Tag: 1964

I’m sitting here in Florida on a lazy Saturday morning, the weekend after our 50th Reunion. I could bore you with the details of jet travel and rental cars at JFK International Airport but let’s say I arrived safely Thursday evening, late for the welcoming banquet but before they put the main meal away. The food was quite good for this event and it continued through each subsequent meal through Sunday brunch (bacon and eggs, which was to my liking). The coffee was top notch.

On Thursday evening, I was immediately impressed with the number of classmates who were present. There were plenty of conversations going on and I could sense that a good time was being had by all. I was numbed by my day of travel but enjoyed conversing with Chris Chase and his wife, Karen, at the table where I parked myself. I saw many of the members of our Reunion committee—Frank Judson, Steve Oleskey, Bill White, and others. I found Peter Sipples, Doug Clark, and Paul Eschholz comparing their experiences as an attorney, radio station owner, and retired educator, respectively.

I reserved quarters in Clark Hall and they were quite comfortable. My wife, Becky, couldn’t make the trip, so I didn’t have to be concerned about any snoring issues of my own making. Separating trash was a task and automatic faucets in the restrooms were challenging when brushing one’s teeth. The sounds coming through my first floor window didn’t interfere with my sleep after our full days. It was helpful that I had my handicap parking sticker, and a space right between Olin Library and Clark Hall was always waiting for me. Wesleyan’s public safety officers were very interested in making our stay safe and comfortable. The ancillary personnel and students were quite efficient and went out of their way for us.

I tried to handle the walking from one site to another and managed until Saturday, when I realized there was a cell number to call for a van to take me from point A to point B. I can see returning for future Reunions and, with facilities for the handicapped from airports to campuses, this is a real choice as we live into the “golden years.”

We had a well-attended panel discussion on Friday morning at the old EQV house, now a facility for Romance languages. Frank Judson led the topic, which centered on the present and future for the elite liberal arts model of education. Wesleyan’s endowment was discussed and how it was the highest per student in our undergraduate years. Currently, Wesleyan’s endowment isn’t what it used to be but, at the dinner hosted by President Roth that evening, the topic certainly has the attention of the administration. James Dresser ’63 was one of the participants and he noted that aid-blind admission policies have been discontinued.

Aside from the structure established by the committee, there was ample time for enhancing old relationships and forging new contacts. We are well beyond the identities we were consumed with in the past. Our days of athletic gifts are something of memories and we now have the opportunity to relate to others in ways we never had the time to develop before. I know for myself, I am impressed with Steve Oleskey and the stands he takes in his world. I told him that as Wesleyan alumni we share each other’s accomplishments, as well as the possibilities for transforming the world in what we’ve learned over time. It is encouraging to know that, in our retirements, there is a new and empowering future.

Sometime during the weekend, I heard my name being called and it was a sweet sight, indeed, to see Chris Lapuc standing there with husband Paul Lapuc. From my previous notes, you might recall the serious medical issues on her plate. She summed things up by stating, “I’m still alive,” and I embraced her with great relief. Now that I reflect on my joy in that moment, all the wives I have met during the Reunions have been special women. The likes of Lou D’Ambrosio, Peter Sipples, Paul Brands, Don Ware, Bill Medd, Chip Smith, Judson, Oleskey and many more are enriched with their special women. Let’s be real, the guys we rubbed elbows with over 50 years ago weren’t about to transform their lives without the women behind them. Peel away the layers and there we are as little boys with their toys.

I could go on forever, but the parade, box lunch, and music were a delight. I attended a couple of seminars, including one featuring Rusty Hardin. He is a trial attorney from Houston. He has been in the news over the years and has successfully represented clients at venues including the U.S. Supreme Court. He was also a recipient of an outstanding alumnus award and recognition in the Wesleyan chapel during the weekend.

The seminar included an alumna who coordinates U.S. Senate investigations of wrongdoing and laid down the process in a clear and precise manner. Rusty spoke after her presentation and applauded the way the U.S. Senate conducted its investigations but not the House of Representatives. He defended baseball pitcher Roger Clemens before a House committee on allegations of perjury in a previous congressional investigation. I saw Rusty in many a news report as he accompanied his client through a mob of media reporters.

After the seminar, I approached Rusty and proceeded to verify that he was a member of our freshman class and had to drop out for a year and return to graduate with the class of 1965. I was impressed with his open manner for someone in the media eye and how he was happy to see me. He apparently kept track of the class in my quarterly notes and always had more of an affinity for 1964. He changed his schedule and showed up at our class banquet on Saturday evening.

The Saturday banquet turned out to be a fitting tribute to the whole weekend. Awards were given out, including one recognizing my service as class secretary for I don’t remember how many years. Coach Don Russell attended our banquet as did retired professor Dick Miller. It was exciting to have a picture taken of our freshman baseball team members present with the coach.

Lou D’Ambrosio came up to the podium and sang a smooth song reminiscent of the legendary Frank Sinatra. He sounds more like Tony Bennett these days. Rusty Hardin asked to address the class and shared how moved he was to be back with “his class.” He was at my table where, with his wife, he expressed gratitude in enjoying the banquet and said it was well worth a change in his plans to get down to New York City.

I know there were many alumni who couldn’t manage to attend. I would appreciate hearing from you via e-mail and I could create an addendum to the class book updating where you are and what you’re up to. I know Bill Woodcock attended and wanted to create an addendum to his information. Everyone appeared to be pleased with the effort for our 50th Reunion. Finally, there is an “in memoriam” section for 29 individuals who have passed away and are truly missed even though our memories can keep their spirits with us.

TED MANOS, M.D. | ted_manos@yahoo.com

I have been working on our class 50th Reunion committee and would like to acknowledge those classmates who have spent months working on the Reunion with e-mails, conference calls, idea sessions, and many hours reflecting on how quickly the time has elapsed.

We have been led by three co-chairs, Frank Judson, Steve Oleskey, and Bill White. Frank has been awesome in leading our conference calls and you can see that as a physician in the field of infectious disease, he has learned to share his ideas and opinions particularly in being a leader in his medical community in Colorado dealing with the HIV epidemic. Success has been realized with HIV treatment and protocols, and I can see where Frank Judson has been a contributor.

Steve has complemented Frank’s leadership with his attention to detail and his attorney training to lend concise suggestions and keep the committee on course. Bill adds his organizing skill to our leaders and his commitment to seeing the Reunion achieve success serving classmates who find their way back to Wesleyan.

Others involved with the committee include Steve Baker, Clark Lambert, Edgie Russell, Bill Medd, Nick Puner, David Skaggs, and Don Ware. I was editor for the class book, which will be available at the Reunion, but I contacted Peter Sipples many months ago and he did most of the work putting things together. He lives in the Connecticut area and his availability has been invaluable in reviewing all the elements displayed in the publication.

Michael Palmer was a member of our crew but his untimely death was an unwelcome reminder of our vulnerability. I have communicated with Michael over the years and we were pointing to the 50th Reunion as a significant milestone. He will be sorely missed.

Fred Motz missed the opportunity to submit to the 50th Reunion book, because we had an incorrect e-mail address for him. He sent what he would have submitted—which we’ve excerpted below. (The full version is on the Class Notes web site: classnotes.blogs.wesleyan.edu). He also adds, “I was only at my Reunion for one night but I very much enjoyed walking around the campus and seeing my friends who were there.

“The past 50 years: I went directly from Wesleyan to the University of Virginia Law School from which I graduated in 1967. In 1968 I clerked for a judge on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. In September of that year Diana Gribbon (whom I met at UVA) and I were married, and she has put up with me ever since. We have two wonderful children and two grandchildren, who brighten our lives. After unsuccessfully trying to become a Marine, I joined a law firm in Baltimore, then became an Assistant United States Attorney, and later rejoined the same law firm. In 1981 I was appointed as the United States Attorney in Maryland, and in 1985 I was appointed as a United States District Judge by President Reagan. I have served as a District Judge since that time, and I have enjoyed every minute of the job. Longevity has provided the opportunity to be on several national committees and to try many interesting and complex cases…

“Memories of Wesleyan: Being a member of a talented and fun-loving team that put Wesleyan on the lacrosse map. Listening to Ray Charles in the Harriman Hall room I shared with Dick Colton and Gary Cook. Friendships—and attempting to develop the capacity to be alone. … Observing how old the members of the class of 1914 appeared when they led the reunion parade. Being grateful not so much for knowledge that was imparted to me but for being taught to try to ask good questions.”

TED MANOS, M.D. | ted_manos@yahoo.com

The heat and humidity finally broke here in central Florida and the cool dry breeze felt good to this old Brooklynite. November also brought the undefeated Wesleyan football team facing Williams at Homecoming. The Cardinals were looking to capture their first Little Three football championship since 1970. I watched the game over the Internet and was delighted with our 16–14 triumph.

Wesleyan’s accomplishment came on the heels of the Boston Red Sox victory at the World Series, as the Sox clinched the crown at Fenway Park for the first time since 1918. I was thinking of Michael Palmer and his passion for the Sox at the end of the game. I was devastated to learn that he passed away from a stroke and heart attack on the evening of October 30th in New York City as the last out was recorded. He will truly be missed.

Russ Messing has just finished and self-published his first book of poetry, A Convergence of Unanticipated Consequences. I quote from his e-mail: “I am quite proud of and happy with it. I will soon start on my next book. Having been a ‘secret’ writer for many, many years, I finally decided to come out of my dark room and take the plunge into the light. It was a humbling and exciting experience. I love the focus, the whimsy, the challenge, the hard work, and the finished product.” It is available on Amazon.

David Skaggs reports that after leaving Congress in 1999, he worked in DC for several years on democracy-building, political reform, and civic education issues. David and wife Laura moved back to Colorado in 2006, sharing a small farm north of Niwot with a Scottish Highland cow, several chickens, and assorted vermin. The intervening years have included a stint as head of Colorado’s department of higher ed. for Gov. Ritter and, now, teaching and practicing law and co-chairing the Office of Congressional Ethics. He hopes to see a bunch from ’64 at Reunion in May.

Allen Ames has been retired for a few years and lives in Clinton, Conn. He still boats (now with a 31-foot trawler) and sings in a local church choir.

David Townsend communicated that he is happily retired in Chattanooga, Tenn., with wife Gale and their two Shelties. After having both hips replaced, his athletic activities center around swimming and bicycling. They have made several bike tours with Vermont Bicycling Tours and the last one touring the vineyards in California. They have also done the Dolomites, Hungary, and Slovakia, and Costa Rica. Last year he reestablished contact with Paul Eschholz and visited him at his home in Naples, Fla. It had been over 25 years since they last contacted each other.

TED MANOS, M.D.
ted_manos@yahoo.com