Tag: 1959

Greetings to the great Class of ’59. In this issue of Class Notes we are reporting on several events that are collective rather than individual.

First, our 65th Reunion. For various reasons, only a few stalwarts were able to attend. They were the Messrs. Steve Kaplan, Ed Murphy, Joe Mallory, Alan Brooks, Ted Fiske, Paul Hadzima, Joe Vander Veer, Herb Steiner, and Skip Silloway. Those of you who were unable to attend missed an absolutely sparkling spring weekend on the Wesleyan campus. Blue sky, moderate temperatures and humidity, and the spring green showed off the many trees planted over the years. It could not have been better. We enjoyed the many events Wes had planned for us including the class parade, the Alumni Association meeting, and the awarding of athletic prizes at the gym. And just walking on the campus in all its splendor was a plus. The best for us was the informal class memorial service for those in the class who passed away. The names of our deceased classmates were read out by Skip with a pause after each for a comment or remembrance. All present regretted how few we remembered. It took about an hour, and everyone appreciated it. (Last winter Wolfram Thiemann wrote from Bremen, Germany, to express his great regrets at not being able to attend our 65th Reunion due to his restricted mobility. He was sorry to hear about all the unrest on U.S. campuses and hoped Wesleyan was handling it well. Wolfram closed by saying how much he was thinking about and missing his Wesleyan classmates.)

Second, the effort to remember classmates raised questions about numbers. How many joined Wesleyan in the fall of ’55? How many graduated? How many are still alive? And so forth. Fortunately, Paul Hadzima was there, and he answered all those questions and more. There is some question about the accuracy of Wesleyan’s records, so Paul had to make several “adjustments”: 202 of us arrived on campus in the fall of ’55; 152 graduated, while 47 did not. There were 94 on a list of deceased that Wesleyan prepared, but Paul determined that 28 did not belong on that list for various reasons. Thus, 66 of our graduating class by this 65th Reunion were deceased. Of the 152 who graduated, 88 are still with us, although not all are able or willing to travel. Airports, plane rides, etc., are hard work!

Third, a report on the Class of ’59 record of donating in this reunion year. Of the 88 still going strong, 46 donated in this year: $164,241 was raised for Wesleyan’s greatest need (this means donating through WAF), and $307,988 was raised for other support (this means to specific efforts such as scholarships or a specific athletic team). Overall, $1,316,869 was raised for our toral reunion gift (this means our total for five years).

And, lastly, a postscript from Alan:

            “Diminished in numbers but not in spirit, the MidCoast Maine ‘reunioners’ gathered for the eighth year (it could be more; we kinda lost track) at Joe Mallory’s lovely home in New Harbor on September 12. 

“Joe prepared his signature dinner of Chicken Marbella for Dick and Linda Cadigan, [my wife,] Marie-Pier Brooks, and me. It was quite tasty! Kudos to the chef! Following [the] mandatory discussion of our medical challenges, there was talk of family, friends, Wesleyan, and, of course, the great Class of ’59.

“We hope to continue the tradition and to pull Bob Chase, one of the original members, back into the group.”

Walt Burnett wrote that after 34 years, he has come down for the last time from his North Carolina mountain, having closed on his home there in July 2023, and is now comfortably ensconced in his independent living residence at Broadmead in Cockeysville, Maryland. Walt said he has gotten involved in several activities at Broadmead. He also enjoys the Baltimore Symphony and Everyman Theatre and serves as a board member of the Broadmead Chapter of the Maryland Continuing Care Residents Association. Walt has kept up with his traveling this past year, though largely family oriented, much of which centered around a big family reunion on Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine. Walt also worked in a visit to Wesleyan.

In December, Alan Brooks caught up with Tom Young at a basketball tournament at Berkshire School, where Tom taught for many years. Tom related how he and Dave Darling regularly visited Fred Stone, their baseball teammate at Wesleyan, after Fred had his debilitating stroke. Tom sent Alan a packet of wonderful testimonials of Fred from his funeral service in February 2023. (Fred’s obituary can be read on the Portland Press Herald website, pressherald.com).

Marty Weil reports in from The Washington Post where he is an editor. He is glad to have us doing the editing of elements of the “woke” phenomenon. He allows he may or may not come to the reunion. How is that for taking a stand?

We heard from Charlie Huchet. Still living in the same house but now all on one floor. Getting to it, however, requires 29 steps up to the front door. He is cutting back on his many community activities but remains active in Friends of the Library and local politics. He has just applied to run for the local planning commission. That doesn’t seem like cutting back!

Bob Waterhouse updates us on his move to Venice, Florida, in 2018. He describes it as “kind of ‘winter reverse’ via air-conditioning. Not doing much but my days are full.” We imagine many of us might report the same experience.     

Herb Steiner reports the “gift” of two stents as presents for his 86th birthday. Sounds like all is well as he is in rehab, but he had to cancel a European boat trip. Winters in Delray Beach, Florida, for four months starting in December. Biking, pickleball, and walking are activities he hopes will be in his rehab program. Reading and daily violin practice are brain-healthy activities. Hopes to come to the 65th. Regularly sees Bob Ogren, Tim Martin, and Joe Vander Veer.

We heard from Tim Day, writing from Jackson Hole. He and Sandy are almost done “downsizing,” as many of us have done. In their case, this means maintaining their three locations: Phoenix, La Jolla, and Jackson, but moving to condos or managed properties. A glass of wine or two sees them through the many choices that have to be made. Tim is active—three days a week in the gym—but admits to needing a bit more sleep as a result. (Don’t we all?) His initiative to send marine officers to Harvard Business School continues. He has now sent 75 marines to HBS, 24 of whom are general officers. That is a great contribution!

We all miss John Spurdle.

Greetings from your Class of ’59 scribes. With John Spurdle’s passing, Skip has asked Dick Cadigan and Al Brooks to join the Class Notes and Class Agent team. John and Skip combined those two offices upon the retirement of Ed Murphy and Bert Edwards.

We have heard from Walt Burnett that he has sold his mountain home in North Carolina and has settled in a lovely independent living facility in Maryland. Walt maintains the travel schedule of a “much younger man,” having logged over 7,000 miles this past year through the north central states, and this summer will do New England and Maine for a family gathering on Monhegan Island, followed by a visit with Alan Brooks in Boothbay Harbour, Maine. Sounds great!

Jerry and Martha Doolittle write of moving from their home of 47 years to a residential community in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Their new home is only 10 miles from their former home, so the change may not be so difficult.

Speaking of Al Brooks, he is competing in the shot put at various senior events, winning three gold medals this summer. He says there are very few competitors older than 80, so he is aiming at the “younger guys” but admits to beating fewer of them as time goes by.

A freshman roommate of Skip Silloway reports in, perhaps for the first time, on our more famous mate, Marty Weil, who is the longest tenured employee at The Washington Post. Does he have any influence on Jeff Bezos?

Herb and Ellen Steiner recently spent a few days with Tim and Sybil Martin in Scotland, Connecticut. Herb is also in touch with Joe Vander Veer and Bob Ogren. Herb and Ellen are major FaceTime users, in an effort to keep track of 11 grandchildren. Well done with that.

Received a long note from George Holzwarth who is still working! He is an emeritus professor at Wake Forest in the physics department because “that’s what I like to do.” George’s wife, Natalie, is also a faculty member but she works full time! George requests classmates write to him at gholz@wfu.edu about our experiences in our freshman year with our world-class professors. He endured Professors Rosenbaum, Brown, Green, Cody, and Schorske.

Tim and Sandy Day continue their various involvements and travels. They recently returned from Israel where they walked the path of Christ with their pastor—”a very moving experience.” They continue to actively support the marine corps by providing education for members of the officer corps; they support animal rescue; and provide service dogs for the compromised marines. They also support Tim’s alma maters, among them Wesleyan, with support for the fitness departments, where the strength and fitness part of the athletics department are beneficiaries.

Owen Tabor wrote in response to our last Class Notes issue, suggesting a comment on the recent legacy decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. He feels that “legacy” should not qualify an unacceptable applicant but legacy and loyalty are tied together. To refuse to consider what a legacy family contributes, denies the University the history, community, character, and flavor that it wants to trade on when alumni support is sought. (NB: Individuals from legacy families are still most welcome to apply to Wesleyan—they are not being denied the opportunity to be a future member of the Wes community.)

And, finally, breaking news from Al, who reports that “on September 14, just in advance of Hurricane Lee, the seventh annual MidCoast Maine reunion took place. Sadly, the original band of brothers has dwindled down to six of us which includes Dick and Linda Cadigan, myself and my wife, Marie-Pier Brooks, and Joe and Wendy Mallory, at whose lovely home we gathered on Pemaquid Point. However, the group received a surprise phone call from another member, Anne McHugh, wishing she could be with us.

‘The evening included dinner of swordfish, prepared by Linda, and much eclectic conversation ranging from AI to affirmative and legacy action, to the evolution of the Earth, to how best to pick a president, to sports, of course, and even to astrophysics! (Mallory showing off his smarts.) We also talked, of course, of our 65th Reunion coming up and the momentum building for it—’59ers are starting to line up.”

One more reminder: Our 65th is next year, May 24 and 25. Put it on your calendar!

Greetings! I (Dick Cadigan) am pinch-hitting for Silloway and Spurdle this issue. Hope all are as well as possible as we navigate the mid-80s. Please give strong consideration to attending our 65th Reunion, May 24–26, 2024. Frankly, I never imagined I could be looking forward to going back to Wes at age 87!

Our 60th was great fun. We set a record with over 30 marching in the parade. I will urge the organizers of the upcoming event to schedule a nap time on Saturday afternoon!

Stephen Schleifer writes to us for the first time: “As this is the first time I’ve communicated something about myself since graduating, I wanted to share my post-Wesleyan career. After Middletown I received an MA from Stanford and PhD from the University of Wisconsin. Have led a nomadic life since then— Philadelphia (unhappy about the recent Eagles’ Super Bowl loss), Scottsdale (lived there four different times), Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and England (where I currently reside). Career in marketing/advertising including stints at Booz, Allen & Hamilton, Chase Bank, Greyhound, Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising. Three children and one granddaughter. Have an English spouse . . . lived with her in the U.K. from 2002 to 2006, here permanently now. Sorry that three of my Sigma Chi roommates —Ned Churchill, Dave Mitchell, Gene Alessandroni—are no longer with us. Hello to my remaining classmates who remember me!”

Remembrance: Sad to relate that Dr. Charles T. “Tom” McHugh graduated to the Higher Life peacefully at home on December 14, 2022. He possessed a hearty laugh, good humor, and a knack for storytelling. He followed his father’s advice to “never spoil a good story by telling the whole truth.” An outstanding athlete, Tom played varsity soccer and ran field/track for three years at Wesleyan.

After medical school Tom spent 1965–1967 as the Peace Corps medical director in Tanzania. His career spanned medical administrative positions and working as a surgeon in public and private hospitals in Chicago. In 1987 he moved to Baileyville, Maine. He was the medical examiner in Washington County, the hospital district surgeon, and held leadership positions in numerous community service and professional organizations. He was the president of the Maine chapter of the American College of Surgeons. No matter where he was living, Dr. Tom had a private practice. He will be remembered and missed by numerous colleagues and patients.

Tom is survived by his lovely wife Anne, three children, numerous grandchildren, and brother John. His vitality was such that he was working two days a week before he was hospitalized in mid-November.

Weg Thomas will be attending his TCU granddaughter’s wedding in April in Fort Worth, Texas. Linda and Dick Cadigan will catch up with him over lunch. Weg is an award-winning photographer and poet. Connect with him on Facebook to see his regular postings of splendid photos captioned with thoughtful philosophical musings.

David Eklund has been traveling and keeping busy: “We went to Maui late January/February and were joined by our family from Colorado and Wyoming. Everyone enjoyed the warm weather, swimming, and watching the humpback whales from our lanai.

“While we have pretty much returned to all activities, we still wear our masks indoors and have therefore stayed well. A few movies have added to our pleasure in being out and about, as well as dinners with friends. I continue with my directorship on the Richardson Bay Sanitary District and also avidly follow the Boston Bruin games. Last October we visited our grandson in Buffalo, New York, on a sunny summery weekend and marveled again at the majesty of Niagara Falls.

“That’s the news from old 85.—David”

Ed. note: As we were going to press, we received the following news from Skip:

It is with great regret we must report the passing of John Spurdle on April 24. After Deerfield, John came to Wes, with several others from Deerfield and began quickly to make his mark. He joined Eclectic and was among a small group of men possibly interested in lacrosse, which became a club and then a serious team, with great results for both men and women. A force on our football team and a force for Wes for many years—in 1989, John received the Distinguished Alumnus Award, and in 2019, John received the Wesleyan University Service Award. He was a great character with a terrific sense of humor and was a leader in many ways. After graduating, John took on Harvard Business School and then enjoyed a successful 30-year career at Morgan Guaranty Trust. He worked with Morgan in London, where he became enamored of the London Library and became chair of the International Friends of the library. John was a quick man with a phrase, was always smiling, and will be missed by his classmates.