from a partial prostatectomy. So, no heavy lifting except a wine glass or a beer stein.

           Bill Fryer is retired but still working part time. He enjoys the work since it involves working with people.

Bill Krenz reflects back to the 1890s, when his grandmother, age 13, was a housekeeper for Wesleyan Professor Winchester. His wife’s grandfather, an Italian immigrant, crafted the woodwork in the Wesleyan president’s home. His wife is a skilled mechanic, and he is not an effective house cleaner.

           Bob Hayes reports that he is still vertical and taking nourishment. He continues bull sessions with friends, although remotely. He continues to write for pleasure and occasionally in professional journals. He was in Boothbay for the annual Hayes family reunion at Christmas. In mid-January he was in the Caribbean.

           Pirkko and Burr Edwards are in southern France and reveal that the French countryside is treating them gently. They venture elsewhere to enjoy friends, concerts, and just walking around in places that have a bit of a buzz.

           This fall, former roommate Dan Woodhead and I followed via the internet the Wes football team. We believe the 8-1 record is noteworthy.

           Bart Bolton reports that his time-share units on Longboat Key were severely damaged by the hurricane. He is hoping they will be available for April.

Dick Goldman is spending the winter in Key Biscayne with friend, Phyllis. They just drove to Naples, and Kay and I had lunch with them. Great time.

           Tony Codding spent most of last summer at Long Lake, Maine. In September he had lunch with Bill Clark who summers in Bangor, Maine.

           Art Geltzer is now fully retired. He realized he was too old to practice medicine. He recently attended a cross-country meet in New London. He and wife, Younghee, supported the Wes team.

            Arthur Levine reported the news of Ted Wieseman’s passing. He sent this tribute: “Sadly, I report the death of Ted Wieseman at the beginning of December following a short illness. After Ted completed his Fulbright year in Denmark and spent a year at Princeton studying history, we renewed our Wesleyan friendship while we were both attending Columbia Law School. We both moved to the Washington, D.C., area where Ted worked in the honors program at the Department of Justice. He was an assistant U.S. attorney and subsequently practiced law in a partnership with his wife, Mary, until her death. Ted then was appointed to head the Public Defender Office for Montgomery County. He continued working in the Maryland Public Defender Office until his retirement in 2003. Our 70-year friendship continued with regular lunches or dinners or phone calls or going together to Redskin football games. Ted was an outstanding lawyer, father, grandfather, and friend. I shall miss him, as will his many friends.”

I keep in touch with Ezra Amsterdam who has cut back to working 20%. We talk about good times at Wes and exchange book suggestions.  

           Kay and I are as healthy as we could hope for our ages. Again, keep to my hobbies, but at a reduced pace. 

Have a great 2025—Cliff

Categories Class Notes, Class Notes | 1950sPosted on

CLASS OF 1958 | 2024 | FALL ISSUE

Neil Henry was amazed to discover that his “news” about a new washer and puppy was considered “exciting.” 

Ezra Amsterdam recently received more accolades. This time it was “Master of the American Society of Preventive Cardiology.” This was awarded “for the highest level of research, education, and service to the prevention of cardiovascular disease.” On a lighter note, “we follow our beloved Yankees.” Ezra says, “I enjoy frequent correspondence with Dick Goldman.”

Dick Goldman continues to play golf and tennis. He has a girlfriend, and they will go to Kona in Hawaii in October. And he still serves as vice president of the Wesleyan Lawyers Association. 

Heidi and Tom Mosher will host 15 Moshers in La Jolla, California, for a celebration of health and good fortune. Three of seven grandchildren have graduated college.

Dan Woodhead proudly reminded me that his two grandsons, Dylan and Quinn, would be playing for the U.S. Water Polo Team in the Olympics. I marked the next match on my calendar—I was eager to see if I’d recognize Dylan or Quinn as a chip off the old Woodhead. The match began, I watched closely, looking for characteristic Woodhead features, but all I could see were the tops of heads and splashing. At first I blamed my octogenarian eyes for failing me, but then I noticed the announcers’ also couldn’t tell who was who—the glaring absence of the players’ names in their play-by-play commentary was glaringly obvious. To give the announcers credit—most of the time, they knew which ones were the goalies.     

Bob and Kay Terkhorn continue to travel—this time a seven-day Mississippi cruise, Memphis to New Orleans. Next will be a Boston-to-Boston cruise next year.

Bart Bolton plans to attend his high school’s 70th reunion this fall. Seven of 17 graduates will be there.

A note from Kennebunk: Bob Wuerthner is proud of his last two grandchildren graduating college (UNC and Holy Cross). He still plays tennis and recalls our freshman year basketball at Wesleyan coached by John Burke.

Dick Tompkins checked in. Still doing well, eight months in Florida and four months in Minnesota. He will go to Nantucket for a week for a family gathering. Then a Great Lakes cruise at the end of August and a fly-fishing trip to Montana in September. Still enjoys theater, bridge, and golf.

Tony Codding is in Maine, boating and swimming almost daily on Long Lake. He wrote to Bill Clark who is in Tucson, slightly cooler than Phoenix, but still 110 to 112 degrees.

Dick Seabury took the time and effort to send a nice note, snail mail. He is in New Jersey and is a trustee of the Montville Historical Society and Museum. And he has enjoyed 54 years as a Morris County Park commissioner. Since 1982 he has collected nine antique autos and small trucks. He feels it is time to sell off since the younger generation cannot drive a stick/clutch car. (And hidden in his car barn are several fifths of expensive Rye Whiskey expertly made in West Virginia.)

Kay and I are doing OK, everything works, but not as well. I was deeply saddened by the news of Bob Fisher’s passing. We were roommates for three years at Wes and continued to visit and correspond after. His stepdaughter, who informed me of his passing, believes that he lost the will to live when his wife died. You can read his obituary here.

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.