Tag: 1965

Gar Hargens writes: “Sold my office building last September; after 57 years there, I’m surprised I don’t miss it more. My firm, Close Associates, continues from my home office. I moved most of our remaining files to the University of Minnesota Northwest Architectural Archives, where I’ve established a foundation to support their work. Instead of fees, I’m asking current clients to contribute to the foundation. I’m working on houses and remodelings for friends and with a younger firm, reworking a residential development that includes assisted living and low-income housing.

“Missy and I attended a large wedding in Vermont this summer that brought family we hadn’t seen from near and far. We had several recent holiday family events with grandkids from California and [in] spring, college graduates we hadn’t seen for a while. Grandson Soren was just early admitted to Williams. I preached a different W but he’s a Junior Olympic Team cross-country skier, so no chance. Son James is working remote from New Haven as partner; Cara studies law there. Her summer internship is with our Minnesota attorney general, so we’re excited they’ll be here with us. 

“Missy continues to chair the board of the Saint Paul Public Housing Agency. The PHA houses about 8% of Saint Paul residents, all low income, with 80% of funding coming from the federal government—it’s been extremely challenging. Time-outs at our lake house are ever more precious. Our door(s) are always open for anyone venturing into our demonized state. We decry what’s happening in Washington and encourage our representatives, with financial resources and vocal support, to do all they can.”

Arthur Rhodes writes: “Enjoying life after retiring five years ago from 50 years of medicine. Spending quality time with my spouse, Leslie C. Newman of New Orleans, taking care of my small home in Illinois, feeding the birds, and tolerating deer mooching the food in the bird feeders. Am painting with photography, showing my work on Instagram (ArthurRRhodes_Photography). Most of my six grandchildren are in or finished with college or getting ready to matriculate. Am still enjoying relatively good health for now.”

John Graves writes: “This has been a year of stimulating reunions with Blanche and Bob Bast and Mike and Rob Abel with us in Denver. Bob continues to teach, see patients, and do research at MD Anderson in Houston, as well as completing his tour of all U.S. national parks. Rob and Mike also joined us for an extended lunch, describing their international travels and their ongoing work in extending eye care and social justice. (Congratulations, Rob on your Distinguished Alumnus award!)

“Janmarie and I are both enjoying retirement and planning a visit to my brother, Charles, and his family in Geneva, Switzerland, following our visit to southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast. We’re enjoying our reading groups, and I’m continuing to write, study classical piano, hike, snowshoe, and fly-fish.

“I’ve become active in Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence and also participate on the vestry of a small Episcopal parish, with a focus on social justice with homeless and immigrant populations.”

Rob Abel, MD, writes: “I am teaching a course on How to Read the Mind through the Eyes this spring at Washington College. As president of Delaware’s Vision to Learn (VTL.org), we have made Nicholas Kristof’s 2025 donation-request list and will outfit a second mobile clinic van. The 27,000 children who have received free glasses have improved their classroom standardized test results.

“There is always more going on, such as our donation of AfroBrasilian art to three major museums. Wellesley’s Davis Museum will be sharing their expertise in this area with Wesleyan in the spring.”

Geoff Geiser writes: “Our family is thriving. Our two children, Lynn and Erik, are at the top of their game and getting close to retirement age. Our four grandchildren are likewise doing very well, and we were blessed recently with the birth of our first great-grandchild, Raelynn Tait. Carole and I celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary on June 12, and we still enjoy our home in Pennsylvania and summer home on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Regards to all.”

Tony Accetta: “Having retired from a career chasing fraud and corruption as, first, a lawyer and federal and state prosecutor, then, as a fraud investigator with major Wall Street investment banks, I am safely retired in Colorado, enjoying the greatest wife in history, along with sons, stepdaughters, and six grandchildren. I’ve lost some mobility to nerve damage but am otherwise healthy and can still play some golf from an adaptive cart. No complaints. Ran 10 marathons in the day; happy to go around the block with a cane now. Active with OpWalk, a volunteer orthopedic group doing free surgeries in South and Central America and Mexico, and the Education Program of the Colorado Symphony.

“My book, You the Jury, How Wall Street Cashed in on the American Dream and Nearly Killed It, is an insider’s view of what really caused the mortgage crisis of 2007. In short, I was on the inside and know who did what. I recommended all my clients go to jail and then retired.”

Robert MacLean writes: “As fellow classmates follow the growth of their families combined with aging, they are relocating in bigger numbers. Nonetheless, I remain in touch with Phil Russell, Ralph Jacobs, and occasionally John Dunton of Wombat fame.

“On a personal note, I ended a 50-year full-time/part-time teaching career as a ski instructor, most recently with the Snowmass ski school in Colorado, now preferring to ski with friends here and abroad with my new reverse shoulder replacement—one of many skiing related surgeries.

“I also continue to be haunted by age with the FAA and the insurance world as a whole, as I continue flying personally, occasional charter, and as a CFI-I flight instructor.

“All in all, spending time with family and friends in the San Francisco Bay Area, Baja, California, and Basalt, Colorado, skiing, hiking, flying, and socializing while ‘giving back’ as a member of a few boards, has been more than rewarding in retirement.”

Tom Pomeroy writes: “Gretchen and I spent the holidays in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where we have been going for 20 years. It’s sort of like summer camp for old adults: The same folks have been coming each Christmas, and we love spending time with them. Our kids enjoy their kids, and their grandchildren and ours have become good friends too. Pretty special.

“After many years on our HOA board, the last few as president, I was pleased to announce my complete and full retirement. A terrific experience, but one that should only be endured once!

“I appreciate that President Roth has been very outspoken about the role and importance of liberal education, and I am grateful for my experiences and friends at Wes. Best to all!”

Carl Calendar writes: “I am retired from my work as dean of humanities at Brookdale Community College and living happily in my condo in Red Bank, New Jersey. Two grandchildren, Devin and Luke.”

John Dexter writes: “Carol and I consider ourselves blessed when we see the challenges others of our age are facing. There’s nothing wrong with us that being 30 years younger wouldn’t fix! Still we’re making adjustments to address where we are in life.

“After 55 years of boating together, our last boat, which we appropriately named Finale, is on the market. After 34 years in the same house, we are exploring independent living facilities. We’re somewhat less interested in travel, although we are going to Mexico in February. We both participate in YMCA activities to keep fit. We also volunteer locally, which we both find rewarding. 

“After all these years I still consider my scholarship to Wesleyan to be one of the most significant gifts I ever received. I had no idea how valuable a Wesleyan education would be while I was receiving it. Best to all.”

Lanny E. Walter writes: “I am still practicing law since 1971. I live in Saugerties, New York, about 100 miles north of NYC on the Hudson River, a beautiful place to visit. My oldest son, Benjamin (’88), is a Wesleyan graduate; my other two sons went elsewhere. My wife of 39 years, Carole Furman, is a Vasser graduate, as was our son, Ryan. The third son was a graduate of the University of Rochester. He had a mind of his own.

“My focus in 2026 is to fight against the Trump presidency, standing on street corners in protest of all the harm he is doing to our country. As best I can tell, Wesleyan is standing tall [in the current political climate]. My best to all survivors for the New Year.”

Clyde Beers has been enjoying visits with family: “We had visits with two of three children [and had been with the third recently] and nine of nine grandchildren. Eldest granddaughter has finished a really good education from a super place called Wesleyan—yeah! She now is employed in a research role with Penn Medicine (part of the University of Pennsylvania). Second eldest (grandson) is about to finish from Sycamore later this year (not yet clear where he will head, but very open with multiple options), and our third eldest (granddaughter) will start later this year at Wellesley. All I can say is we are ecstatic at all of their options and to-date results!  

“None is into wrestling, but lots of terrific joint sports activity with lacrosse, field hockey, football, and basketball.”

Dear Classmates,

Bob Abel, Doug Blazey,Michael Borecky,Mark Edmiston,Tom Elliman,John Hall,Jim Henderson,Jeff Lea, Robert Leonard,Bruce Lev,Tom Meyer,Bob Schmidt,Dutch Seigert, Gary Witten, and I attended our 60th Reunion, along with some of our wives and friends.

Highlights included:
Friday: Cocktail reception and dinner in the Usdan University Center.
Saturday: Presentation on “College Leadership in Turbulent Times” by President Michael Roth ’78 and Beverly Daniel Tatum ’75, former president of Mount Holyoke and Spelman Colleges; alumni parade and assembly featuring remarks by Amy Bloom ’75 and an Alumni Achievement Award to our own Bob Abel; retirement recognition reception in honor of Gina Driscoll (who filled many roles at Wes from 1985 to 2025 and was the wife of John Driscoll ’62); and 60th Reunion reception and dinner.

We also had time for conversation at our reunion lounge area in Boger Hall (the old squash courts). You were missed by all!

Those who wrote in after the fact included:

Jim Brownell: “Born in New York, New York, 1943; Saint James School, Hagerstown, Maryland, 1961; BA, Wesleyan University in economics, 1965, Kappa Nu Kappa; Peace Corps in Turkey, teaching ESL 1965–1967; Burroughs Corporation (now Unisys) software specialist 1969–1986; married in 1977 to Claire Jeanne Carberry of Philadelphia; delegate at Republican National Convention, 1980; divorced 1988, no children; MEd, Temple University in secondary education, 1990; Drexel University instructor in ESL, 1989–1998, including posts in Tokyo, Barcelona, and Malaysia; singer with Orpheus Club and Savoy Company (Gilbert & Sullivan); retired 1998, age 55; Philadelphia Phillies ballpark host 2002–2009; Mexican permanent resident card, 2008; winters in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and summers in Philadelphia; craniotomy after serious fall walking in Philly’s FDR Park, 2024; moved to Cathedral Village CCRC, Philadelphia, 2024; still walking and talking, 2025.”

Thomas Meyer wrote: “Hi, Phil, it was great to put a face to all the emails through the years. I was again impressed by the atmosphere of excellence that fills Wesleyan. It was great to be back. While in Middletown, I did some family history at the Middlesex County Historical Society, where I researched my eighth great-grandparents, who were founders of Middletown in 1651. We visited the site of their unmarked graves in Riverside Cemetery. I had no idea of this when I was at Wesleyan and nearly fell out of my chair when I learned of it.”

Guy Danforth added: “I’m a longtime reader, first-time writer to notes. Retired to Sarasota after 40 years in consumer marketing and advertising in the New York metro area. I actually lived across street from Ed Cerny in Summit, New Jersey. My grandson, Brendan Kelso ’27, proclaims that he is ‘finishing what Papa started.’ (I left school after two years.) So, you could say I ultimately did something right!”

Dear Classmates,

Hope to see you at our 60th in May! It is important to recognize the extraordinary efforts of our prior Reunion leaders, namely Hugh Wilson, Win Chamberlin, Bob Barton, Dave Dinwoodey, and a number of others.

At Homecoming, I visited with Roy Fazendeiro, Mark Edmiston, Gary Witten,and their spouses, and we enjoyed the last-second victory over Williams to win the Cardinals’ third-straight Little Three football title. (Gary is also involved with the football program by providing a three-part series on financial literacy for graduating seniors.)

Thanks to all who responded to my request for news:

Arthur Rhodes: “Since retirement, my wife, Leslie Newman, and I are enjoying life and visiting her three sons and five grandsons in New Orleans and my two daughters and six grandchildren here in Illinois.

“If you have an interest in photography, check out my Instagram page: ArthurRRhodes_photography.    

“As an aside, you all knew me as Rosenglick at Wesleyan, but I changed my name to Rhodes. My beloved German professor at Wesleyan, Chad Dunham, asked me if I knew about the origin of names in the Jewish ghettos of Eastern Europe. I learned that a Jewish ghetto occupant had to purchase a surname from the tax collector to replace their Hebrew name. If you didn’t pay, or couldn’t pay, enough for a nice name, you received an unflattering one. A fancy name, like Rosenglick—‘Lucky Roses’—probably cost dearly. Jeffrey (one of my three brothers) and I decided to change our name legally, to get rid of our ‘purchased’ ghetto name. In 1969, during my medical internship at Columbia, I changed my name to Rhodes. One day I was Rosenglick, and the next day I was Rhodes. I felt like a free man. When I was a medical resident at Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital, I often had to speak Yiddish to my Jewish patients to allay their fears that I might not be Jewish. Though I rejected the rules of the ghetto, I remain dedicated to my Jewish heritage.

“Incidentally, I especially miss three of my favorite professors, now deceased: Chad Dunham, Bob Rosenbaum (mathematics), and Richard Burford (chemistry).” 

Gar Hargens: “Last June I reregistered as an architect. After 56 years in the business, I decided to retire. I came to Close Associates as an older student at the University of Minnesota School of Architecture. I’ve gone from intern, architect, partner, to sole owner, all in the same wonderful mid-century building our founders created. 

“Three years ago, I started a foundation at the U of Minnesota to help fund the curator position at the university’s library. In the ’80s, I approached the archives about accepting our then over 40 years’ worth of construction documents for editing and storage. There was never a charge, so now I am helping make the acting curator’s position permanent.

“I’m blessed with five children and seven grandkids, four of them here in the Twin Cities—at least for a little while longer. My wife, Missy, keeps us socially active and serves on many local boards, most recently Macalester College, an excellent local institution but endowed with refreshing Midwest modesty.”

Bill Trapp: “We are enjoying life with our family and friends. I am almost back to a full recovery after a stroke. We are now making spring plans to visit the Wesleyan baseball team in Arizona. I could not have done it without the support and management from my wife, Marilyn, family, friends, and many doctors and physical therapists.”

Bill Knox: “We just keep getting older, watching our kids and grandkids do the same. The four-plus months a year at our place here in southern Italy are a blessing.”

Tom Bell: “Still in Halifax, Nova Scotia. My oldest child has just become a grandfather this December in Chicago. This made me the great-grandfather of Quinton Roger MacGregor. I’m looking forward to meeting him soon.”    

Bob MacLean: “While having lost contact with so many classmates, I remain in regular contact with Phil Russell and Ralph Jacobs, having found one another at Stanford after Wesleyan.

“With pacemaker installed, I’m still flying after 61 years and am a certified flight instructor. While still certified as a ski instructor, after 48 years, I no longer teach but am still skiing with friends. Have taken up bridge again even after Dean Barlow suggested I take a year off to consider studying rather than playing bridge and brewing beer in the Eclectic basement.

“My path has been anything but linear, but a hell of a ride, thanks in part to the rigor of the old-style liberal arts program at Wesleyan and a few bumps and bruises on the football field. Forever grateful!”

Charlie Bassos: “Still kicking—just not as high as I used to. Glad to have our class notes, and glad for every classmate still around to read them. Wesleyan has shaped us all in ways great and small, truly ‘alma mater.’” 

Bob Barton: “Playing old-guy tennis is an enjoyable new activity. I’ve sold my old foreign currency, coins, and other collections to fund cruises next summer on the sailboat I bought with three partners, including my distant cousin and Wes classmate Jay Clapp.” 

Hugh Wilson: “Several of my obligations, including the publication of the book I’ve been working on for three years, have grown since our Zoom meeting in September regarding our Reunion. I do not feel that I can take the lead for planning our 60th, but Fran and I will certainly attend.”

Bill Brooks: “Work on the Winslow archives continues, with a full performance of Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights sometime in the next 36 months. Also, recently returned from five weeks in Kruger National Park—a life-changing experience (and I’m grateful that my life still can change)!” 

John Dunton said: “Because my grandson, Owen, who was first in his freshman class and is the third Dunton generation to attend Wes, will be graduating (a year early—a much better student than his grandfather), Carol and I look forward to attending the graduation in 2025. This will be the first in-person reunion without Gary and the Wombats since 1970—we think we can still ‘rock and roll’ but haven’t had a chance to prove it since 2015, and that memory is probably sweeter than a current appearance would provide.”

Bruce Lev wrote: “I finally decided it was time to send a very quick update. The most important news is I’m still vertical, still working full time as CEO of Loeb Holding Corp, the private bank/family office of the financial services and very philanthropic Loeb family, founded early in the 20th century. And still married to Prudence, who’s still writing (most recent novel, Last Born, a fictionalized account of the last days of the dinosaurs). As Bob Barton knows, we started our married life on a 47-foot sailboat in Rowayton, Connecticut, 42 years ago (Bob made our sails) and after a 25-year detour to Westchester, New York, so Prudence could indulge her obsession with horses, we’re back in Rowayton—hopefully for good. The great pleasure over the last few years is reconnecting with Tom Elliman and Joe Garrison and their wonderful wives, Betsy and Brenda, all of whom live in Branford, Connecticut. We try to have a meal every couple of months. I do plan to make the Reunion and very much look forward to it. Best to all.”

From David Osgood: “A few weeks ago I drove up to the Chicago/Wisconsin area from my home in Nashville. I was able to schedule a lunch with Bill Turner and George Adams. Bill and his wife, Barbara, spend the summers in Fontana, Wisconsin, and their winters in Florida. George follows the same routine and in addition operates a successful business in southeast Wisconsin. We had a good time reminiscing about Wesleyan fall and spring house parties and our common acquaintances.  As lifelong St. Louis Cardinal fans, George and I commiserated on the last two terrible seasons. Bill, a Cubs fan, is used to that result.   

“I continue to stay in touch with Larry Carver ’66 and David Griffith ’66. Both are doing well.”

Arthur Rhodes shared: “Retired from medicine in 2020 after a total of 50 years, having cared for more than 100,000 patients; taught more than 1,000 medical students (Harvard University School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Rush Medical College in Chicago); and pivotal in the training of more than 100 residents in dermatology.  My spouse, Leslie C. Newman, and I are spending time with combined families of five adult children and 11 grandchildren, splitting time between a suburb 25 miles north of Chicago (Glencoe, Illinois) and Mandeville, Louisiana. Leslie and I are enjoying gardening and abundant wildlife.  Am filling spare time pursuing a lifelong interest in photography, showing my best work on Instagram: ArthurRRhodes_Photography.

“Best wishes to my former classmates, who I hope are thriving and well.” 

Hugh Wilson sent this news: “Fran and I plan to attend our 60th Reunion next May and hope to see many of you there. On a personal front, I’ve got two items to report. First, I have finished a draft of my book: Inside Understanding: How Finite Brains Interpret a Vast Universe. I’m now starting to look for a publisher. Also, I just learned today that Geoff Hinton was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work in artificial intelligence. I worked with Geoff’s group from 2005 to 2015 and helped him to get funding from the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research for his pioneering work on neural networks that can learn. I was one of the first to develop mathematical models of neural networks in 1973, and they have since been vastly expanded by Geoff and his colleagues. My small contribution to his Nobel work makes me very proud.”