Tag: 1969

John Bach “spent time with Chris Palames ’70, who was recovering from an operation. Despite his wrestling accident, Chris has embodied grace, wisdom, and courage from his wheelchair.” Jeff Richards “produced Significant Other in NYC, co-starring John Behlmann ’04, Lady Day with Audra McDonald in London, and a national tour of Fiddler on the Roof. Saw Bill Edelheit and visited a familiar Wes, just a much younger population.”

Pete Pfeiffer “logs, or will, when the mechanic puts a new engine in my skidder. Dealing with a mile-long, ice-covered driveway, which would make a damned-good bobsled course. I’ve gone from downing big pines to big medical marijuana plants. Four years of conscientious study at Wesleyan are paying off. This may be my last winter in the woods. Dinner with Milt Christianson and a community of friends, so where else would I go?”

Luther Martin, is another grandson for Jerry Martin. “Still casting pearls before AP and American Lit students. Retirement just an abstraction.”

Mike Fink says, “Katey’s at U of South Carolina. I’m struck by the similarities to the times of McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt. Can political class and people unite to create change for polygot society? The family and I are healthy.”

Steve ’69 and Linda Broker ’71 “enjoyed a cruise on the Saone and Rhone Rivers in France. Two Road Scholar trips—Amelia and Cumberland Islands, then to Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick. Still birding in Connecticut and on Cape Cod, and became president of Connecticut Ornithological Association.”

Rick McGauley “had kids and grands at the holidays. Fun, exhausting. How did we keep up with our three? Love to get a few Beta brothers together sometime.”

Steve Mathews “sees 100 new people arrive in Nashville every day. Still work in senior field—stuff like Council on Aging of Middle Tennessee and Caregivers by WholeCare. Susie and I have been here since 1972, with children and family here.”

Steve Knox downsized in Montclair. “Simpler life. Retire in three years then will relocate to the Carolinas. I’m alienated from the national government—focusing on a better life for family and community.”

Darius Brubeck congratulated “granddaughter Lydia Elmer ’17. Quartet launched Years Ago at Ronnie Scott’s in London. Received a grant for two stays in South Africa. Cathy and I work on a book about the jazz life in Durban during the ’80s and ’90s.”

Jim Weinstein “has visited all 50 states. Aiming for 100 countries, currently at 95.”

Paul Melrose “was in Denver visiting with Lanning Schiller. We’ve been friends for 52 years.”

Steve Hansel’s Eclectic Investment Partners fund had a good 2016. Family well. He splits his time between Orleans and St. Pete.

Doug Bell “is affiliated with InnovaTerra Ltd., in Uruguay. 550 acres of hemp. We grow, process, and export hemp to world markets.”

John Andrews “retired to Crosslake, Minn., and saw -33 degrees Fahrenheit. Daughter Jane married in Sudagarh, India. She practices internal medicine at Yale, where husband is finishing his MBA.”

Ron Reisner “retired after 15 years on trial bench of New Jersey Superior Court. Hope to get to Wes b-ball game soon. Working part-time for large Jersey firm with office in Red Bank.”

Maj and Tom Earle “spent the holiday in Sydney, with an 11-hour flight from Hawaii home. Fine city, walkable, great food, reasonable prices. Out in the bush, we saw goannas, monitor lizards that grow to five feet. Very nasty.”

Pete Arenella “retired to new life in a rural Mexican village that modernity has bypassed. Six months after a knee replacement, I’m close to normal. Poor Internet, but can still watch Pats/Sox. Three daughters in grad school. Grateful to spend last part of journey with my soulmate.”

Jeff Wohkittel’s new book, Perigee, is on unprsouth.com. Eric Greene “sells crystals online and enjoys life.” Visakha and Ken Kawasaki promote peace at brelief.org. Rick Vila “skies the steeps in Crested Butte, Colo.” Bill Sketchley “sends best wishes to everybody.”

Closing from Frank Putnam. Karen and “I= live on our orchard in the Blue Ridge foothills of Stuart, Va. Google it. 422 Brushy Fork Lane, Stuart, Va. Fields, pond, house, office, and barn. Our 30 acres (out of a 300-acre family plot) abuts thousands of acres of an elite hunting club. The survivors of their staged birdshoots straggle to our feeders. I have stage 4 prostate cancer and travel is limited. One compensation is the space and ability to commune with nature. We had a major facelift going for our property. Still a professor at UNC consulting on mental health issues for low-income families. Latest book enjoying success on Amazon. I planned to continue part-time at UNC, 2.5 hours away. Everything is in great shape, but, of course, that is time-limited. I’ve lasted this long, just saw a book published, so I’m working on another.”

Always love,

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

Jeff Powell, retired M.D., writes, “I had fun with Rob Pratt as we both have sailboats on Casco Bay near Portland, Maine. Where have the past 47 years gone?”

Paul Melrose’s “grandchildren grow bigger. Since we live closer, we are no longer special, just the normal routine. I’m career coaching, especially clergy. Madison, Wis., is a great place to live.”

Ken Kawasaki and wife, Visakha, were “never gardeners, but with 365 days of warm weather, it’s easy. Plant a turnip, get a turnip. What we would give for a good Brussels sprout. Not much frost here. We’ve built three monkey cages: veggies inside, monkeys outside. Fed up with American politics? Come help us set up a cooperative. Sri Lanka is good, and Kandy is great. We have solar hot water and plan to go off the grid.”

John Mihalec “listened to an interview with Tony-winning Broadway director Thomas Kail ’99 on the Wesleyan website. Steve Pfeiffer introduced Kail to Wes, where Kail met Lin Maneul Miranda ’02 and collaborated on expanding Miranda’s Wes-created nugget of songs into a musical, In the Heights. Their latest collaboration is Hamilton...Who knew that sans Pfeiffer, no Hamilton?”

Jim Adkins “now works just a half day a week as an ENT in Tampa, Va. Thirty-eight years of medicine. That’s enough. Two grown kids, each with two children. All are well. Looking forward to traveling more.”

Joe Borcynski writes, “Still alive. Grateful.”

Charles Elbot and his wife “had a delightful visit with Alan Wallace ’70 and Barb Watson ’71, both spry and youthful. Miguel Gomez-Ibãnez ’71 heads the North Bennet Street School in Boston. I work part-time as a leadership coach in the Denver schools. Sons live nearby, so I’m lucky. I remain appreciative of my Wesleyan time.”

Mark Hodgson’s “wife passed away on July 7, sooner than we expected. Being alone for the first time in 38 years is a challenge, but I’m staying busy. One positive thought is how much I have learned about Judi, even after she is gone, and the ways I loved her without even knowing it, and how much my life was changed by her for the better.”

Bill Sketchley was “forced by disability to retire from city planning in 1998. More life and less money is not a bad trade. I contacted Karin Swanson, Mike Hulett’s former wife, by chance in 2015. Interesting perspective on the past.”

Doug Bell is “plugging away. Grasslands Fund is capped with 43 partner/investors. We have 1,500 leased/owned acres growing hemp, raising free-range pigs, and the finishing feed. I manage agricultural projects in Uruguay that include the above, as well as cattle and crops.”

Tom Earle “stays productive. I spent the summer renovating an investment house and worked nonstop. Now I’m back to teaching, a lot easier than tiling and installing cabinets. Maj and I have three grandchildren and enjoy them immensely.”

Tony Mohr and “Bev enjoy their rescued Lhasa Apsos—Ben and Jerry. We witnessed a friend’s wedding in Écully, France, at the Mairie. Lots of fun.”

Dave Siegel has “20 years as chief of medicine at VA Northern California Health Care System and professor and vice chair of internal medicine at UC Davis. I wrote extensively about hypertension and dyslipidemia. I have four grandchildren. Maybe retirement next June when youngest son graduates from medical school, but the thought fills me with anxiety.”

Steve Pfeiffer “sits on a ranch in Livingston, Mont., awaiting Rick Ketterer, John Stinchfield, Jerry Parker, Marc Pickard ’70, and brother Vic ’71 for the annual Wes mini-reunion. Everyone is in good health and spirits. Fishing, hiking, stories, a bit of drinking, and a few cigars. We applaud that Don Russell is now in the Wesleyan Hall of Fame. He coached three Little Three championship teams in our era and was instrumental in the building of the Freeman Athletic Center.”

Rick Pedolsky “enjoys working at a start-up after all these years. Who’s crazy? Spinning off from our interactive museum work, we provide a multimedia system for presenting scientific, medical, and scholarly research: iPosterSessions.com.”

Rick Vila “ran the New York City Marathon to celebrate becoming 70. Sold air charter based on Block Island. Still landscape for residents. Spend winters in Crested Butte pursuing love for aggressive downhill skiing. Sees Walt Filkins ’70 and Pete Canoni.”

Siegfried Beer was “a Larry Gemeinhardt student from ’68 to ’69, which was significant for my career as a history professor in Graz, Austria. I now direct the Botstiber Institute of Austrian-American Studies in Media, Pa. Four children, all American citizens, have gifted me five grandchildren. Sadly, last February, my American wife, whom I wed in the Wesleyan chapel, unexpectedly passed away.”

John Bach “works to stop the proliferation of cluster bombs. Since the U.S. will no longer traffic them, it’s nice to get a victory.”

Barry Turnrose’s “son Erik and wife Dawn had our first grandchild, Jenna Joy Turnrose, the light of our lives. Class of ’38?”

Mike Fairchild did “photography in Hawaii to celebrate my 70th birthday and 50th state. Son, Scott ’00, manages the senate campaign for Catherine Masto, the Nevada attorney general who wants Harry Reid’s seat. Daughter Marnie is a major donor officer for Amnesty International. I saw Bill Redkey ’68, who lives in Heber City, Utah.”

Steve Broker and “Linda visited St. Andrews, New Brunswick, then Grand Manan Island—birding, fishing, lobstering. We visited with Greg McHone there, who succeeded me at Wesleyan’s GLSP program. About to have my right hip replaced and look forward to restored mobility.”

John Crigler and “Steve Darnell met in Middletown for lunch and a campus stroll. Ran into summer security when we visited Clark and Foss. I saw Joe Reed and his wife, Kit.”

Alex Knopp is “president of Norwalk Public Library Directors. Bette’s finishing her novel. Daughter Jess teaches Head Start. Son Andrew writes for an Internet comedy site.”

Darius Brubeck “moved to Rye, East Sussex. I will spend Christmas in Venice with my grandchildren, Nathaniel Elmer ’14 and Lydia ’17. Years Ago available online.”

Bob Watson had “a great family vacation in Iceland where I presented a paper on dreams at a psychoanalytic conference.”

Always love,

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

Dennis Marron “is alive and well in Madison, Conn., with wife of 43 years, Jo-Ann, enjoying time with daughter Dana, her husband Peter, and their children, Carter and Nolan, both Wes material. I saw Jack Ingraham in Tulsa. My best to everyone.”

Tony Mohr and “Bev spent a week in Marrakesh, then Lyon for the wedding of a close friend met 43 years ago in Red Square. Reception was a seven-course meal in a two-star restaurant. I still try cases and churn out personal essays for publication.”

Roy Willits “retired from programming and mentoring new programmers though went to Bangalore to train a few more. I needed luck, good health, and patience. Programmers in India, managers in New Jersey, and account managers in Costa Rica—an absurd business model. I want to create some furniture or wood sculpture.”

Steve Knox “was in George Creeger’s freshman English class with Ed Sanders. Terrific experience. I will practice law four more years. It’s fun and exhausting to collect grandchildren. Take care.”

Jeff Wanshel “teaches playwriting at Manhattanville College. Ara Fitzgerald MALS ’00 is my boss. Wife Edi Giguere is a realtor for Douglas Elliman in Scarsdale. I saw Katy Butler ’71 as she book-toured her marvelous Knocking on Heaven’s Door. I see Basil Comnas, when he’s back from Afghanistan, in NYC, as well as Peter Cunningham. I have a new play and novel ready. We’ll see.”

Lynn Kozlowski “returned to being a professor of community health and behavior at SUNY/Buffalo. I still aspire to have some scholarly irons in the fire. George Creeger told me, ‘Just think of the Ph.D. as a union card’.”

John Mihalec “saw the red highlight in the last issue and decided to let someone else have the fun.”

Bill Schroder’s “blog, yourinnerrhino.com, is small but mighty. I enjoy the whole process greatly. Elias and I are in good health, and I go to the gym almost daily. Who’d believe it? Not even me.”

Fred Coleman reports “Life is varied. Just hiked a week on the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu, a graduation present to my youngest daughter. Then I met with the ambassador from Laos about a UW Global Health project in his county. It’s not the destination, but the joy of the journey.”

Pam and Rick McGauley “visited kids and grandkids in Austin, and Portland, Maine. When the tourists arrive on Cape Cod June 1st, we stay put for three months. Pam has her flower gardens, I go with veggies.”

Pete Pfeiffer says, “More of the same here on the northern frontier. Milt Christenson is back from a year of camping and painting his way around North America. He is one intrepid traveler and a state treasure. I’m planting hundreds of oaks on my place, trying to leave something for future generations.”

Russ Helgren “had lunch and a short visit with Eclectic brother Bernie Freamon—catching up on old stories.”

Charley Ferrucci is “three years into retirement. Mary and I have a home in Farmington, Conn., and a cabin in Newark, Vt. Wayne Slitt drags me to hockey games. We’re traveling to Melbourne with son Ted’s musical group. Two weeks with 70 of his high school students should be memorable.”

Doug Bell “has the first hemp growing and processing business fully approved by the Uruguayan Ministry of Agriculture.”

John Bach “was interviewed by Democracy Now about friend Daniel Berrigan. Growing old ain’t for sissies, but still beats the alternative. I hold all classmates in the Light, as Quakers are wont to say.”

Mark O. Hodgson “had breakfast with John. His wife, like mine, has cancer. I enjoyed the reunion with a great person after so many years of divergent experiences. Our generation is getting to that age of ‘organ recitals’ we hated with our parents. We have to trust the medical/industrial complex, knowing it screws up and its treatment involves a component devoid of conscience yet is often effective.”

Tom Earle “still teaches at Punahou in Honolulu. I bought a house for investment and will renovate it. I enjoy carpentry and have built three houses. Now I work smarter, not harder, and use air compressors, nail guns, and impact drivers.”

Don Jennings “has visited Old Saybrook, helping a sister and doing garden work on his Knollwood Beach house. I still live in Sudbury, contemplating a less-work situation. Anita and Bob Dombroski moved successfully from Monroe to Traverse City, Mich.”

Rameshwar Das wrote, “Kate Rabinowitz ’83 and I have sponsored yoga, nutrition, meditation, photography, and poetry programs in honor of our late daughter. Check annalyttonfoundation.org. Most held at her Springs School. Kate teaches therapeutic yoga. I work on a book and lead meditation retreats with Ram Dass and in Amagansett. Warm wishes to all.”

Alex Knopp “has completed 10 years of teaching at Yale Law School Clinic, and four years of working for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund as plaintiffs’ representative for the landmark Connecticut school desegregation case, Sheff vs. O’Neill. I chair the Norwalk Public Library Board, guiding it through an expansion and modernization process. The Board of Common Cause of Connecticut engages me on campaign finance reform. Wife Bette retired in June from teaching 8th grade and is halfway finished with her fantasy novel of time travel for senior citizens.”

Darius Brubeck and his wife “moved into the former home of Henry James in Rye, UK. My quartet released Years Ago and plan a fall Canadian tour. Granddaughter Lydia Elmer ’17 is back from a semester in Madrid. Best wishes to all.”

Barry Turnrose “retired last August from 38 years at the CSC. The work world quickly faded into irrelevance. Cutting roses is more important. Kate and I now live in Gilbert, Ariz. Son Erik and family are nearby. Daughter Heather and family will join us when the time is right. I speak regularly with roommate Harry Nothacker and would love to hear from Dave Farrar, Ron Reisner, and John Wasserman. Does Darius remember squash partnering freshman year? Cheers to all.”

From Ron Reisner: The annual basketball golf outing on June 3 at Quarry Ridge in Portland was well attended. Richard “Blade” Emerson as usual was our organizer. Jack Sitarz, Steve Knox, and Pat Dwyer and I made a fun foursome. Brian Silvestro, Bob Woods, Blade, and Andy Gregor were in another group, along with Frank Waters, who sold his insurance agency and retired from coaching girls varsity high school basketball so he can now spend as much time as he wants pursuing his real dream of being a full-time golf “shark.”

At the dinner, Coach Reilly thanked all us “old-timers” for attending. It is hard for all of us to realize that Wesleyan is now more than 40 years in the past for all of us. A great time was had by all and Frankie is just a phenomenal golfer and, as always, an all-around good guy. He is and always has been just a Phenom in all ball sports. Blade is just ageless and looks and acts if he got out of Wes just a few years ago. His enthusiasm for Wesleyan never runs down. The Wes spirit was alive and fun for a great day for Wesleyan athletics.

Always love,

CHARLIE FARROW | charlesfarrow@comcast.net

11 Coulter Street, #16, Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Charlie Ingrao asks where Wes fits into the world of gender-bending politics. “Do grads think about the University/Argus controversy? After four decades at Purdue, I lecture for the Smithsonian in DC and on their cruise and study tours. No exams/papers, mature audiences only.”

Bill Sketchley finds a TED.com JP Mari piece a “personal, riveting description of PTSD, the most powerful presentation on any subject I’ve heard in recent memory.”

Bob Watson “maintains a psychotherapy practice, leads groups at Columbia Day Treatments, and teaches. I’m speaking in Reykjavik, and Jane still has her practice. Son Mark rents houses/apartments in Cartagena. Daughter Joanna is completing her Ph.D. in clinical psychology.”

Darius Brubeck’s “granddaughter Lydia ’17 will soon be a Wes senior. Life in London is most agreeable, and my career is successful, thanks to my wife’s management. We completed a spring US tour, including Lincoln Center. Summer will be on the road in England.”

Susan and Mike Fink “develop affordable townhomes, running around like one-armed paper hangers. Oldest daughter has her own apartment as she advances at a marketing/printing company. Jenni’s novel, Sentenced to Life, is selling well. The kids spread their wings, as they should.”

Paul Dickman practices “pediatric pathology at Phoenix Children’s Hospital but takes off every other Friday to bike, play alto sax, and clean closets and garage. Fran and I visited Naples and Sicily to see Greek and Roman archaeology. We celebrated 50th high school reunions and look forward to something at Vassar. We and our parrots are well.”

Tom Earle “teaches English at the Punahou School in Honolulu. I enjoy it thoroughly and will continue to age 72. Genetics are on my side—my mother is a competent 98. Why rush the next stage of life? Maj and I are grandparents of two. Aloha.”

Frank Putnam writes, “Karen and I are semi-retired, living in the Virginia Blue Ridge. I’m a psychiatry professor at UNC and professor emeritus of pediatrics at U of Cincinnati. A recent Obama budget credited my work as justification for increased funding for child abuse services. The manuscript for my third book, about states of mind in identity, behavior, and potential for change, is at the publisher. I would love to hear from classmates.”

Rameshwar Das and wife Kate Rabinowitz ’83 “direct the Anna Mirabel Lytton Foundation in our late daughter’s name, teaching yoga, meditation, and the arts in the Easthampton, N.Y., schools. I work with Ram Dass, writing and organizing retreats on Maui. We see Jeff Wanshel and his wife. He teaches playwriting as an adjunct at SUNY Purchase. Job Potter ’72 and I meet for meditation weekly.”

Phil Wallas “does the opposite of how a coral reef grows. Each week I get rid of another barrelful of stuff, a slow, incremental deconstruction of a life. Do we keep the old-fashioned mouse traps inherited with the house?”

John Wilson works “at Karma Automotive in Costa Mesa, Calif. Everyone is in good health.”

Rob Pratt “helps nonprofit Top-to-Top, whose climate and environmental mission inspires children through ocean voyages and mountain climbing. Are any classmates familiar with crowdfunding techniques for nonprofits?”

John Bach’s “beloved van, after 18 years and 250K miles, is now in the great parking lot in the sky. Would that we all could serve as well, then gracefully exit?”

Jack Burtch’s “new law firm, Burtch Law, was founded by my youngest son. I focus on executives and professionals whose careers crashed and burned. It’s strategy, not law, but helping good people is more fun and meaningful than fighting over money.”

Visakha and Ken Kawasaki “lead pilgrimages to Buddhist sacred sites in India and Nepal. Forty monks and nuns took their seventh Kandy Intensive Buddhist English course.”

Both Harry Nothacker and Doug Bell report there’s plenty on Wikipedia about John Barlow. Doug’s wife Carolyn has a new Pilates studio, and their daughter got married.

Jeff Powell “sees Rob Pratt while sailing Casco Bay. We both keep cruising boats near Portland, Maine. Before his early death, Dave Sullivan and I enjoyed time together on my boat. We were hallmates, then three-year roommates at Wes.”

John Mihalec “returns to Wes to critique student presentations at the Quantitative Analysis Center. I worked with a freshman, who arrived 50 years after us. Yeesh.”

Jay Edelberg received a DMD and an MD from UConn, “thinking I would become a facial reconstructive surgeon. After a residency in emergency medicine, I started at the ER of Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville. Eight years ago I joined the Schumacher Group, providing training, establishing trauma centers, and practicing Emergency Medicine. Thirty-seven years in, I still love ER work and feel blessed to be able to continue.

“Caral and I have been married 35 years and have three children between us. Erik ’91, mine, is 45 and a chemical engineer in Portland, Ore. Michael, Caral’s, is 47, lives outside Atlanta, and is CEO of a healthcare company. Tracy, also Caral’s, is 43 and lives in Baton Rouge.

“Caral owns Edelberg Associates, specializing in Medicare coding and compliance. We finally became empty nesters and plan to travel more, now that we’re not raising Tracy’s two boys, Tyler and Josh.

“In summer we get together with all the kids and grandkids on Block Island, usually having some fall time just to ourselves. Oregon, South Carolina, Costa Rica, and Hawaii are favored destinations.

“A year ago I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a bone cancer. After chemo and a stem cell transplant, I’m in full remission. I feel great, have regained the lost weight, and am back to clinical work. Every day is a blessing and an opportunity. Life is good.”

From Steve Hansel, “Kaloriziko, may you be well-rooted in Old Saybrook.”

The condo abuts North Cove. Major downsize. We walk to every imaginable Senior service, yet the location supports wild turkeys, raptors, fox, and deer. The safari never stops. The Northeast Corridor trains whistle regularly, reminding us a larger world exists. Always love.

CHARLIE FARROW | charlesfarrow@comcast.net

11 Coulter Street, #16, Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Wayne Slitt reported “annual celebration with Charley Ferrucci, Bob Tobias, Jerry Cerasale ’70, at Charley’s summer home in Vermont.”

Steve Knox still “commercial litigates. Brother Dave Knox ’72 retired. Bonnie and I visit granddaughters in Asheville and Charleston. I saw golfers Ron Reisner, Jim Martello, Jack Sitarz, Pat Dwyer ’67, Dick Emerson ’68, and Jim Akin ’72. Coach Kenny lives in Pittsburgh. Pat Kelly’s determined to make me a real golfer, and I’ve played at his club several times.”

Ken Elliott “saw Tom Wilson and Gordy Webb, high school classmates as well. Both have distinguished careers in medicine and law respectively. Still full-time faculty member in the U of Maine system. Research retirement and look forward to a most excellent next chapter.”

Tony Mohr wrote, “Beve and I in Europe this past summer for my cousin’s wedding, two hundred family and friends in France’s Gers region for fun and frolic. The judicial trials just keep on coming.”

Jim Adkins has “four grandkids. I work three half days, some in the Tampa VA Hospital. Play the trombone in ensembles and travel with limited success. I enjoy the free time but am poor at shifting gears. Life goes on, as do the ravages of time.”

Harry Nothacker’s “Son Keith married Teresa Mannen. They live in San Francisco, the HQ of his breathalyzer company BACtrack. Dave Farrer and I met in Rehoboth, Del. Dave works part-time at the State Department, as immigration presents increasing challenges. We enjoyed a bike ride through Henlopen State Park.”

Harold Davis “Life is good, retirement outstanding, as well as grandchildren and some travel. I volunteer on nonprofit boards, read, and take pictures. All the best to the Class of ’69.”

John Bach’s “Still yin-yanging between Quaker chaplaincy at Harvard and life as a house painter. My Wesleyan Experience helps in dealing with my beloved wife’s stage 4 cancer.”

Mike Fink “visits Katey, a sophomore at the U of South Carolina. Jenni’s novel, Sentenced to Life, is getting rave reviews. Available online. We are very proud of her. A 50th high school reunion reminded me how full life has been and how each stage led to the next.”

Roy Willits spent “20 years programming. Now I develop financial applications for money managers. I live in New Jersey and am married to a retired middle-school teacher.”

Sue and Paul Melrose had dinner with Fred Coleman and his wife, Wendy, at Paul’s new house in Madison, Wisc.

From Doug Bell: “Daughter married. Carolyn and I celebrated 20 years together touring Spain. Her fitness businesses keeps her busy. My Grasslands Investment Fund operates well—soy and oat seed crops are good. Looking to expand into international markets while based in Uruguay.”

Don Jennings wrote, “Cathy and I entertained Anita and Bob Dombroski at our vacation home in Old Saybrook. They might return to Michigan. Building a stamp business is more difficult than I thought.”

Jim Martello said, “Paul Nimchek, room and battery mate, and I attended Wesleyan/Yale’s 150th anniversary baseball game. Wes won in extra innings.”

Peter Pfeiffer had “wonderful visits with Nick Browning, Bob Conkling, and Colin Kitchens ’70. Nick has mastered croquet.”

Steve Pfeiffer wrote, “Fulbright & Jaworski, a firm I helped run since 1976, is now Norton Rose Jaworski—3,800 lawyers worldwide. I practice law and stay away from management. Kris and I celebrated our 45th anniversary—five grown children (four Wes, one Dartmouth), four grandchildren. Get together once a year with Jerry Parker, John Stinchfield, Rick Ketterer, my brother Vic Pfeiffer ’71, and Marc Pickard ’70.”

Barbara and Bob Berkowitz celebrated their 45th anniversary. “I teach, research, and practice child psychiatry in Philly. Wes’s humanism and science greatly impacted my life.”

Alex Knopp “admired Julian Bond, our graduation speaker, for his principled positions and civility in advocating courageously for them. Last spring I thanked him in D.C. He passed away a few weeks later, leaving a great legacy for social justice and peace activism.”

Howie Brown is “downsizing. Do we really need all these rooms and stuff? ’Vanity,’ sayeth the preacher. Saw Cumberbatch’s Hamlet in London. Studying the prompt books for Paul Robeson’s Othello and Keith Cobb’s new play American Moor. Ain’t life grand?”

Nick Browning “visited Peter Pfeiffer, and Bob and Donna Conkling in Maine. Read Peter’s book, Hard Chance, wonderful ’60s appeal. I talk regularly with Gordy Holleb, who lives in Berkeley. I enjoy each day.”

Steve Broker “taught ornithology and ecology at Camp Pemigewasset in Wentworth, N.H. My father, Thomas O. Broker ’36, and Wes notable Gar Fauver are prominent in Pemi history.”

Ken Kawasaki finds “Kandy, Sri Lanka, a great retirement site—high in the hills, away from rising seas and hurricanes. Our latest book, Buddhist Crossword Puzzles, is available on Amazon.”

Larry Feldman works “full time at GZA Environmental, a consulting firm. Two grand­children. Helped Wes with a geology seminar—wish I had waited several decades to attend college—and led a Wes geology field trip.”

Pam and Rick McGauley live in “a sea captain’s house on Cape Cod. Fall is our favorite season—tourists gone, warm weather and water linger. Life is sweet. Saw Jim Dreyfus and Rick Pedolsky at 50th high school reunion.”

Ed Hayes works full time but “does have a bucket list. Hot air balloon over Arizona desert, Cessna 172 over Maryland. I need things to excite the heart and stimulate the brain.”

Darius Brubeck’s granddaughter, Lydia ’17, is a junior at Wes. “Next spring, I will be doing NYC-area concerts with super-talented brothers Chris and Dan.”

Bill Schroder produces “a daily blog, ’Your Inner Rhino,’ about rhinos, but fictionalized. Husband Elias and I live in State College, Pa., where I taught before retiring. Saw Berta and Henry Samson when they visited.”

Jeff Wohkittel’s fifth poetry book was published by University Press of the South.

Jay Edelberg approaches four decades as an emergency room physician.

Early October, fall coming hourly. Leaves and art work. Last farmers’ market. Wee Faeries at Flo Gris Museum. Misty paddle on the Salmon River, then a final frigid swim. Love to all.

CHARLIE FARROW | charlesfarrow@comcast.net

11 Coulter Street, #16, Old Saybrook, CT 06475

Guillermo Prada-Silva wrote, “Norma and I went to Italy on a pilgrimage with a priest and church members from Holy Spirit Church in San Jose. Attended a general audience in St. Peter’s Square and stood within 20 feet of the Pope. Visited the Amalfi Coast and hiked Cinque Terra before returning.”

Tom Goodman posted several new portfolios on his website. One is a series of images based on letters written by his parents to each other. “I recommend the mysteries and other stories written by Bruce Hartman.”

Phil Wallas said, “George Creeger had a huge influence on me, a major part of why I became an English major. I remember an evening at his barn, drinking imported beer, and listening to opera. Just spent a month in New Zealand. Hiked, met locals, enjoyed long views from mountains, lakes, and shores. Hope to hold on to that perspective as normal life returns.

Tony Mohr’s essay “The Angry Red Planet” is in Mojo and his essay “Rainy Day Schedule” in DIAGRAM.

Harry Nothacker “had dinner with Silas Wild, a Navy roommate, who had been hiking in Mallorca and skiing in Austria. When Amby Burfoot ’68 won the Boston Marathon in 1968, Silas also ran and finished respectably. Son Keith had his Breathalyzer App approved for the Apple watch. He started his alcohol measuring devices company, BACTrack, as a student at Penn.”

Fred Coleman wrote, “Great year. First grandchild, Charlie. Went to Cambodia as part of our work with Khmer refugees. Visited schools we helped start. Will take part in the Parliament of World Religions this fall. Wendy and I are still working and love it. Favorite hiking areas—Adirondacks, Rockies, and Tucson range.”

Rob Pratt is “semi-retired, no longer CEO of GreenerU, which helps higher education facilities with energy efficiency. Vicki and I sail more in Maine, and I love not going into the office. Still GU chairman, overseeing International Institute for Energy Conservation, which I founded in 1984. The IIEC is based in Bangkok and works on energy efficiency policy, mainly in Asia. Daughter Eliza teaches an ESL kindergarten class in Somerville, Mass. We’re happy to see her regularly. Vicki’s not sure how ‘semi’ my retirement is. Maybe this is the ‘new retirement.’”

David Siegel wrote, “After over 40 years as a practicing physician, I can say with great confidence that the U.S. health care system is a mess: inequitable, uneven in quality, and ruinously expensive. Now that our class is enjoying the benefits of Medicare, join me in supporting a U.S. single-payer health care system—Medicare for all. I’m working with Physicians for a National Health Program. There is lots of work to do to change things for the better.”

From Doug Bell: “Still farming in Uruguay. European connections developing. I love being engaged in the conversation about feeding the planet. I work in agriculture, livestock, and forestry management for those desiring an investment program in South America.”

Paul Melrose lives in Madison, Wisc., sees Fred Coleman and the Rev. Charlie Berthoud ’86.

Steve Mathews said, “Susie and I have lived in Nashville over 40 years. This state capital is a destination city. High-tech, major healthcare, 30-plus colleges and universities, world-renowned music. My immediate crusade is to awaken employees to the looming ‘Senior Tsunami.’ Forty percent of today’s households care for a senior or disabled family member. Business owners can’t ignore this reality. Best wishes to my classmates.”

Happy Father’s Day from rainy Hadlyme. Every leaf turns up in supplication. In the past month I spent a week in South Carolina with Liz, Josh, Abby, and Benton, a weekend in NYC with Annie and Jeff at a family wedding, and just back from four days with Deb’s older brother and his son and fiancé. Family Month more like it. Family and farm are my life now—painting, reading, cooking, cleaning. My love to you all.

Find Darius Brubeck’s latest CD, Cathy’s Summer, on Viperrecords or CDBaby. “Am attending the South African Jazz Educators’ Conference. Following are gigs in UK and Europe for my London-based quartet. Granddaughter Lydia Elmer ’17 is a junior at Wesleyan.”

Mike Fink wrote, “Youngest daughter is doing well at U. of South Carolina, heading toward an athletic training major. She is passionate about training and sports injury research.”

Peter Pfeiffer said, “After 40-plus years of logging Maine’s woods, I’ve found a way to make money at it: write about it. Hard Chance, Tree Farming in Troubled Times. mainauthorspublishing.com. Five-star review from Nick Browning. Haven’t quit my day job, though this waist-deep snow is slowing me down.”

John Bach paints houses, is the Quaker chaplain at Harvard, and is proud of Wes’s lead in providing scholarships for vets. “I bang the drum of not confusing learning with education; it’s more important to be a good person than just a good student.” Eric Michaels retired from 37 years as a lawyer and baby-sits full-time for two toddler grandkids. Al Cover officially retired from teaching at Stony Brook U. “The dean made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and I didn’t.”

Ron Reisner wrote, “Saw old Dekes at the Herb Kenny Tourney in November—Dick Emerson ’68, Steve Knox, Pat Kelly, and Dave Revenaugh ’72. Want a bigger group at the basketball/golf outing in June. We mourn Dave Crockett’s death, who, along with roommate Rick Peace, always found humor in whatever temporary trouble confronted the Deke House. Some minor surgery corrected a vision problem—I learned about real friends when the wheels started to come off.”

Russ Helgren “had a great weekend in Harbour Town, N.C., with six buddies from Fairfield, including George Amarant. Ostensibly a golf weekend, George, a non-golfer, was designated cart driver. I split time between Virginia Beach and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Life is good.”

Cilla, Isak, and Rick Pedolsky sent “Health, Happiness, and Peace.”

The East Hampton (N.Y.) Star reviewed Rameshwar Das’s new book, Polishing the Mirror, a collaboration with Ram Dass, which recounts experiences with Maharaj-ji. The book’s simple statements offer an alternate way of looking at life and its purpose. Ramesh wrote, “Quiet the mind and open the heart. Create a daily spiritual practice—polish the mirror. Meditation, recitation of a mantra, reflection, chanting, and silence are recommended. Embrace aging and dying. Open your heart to unconditional love, serve selflessly, accept fear and suffering.”

Steve Pfeiffer checked in from Johannesburg.

Visit Tom Goodman at tomgoodman.com.

Eric Greene wrote, “I’m at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show to buy inventory. Eighty degrees while shop in the Berkshires is buried in snow.”

Doug Bell wrote, “Grasslands continues to grow. Three new partners with years of agriculture, forestry, and financial experience. The global appetite for farmland and forests is accelerating. We have solutions in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. I failed retirement. Life is an exciting ride right now. Carolyn and I are in our 20th year and still love the dance, passionately. Lucky guy I am. Blessings to all.”

Harry Nothacker “finished 12/40 (third American) in the 65-69 age group at the Ironman World Championship in Kona. It was hot and windy. I started training when I retired and the rest, they say, is history. Many folks helped, including roommate Dave Farrar, who was my support person when I swam across the Chesapeake this past summer.”

Mike Fairchild “traveled with son Scott ’00. Wild rickshaw rides, tigers in the Ranthambore National Park, cremation ceremonies along the Ganges. Wife Susie continues dancing at libraries, hospitals, country fairs, nursing homes. I photograph public ceremonies and recently produced videos on Christ’s life for St. John’s Church in Cold Spring Harbor. Daughter Marnie works for Amnesty International. She observed in Ferguson, and we worked together at an Amnesty event in NYC that featured women speaking on behalf of human rights and freedom of speech.”

Steve Broker wrote, “George Creeger taught us how to read critically. His analysis of Billy Budd was an eye-opener for a young boy from Ohio and Virginia. After MLK’s death, George walked into class and read ‘When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d.’ No introduction or conclusion, one of the most powerful moments I experienced as an undergrad. I took his ‘Early Connecticut House’ when working for the GLSP. His knowledge of architecture was extraordinary. Few teachers had as much lasting impact as did George Creeger.”

Jim Adkins had a “great Christmas. So much family at son’s house in New Hampshire—eight people, five dogs, and everyone got sick. Still work three half-days—trying to find the right balance.”

Alex Knopp “chairs Connecticut’s US Civil Rights Commission, is involved with Sheff vs. O’Neill, and lectures at Yale Law School. Wife Bette retired after many years as a language arts teacher in Norwalk.”

Gordy Crawford wrote, “I lost a great long-term friend when Davy Crockett passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Till the end, he traveled, was with family and friends, golfed, maintained a good spirit, was a fighter, and we all miss him. After a long time at Capital Research and Management, I do some board work, golf, fly fish, and travel with Dona.”

Mid-February. Intersections obscured by snow piles. Shovel. Eat. Sleep. Packing for SC and Abby and Benton’s birthdays. “Papa Charlie” loves it.

CHArLIE FARROW | charlesfarrow@comcast.net
1 Cold Spring Rd., East Haddam, CT 06423

John Bach says, “If you need a Quaker chaplain in Boston, visit me at Harvard.”

Tony Mohr is chair of a California state-wide judicial committee and has a guest room that opens onto a pool.

Doug Bell’s Uruguayan farmland investment fund is two years old. “Carolyn is studying fascial stretching—remember Rolfing. I’m in touch with Harry Nothacker and Steve Smith, who is Grasslands’ forestry advisor.”

Bob Otto, from Seattle, and David Freedman, from San Juan, visited Guillermo Prada-Silva in Silicon Valley.

Mike Fink writes, “The lack of hard work and productivity doesn’t bode well for our children’s future. Our entire family helped Katey begin freshman year at the U. of South Carolina. Girls have more stuff than guys. I’m in good health, as are my wife and children. These are rocky economic times to be a real estate developer.”

The University Press of the South published Jeff Wohkittel’s fourth book of poems, The Eagle and the Parrot, available from Amazon or UnPrsouth@aol.com.

Read KenKawasaki’s “A Midsummer Miscellany” at brelief.org/reports/report-71.htm.

Steve Broker taught birding and ecology at Camp Pemigewassett in Wentworth, N.H. “My father, Tom ’36, was the waterfront director while at Wes and Cornell Law. He was introduced to Pemi by Edgar Fauver, WesU physician, one of the camp’s founders in 1908.”

Peter Pfeiffer’s book about independent logging in Maine, Hard Chance, Tree Farming in Troubled Times, is available. “We’re experiencing extreme weather. Lightning everyday, with tornadoes, microbursts, and flash floods. Lots of damage. I am profoundly nervous to see climate change like this.” Pete’s book is available on Amazon and maineauthorspublishing.com.

Charlie Morgan reports from “Bonita Springs. I consult, play tennis, and travel researching my Hungerford family roots. Nine grandchildren keep me busy the rest of the time.”

Bill Sketchley says, “No surgeries or hospitalizations. Hooray! Good health, good neighbors, as far as it goes. Life is good.”

Gordy Fain ’70 writes, “Berta and Henry Samson continue to serve optometric patients in New Haven. He was my first health care professional to take notes on a PC. I remember walking to the campus infirmary. Dr. Crampton reassured me that exam time pains were not a dangerous illness. I’d walk back to Olin, saying a quick prayer.”

From Ron Reisner, “Great June golf outing for the basketball team—Martello, Gregor, Sitarz, Knox, Kelly, Dwyer ’68, Emerson ’68, and myself. Football coach Mike Whalen ’83’s foursome won. I’m in my 14th year as a NJ judge. I’m on committees that investigate parole questions for non-violent criminals and that create jury instructions for criminal cases. Grandchildren are 2 and 4.”

John Mihalec visited Shenzhen. “I attended a reception for five Hong Kong students who will join Wes 2018. Great kids. Not sure how much they wanted to hear testimony from people my age.”

Harold Davis and Tom Goodman were brief. From Harold, “Hope all is well.” From Tom, “Alive.”

Charles Elbot writes, “I’ve retired from the Denver Public Schools. I continue part-time leadership coaching. Caught up with Harvey Yazijian ’70 and Elliot Daum ’70. Wesleyan surely attracts and educates great people.”

Harry Nothacker has qualified for the World Ironman Championship, in fall 2014, in Kona, Hawai’i.

Bob Berkowitz writes, “I couldn’t make Reunion because my brother had health issues. My Wesleyan education had wonderful effects on me. I’m still a practicing child and adolescent psychiatrist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, caring for youth and families with major mental health problems. The kids often have allied health problems, too. I’ve been department chair and have helped establish a full range of programs, including research and training new practitioners. Wesleyan blended science, humanism, and activism for me. I met my wife at Wes. We’ve been married 43 years, have a son, and just became grandparents. My best wishes to all.”

Late August. Deb’s at her writing group. There are art openings in Essex and Centerbrook tonight. A number of friends will be showing. Chester Fair tomorrow. I love the plant and animal displays and the caloric food.

I work on the farm everyday—painting the wooden parts, cleaning the cellar and barn, restoring the studio, dealing with invasive insects. Carpenter ants and wasps have found their Plaza Hotel.

We had wonderful family times in the summer of ’14. Two weeks on Fire Island with Liz, Josh, Abby, and Benton, long weekends with Annie, Jeff, and their dachshunds.

The world has elements of a horror show—ISIS, Hamas and the Israelis, Ebola, and Ferguson—we wonder what we did to deserve the peace we enjoy.

Deb and I send love to you all.

CHArLIE FARROW | charlesfarrow@comcast.net
1 Cold Spring Rd., East Haddam, CT 06423