Tag: 1973

Stephen Sullivan has made a huge decision saying, “After nearly 50 years of practicing architecture—40 in my own firm—I am retiring. I am handing the reins to my longtime associate, and I will continue to consult in the immediate future with my former firm. Meanwhile, I am building my ‘final-stage home’ on our farm on Lopez Island, in the San Juan Archipelago off the northwest coast of Washington State. My daughter and 6-year-old granddaughter live on the farm, tending a nursery, a flock of Soay sheep, and engaging in restorative agricultural practices.”

Stephen says he has been particularly interested in restoring wetlands on his land, and also says he has a “pottery studio where I will finally become the old potter I have always imagined that I would be. You may recall that I received a Watson Fellowship upon graduation from Wesleyan, and I had the privilege of studying with a generation of older potters in Japan from 1973 to 1974.” Stephen has been a runner for most of his life and still manages a daily five- miler in Seattle’s arboretum. “I feel lucky that I can still do that and have engaged a trainer at the gym to help stave off decrepitude a bit longer,” he says. Stephen, incidentally, wrote a book (published in 2021)—a career retrospective about how he understands the process of design.

There is indeed life after your productive career. Just heard from Robert Savage, a retired surgeon who had been an assistant clinical professor at the Harvard Medical School and past president of the New England Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Robert was named artist of the month by the Wellesley School of Artists. Congrats! Robert noted that he started “painting for fun during COVID” and has a love of art history thanks in part to the legendary Wesleyan professor Sam Green. And Robert, my mother, Ellen D’Oench, would be proud of your work in your “second career.”

Dana Barrows sent me a note filled with news saying, “2024 [was] a wonderful, action-packed, meaningful year for us.” He says he continues his work as an estate and business planning specialist with Northwestern Mutual, “year 49, on my terms. Keeps my mind sharp and my professional relationships thriving.” He says that Holly retired from her 40-year career with IBM and Central Insurance in 2020.

Dana says they are very involved in their new community. He mentions On the South Coast of Mass, the Garden Club of Buzzards Bay, the Community Foundation of the South Coast, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, UMass Dartmouth, and their HOA at Westview Estates.

They went from her Connecticut College 50th Reunion on a Friday to his 55th Northfield Mount Hermon Reunion the next day. Her 55th NMH Reunion is in 2025.

Congratulations to Dr. David Weber who tells me that on January 1 he became president of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. In a news release that went nationwide, the society noted that David is a “distinguished leader in infection prevention and healthcare epidemiology” and commended his depth of knowledge.

Brenda Kabel writes that she is practicing for both the Open and Women’s Connecticut State Pinball finals (for top-16 ranked players in each). She says she won the 2022 Women’s, but due to COVID, they had no North American championship that year. She adds, “Hoping to make it to that one this year and move my world ranking into the top 10 for 60 and older players. I do remember playing a machine or two in the Downey House back in the day.” 

Steve Young tells me “I am actively retired in New Hampshire. I write a column in a prominent Taiwan newspaper. As a child and later a diplomat, I lived on the island five times and visited it often. I was in Taipei a couple of months ago, delivering a keynote address to a sizable crowd of officials, businesspeople, and others.” He also says, “Enjoying life with my beautiful and talented spouse, Barbara Finamore, a published expert on Chinese environmental issues. We live in a 220-year-old home in Londonderry, New Hampshire, just an hour north of Boston. Built by my triple great-grandfather, who, as a young man, grabbed his musket and went down to Bunker Hill in 1776 to show those British we weren’t going to passively endure oppression. Two wonderful grandchildren and hoping for more.”

Bill Corvo writes that he has been busy with a number of projects. He says he recently produced a docu-film with an Italian film company on the work performed by his father, Max Corvo, during World War II with the OSS in Italy, and there is some fascinating material that could be featured on the History Channel. Bill says, “The key personnel he recruited to lead the Secret Intelligence Section of OSS in Italy were from Middletown and included Emilio Q. (Mim) Daddario ’39, attorney Vincent J. Scamporino, Sebastian Passanisi, Samuel Fraulino, Louis Fiorella ’41, and Frank Tarallo. Daddario and Fiorilla were both graduates of Wesleyan University.”

The film is named Max Corvo for Freedom. He says they had a showing of the film in Middletown at Middletown High School film auditorium earlier this year. The film premiered in Italy in July 2023, at the 80th anniversary of the invasion of Sicily, and held at the World War II Museum in Catania, Sicily. “It has been well received,” says Bill. “We have received best documentary film awards, including [from] the Rome International Film Festival as well as two major film festivals in New York City, and also the Dumbo Film Festival in Brooklyn, New York. The list also includes the Austrian International Film Festival as well as the Argentine International Festival and several Italian film festivals. We are working to bring the film to the internet.”

Bill has also been busy working with Professor Ellen Nerenberg, who is teaching courses in Italian language at Wesleyan and has been working with students to prepare a historical review of the Italian American history in Middletown. He provided them with a private showing of the movie as well. He also noted that Mim Daddario’s grandson, Matt Daddario, who is a professional actor, provided the English narration for the documentary.

Bill, who missed our 50th as he was in Italy, says that in 2024 he traveled to Copenhagen and Sweden, “both stunning. With six daughters, seven granddaughters, and two grandsons spread across the country, we stay very connected with family.”

Paul Van Stavern writes that starting in 1974 he was living either in Brazil or California for almost three decades and moved back to Brazil permanently in 2002. He says, “Last year I received the gigantic 50th Reunion ‘booklet’ by snail mail. It was fun to peruse. However, my entry was completely blank. I won’t coin the phrase ‘the right hand doesn’t know. . .’  but if they had my address, why didn’t they have my address? Never mind.” He now lives in Salvador, Bahia, on the Atlantic Coast at about 13 degrees south of the equator and very far east. And he notes, “Having grown up in Wisconsin and then lived in Connecticut, it is wonderful for me to live in a place where 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a record low.” He says if you are in the area, he would be happy to show you around. He said David Feldman visited him in 1976.

John Huttlinger says he is on a “slow path” to retirement from his CPA practice, while offering clients to other practitioners and continuing to work with selective clients. He is also active with several local nonprofit organizations including a home construction company. He says, “I helped form a nonprofit home construction company. We build homes for the local workforce community, which includes teachers, nurses, municipal workers, and other middle-income families. These families cannot afford to purchase homes in Lake Placid due to inflated prices caused by the second-home and short-term rental market. Our homes are priced at cost and there is great demand for them.” He is also active with the Lake Placid Film Festival, now in its 24th year. “Our programming includes a classic film series each summer, hosted by Wes alum Jeremy Arnold ’91,” he says. He has also had the opportunity to attend the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival each summer, where he caught up with organizer Lloyd Komesar ’74 and Mike McKenna who is on their board. John also made the decision to sign up for one more year of masters ski racing. “Given my age (I am the senior member of the group) and in deference to my new knee (May 6, 2024), I am approaching the season carefully,” he says. 

Back here at home as another example of a “small world.” Charles Cocores tells me that he and Kie Westby are members of the same golf club in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and live near each other and often play golf together.

And speaking of 50-year events, my wife, Connie, and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in Gloucester, Virginia, in early November, near Williamsburg where my oldest daughter, Jennifer, and oldest granddaughter, Taylor, are teachers at the same elementary school that our youngest granddaughter, Zoey, attends. Our youngster daughter, Holly (who is developing a nationwide reputation as an artistic book binder in Denver), her husband, and my middle daughter, Dana (who owns a hair salon in Fort Lauderdale) were all there. The moments were unforgettable. Connie and I met the night before graduation from Wesleyan and have been together ever since.

Have a great 2025!

From Crystal Bay, Nevada, Chris Irvin writes that he missed our 50th “because of a fall that created a bubble in my lung. After putting a hole through my chest to clear the bubble, I couldn’t fly, though I felt fine.” He says he had hoped to visit Lloyd Mueller, who also had cancer, but he missed him, though he was able to talk to him shortly before he passed, around the time of our reunion. He says his son, Mathew, is doing well at our competitor, Amherst, following his father’s passion for music—mainly on the piano and mostly jazz like Lloyd. Chris adds, “My wrestling buddy, David Bong (also close to Lloyd, we both stayed with Lloyd at our 25th), was there to represent us. I’m enjoying semiretirement, taking care of my old key clients’ stock portfolios and publishing regular newsletters about the global economy and stock markets.” He is planning a trip to the Adirondacks with about a dozen high school classmates. He says, “Maybe I can get back to Connecticut one of these days, as I loved riding my bike along the high bluffs above the historic Connecticut River.” 

From South Phoenix, Arizona, Tom Kelly writes that he in enjoying a “blend of community work” and is involved with affordable housing and teaching English; and his fifth grandchild was born on August 11. He also says he is involved with Arizona politics and jazz and is a regular customer at “the Nash,” one of the area’s best jazz clubs. He is also in touch with Tom Lucci.

Michael Robinson, Bill Burke, and Jay Rose have done some amazing work. They write, “As Wesleyan class agents, we are so inspired by our class’s support and generosity. Each year, our gifts add up and make an enormous impact on today’s students and today’s Wesleyan experience. Take a close look below.

“This past year, our class raised $697,642 from 105 donors, including $176,849 for Wesleyan’s greatest needs. This means that we met our participation goal and Wesleyan will install a plaque on campus in our honor. More to come on that! We were part of a strong community of 11,680 alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and students who gave back last year. Thank you to everyone who played a part in that.

“So, what did our gifts support? In a word, everything! From financial aid and first-generation student support to athletic equipment and summer grants, and everything else that defines Wesleyan for you. Because of our support, Wesleyan has been able to: 

• Announce its new No Loan Policy that eliminates loans from financial packages beginning this fall. 
• Award more than $75 million in financial aid last year. 
• Award 169 summer experience grants. 
• Raise more than $400 million for This Is Not a Campaign. 
• Launch the College of Design & Engineering Studies (CoDES). 
• Open the newly renovated Public Affairs Center and continue construction on both a new science building and an integrative arts lab. 
• Welcomed the inaugural class of Wesleyan African Scholars.”

Billy Burke writes that he and Barbara had a “great family-oriented summer. We spent most weekends watching our grandson play in baseball tournaments, including one in Lake of the Ozarks (cool place!). Additionally, this allowed for wonderful time with our daughter and granddaughter. We also get to see our son quite often. I had the opportunity to participate with him in a charity sporting clays event to raise money for a veterans’ support organization. Our team came in first place!” He adds that “on a nostalgic note, I recently saw a notice that retail-store chain Bob’s Stores has filed for bankruptcy. We knew it as Bob’s Surplus.” He said work on McConaughy: A Rock Opera continues. The soundtrack now includes three original songs as well as a host of top tunes from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s.

Bill Quigley writes that “Scott Schlieman and I worked together for the last year trying to organize swimmers from our era (and other athletes coached by John Edgar and Hugh McCurdy) to try to get the Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame to induct coaches John Edgar and Hugh McCurdy. Both coaches deserve it. While unsuccessful this time, it was wonderful reconnecting with athletes and friends from our era and keeping the memories of these extraordinary men alive. The last time the swim team won the Little Three was when Edgar was our coach, more than 50 years ago. Mike McKenna, one of the founders of the HOF, was very helpful in helping us understand the process.

“Also, Mike sent me a link to Tom Kelly’s blog [on Substack] about the Responsibilities of Citizenship, which is terrific.”

Bill says he has stayed in touch with Peter Cross, who lives in Austin, Texas, and celebrates Eeyore’s birthday annually. He says they often compare the actions of the governors of their home states. Bill and Dee live on the west coast of Florida and have two grandchildren in California. He is still involved with one of his sons in a CBD and cannabis manufacturing company in Puerto Rico.

Mike McKenna writes that “this 2024 fall season marks 100 years since the founding of varsity men’s soccer at Wesleyan. Hugh McCurdy, a young assistant football coach from Bowdoin, was asked by students to start a club team in 1922. The first varsity season in ’24 was highlighted by a 1-0 victory in Williamstown, and 1925 marked the team’s first Little Three title. Mac went on to coach for 42 years before becoming AD and retiring in 1968. A get-together is planned October 12 when the Cardinals host Williams at Jackson Field and there will be a Centennial Dinner at Fayerweather in April 2025. Hoping to see team star Mike Desmond back on campus, as well as co-captain Jon Corless and other classmates for the festivities. The class of ’73 had an undefeated freshman team, and later repeated as Little Three champs senior year.”

Mike adds that “Here in Vermont, this summer celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Middlebury New Filmmaker’s Festival, founded by Wes alum Lloyd Komesar ’74, which has become a wonderful event featuring more than 100 films and drawing enthusiastic crowds. This year will include the first Jeanine Basinger Prize for Student Film named in honor of the Wesleyan faculty legend.”

Bruce Kabel writes that “some of you may remember me as Bruce but I started my transition when I retired in 2020 and am now Brenda Kabel. Enjoying life in East Hartford with my wife, Laura—38 years and still going strong. My son, Jason ’05, just left Capital One after eight years to start his own AI company. Spending most of my time golfing, skiing, or playing pinball, and I was the 2022 Connecticut State champion in the women’s division. My daughter, Ariana, has recently started playing in the leagues with me. My niece, Hope Kabel ’14 got married in Cincy last week.”

Bill Corvo tells me that he has produced a docudrama on his father’s work with the OSS in Italy during World War II. It was produced in Italy with Ezio Costanzo—noted documentary filmmaker—and the Faeria Production company. He says they had the Italian premiere in Sicily at the World War II Museum in Catania, Sicily, in July of last year, and it was well received. Since then, they have produced the English language version with the documentary narration in English and English subtitles for the acting scenes. The docudrama is called Max Corvo for Freedom.”

And from Nashville we heard that Jim Powers, professor of medicine (geriatrics) at Vanderbilt and director of Clinical Innovation at the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, is pleased to announce his team is recipient of the Middle Tennessee Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

That’s our news for now.

We have updates from some of our prolific film directors and reflections from our 50th Reunion.

After our reunion, Michael Shoob writes that he had not been back to campus since our graduation so he says, “it was quite a mind-bending experience for me. Being there for the first time in half a century reminded me of one thing: I felt lucky to have had the opportunity to come to Wesleyan, and I’m sure many of our classmates felt the same way.” Michael reports in early April that he had finished shooting Road to Everywhere, a new feature film that he was directing and writing. He says Road to Everywhere “is a follow-up nearly 30 years later to my film Driven, which I also wrote and directed, about a group of LA cab drivers. Driven premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 1996.” He says, “A number of the actors from the original film reprised their roles and they had a memorable experience shooting the movie in Los Angeles and on the Navajo Reservation in Page, Arizona.” He says they anticipate a festival run for the film starting in the fall and adds, “None of this would have happened without Wesleyan.”

Billy Burke says, “Occasionally, another warm memory from our wonderful 50th Reunion pops into my head. The President’s Dinner on Friday night was held in Beckham Hall, a beautiful venue. Highlights included remarks by President Roth, amiable bar staff who know how to make a gin and tonic (Mike Robinson was designated driver), and the musical stylings of Blackwall Hitch. Many thanks to our classmate, Paul Fletcher, and the other members of that fabulous band. The ’60s–’70s music and associated slide presentation choreographed to each song brought it all back.” Billy says he’s been having a great time working with his son and his son’s new law partner on messaging and marketing. They became best friends in the Marine Corps while serving two combat tours in Iraq. After their enlistments were up, they went their separate ways. Billy reports, “Each earned his BA and JD. They just formed a law firm right here in Centennial, Colorado. I’m very proud.”

Ron Medley says he has managed to use his “Middletown hideaway to pretty good advantage since our reunion. My brother and sister, Jim and Linda, had a wonderful time reenacting our last visit to Middletown together, which was over 50 years ago. Amanda Broulik and Lydia Casparie from Wesleyan met us with a golf cart and we had a blast tooling up and down Foss Hill on a beautiful July afternoon. And, I’ve had two meet ups with Rob and Rich Charney, solving the world’s problems and dissing the Oscars over pasta at Mondo’s. Coming soon: an oral history presentation before Professor Jesse Nasta’s African American Studies class on the racial history of Middletown.”

Marc Levin says he had two major film releases in April: On April 16 his latest HBO documentary, An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th  premiered on HBO and MAX. He says, “The film looks at the evolution of political violence through the lens of the Oklahoma City bombing—from the roots in the early ’80s to the reverberations up to January 6. With the threat of political violence and civil unrest growing every day, this film is especially timely and relevant. It is the history of now.” Then on April 26, his feature film Slam, which won the Grand Prize at Sundance and the Camera D’or at the Cannes Film Festival, was re-released in a newly restored digital 4K version thanks to the the Academy of Motion Pictures, the Sundance Institute, and UCLA. The film was also featured at the UCLA preservation festival on April 6  (SLAM | UCLA Film & Television Archive).

Marc also has a documentary on guaranteed income, It’s Basic,  traveling the festival circuit. He says it won best documentary at the LA Downtown Film Festival, and had a screening on April 9 at the Cleveland International Festival: https://www.clevelandfilm.org/films/its-basic.

He says, “Busy spring for us here at Blowback Productions.”

Dr. Michael Fossel, known worldwide for his work including his book, Reversing Human Aging, has a brief update, telling us that his new Academic Press textbook is out. 

Finally, we are all deeply saddened by the loss of the spirited Dave Moffenbeier. As if it were yesterday, I remember his intelligence in the classroom and his talents on the Wesleyan football team. A group of us huddled up and recruited Dave to join us in the spring of senior year on the rugby fields. He was an integral part of that team that went undefeated. His middle name could have been “Invictus.” Class secretary Seth Davis ’72 writes in his notes: “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.”

That’s the latest news from you for now.

It was a pleasure to see the always colorful Bill Burke (returning from Colorado) at our 50th Reunion, and he told me he shared these thoughts with the Class of 1974 at their 50th Reunion planning meeting during Homecoming weekend. He said they were impressed with what we accomplished including:

• 96 attendees—a new 50th-reunion record!
• 80% donor participation versus 51% average for previous 50th-reunion classes
• 126 biographies submitted for the class book

Bill also writes, “But the significance of our reunion goes beyond those stellar numbers. Throughout the weekend, during the dinners, WESeminars, and social activities, there was a positive undercurrent. And it wasn’t, ‘just my imagination.’ There were, truly, ‘good vibrations’ in the air.”

He says, “By the time we gathered on Saturday at Olin Memorial Library for our class picture and final dinner, there was a feeling that the Class of 1973 had bonded in a way and to a degree as never before. Old friendships were strengthened, new connections were made, and, with the turbulent times of the early ’70s behind us, past ghosts laid to rest. Writer Michael Korda said, ‘One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.’ Whether you were able to attend our 50th or not, your input is valued.”

Congrats to Paul Buell! He writes that he and his Carol (Wellesley ’73) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 16, 2023. He says a number of close family members and friends attended their renewal of vows out at their little church in Maryland’s horse country, including Rob Randall and his wife, Kathy.

Joshua Boger writes that he came out of “retirement,” which he calls an “undefined word,” in April 2023 to join Alkeus Pharmaceuticals as executive chairman, working almost full time now to help to grow a small organization to be ready to file for approval with the FDA of a new drug to slow or stop the leading genetic cause of blindness in children and young adults: Stargardt’s disease (or in some places called “juvenile macular degeneration”).  

Joshua says, “The company has completed the necessary clinical trials for approval in the U.S., we believe, and we could be on the market at the end of 2024 or early 2025. There is a huge amount of work that needs doing first though. The disease is more common than cystic fibrosis, but almost nobody has heard of it because, up to now, absolutely nothing could be done about it. Children are born with normal sight and go blind between about 9 and 25. It is a recessive genetic disease, not ethnically linked, and it usually comes as a complete shock to new parents, who typically have no blindness in their families. We have a pill [taken] once a day that can slow progression or possibly stop the blindness altogether. Beautiful science and great possible outcomes. Worth ‘un-retiring’ for!”

Joshua also says he just came back (in late November) from the largest scientific meeting of ophthalmology, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, in San Francisco, attended by fully a third of all retinal specialists in the country. “One of the lead investigators in our trials, Dr. Christine Kay, presented to a packed audience the full dataset of the trial that will form the basis of our FDA submission. It was well received,” he says. In a panel discussion afterward, with leading experts not involved in the trial, they were asked, “Which Stardgardt’s patients would you give this Alkeus drug to [assuming approval]?” Joshua says, “The immediate answer from one of the panel, uncontested by the others, was, ‘All of them.’ That just raises the pressure on us to get it done.”

Lastly, Mara Baldwin ’06 wrote to say that her father, James David Baldwin, passed away on October 23, 2023, at the age of 72. David was a biology major and a member of Chi Psi. His obituary can be read online at classnotes.blogs.wesleyan.edu/obituaries.

That’s the latest from our classmates.

Class president Bill Quigley writes that the 50th Reunion was “poignant and healing.” He said there were great seminars, including the Two Nations Now One: 50 Years of Shared Love for Wesleyan, hosted by Wayne Barber, Rich Jasper, Ron Johnson, James “Diego” Howard, Josh Boger, along with Dean [Stephen] Butler on Zoom. “There were 50 Blacks and Latinos in our class—25 of them identified as premed when they came to Middletown. Twenty-three of the 25 became doctors. Many were first generation to attend college and Wesleyan changed their lives as it did for many,” he says.

Bill writes, “Most poignant for me was when Mike Shoob told his story of personally living The New York Times article our freshman year, “The Two Nations at Wesleyan University,” during that seminar. When Mike went to tell his suite mate on Lawn Avenue, Charles Trahan, to turn down his stereo, he got punched in the face. He never talked to Charles again at Wesleyan but always felt bad about that. He then handed the mic to Charles who was sitting behind him. Charles said that he always felt guilty about what he did and apologized to Mike. They hugged. Pretty dramatic and it felt like real closure for our turbulent years at Wesleyan. I ended up flying with Charles Trahan on my first leg home and we had a great time talking about the reunion.”

Bill also says the film from Donald Zilkha, Steve Goldschmidt ’72, and Granderson Hale showing the incredible behind-the-scenes work they did for so many concerts at Wesleyan was very special, and I had no idea how much they had to juggle.

He also says the 50th Reunion ’73 book was “extraordinary—kudos to Mark Helfa, John Huttlinger, and Jim Powers. In keeping with one of our themes of the last couple of reunions (I Never Knew You), I have kept the book on my desk since reunion and read it often—fascinated by the lives and thoughts of our classmates. Kate Quigley Lynch, Amanda Broulik, and Lucy Diaz did an incredible [job] organizing and facilitating the reunion.”

My East College roommate from freshman year, Timothy Bahti, says, “My word to our classmates, such as it is, is that it was a pleasure to see them all again, and to get to know—belatedly—a number for the first time. I look forward to seeing them again—when? At the 60th Reunion? I encourage us all to give to the Dean Stephen Butler Fund, in honor of our freshmen dean and in the service of financial support for first-generation Wesleyan students. To those of the class going to the world rugby championship in France this fall: enjoy Paris!”

Dr. Jonathan Raskin writes, “Very sorry to have missed the 50th Reunion but was on a trip in Egypt . . . third time trying to get there due to COVID . . . and family members really wanted to go, so we did visit and had a really great trip. I hope others have a visit there on their ‘bucket list.’”

He says, “My news is that I have been made a clinical professor of medicine in the Mount Sinai Health System . . . an honor capping off decades of the commitment to teach, publish, and care for others . . . something I still do embracing hard effort and humility.”

            Mike McKenna says it was wonderful to connect with so many friends at the 50th Reunion. Over the weekend he caught up with Rick Edwards and his wife, Jackie, Dave and Sheila Bong, and Mark Eaton. He writes, “Really enjoyed seeing Tim Warner and Charlie Wayne who were first-year roommates and lived across the hall from me on Foss Hill. Both are also Western Reserve alums and Tim later served as the Reserve Board chair for years. Had lunch with Tim last week at the faculty club at Stanford where he is in the administration and colleagues with Condoleezza Rice. Also loved catching up with distinguished alumna Claire Reade and her husband the great Dr. Earl Steinberg. Talking with Rich Jasper about the work he continues to do advising young lawyers with clients on death row was also inspiring.”

Mike adds, “Inspired and humbled is a good way to sum it all up, I guess. I was particularly happy that so many Black classmates made the effort to come back. Learning about their family and career successes (so many doctors!) since our graduation made me feel so grateful for Wesleyan and the time we shared together. My overall thought was that I left campus this time, if not exactly feeling old, feeling aware of being part of a unique generation. Raised by parents who went through the Depression and World War II and their values, we hit an exciting period of history that changed all of us and shaped who we later became. I feel genuine affection for those who shared the experience.”

            Bill Burke flew to Connecticut from Colorado for our reunion and says, “The Reunion Committee, guided by an outstanding team from Wesleyan, did a terrific job. Sincere thanks to Mandy Broulik, Kate Quigley Lynch, and Lucy Diaz.” I agree.

Bill also says, “Our memorable reunion combined with Homecoming events last November (reunion planning meeting; reception for hockey coach Dave Snyder and his wife, Diane; catching up with hockey teammates; and beating up on the Williams football team) has been my best Wesleyan experience since graduation,” adding, “How do you follow up on a best 50th Reunion ever?”

My West College roommate from senior year, Dr. Brian Mahoney, says he was sorry to miss our 50th but “I had total knee surgery and would not have been able to make the trip nor move around Wesleyan had Nancy Collins ’74 and I had made it.”

Brian writes, “There is some fun news for all Wesleyan crew participants over these decades. On Saturday, September 30, at the halftime of the home game with Hamilton football they [announced] the NCAA Regatta Finals Silver Medal winners of both the men’s and women’s crew. They [also announced] the establishment of the Calhoun ’62 Men’s Crew Foundation and the so-far unnamed Women’s Crew Foundation. That afternoon George Surgeon ’72 and I [sponsored] a banquet in Beckham Hall to honor the legacy of Phil Calhoun ’62 for reinvigorating—first by rowing, then [by] coaching—the men’s crew (there were no women undergraduates in 1969, so women’s crew did not start until 1972, with my bride, Nancy Collins, rowing). Phil did this as an avocation while he worked in President Etherington’s administration. . . . Phil Calhoun coached me for two years and George for three years. The successful men’s and women’s crews of today were built on the granite bedrock legacy of Phil Calhoun. Contact Wesleyan Giving if you would like to donate to either/both of these 503 c-1 qualifying funds.”

Brian eloquently spoke about what Wesleyan has done for him. He says, “I graduated Wesleyan with three life-changing gifts. Number one, my bride Nancy and I are going strong after 52 years. I got the education that led to my career path in medicine at the programs of my choice. [And] crew taught me the value of lifelong fitness to which I adhere to to this day.”

It was an honor to see so many of you at the very special reunion. My daughter Dana and I shared some nice moments with my former East College roommate, Eddie Nathan, and his lovely wife at dinner. He seems not to have aged and is as colorful and articulate as ever, as are so many of you who I saw on that memorable weekend in Middletown.

“How do we follow up on that?” as Billy Burke asked. I’m sure we will.

Finally we received word that our esteemed classmate Lloyd Mueller died on June 10. Lloyd had retired as the senior supervising epidemiologist for the Connecticut Department of Health and is remembered by many for accomplishing a great deal for public health in Connecticut. He had been a member of the New Haven Quaker Meeting Association and Yale Humane Association. He is survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons, and we will miss him and his notes to us over the past 50 years.

Until next time,

Pete

From Colorado, William “Billy” Burke writes, “I’m so excited about our upcoming 50th Reunion! It has already been terrific seeing classmates during reunion planning meetings on Zoom. I also had the good fortune to attend a planning meeting on campus the morning of Homecoming where the Class of 1972 shared tips from their 50th. It was the start of a busy day.”

He adds, “The next stop was the Spurrier-Snyder Rink where hockey coach Chris Potter hosted a very special reception organized by Billy Devereaux ’75 and Jim LaLiberty ’77. About 30 Wes hockey alums honored Dave (Duke) and Diane Snyder. After watching the football team demolish Williams, several of us enjoyed dinner with Dave and Diane. Great stories, memories, and even a few tears. Not sure if you heard that Duke was recently the recipient of the John ‘Snooks’ Kelley Founders Award, as someone instrumental to the growth of hockey in the U.S. It was presented by the American Hockey Coaches Association.”

Billy says it was a fantastic time on campus. And he adds, “Of course, in the last dozen years or so it’s always bittersweet to walk down the steps from Foss Hill to the Vine Street tennis courts. It’s a nice grassy slope with a flower bed. But it’s no McConaughy Hall. I know the University had their reasons to tear it down but I want to preserve the memory of our very own flying saucer. So, I’m composing a rock opera that will memorialize the venerable venue. So far, I have the opening number and a high-level storyboard. As you may have said in your early reporter days, ‘Film at 11.’”

Michael Fossel writes that “Retirement is a silly idea, so we’re moving ahead with our biotechnology company and planning our FDA human trials.” He says they have a commitment for essentially unlimited funding, which should enable them to target both the dementias and cardiovascular disease. “In the meantime, I’ve agreed to be the editor and senior author for a new Elsevier Publishing medical textbook on aging, age-related diseases, and the prospects for curing them. Much more fun, however, is building a new ‘hygge’ loft over the garage and getting ready for a glorious summer of gardening,” he says.

Stephen Sullivan writes he is not sure if he be able to make it back for our 50th Reunion but he says he looks forward to reading the news of our class.

From South Carolina, Kie Westby writes that he has moved to Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Kie says he had a stroke in March of last year but reports, “I have recovered fairly well. Just started playing golf again. Am retired from the law practice.”

My senior year East College roommate, Dr. Brian Mahoney, writes that he and Nancy Collins “are now 51 years together and counting. Both retired physicians. Three great kids with in-laws and five grandchildren. The most recent is Cullan, born November 29, 2022, which means ‘handsome boy’ in Gaelic. He is a real Gerber Baby.” Brian says they hope to be at the 50th Reunion. He is having a total knee surgery on April 19.

Our colorful and eloquent classmate Eddie Nathan writes, “I’ve joined the committee planning our 50th Reunion. I’ve enjoyed reconnecting, though my sievelike memory doesn’t attach adequate history to the other men on the committee. Even so, it’s gratifying to see and hear them. I accept that the years have opened me a bit more to emotional recollections and gentler feelings, though I still cringe at the sound and smell of infants.” And he thanks us “for keeping these nourishing connections alive.”

And in light of that, at this writing, it looks as if we are going to have a very nice turnout of our classmates for the reunion. I’m sure I enjoyed seeing you on what I’m sure was a very special and memorable time in Middletown.