1973 – Page 5 – Wesleyan Magazine Classnotes

Class Notes | 1970s2013/10/242014/08/18

Class of 1973 | 2014 | Issue 1

Interventional Cardiologist Dr. John Robb, who directs the Interventional Cardiology Program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, is making national news. According to the D-H publication Skylight, John is heading up a clinical trial that “will further test the safety and efficacy of a procedure called Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).” It’s part of “a national research effort to find more effective treatment options for people with aortic stenosis…a narrowing in the heart valve that occurs over time due to calcification and the process of aging.” John is shown with a huge smile on his face, flanked by a cardiothoracic surgeon and a 92-year-old patient. The caption notes, “The promising new minimally-invasive procedure gives hope to patients” like the man mentioned “who are too frail to undergo surgery to replace their valve.” John’s excellent work may one day benefit a number of us and other Wesleyan alumni.

The Virginia Gazette notes that John Spike, an expert on the artists Caravaggio and Mattia Preti and the chief coordinator at Muscarelle Museum of Art, has begun “to study the history of The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John and those who had been appointed to it.” The Order has its roots in the 11th century, and its members provide hospital and ambulance service in many countries. Sovereign leader or the order is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who founded and still maintains the Eye Hospital of St. John in Jerusalem, which cares for patients regardless of their ability to pay for treatment.”

Now as a result of his work, John has been appointed as a member. He calls this a “delightful surprise,” adding, “It is certainly encouraging that academic studies of history can be viewed as having broader social consequence and value.” John is also an honorary member of the City of Taverna, the birthplace of Preti.

Bruce Fergusson writes “I’m still pursuing the Muse—or is it the other way around? My latest novel, Pass on the Cup of Dreams, is now available as an e-book and in paper, for those who haven’t been Kindled yet. Last year, Morgan’s Mill—which weaves history of the Civil War and Underground Railroad into a contemporary narrative of suspense—was published.” He says “I’d be curious to get a grade on that one from Professor Emeritus Richard Slotkin, whose American Studies course I took junior year, to see if I got the history right. More at brucefergusson.com.” Bruce says he and his wife Angelica “have (mostly) filled our empty nest with a rescue dog who is as sweet as she is smart. Who rescued whom?, indeed.” He says his son, Jonathon, is working in Tokyo and his son, Patrick (who played rugby at Union), passed the New York bar and is now working in D.C. as an attorney and “good-guy lobbyist for a nonprofit.” Bruce says his son, Brian will be graduating from the University of Puget Sound next year, and wants to go into law enforcement.” He was glad that the 2013 football team won the Little Three Championship, calling it “an event that happens with less frequency than earthquakes in Seattle.”

Steve Young tells me that he retired last September from the Foreign Service after 33 years. He spent this past fall in the family home in New Hampshire and was planning to move with his wife to San Francisco in early 2014.” Steve says “I plan to look for something to do out there” as his wife will continue running NRDC’s Asia Program.” Steve was named a Distinguished Alumnus at our 40th Reunion in May.

And speaking of our 40th Reunion, I’m told that I did not mention everyone who made the journey to Middletown.

Dr. Wayne Barber travelled a long distance to join us. He flew in from Honolulu where he works in Otology at Queens Hospital. “Call me if you have an ear ache on your vacation,” he says, adding he recently hosted the Dean of Admissions “as she extolled the virtues of Wesleyan to a large group of Oahu high school counselors.” Wayne has been in touch with many of you and has a lot of news. He writes that “Larry Gaston, MD, practices dermatology in Baltimore, still looks young, fit, and trim. Dr. James Howard practices clinical psychology in Oakland, caring for deserving vets. Al Smith and his lovely wife drove up from Harlem where he is helping create a new renaissance in his community.” He says Al is “widely regarding as an influential architect in his community” and “praised the rigorous curriculum at Wes for his success at Columbia School of Architecture.” Wayne also says, “The richness of Harlem’s culture has no better champion than Peter Harper.” He says Peter is a writer formerly with the Wall Street Journal and is now in New York City and a “newly confirmed vegetarian.” He also said it was good to see Steve Sadowy ’74 at the Reunion dinner and reports that Lance Simmons is an attorney in Philadelphia.

Wayne also says Brad Wilkinson, MD, retired from his family practice in Durham, Conn. “I suppose he is sailing in Maine and visiting his grandchildren in Vietnam,” he writes. “He told me that Bill Gillespie, MD, is VP of a major health insurance company in Hartford. Out west, Ron Johnson, MD, retired from a busy retina practice, lives in Orinda, an avid golfer and traveler. Our great miler, Tim Warner, is a VP at Stanford University. He still runs passionately, looks great and very fit.” He also reports that Jeff Schneider is an MD in dermatology near San Francisco and Steve Lum, M.D., “is an endocrinologist in the beautiful pristine town of Kailua in Oahu…favorite vacation site for our President.”

My thanks to Wayne Barber and Wesleyan’s Cynthia Rockwell for reaching out to you.

PETER D’OENCH
Pgdo10@aol.com

Obituaries | 1970-19792013/10/232013/10/30

ELMO MICHAEL WILLARD ’73

The first-born child of Elmo Riley Willard, III and Patricia Ann Willard, Elmo Michael Willard, was born on November 17, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois–his mother’s hometown. As a newborn, Michael moved with his parents to Washington, DC, where his father began law school. His first three years were spent in the nation’s capital.

In 1954, the young family relocated to Beaumont, Texas, and shortly thereafter, Michael began school at Our Mother of Mercy Elementary. In 1965, following completion of the eighth grade, he embarked upon an illustrious four years at Hebert High School. During his time there, Michael participated in numerous activities including debate, junior varsity basketball and his true passion, golf. In his senior year, Michael was co-captain of the varsity golf team. His success at Hebert, however, was not confined solely to extracurricular activities, for he was inducted into the National Honor Society during his junior year. The following year, 1969, Michael was graduated from high school as a National Achievement Scholar.

As a result of his scholastic standing, Michael was recruited by Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut,–a part of what is referred to as the “Little Ivy League”–and was awarded a partial scholarship. His appearance in Connecticut was noteworthy. Michael was part of the newly burgeoning wave of African-American students attending Ivy League colleges for the first time in large numbers in the nation’s history. He helped open the doors of opportunity to African-Americans for generations to come. In 1973, Michael was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan University.

Upon graduation, Michael returned to the city of his earliest years by enrolling in Georgetown University Law Center located in Washington, DC. But law was not to be his calling, and soon after Michael returned to his hometown of Beaumont.

After deep reflection, Michael decided that he needed a complete change of direction. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1979. That proved to be both a blessing and a curse. Michael successfully completed basic training and was shipped to Germany for assignment. It was in Germany that his mental disability of schizophrenia was diagnosed. That illness would alter the course of his remaining years. Michael was twenty-eight.

The next several years were fraught with tension and discomfort as he fought to contain and understand the illness that was slowly gaining control of his life. It must be said that Michael fought valiantly. There were deep reserves of courage and strength within him.

In 1997, Michael moved to Houston where he found some measure of comfort and peace. He chose to live in a personal care home which allowed him independence while providing a safe and secure living environment. Michael garnered joy from the love of his family, his church and belief in God, and his newly formed friendships at The Gathering Place. Although his was not a life he would have chosen, he found contentment in his later years. Elmo Michael Willard departed peacefully in his sleep on Friday, January 21, 2005.

The gift of Michael’s life is celebrated by all whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his father, Elmo R. Willard, III, Esq. and is mourned by his mother, Patricia A. Willard; his brother, David A. Willard; his aunt, Shirley R. Simeon, PhD; his cousins, Percy Willard, Joyce Willard, Blandon Willard, Joy Willard, Nora Lee Alexander, Quentin C. Simeon, Mark J. Simeon, Lawrence Green, Monica Brown, Stephanie Campbell, Mary Quash, William Quash, Shawn Quash, Vaughn Quash, and many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Michael’s memory to the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program, PMB 46, 148 S. Dowlen Rd., Beaumont, TX 77707-9898.

Obituaries | 1970-19792013/10/192013/10/30

ROBERT T. SULESKE ’73

ROBERT T. SULESKE, a biochemist and musician, died Jan. 17, 2004 at age 52. Among those who survive are his mother, a sister, and a nephew and niece.

Obituaries | 1970-19792013/10/132013/10/30

MYRON D. MOSS ’73

Music program director and associate professor at Drexel University, died July 2, 2012. He was 60. A specialist in African American composers, he received his PhD from the University of Michigan. Before joining the faculty at Drexel, he was music department chair and director of bands at Southern Connecticut State University, and an invited guest conductor at Yale University, the Hartt School, and the University of Michigan. His parents, Sonya Kleider and Robert I. Moss survive, as do his sisters and two nephews.

Obituaries | 1970-19792013/10/122013/10/30

PETER J. LIPTON ’73

PETER J. LIPTON, 53, the Hans Rausing Professor and Head of the Department of the History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of King’s College, died Nov. 25, 2007. After receiving his degree cum laude, he received his PhD from the University of Oxford. He taught at Williams College and then returned to England, where he joined the University of Cambridge. He lectured and published widely, and he was an extraordinarily popular teacher, supervising students at all levels. He was recognized as one of the leading epistemologists and philosophers of science in the world. His philosophical interests included the structures of explanation and inference in science, the nature of scientific progress, social epistemology, science and religion, and various topics in biomedical ethics. He was also a member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and chaired its working party on pharmacogenetics. He was the author ofInference to the Best Explanation and was the 2004 Medawar Prize Lecturer of the Royal Society. He is survived by his wife, Diana Lipton, two sons, and his mother.