Tag: 1972

Roger Jackson sends us one of the better travel updates of all time:

“As has been our wont in recent years, my wife, Pam, and I oscillated between travel hither and yon and time in our lakeside home in Minnesota. In the spring, we visited relatives on the East Coast, and in June saw family in the Bay Area (where, as a Universal Life Church minister, I presided over my nephew’s wedding). Throughout the year, we enjoyed delightful visits in various settings with our son and his wife and two young children. I made a solo trip to Oregon for a Buddhist retreat amidst 1,000-year-old Douglas firs, and Pam and I spent a month this fall in India, taking in a number of Buddhist pilgrimage sites we hadn’t seen in a while: Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Dharamsala. We were happy to be out of the U.S. on Election Day—indeed, as Trump passed 270, we were listening to a Tibetan monk discoursing on emptiness amidst the ruins of an ancient Buddhist university. Gave us a bit of perspective. The culmination of the trip was being part of an audience with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. He did not promise that on my deathbed I would attain total consciousness—but he held my hand for a few moments, so I have that going for me. Now that we’re home, and in the heart of the Minnesota winter, Pam is back to her online studies of Buddhist philosophy, while I continue to research and write; my book on the Buddhist poet-saint Saraha (dedicated in part to the memory of Professor James Helfer [Stone]) came out on Election Day, and I’m now in the thick of a project on Buddhism and the Beats. In the spring, inshallah, I’ll teach again on Buddhist meditation systems at Maitripa College in Portland, Oregon, and have been invited to lead a weekend seminar at a Buddhist center near Pisa, Italy, in the fall.”

The elusive Lenny Kalman reports that he is “still at it” as executive deputy director and chief medical officer of the Miami Cancer Institute. “We have,” he says with justifiable pride, “built a wonderful new ‘clinical academic’ cancer center to serve the patients of the region and beyond.”

Bob “The Whizzer” White attended the 2024 Newark Athletic Hall of Fame induction dinner in October, the first since his own induction last year. The Whizzer sponsored the Newark Wrestling Scholarship, which he hopes will be an incentive to bring wrestling back to Newark high schools.  And, even more importantly, Bob just completed his 700th lifetime dive, at Christmastime in Grand Cayman. He plans to dive on to 800.

George Surgeon attended Homecoming weekend and gives this report on the full slate of events:

“Our class was well represented at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony during Homecoming weekend. Rob Calhoun, Tom Halsey, and I were there to honor Phil Calhoun ’62 who was being inducted as the initial coach of the crew team and for his many other contributions to Wes over the years. Phil led the men’s crew to its first New England championship and the finals of the Dad Vail Regatta, the national championship back then, in 1967. In addition, Phil’s crews were victorious in four of the first five Little Three championships. If that was not enough, Phil also served as secretary of the University. Also honoring Phil were Vin Broderick ’75, Dave Siegel ’71, Larry Green ’74, Brian Mahoney ’73, and Nancy Collins ’74. Four members of the 1967 New England championship crew—the founders of Wesleyan crew—rounded out the Calhoun contingent (Bob Svensk ’68, Harrison Knight ’68, John Lipsky ’68, and Wallace Murfit ’68).

“At the next table was Joe Summa ’71, who, at long last, was being honored as the best point guard in Wesleyan history. Joining Joe were Bill Donovan, Jim Akin, and Jock Burns from our class and Frank Leone ’71. Also in the house were Peter Hicks and Mike McKenna ’73.  

“The 1978 women’s crew team that won the 1978 Dad Vail Regatta was honored as well. Introducing the crew was their coach, Pat Callahan ’71. Sitting with them was Adrienne Bentman ’74.

“Everyone looked fabulous, was full of life, told unbelievable stories, and when required, delivered inspiring speeches. There was something very special about being with all these wonderful people. The pains of the world seemed very far away that night.

“Speaking of Nancy Collins and Adrienne Bentman, they were joined by Ann Williams ’75 for the christening of a new women’s crew shell, the Spirit of ’74. It was a terrific event honoring these exceptional women and their coach, Brian Dawe ’70. While there, we celebrated the crews of the past and the NCAA Division III silver-medal-winning 2024 women’s crew and the gold-medal-winning 2024 men’s crew.  Hats off to the women’s crew coach, Pat Tynan, and Phil Carney, the head coach of the men’s crew.”  

Mitch Willey and his wife, Emily, introduced by former Wesleyan dean David Adamany, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary hosted by their daughter and son-in-law, Leah Willey ’03 and Seth Chokel ’03, in Charlottesville, Virginia, and co-hosted by daughter and son-in-law, Anna and Miles from Los Angeles. They were surrounded by their grandchildren and many members of their original wedding party, including 12 family members, Wesleyan friends, and others from around the country. After 20 years of practicing international corporate law, Mitch transitioned into the luxury hospitality industry, was the founder of Time and Place (a precursor to Airbnb) and was owner of the iconic Clifton Inn, a Relais et Châteaux hotel and restaurant. Mitch considers himself lucky to have been able to indulge his passion, undertaking the restoration of 89 historic private luxury residences on three continents over the last 47 years. Following her career as an executive in the aerospace and defense group of Honeywell, Emily transitioned into family mediation and yoga instructor in her retirement.

Steve Scheibe reports he is in good health, still doing a bit of consulting, and, as usual, just returned from Brazil. He is also playing pickleball and enjoying Encinitas.

John Manchester, while awaiting the next inspiration from his muse, has been playing a lot of Bach on the piano. After auditioning with an iPhone video of him playing a piece, John is starting lessons with a local pianist who studied with Claudio Arrau. “One of the premier pianists of the20th century,” John reminds those who need it. (Not I! I once heard Arrau in person!)

Bonnie Krueger spends half the year in Truro, Massachusetts, on the outer Cape. It’s a good place to receive visitors, including the family and her grandson, Oren, now five and a half. She published a New Cambridge to Medieval Romance in 2023 and is completing a monograph, Fictions of Conduct in Late Medieval France. But she’s happily distracted by a platter of oysters, a Portuguese fish stew, a swim, or a sunset. . . . Come visit!

Dr. Peter J. (“Jaigunda”) Clark was recently promoted to associate professor at the UCL School of Management in London.  His latest book (in progress) is Acquirer Success Program: Masterminding Mergers in the Era of Buyer Primacy. And his grandson, Bryce Caulfield, plays tight end for the Oregon State Beavers.

Thank you all for heading my requests for good news and for photos! We’ve got a load of both to share with everyone and I do appreciate it!

Geoff Rips noted that the Poetry Foundation had recently published a poem by Mel Dixon ’71.  You can find the Foundation’s archive and tribute to Mel at https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/melvin-dixon. Do check out his amazing “I’ll Be Somewhere Listening for My Name.”

Steve Scheibe took a biking and hiking trip to Italy (Bolzano, Dolomites, and Venice). He shares this picture of his feet in Riva del Garda.

George Zeller sends us these pictures of fishing in Maine.

Pete Clark has been promoted to associate professor (teaching) at the University of London School of Management. He is writing the sequel to his co-authored book, Masterminding the Deal.  The new, solely authored book is tentatively called Masterminding Mergers: Acquirer Success Program (ASP). This is, I guess, the real art of the deal.

Steve Blum’s daughter, Elena, got married on May 31. Mike Kaloyanides and Steve Goldschmidt flew out to Topeka for the festivities.

John Manchester sends this update of his creative output: “I have released a second album of orchestral music, Transformation.  

“Available: Apple Music https://rb.gy/cyv0fc; Amazon https://rb.gy/158wxi; and Spotify https://shorturl.at/Ya4zX.

“Videos are on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq4gg_vD2EzRUMWhn_zyGlw. Some feature the visual work of classmates Eric Kaye and Peter Stern.

“I’ve attached a few of Eric’s paintings and Peter’s photos.”

Larry Weinberg reports from Santa Fe: “Nothing new for me except a stent in the ‘widow maker’ coronary artery—doing well, trimming down, exercising more regularly. Opera season here in Santa Fe is underway—beautiful production of Rosenkavalier, world premiere of The Righteous; Elixir, Giovanni, and Traviata on tap. Red Sox are poised to break my heart once again, but still enjoy the games. My wife’s team is doing better (Guardians) but time will tell. On Wes ’72 adjacent issues: my daughter, Leah ’08, just got a new job as manager of Foundations and Grants for Rocky Mountain Public Media; and her husband, Scott Horowitz ’07, was granted tenure at University of Denver in chemistry (I think—his research overlaps chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, and science education).”

Nat Warren-White doesn’t seem to miss circumnavigation: “I’m enjoying ‘semiretirement’ in Maine and happy not to be traveling all over kingdom come for work anymore. Still teaching occasionally at Harvard Business School, helping execs from all corners of the globe tell better stories and connect more authentically and effectively with their people. And I’m working with a few drama therapy clients mostly via Zoom . . . something I hated when COVID first struck and now learned to love! 

“I’m also finding time to do some directing again locally, which is a kick. Most recently I worked with my old friend, Fateh Azzam, wonderful Palestinian human rights activist, to bring a bunch of teenage actors from the Middle East, Africa, Sri Lanka, and Maine together to tell stories from the hearts and mouths of their teenage compatriots living in Gaza and the West Bank. The piece is called The Gaza Monologues and has been restaged many times globally since it was first created in 2010. A collection of personal narratives about what it’s like to live under the constant threat and reality of war, ongoing now for more than 60 years. Audiences and actors alike have found the piece cathartic and deeply meaningful as we all struggle to make sense out of the continuing nakba or catastrophe in that corner of the world. After staging the monologues in Maine, I helped a group of teens on Orcas Island in the San Juans north of Seattle (where my son, Josh, and his family now live) create their own version. All very gratifying and helpful for them and me, too, as we each attempt to figure out what we can do to help. Feeling helpless is a recurring theme for kids and adults alike these days and finding a way to ‘do something’ in these challenging times means a lot to an old theater geek like me. Attached is a pic of the Portland, Maine, Gaza crew. 

“Beyond this labor of love, I keep looking for ways to keep sailing in my mid-70s. I traded in my 43-foot Montevideo Bahati, which took us safely round the world a few years ago, for a sweet little 25-foot Cape Dory, which I inherited from an old friend. ‘There is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats!’ to quote Ratty in The Wind and the Willows. My book, In Slocum’s Wake, chronicling our nearly five-year circumnavigation, is still selling well and available on all online and real-time bookstores . . . please support your local! Other than that, I’m a happy grampa looking to stay in ‘good trouble’ as John Lewis so aptly put it. 

“Peace and good health and happiness to all of my old WesTech friends! So good to see so many of you at our 50th! Onward!”

Andy Feinstein represented a group of parents in Killingly, Connecticut, in a two-and-a-half-year dispute over the school district’s “reluctance” to address student mental health and well-being.  You can read all about it and see Andy’s very distinguished picture here.

I simply cannot say enough about Andy’s splendid, ongoing work on behalf of special ed students and their parents. Not only is he still in active practice, Andy is also achieving amazing results in a vital area. Beyond my own personal interest, I am in awe of Andy’s dedication and achievements.

Bob White! sent us this: “In June, from Stockton, California, Butch Carson, aka, William Nelson Carson Jr., journeyed to Oslo, Norway, to witness his granddaughter’s ‘naming ceremony.’ One-year-old Noelle is Butch’s second grandchild; nine-year-old India is his first. Butch’s son, William III, aka, Tre, is the proud father of the girls. Of course, Uncle Bob is proud of all of them.”

Art Wein’s daughter, Lauren, vice president and editorial director of Avid Reader Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, recently authored a piece in the Jewish Book Council’s BookWatch, identifying new publications of note, and describing her own philosophy: “My goal is always to publish fiction and memoir for a broad audience (though not nearly as broad as it would be if there were dragons), and I am privileged to work with a wide range of writers. Because of my background in biblical literature and my love for Jewish texts and history, I also tend to publish more than a few Jewish writers, and several of the books I’ve worked on recently are in conversation with classically Jewish subjects and themes.”

Art, our man from Yeshiva of Flatbush, has also shared with us this shot of him “doing my usual Rod Serling imitation while typically standing out as a sore thumb” among his wife’s family.

Finally, I once again attended the marvelous Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival, produced by Lloyd Komesar ’74. This was the 10th year of the festival, and Lloyd’s last as producer. Here he is receiving an award and expression of appreciation from the closing night audience.

As usual, a huge contingent of Wesfolk was present. Other ’72ers included Tom Halsey, Mitch Willey, Mike Arkin, Mike Busman, Steve Goldschmidt, and Dennis Kesden. Steve got to present the Jeanine Basinger Prize for outstanding student film.

Bob Medwid passed away this past Christmas Day, of a heart attack following some episodes of angina. In a lengthy chain of email correspondence among Delta Tau brothers and football teammates, the words “really good guy” recurred frequently, and I heartily concur. The always quotable Mike Carlson went further: “What a blow at the end of a tough year. I bonded with Bob early in freshman football, his end at East Meadow was a Carlson. He matured early: he might have been at his peak with the dirty dozen and a half. He was a perfectly controlled athlete in basketball, too, on our two intramural winners, and, of course, he was soon a married father too. As I matured very little, he was always a laconic counterpoint for me, and I wish I could remember where we started calling him ‘Hammer’ and if I was there, cause it fit so well. We didn’t see each other but a couple of times the rest of the way, but it was always a mature joy, and I could visualize him on the golf course every day, playing calm, collected, perfect golf. It’s hard to think of his going at all, much less that way.”

And this from Mike Kishbauch ’71: “Michael referenced our ragtag intramural Delt basketball team, which somehow managed to win two championships. My recollection is that happened because (1) Carlson stayed hot for two full seasons, throwing in Steph Curry bombs from all over Hell’s half acre (amid howls of protest from the rest of us) and (2) Medwid was easily the best pure passer of anyone I ever played hoops with, perfecting the no-look thing way before it became fashionable. I vividly remember my first game as Dwid’s basketball teammate. Because of my size (size, not height) I normally played center or low-post forward. At one moment, I found myself toggling back and forth in the low-post paint, with five or six guys (theirs and ours) between Bobby and me. Suddenly, without looking vaguely in my direction, he whips this pass threading between everyone, and it hits me square in the nose, nearly knocking me senseless. Whereupon . . . memo to Bowser: it appears there is NO pass this kid is unwilling to attempt, and it also seems like most/all of them will be on the mark; therefore, stay awake, lest you end up looking foolish; further, and for God’s sake, do NOT watch his eyes . . . they mean NOTHING in this context; just assume he’s watching you and nobody gets hurt! I miss him already. God knows he never missed me! . . .  RIP.”

I should also add that Bob was particularly helpful to my wife, Elisa ’76, when she entered the Peat Marwick training program after graduation. Bob was a veteran of the program and always kept an eye out for Wes folk.

Another loss, although not from our class, but another good friend and Delta Tau brother, was that of Dave Moffenbeier ’73.  Moff fought tenaciously against a vicious form of cancer for over 20 years before leaving us in February. I have particularly fond memories of visiting Moff while he was living in Holland in the ’80s.

Finally, I mourn the passing of my thesis tutor, mentor, and friend, Herb Arnold. I sent him a note of condolence on the death of his idol, Franz Beckenbauer, only to receive a note from his wife, Annemarie, telling me that Herb left us on the very same day. I had kept in touch with Herb, taking two Wasch Center seminars with him on medieval literature. A brilliant mind, a passionate and fervent soul, in many ways he epitomized what was the Wesleyan experience for many of us.

We just learned of the death of Bud Spurgeon on May 3. Bud’s memory will live on through his iconic photographs of the events of May 1970. He was also a major contributor to our legendary 50th Reunion and the ongoing class website. Those of us who worked with him in those efforts are greatly saddened by his passing. I will have more to say in the next issue.

I’ll try for better news next time.

I attended the wonderful celebration of Jon Berk’s life in Middletown. His family and friends superbly covered all the various aspects of his life, and speakers included our own Bill Gallitto (Jon’s law partner for many years), a particularly eloquent Mike McKenna ’73, and the long-absent Pat Bailey. Pat, asking to be referred to as “Paco,” shared memories of his and Jon’s time in Madrid with the Wesleyan-Vassar (emphasis on Vassar) program. Also present were Tom Halsey and Steve Goldschmidt. As Yogi Berra said, be sure to go to your friends’ memorials or they won’t go to yours.

Pat Bailey told us how he had flatlined for seven minutes during a recent medical procedure but was apparently (and most palpably) revived. He is taking it in stride, now having a second birthday to celebrate. He continues to live the good life in his native Virgin Islands, heavily involved in sailing, as evidenced by his business card, which reads, “World Sailing International, Judge; World Sailing International, Technical Delegate; Pan Am Sailing Vice President; Caribbean Sailing Association Vice President.” Something to ponder while shoveling snow this winter.

While I am always looking for news from classmates like Pat, from whom we haven’t heard in a while, I am delighted to share some very significant news items from several regular contributors.

Andy Feinstein was recently honored by the Connecticut Special Education Legal Fund with an award. For many years Andy has devoted himself to the noble and essential cause of representing students with special needs and their parents in efforts to get the appropriate education the law supposedly assures them. As the father of two successful products of the special ed system, I particularly value Andy’s efforts. He was introduced at the function by Senator Chris Murphy, and I encourage you to view the video at https://vimeo.com/878373470/5a87ed8bff. Watch it and be proud.

Bob White, famed class agent and researcher of medical history, was inducted into the 2023 Newark Athletic Hall of Fame in commemoration of his wrestling career at Weequahic High School. Bob loves Wesleyan and also loves that the Weequahic High School Alumni Association bought an ad in his honor. 

Lucy Knight, renowned biographer of Jane Addams, was a featured “talking head” in a new documentary about Jane Addams produced by Chicago Public Television (WTTW). It was broadcast in October as part of their Chicago Stories, all of which are now streaming on the station’s website. In the new year she will give a Zoom talk about the Grimke sisters and petitioning for the Frances Willard House Museum in Evanston, Illinois, the city in which she lives.

During the past few months, Leon Vinci attended “a few” public health meetings, visited universities where he presented on climate change and disease vectors, climate and the nexus with media communication portrayals, and citizen science. The list includes Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina; Stetson University; Southern Connecticut State University; National Environmental Health Association Educational Conference, New Orleans; One Health International Conference, Montego Bay, Jamaica; American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta; Interstate Environmental Health Symposium, Jekyll Island, Georgia. “And I’m in the queue to give an international Zoom lecture with Drexel University, (after my knee replacement next month [yuck]).” Leon had two children get married in 2023 (Doug and Laura) and received the 2023 Presidential Citation Award from President Gary Brown of the National Environmental Health Association at their annual educational conference in hot and humid New Orleans in August.

Stay well and keep those honors and recognitions coming!

Bob White’s most recently published article on his research into the Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis can be found at  https://ojin.nursingworld.org/table-of-contents/volume-28-2023/number-3-september-2023/articles-on-previously-published-topics/eunice-rivers-rn/. Bob analyzes the historical treatment of Eunice Rivers, an African American public health nurse who was involved in the study and was generally assumed to be the only woman in a staff position in the infamous study. He shows that several white women authored articles on the study, and Miss Rivers was not, in fact, the only woman involved.

“Only identifying the black public health nurse, when there were white women involved, is inequitable, and thus a race issue. Only identifying the nurse, when there were statistical, administrative, and medical personnel involved, is inequitable, i. e., a class issue. In sum, all women who had roles in the TSUS should be revealed, because they matter.”

Bob’s article is a compelling and disturbing read. He makes a very strong case that Miss Rivers was herself victimized by the public treatment of the study and should have been included in President Clinton’s apologies to those wronged by the study, which included Tuskegee University itself.

Andy Feinstein has been named co-chairman of the Connecticut Task Force to Reform Special Education Law, along with the head of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. https://ctexaminer.com/2023/04/11/faced-with-continuing-staff-shortages-state-special-ed-task-force-seeks-solutions/

“Between the Scylla of federal law and the Charybdis of limited funding, we have a narrow field in which to make recommendations. Running this task force now occupies a large proportion of my time. We are committed to making meaningful, yet achievable, recommendations.”

Mark Gelber sent further details about his visit to the Connecticut Valley last fall, previously briefly reported here. Before his talk at Wesleyan on Kafka— https://german.site.wesleyan.edu/2022/11/03/distinguished-grst-and-col-major-mark-h-gelber-72-on-china-judaismand-franz-kafka/—Mark spoke at a conference on Ruth Klueger at UMass Amherst. A small Wesleyan reunion was held at Amherst, attended by Burt Feuerstein and his wife, Janet Shalwitz, Michael Bober and his wife, Rosalina (still teaching at Amherst College), Howard Shpetner, and Marjorie Melnick. Mark admits to not really knowing Marjorie, who taught music at UMass for many years, but Burt sang with her in the Wesleyan choir. “I did not recall that there was one,” observes Mark. In Middletown he saw Krishna Winston and Vera Grant, meeting Krishna for coffee at the Wasch Center, of which she is now head. Mark recalls her giving a tutorial in German translation to him and Burt, and admits that Burt, a retired physician now living in Phoenix, is “a much better translator” than Mark. And finally, while he was “lingering” outside 60 High Street, where he lived senior year, Mark was invited in by the current owner, who proudly showed off the remodeled premises. My memory of 50 years ago is that remodeling was definitely called for even then.

Leon Vinci has been appointed as a board member of the Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) Scholarship Advisory Board. On behalf of the Virginia Western Educational Foundation, Inc., Leon’s responsibilities include awarding annual scholarship disbursements to eligible students.

Dennis Kesden and his wife, Sherry, have been surviving the Scottsdale heat wave.

“My thrice weekly golf goes on all summer (starts 7:00 a.m. in 90s, ends 10:00 a.m. at 105 [degrees] or so).  We continue our biking and workout classes. My 44-year-old physicist son is applying for his full professorship at UT Dallas and is very involved with his research, teaching, and faculty/university politics. He is president of the Texas section of the American Physics Association this year. My daughter here in Phoenix is busy planning my grandson’s Bar Mitzvah next month. My niece just graduated from Wesleyan and is working in NYC. My siblings (both Wesleyan graduates) are alive and well in California. We traveled to Sherry’s 50th MIT reunion and had a blast in Boston. Always in touch with Mike Busman—we met him in Quebec City this summer and had a wonderful time.”

Dan Gleich, on the other hand, has been particularly glad to live in San Francisco, where the temperature has been a steady 74.  He’s “almost retired” with wife, Pat, daughter, Ginger, and her family right in town. Two grandsons, four-and-a-half and eight months.  His son is a first-year public school teacher in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“The members of the Quad County Association: myself, Peter Stern, Morgan Muir ’73, and Jack Fritz ’73, continue to get together with our now multigenerational families for a rotating quarterly dinner. I’ve also been working on a writing project with Richard Hood and hope to have some news about that next time around. For now, it’s all very hush-hush.

Paul Vidich’s  latest novel, Beirut Station, should be in the bookstores by the time you read this.

John Manchester has a YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq4gg_vD2EzRUMWhn_zyGlw.  A new video comes out every two weeks. Recently John featured lovely paintings by Eric Kaye.

Finally, we lost Jon Berk in August after a long battle with dementia. Jon had a successful legal career at Hartford’s Gordon, Muir & Foley, alongside Bill Gallitto.  He argued several cases before the Connecticut Supreme Court, but apparently was better known for his prodigious collection of comic books. See https://newsletter.blogs.wesleyan.edu/2017/05/30/berk-72-puts-rare-comic-and-art-collection-up-for-auction/. Jon is remembered particularly fondly by his teammates on Wesleyan’s rugby team.