Tag: 1969

Rameshwar Das co-authored Being Ram Dass, a memoir by his late teacher, “who bridged psychology and mysticism. A neurotic professor, he evolved into a transcendent yogi espousing unconditional love.”

     From Ric Peace: “No Pease, please, just Peace.”  Lloyd Buzzell ’68 said, “Be smart/safe/well.” Bob Watson wrote, “saw our grandson, Matthias, in Cartagena. My book about sports and psychoanalysis is well reviewed. We enjoy our daughter’s presence as she Zooms her Seattle patients.”

     Denny Marron channeled Billy Joel, “The good old days weren’t always good and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.”

     From Bryn Hammarstrom, “Don’t know when we’ll have to give up these 100 acres, but the time is coming. Climbing hills was hard. Diagnosis—aortic valve stenosis and aortic aneurysm. To the Cleveland Clinic November 16. So far so good. Back to a four-day week at Temple University Hospital in time of COVID-19.”

     Review Stu Blackburn’s novels on Amazon or Goodreads. The latest is The Boy from Shenkottai, Revolutionary, Murderer, Hero. He wrote, “Locked down on England’s South Coast and mourning Don Russell’s death.”

     Tom Kelly ’68 said, “Jack Fitzgerald died of heart failure last fall. A good fellow, serious, reflective, blessed with a deep and subtle sense of humor.”

     Jim Drummond wrote, “My senior thesis was on James Joyce’s Ulysses, Ihab Hassan the advisor. He once came to the lectern, paused, and walked out, no words. I have frequent contact with Jeff Richards, whose virtual productions are amazing. My novel in progress is Thank You for Death.”

     The “Four Dharma Summaries” are guideposts at Ken Kawasaki’s brelief.org.

     Bill Currier said, “Stay well. Eat well; get decent exercise; stay social, read, write, think. Nature is just doing what comes naturally. Adapt to Nature, and that goes for global warming.”

     Frank Putnam is “a professor of psychiatry at UNC-Chapel Hill, writing a memoir about child abuse, trauma, and medical interventions.”

     Pete Arenella and his wife “flew round-trip Mexico to Los Angeles for COVID-19 shots. Death’s shroud is over my loved ones. Best faculty friend died within 24 hours of diagnosis. First great love has cancer. Several pets died suddenly.”

     “Archaeological work recovering material culture from the mud flats of Wellfleet Village has long interested me,” said Steve Broker. “On loan, I’m archiving shipping forms, invoices, correspondence, 1860–1880, the period just before the first documented North Atlantic fisheries collapse.”

     Bernie Freamon wrote, “Members of ’70, led by S. Jacob Scherr ’70, Zoom every Tuesday at 6 pm. Very pleasant and self-esteem boosting sessions. Email: jacobscherr@me.com.”

     Charlie Morgan is “quarantining in Bonita Springs. I play tennis daily. Get some expert witness work—entertaining and lucrative. Grandchildren, largely in New Jersey, are growing up too fast.”

     Nick Browning and wife Rebecca Ramsey ’75 have “mostly closed our psychiatry practice and live in Woodstock, Vermont. We have a beautiful home. I write essays and short stories. Rebecca paints and plays cello. We get grandparenting joy from the grown kids. Peter Pfeiffer and I correspond. Add Walt Abrams and Peter Cunningham to the mix.”

     From Steve Mathews, “Nashville endured a tough 2020. No tourists. $3.5 billion impact. It is still a great city. Picasso is showing at the museum. That’s creating an early buzz.”

     Alex Knopp “no longer teaches at Yale but is still involved with public libraries, NAACP, the Connecticut Law Tribune, and the Connecticut Retirement Security Board. Bette’s first book, The Better Angels, is a time travel novel for seniors. Don’t let your guard down.”

     Mike Fink “got COVID-19 and almost died. While I was hospitalized, my family battled it at home. I stared Death in the face and whipped its ass.”

     John Fenner “practices law in Weston, Florida.”

     Neil Jensen and “wife Peggy are retired and live on a small lake in southern Maine. We volunteer and do environmental work. Children Kristin and Erik are academics, PhDs, world travelers, terrific cooks, and great entertainment. I’ve heard from Doug Coombs and Ken Quattlander ’68.”

     Ron Reisner “wonders why Williams and Amherst poll at 1 and 2. I continue to help a local state senator because there’s always another election.”

     Dave Siegel wrote, “As a part-time doctor, I’ve learned a lot of virology but look forward to resumption of activities. Hope others have weathered this difficult time.”

     Jack and Claudia Meier are “happily ensconced in Bluffton, South Carolina.”

     Bob Palumbo “spends blessed daily hours between stone carving and whale watching.”

     John Bach “will die happy if I can climb one more 14,000′ Colorado peak.”

     Tony Mohr’s “next gig will be the Advanced Leadership Institute at Harvard.”

   Peter Cunningham is “hibernating in Lincoln, Massachusetts, having completed a short film about life in pre-virus New York City.”

     Pete Pfeiffer wrote, “All us old Maine folks are vaccinated.”

   Jeff Powell wrote, “am fully retired and spend summers sailing coastal Maine.”

   Robert “Rip” Hoffman writes: “Looking back at 2020, we drove our cars much less so we saved money on gas.  We couldn’t go anywhere so we saved money on travel.  We couldn’t go out to eat, so we saved money on food. Our kids moved closer, so we were able to see them much more frequently.  My wife and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.  I’d have so say 2020 was pretty good!”

   John Mihalec says: “Joined Steve Pfeiffer, Darcy LeClair, and about 20 other ex-Wes footballers for a Zoom session with our coach from back then, Don Russell, logging in from Texas. It was great fun and well-timed, as Don died shortly afterward in January.”

   Peter Cunningham: I fled Bleecker Street 11 months ago and am hibernating in Lincoln, MA with my mate, arafitgerald.com who has a more advanced degree from Wesleyan than I ever dreamed of earning. My latest effort is this short film about vibrant life in pre-virus New York, it’s called This was Our Life. The music is by Zoe FitzGerald Carter (zoecartermusic.com), mother of two Wesleyan Graduates, Anna Guth ’14 and Mira Guth ’18. 

   Neil (Nick) Jensen writes: “My wife Peggy and I are retired and living on a small lake in southern Maine. In recent years we’ve managed a volunteer lake stewardship organization and a volunteer-run invasive species eradication program. And we do trail work at Acadia National Park. We celebrated our 50th anniversary alone during the COVID-19 lockdown. We have two academically-oriented children: Kristin, a project manager in the UVA library system; and Erik, professor of ancient Mediterranean history at Salem State. Both of them PhD’s, world travelers, terrific cooks, and the best entertainment a fella could have (when I can catch up with them!) I occasionally hear from Doug Coombs,  and Ken Quattlander ’68, fellow refugees from the great EQV fire.”

   Jeffrey Powell is “now fully retired since June 2020 having worked for New London Hospital IT department since my retirement from my clinical practice of Internal Medicine at the New London Medical Center at the end of 2012. My wife, Cheryl, and I celebrated our 5lst anniversary August 2020. We are still living in New London, NH but spend our summer months for the most part sailing the coast of Maine in our 35 foot Island Packet cutter between Portland and Bar Harbor. We have three granddaughters ages 17, 14, and 8 yrs living in Green Bay Wisconsin and Columbia South Carolina.” 

   John Hickey says, “No visits to report during the pandemic, but I did revisit two books by our classmate Jamie Kalven. A Worthy Tradition a book that Jamie’s father (a law professor) started on the First Amendment, was completed by Jamie when his father died. In this time of constitutional focus, it’s a great read. Jamie’s autobiographical sketch Working With Available Light was also a great read.

   In spite of the political “goings on” with the arrival of the vaccines a possible end to the pandemic does appear to be possible. I remember hoping for an end to the War in Vietnam during our era at Wesleyan.” 

    John Wilson and I concur, “Hope all are well.”

Michael Lux is an attorney “practicing customs and VAT law in Brussels.”

Joe Murray “hunkers down in South Carolina, still coaches high school lacrosse, and misses London buddies Steve Bryant and Steve Pfeiffer.”

Pete Arenella has “lived a bi-polar life—great highs, severe lows. Now in a rural Mexican village—no paving or restaurants, partnered with Mexican soulmate. Miss my children. Son David, 35, is lockdowned in a group home. The mentally disabled community has suffered from COVID-19. Daughter Kat, 29, earned a psych doctorate and Zooms patients in Minneapolis. Hope all are safe and virus-free.”

Bill Eaton wrote, “Take heart attack and ambulance ride off the bucket list. Feeling fine and back to work. New granddaughter. Play bluegrass with the starkly amateurish Sweet Potato Fries. Does anyone at Wes remember our jugband Vulgar Boatmen?”

Stuart Blackburn “enjoys trips down memory lane with Steve Pfeiffer. A lot happened 1965–69.”

Ron Reisner is “part of an email cycle with Harry Nothacker and Mike Terry, often discussing surfing and golfing.”

Jim Drummond said, “My get rich quick scheme has been a long criminal defense career. I’m in touch with Bruce Hartman and Jeff Richards. Deb and I actually enjoy the desocialization, though one might consider significant other encounter sessions. Stay safe.”

Carl Culler “retired to a house on Lake Norman, North Carolina, to enjoy boating and fishing. Isolation is easier until pandemic passes.”

John Bach “hopes we are all well enough. Marilyn fell and fractured her shoulder. Chemo is slowing down the healing. A trifecta—cancer, fracture, virus. Lions, tigers, bears.”

Charlie Morgan “plays tennis and shops for essentials. Wife Lois got sepsis, a uti, and kidney infection. Hoping kidneys recover and she can quit dialysis. Other than that, life is good.”

Ric Pease “helps at Polly’s childcare center.”

John Hickey “enjoyed Bruce Hartman’s novel, The Philosophical Detective Returns. My law practice is limited to commitment hearings in Southeastern Massachusetts. Daughter is a clinical psychologist in California.”

Jack Meier is “saddened by Rick Ketterer’s death. There wasn’t a better person in our class. Claudia and I are moving to Bluffton, South Carolina. We will miss New England but not the politics. Looking forward to a new world. Stay safe but enjoy your lives.”

John Wilson wrote, “Cliff Saxton informed me of Terry Hallaran’s death. Sad news. Pat and I are hunkered down in Ann Arbor. I need to learn how to retire. We are grateful to be in good health.”

From Jeff Richards, “September, autumn leaves, a new school year. I remember Wesleyan. Semi-instant nostalgia, or is it just missing one’s youth? Who could have imagined a campus devoid of students 55 years ago. Wasn’t there an orange juice fast to protest the war? We elected the first Black class president. Right now we live in a polarized society. I’m busier than ever with benefits for the Actors’ Fund.” Check online for his Spotlight on Plays.

Don Luke is “looking for David A. Vaughan to help a Wheaton ’69 friend.”

Steve and Bonnie Knox “retired to Asheville where both daughters and their families are. Retirement is not what I envisioned. The world is crazy. Our families have jobs; we are together; we help with grandchildren; we cope. The presidential election can’t come soon enough.”

Catch up with Ken Kawasaki at brelief.org.

Dennis Marron and I will meet when COVID-19 allows. “A mini-reunion,” he said. “My best to you and all our surviving class members.”

Bruce and Jeanne Snapp “enjoy retirement. We’re working hard to get Democrats elected by helping with absentee ballots and polling centers. Older daughter Emily is in New Zealand where COVID-19 is controlled. Her sister Juliana is a trauma therapist in D.C. We hope for an end to the pandemic.”

Bryn Hammarstrom “RNs about 55 hours/month at Temple University Hospital. Still splitting firewood despite some aortic problems.”

Email me for Steve Mathews’ and Pete Pfeiffer’s submissions. They will make you laugh. Doug Bell said hello. Andy Gregor lives in a lovely home in Old Saybrook overlooking North Cove and the Connecticut River. If my vision could hook left 500 yards east, I could see the house from our deck.

Carol and Maurice Hakim ’70 live a short distance west on the Post Road. They’ve taken a utilitarian 1790 Dutch gambrel and made it fit for visiting royalty. Their Thanksgiving invites are coveted.

First debate last night. Quelle disaster! We hide from COVID-19. Our condo is a castle keep. On two sides water, trees and poison ivy. The front is impenetrable metal doors. A raised deck guards the rear. Overall, the feeling is of a treehouse.

Please say Rick and Terry’s names as we add them to Ed’s List.

Charlie Farrow | charlesfarrow@comcast.net
11 Coulter Street, #16, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 

Denny Marron “prays that all are safe from the hideous virus and work to deter its spread. We’re well-sheltered in Madison, Conn., and family is safe in Massachusetts.”

Dave Driscoll says, “Lots of yard work. Weather’s fine. Bingeing on streaming services. Have two Siamese rescues.”

Charlie Morgan “stays close to home to avoid virus. Was on Senator William Baroni’s defense team in aftermath of Bridgegate. His conviction was reversed. Big victory in front of SCOTUS.”

Tony Mohr “wakes up, eats, walks dog, reads, swims, eats, naps, walks dog, reads, eats, walks dog, sleeps. Wake me when this sci-fi movie ends.”

Steve Broker ’69, MAT ’72 writes, “Linda MAT ’71 and I reduce our exposure to the virus. Plenty to do while social distancing, gardening, and birding. Saddened by so much loss. Best wishes and regards to classmates.”

John Fenner is newly married and goes to court via Zoom in Hollywood, Fla. “I owe, I owe, so it’s off to work I go, in the front room.”

Pat and John Wilson are “isolated and well in Ann Arbor. May retire when commitment to Karma Vehicles ends.”

Wayne Slitt has “relocated to Tampa. We love the weather and sports here, particularly pickleball. Hope to return to Connecticut for summer.”

Jim Drummond does “trial and appeals work. Approved in Texas to act in court-appointed death penalty cases. Thank You For Death is the working title of my novel. Stay in contact with Jeff Richards and Bruce Hartman. Enjoying reruns of shows produced by Bays ’97 and Thomas ’97.”

Andy Burka says, “Louisiana’s governor has a steady hand. Have spent 45 years in New Orleans with marriage, family, friends, and a clinical psych practice. Must feel good about Wes because I can recall many of my professors’ names.”

From Steve Knox: “Retired and moved to Asheville as the virus hit. Social distancing has kept us from some helping with children and grandchildren. Caroline ’03 is on the front line as a doc. Don’t drink the bleach.”

Jim Adkins “had to cancel all trips and is now stuck at home wondering if there will ever be a return to normal. At our age, getting sick isn’t a good idea.”

Pete Arenella is “sheltering in place in a rural Mexican village, where my wife grew up. Daughter Katherine received her doctorate in psychology. Not feeling confident because of age, high blood pressure, pneumonia history, and low-T. Hope all Wes friends are virus-free.”

Jane and Bob Watson “telehealth with all our therapy patients. NYC is a hotspot, so we stay inside. It’s getting boring.”

Mike Fink writes, “All well, homebound, enjoying food, movies, music, and books. Girls all good with employment prospects. COVID hysteria seems driven by excessive fear. Stay safe and sane.”

Bob Otto says, “Lots has changed since our magical Reunion. Last fall we traveled, now that’s on hold. Stay home and stay healthy.”

John Bach is “an engaged Quaker exploring love in the time of the pandemic.”

Stu Blackburn is “enjoying birdcalls in lockdowned Brighton on England’s south coast. New novel, The Boy From Shenkottai, set in South India, out this fall.”

Dave Siegel is “in the UC Davis hospital with residents and students. Northern California has been lucky. Son Leon, Kings County, Brooklyn, has more ventilated patients every day than I’ve seen in total. He appears sanguine. His mother and I are not.”

Ron Reisner writes, “Mike Terry, Tory Peterson ’68, and I discussed Wes lacrosse and the school’s position WRT Amherst and Williams. Tory’s gift of birdfeeders and guides revealed a whole new nature in the yard. Am in regular contact with roommate Harry Nothacker who is in Philly.”

Bernie Freamon “teaches Islamic law, slavery, and human trafficking at NYU and in Zanzibar. COVID may change that.”

Bryn Hammarstrom, retired, “works at Temple University Hospital. No heroics, just a sense of community. With PPE, I’m not condemning myself to COVID. Was safe during AIDS epidemic.”

Tom Earle writes, “Hawaiian unemployment is 37%, no tourism. Maj and I retired last year. Painting interior of house and assisting with grandchildren.”

Visakha and Ken Kawasaki are “locked down in Sri Lanka, still trying to spread peaceful Buddhist practices.”

Bob Dombroski says, “Rabbits, deer, and mallards rule here. One perverse thrush throws herself against my subterranean office window—she wants in; I want out. Anita and I are at last grandparents.”

Steve Mathews sent a COVID-humor video, and Charlie Elbot described a post-Wes Grand Tour. Michael Fairchild shared a YouTube video he made called Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

The condo is our fortress, hiding us as if we were invisible. From family and friends come news of terrible things, and the virus is only one of them. The deer have returned to eat the emergent greens as Connecticut returns to life.

Charlie Farrow | charlesfarrow@comcast.net
11 Coulter Street, #16, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 

Steve Knox lives in Asheville, near children.

Jeff Richards is “busier than ever with The Minutes and a revival of American Buffalo. Met Dave Dixon and Bill Edelheit for brunch.”

Steve Hansel is “happy to see 2019 go. We moved back to New Orleans.”

Nick Browning wrote, “Happy 2020 to everyone struggling in this difficult world. Full-time as a psychotherapist. Our 3-year-old grandson is a joy. I visited Gordy Holleb. Knee surgery nixed basketball as I face the inevitable.”

John Bach “plucks out happy melodies amid the drums of perpetual war.”

Alex Knopp “edits the Connecticut Law Tribune. As president of the Norwalk Library, I’m co-locating broadcast studios for CPTV in the addition. Bette’s first novel, The Better Angels, is a time-travel mystery.”

Steve Broker ’69, MAT ’72 “documents breeding birds, early and late winter ones, and seasonal migration patterns for the CT Bird Atlas. Field observations, field observations, field observations. Doing so strengthens our connections with the environment.”

Dave Siegel said, “Nancy and I just back from Vietnam and Cambodia. The more than expected rate of birth defects are a legacy of Agent Orange use during the war. We were surprised by the lack of public health and education infrastructure.”

Jerry Martin “retired in June. Fifty years’ teaching is enough. Time to visit family in Vermont, maybe raise some sheep. We’ll try the bicoastal dance—LA and VT. Save us a seat at football and baseball games. Looking forward to 55th. Happy New Year and a regime change to all.”

Jim Drummond practices “criminal defense law in Round Rock, Texas. See novelist Bruce Hartman. I loved the Reunion, especially the Vietnam program. Great to see Barry Macey. Three children, four grandchildren, live with my brilliant and beautiful wife Deborah. Happy New Year to all!”

Bill Eaton checked in from Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins.

Jim Adkins said, “Not much esoteric from my life compared to what other classmates are doing. Work ENT one day a week at the Tampa VA. Travel as much as possible. Play my horn three nights a week for sanity(?). My wife is in assisted living, so I’m a solo traveler. Anyone want to go somewhere?”

Pete Pfeiffer sent pictures of Paul Bunyan, with chainsaw, sitting on harvested white oak logs in the Maine Woods.

Kathy and Charlie Ingrao “toured Paraguay’s German/Mennonite colonies and suppressed Jesuit missions. We’ve done most First World countries, 95 overall. Any classmates want to visit the 100-plus more exotic ones left?”

John Fenner is “a lawyer in Hollywood, Fla. Business divorces are like child custody battles—nasty, brutish, and long.”

Carmen and David Freedman “visited Isla Verde in San Juan. We hosted family before the earthquakes, which damaged the opposite side of the island. From Atlanta, we share with all best wishes for a prosperous and healthy 2020.”

Wayne Slitt “cruised the Caribbean with Bob Tobias and Charley Ferrucci.”

Howie Brown said, “Three weeks in Hawaii next year. Love to go but don’t want to live there. The recent death of a high school classmate exposed our delicate hold on existence. Enjoy every moment you can.”

Julia and John Richards “moved to Charleston, nearer sons. See Stan Robbins ’71, a retired lawyer in Annapolis.”

Mike Fairchild wrote, “Daughter Marnie in Brooklyn is development director for Amnesty International. Scott ’00 is executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. I enjoy my media projects and teach elementary school science once a week.”

Tom Earle “welcomed grand twins in September.”

Steve Pfeiffer “practices global law. Five children and eight grandchildren. Thanks to those who made our 50th happen.”

Bob Berkowitz is a “pediatric psychiatrist at CHOP. See Joel Fein ’84 in emergency room. The need for youth mental help is expanding.”

Bernie Freamon “teaches about Islam in U.S. and Africa. New book available on Amazon.”

Charlie Morgan “attended U.S. Supreme Court hearing in the Chris Christie Bridgegate debacle.”

Stuart Blackburn’s new novel “tells the true story of a 1911 political assassination in India.”

Charles Elbot “closed my educational consultancy. Sons and families live nearby. Love my wife. Overall, I’m a lucky guy.”

Rameshwar Das was “bedside with mentor Ram Dass MA ’54, who died in December. Will finish his memoir on my own.”

Ron Reisner “attended Darius Brubeck and brothers’ Lincoln Center tribute to their father. Talked with Dennis Robinson ’79 and Gordon Cooney ’81 at a Wes lacrosse event.”

Fran and Paul Dickman “celebrated our 50th anniversary with parties and feasting.”

Mark Johnson welcomed “granddaughter Nova Mariano, Nov. 24, 2019.”

Andy Cohen teaches medicine at Brown and visits friends in Florida and New Orleans.

Jeff Powell wrote, “Cheryl and I are still living in New London, N.H. I retired from my internal medicine practice in 2012, however, continue to work as an IT consultant and physician informaticist at my local hospital in New London on an as needed basis. My wife and I spend our summers aboard our Island Packet sailboat cruising the coast of Maine. Our daughter, Kristen, is a family practitioner in Green Bay, Wisc. She has two teenage daughters. She and her family enjoy the rural Wisconsin lifestyle. Our son, Todd, lives with his wife and 7-year-old daughter in Columbia, S.C. I am planning on heading to my 45th medical school reunion in May at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. I still keep in  touch with Rob Pratt who also has a sailboat on the coast of Maine. It is hard to believe that we will be 51 years out of Wesleyan this spring.”

Peter Prestley “is on Martha’s Vineyard for the next chapter. Dig the off-season island life.”

Doug Bell sent “all blessings” and George Evans and Mike Devine celebrated their 43rd anniversary in Montreal.

Paul Melrose sees Fred Coleman and “works part-time at the Methodist Church in Madison, Wisc.”

George Evans and Mike Devine celebrated their 43rd anniversary in Montreal.

Dave Driscoll “installed solar PV and black pipe to heat our Florida pool and jacuzzi. Red tide keeps us out of the Gulf. Thank you, Governor Scott.”

A herd of deer climb the hill across the estuary. When they run, their white tails are semaphores. Then they disappear into the woods.

Charlie Farrow | charlesfarrow@comcast.net
11 Coulter Street, #16, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 

Tom Earle finished a 45-year English teaching career in Honolulu. “Will travel soon.”

Tony Mohr “cruised from Singapore to Dubai—visited Malaysia to Fujairah. Also published some essays.”

Vickie and Rob Pratt “sailed about 300 miles, Maine to Martha’s Vineyard.”

Mike Fink’s family “toured Spain. Best of times. Discovering, eating, talking. Many changes, but some things remain the same. No nostalgia, just taking it in.”

Harry Nothacker “competed in the Alcatraz Triathlon, finished third in my age group. Swam from the prison to the marina, biked through the city, ran the hills and beaches near the bridge. Our son and family live there and shared in the festivities.”

Also from Harry. “Wesleyan ranked #43 out of 600-plus of the large and small colleges surveyed by the WSJ and #14 in producing the most critically acclaimed actors, producers, writers, and musicians since 2014.”

Darius Brubeck wrote, “My father’s birthday centennial is soon. To mark it, my brothers and I will play at the Wilton Library and Lincoln Center. I have a new live album out from a tour of Poland. Our two recent Wes-grad grandchildren are in NYC and working. We’re happy.”

Bill Eaton “felt the campus looked nice at Reunion and enjoyed my obligatory swing through O’Rourke’s.”

John Mihalec: “Enjoyed the Reunion very much, especially seeing Gordy Crawford honored by the school. Thanks to Bryn Hammarstrom, John Bach, and Dave Siegal for teaming with me on our Vietnam panel. Also appreciated the faculty look-back at the library, which included Russ Murphy who said there was no rush on those term papers that I still owed him for the course in Urban Politics.”

Jim Adkins “traveled from Boston to Montreal on a small cruise boat, saw a lot of fog.”

Steve Remmer was “struck by how happy we all were to be together at Reunion, connected by our shared Wesleyan experience. All were old friends, whether we knew each other well during our college years or not.”

Steve Knox had “a great time at the Reunion and the following Friday at the Friends of Wesleyan Men’s Basketball Golf Outing.”

Barry Turnrose wrote, “Sorry I was not able to make it to reunion. Harry Nothacker sent a nice photo of roommates Ron Reisner, Harry, and Dave Farrar at the Friday night Reunion dinner, and I had a two-hour catch-up video call with Harry and Dave a few days later. I hope freshman roommate John Wasserman is also doing well. I will always be grateful for the roommates I had at Wes; they were all a significant and very important part of my Wesleyan experience, and I know I am a better person for it.

“It was interesting this July to observe the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. I think I was was one of the few people unable to watch the happenings live in 1969, as I was busy working with Dr. Faller’s Wesleyan experiment at Lick Observatory in California for lunar laser ranging using a retro-reflector array that the astronauts deployed on the moon. The first successful detection of a return laser signal from the reflectors with the three-meter Shane Telescope on Aug. 1, 1969 was designated this August as an IEEE Milestone, with a bronze plaque placed at Lick noting, among other details, ‘This was the first experiment using a hand-placed extraterrestrial instrument.’

Check out Visakha and Ken Kawasaki at brelief.org. Their report on the Sri Lanka bombings are factual and heartbreaking. Sign up for a Vesak card. My last defined good communication as “true, beneficial, gentle, kind, and loving.”

Bob Dombroski “caught Scorsese’s remastered Bob Dylan film, Rolling Thunder. Very wonderful. I have no fond memories of the mid-’70s popular culture. Weimar decadence foreshadowing the proto-fascist neo-liberalism of the Reagan era, which we are now aimlessly trying to shake off, but Dylan was, and still is, a brilliant artist.”

Bob Watson’s son is married and living in Columbia, his daughter is in a psychology post-doc in Seattle. “Jane is downsizing her practice, and I still have some private clients and a book contract.”

Pete Pfeiffer enjoyed the Reunion for “the throngs of old duffers, amiable, intelligent people who lead interesting, productive lives, many exhibiting long, happy marriages. Reunion went by in a flash. I talked late on Olin’s steps, feeling bittersweet with so many dear friends missing.”

Rick McGauley said, “It was great to see everyone. We seamlessly plugged into long dormant relationships without any awkwardness. I enjoyed reminiscing about those shared years with Dan Rose and Ric Peace. Let’s not wait another 50 years.”

Jim Dreyfus wants “to do it again, soon.”

Rich Frost “practiced internal medicine for 30-plus years in northern New York. I write travel and history pieces, as well as some fiction, an occupation more precarious than medicine. My Wes time impacts my thinking every day.”

Jim Weinstein was “in Europe during Reunion. I live in a modern home in Alexandria, Va., surrounded by wildlife and gardens. I sing with choruses at the Kennedy Center. Life is good.”

Andy Burka “still works as a child and adolescent psychologist. Celebrated 44 years with my sweetheart. We have two kids, three grands, all in New Orleans. I’m in touch with a number of Wes friends, maybe because Wes is where I found my true interests and love for learning. It put the wind in my sails.”

Rip Hoffman’s new book is Becoming People of the Way.

John Hickey wrote, “I first want to express my appreciation for your long standing and faithful tenure as our class secretary and historian. I enjoyed hearing about your life on the Connecticut River Valley at the continental breakfast in the Reading Room on Saturday morning at the Reunion and over the years your snippets from your own family life in ‘class notes.’ It was great to catch up with Bruce Hartman, Barry Macey, Jeff Richards, David Dixon, and to see for the first time in 50 years my former fellow ‘Winnetkans’ (as in Winnetka, Ill.) John Wilson and Orin Baird at the class dinner, and Jim Drummond and Lynn Kozlowski at our Library Reading Room headquarters and Bryn Hammerstrom at the Friday luncheon. I was disappointed to miss John Bach‘s presentation as he has remained constant in his pursuit of joyous principle and courage. I was sorry not to be able to stay following the Saturday morning panel discussion, but it was nostalgic to hear from Bernie Freeman, Ed Sanders, Steve Pfeiffer, and Howard Brown, all of whom were on the panel. The reference to Ted Theismeyer’s Freshman Humanities at which Bernie Freeman and Steve Pfeiffer first met reminded me that I was in that same class.

“Finally, when I encountered Ed Cimeno for the first time in 50 years in the library we recalled our year at the Institute of European Studies in Paris and Les Evenements du Mai. Ed had family in Italy and was able to go there during the closure of the University of Paris in the spring of 1968 and was able to return to Paris to complete his exams. I unfortunately did not have the wherewithal to return to Paris that summer and lost my credits for the spring courses.

“George Evans and his partner were delightful companions at the class dinner. I was deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of Eric Schmeider (my former Foss Hill floormate), John Goldkamp (my former fellow French major), Stan Harbison (former Lawn Avenue neighbor), and Bob Davis.”

Steve Broker ’69, MAT’72 identified the bird driving me crazy as a “white-breasted nuthatch.”

Early fall. Dinner with Maurice Hakim ’70. Coordinating an electric car day. Recommend Alexandra Fuller’s African memoirs.

Love,

Charlie Farrow | charlesfarrow@comcast.net
11 Coulter Street, #16, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 

Tony Mohr wrote, “The thought of retirement crosses my mind, though I’m trying lots of civil cases—malpractice, business disputes. I edit Gavel to Gavel and look for ‘judge’ stories. I’m still publishing personal essays and short stories. Beverly and I cruised Singapore to Dubai. No rain and calm seas. Always happy to hear from anyone visiting LA.”

Mac Thornton said, “I transferred to Stanford as a junior and continued in their law school with Ed Hayes. A 30-year enforcement career included time at the DOJ and HHS. I left during the Bush II era for 13 years of private practice. I’m a whitewater addict and founded the Potomac Conservancy and the West Virginia Rivers Coalition. Molly and I have two terrific children from Russia, now 17 and 18. I have fond memories of Wesleyan.”

From Bob Berkowitz: “The Reunion book warmed my heart. I’m still at CHOP and Penn School of Medicine, where I care for children and research their psychiatric disorders. The science and liberal arts at Wesleyan helped me as a person and physician. Barb and I celebrated our 49th.”

Bruce Snapp wrote in: “Here is a long overdue update for me. I have been considering attending the Reunion but cannot because of health issues. I am recovering from the lingering effects of a partial paralysis of my arms and legs cause by cervical stenosis. I had successful surgery in January, but recovering from the effects of the stenosis has been a slow process. Here is a short history. After graduating from Wesleyan, I went to the University of Michigan to study economics. While at Michigan, I met the love of my life, Jeanne Moss, and we were married in 1971. I finished my PhD. in 1974 and accepted a job in Washington with the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1984, I left to become a consultant and expert witness in litigation involving antitrust and economic damages issues. I finally retired in 2015. Jeanne and I have been living in Alexandria, Va., since we moved to the Washington area. We have two daughters, Emily (40) and Juliana (37), who have turned into world travelers. Emily, who is a physical therapist, is married with two children. Six years ago, Emily and her husband, Devin, who is an E.R. physician, decided to spend a year in New Zealand but got hooked. They have been living in New Plymouth, New Zealand, for six years now and are thinking about applying for citizenship. Juliana, who is a psychiatric social worker, worked with disadvantaged women in Cambodia for six years before recently returning to the Washington area. I think this is enough for a starter. I can’t believe how fast those 50 years have gone by. Thank you for doing such a good job keeping everyone up-to-date on our classmates.”

Ted Sanderson “retired as the executive director of Rhode Island’s Historic Preservation Commission. I approved $2 billion to protect 2,500 sites. I continue to work as a member of Providence’s Historic District Commission. Carol and I live in Providence, celebrated our 50th, and have three grown children and three grandchildren.”

Pete Arenella “appreciates, in retirement, the lazy guy I am. I’m a self-taught moral philosopher who won some teaching awards at BU and UCLA. Son David suffered brain damage at birth but leads a happy life. Daughter Katherine is a clinical psychologist working with PTSD patients. Wife Mia taught me to be a good parent. She is a certified court interpreter, a great artist and mother, and the most impressive person I’ve ever met.”

Stu Blackburn retired to “Brighton, England, where I write novels, three so far. I loved every minute of the Wesleyan experience, except the football losses.”

Charlie Morgan was “on Senator Baroni’s defense team during Bridgegate. He’s in prison. Tough stuff. I’m confident he was railroaded. I’m suing the Mayflower Descendants for multiple violations of Massachusetts law. Some wins but still work to be done.”

Ken Elliott, who “exchange taught in the Czech Republic, is anticipating a 2020 retirement. My goals—friendship, home life, volunteerism, and learning. I research college teaching methods and aging in place in rural settings. Friends are always welcome in Maine.”

Bill Runyan “remembers freshman year at Wesleyan, enjoying dorms, soccer, and impressive teachers. I needed co-education, so I went to Oberlin, where I earned a degree in psychology/sociology and captained the soccer team. My psychology doctorate from Harvard led to a UC Berkeley career, 1979-2010, teaching psych and social welfare. Wife Mary Coombs teaches psych and counseling at USF. Williamrunyan.com lists some publications.”

Hugh Hoffman “did IT work for 40 years at Northwestern Mutual Life. I’m auditing classes at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee—English, psychology, anthropology, and theater. Wife Robin helps run Scholastic Book Fairs, which supports our live theater addiction.”

John de Miranda wrote, “I’ve been married 36 years. I’m semi-retired, still doing some teaching, consulting, and research. A tobacco investigation project took me to Warsaw. That, and alcohol and drug problems, are my research focus. Our son pursues a social work license. I completed nine Wesleyan candidate interviews this year in the San Mateo area.”

Tom Earle said, “My wife and I are retired. We plan to travel but not right away. We were on Oahu in the fall to help family.”

Steve Mathews’s “children and four grandchildren all live in Nashville. Travel plans include cruising the New England coastline and portions of the Lewis and Clark Trail. Nashville hosted the NFL draft. We love the Titans and Predators and hope the Titans rebound. Nashville has much going for it—quality of life, cost of living, low taxes, and strong educational institutions. We will soon celebrate 50 years here.”

Doug Bell loves his daughter, her husband, and their entertaining 2-year-old. “I continue to develop hemp and CBD projects in Uruguay but would like to retire in 2021. I’m in touch with Harry Nothacker and Steve Hansel. Hoy’s Boys are an amazing bunch.”

John Boynton wrote, “I’m alive and in good health. Have lived and worked in Manhattan, Jeddah, London, Seoul, and Hong Kong. Right now, I’m in Cleveland with the Townsend Group. Son John Jr. works for the Shorenstein Group in San Francisco and his brother Tyler owns an oral surgery practice in Sonoma. Ex-wife Ellen died in April and twin Ralph in 2018.”

Love,

Charlie Farrow | charlesfarrow@comcast.net
11 Coulter Street, #16, Old Saybrook, CT 06475