Yale University

Class Notes

September/October 2024

by Tony Lavely

Note: Classmates' names in gold font are links to a pre-addressed email form (if your browser is properly configured). Other links (underlined) take you to more information about the topic. A sghorter version of these Notes is published in the Yale Alumni Magazine. If you would like to write a guest column, please let me know. Do we have your current email address in our website directory?

Class and Yale Events

Among other benefits, our 60th class reunion in May 2024 generated a lot of contact from and between classmates. Due to the print production word limits set by Yale Alumni Magazine, we are unable to include even a small fraction of these communications in the magazine version, but you will find them in this expanded version posted on our class website. Significantly, word count is the result of more classmates connecting, writing, and posting. There are 202 classmates and 61 spouses included in this issue, the most ever for both categories. Your memories and voices are the Class of 1964! What follows is a summary of events, news, publications, and obituaries from mid-April through mid-July.

Our 60th reunion in May was the biggest class event of the past five years, bringing classmates together before, during, and after the gathering. The final attendance tally was: 166 classmates, 10 surviving spouses (special thanks to Jan Truebner for outreach), 97 spouses and friends, and 6 special guests, for a total of 279. The 60th Reunion Book, titled Yale 1964 at 60, produced by Bill Galvin and Sam Francis, was a byproduct of the Reunion that now has a life of its own, both for those who attended and those who couldn’t attend. For those of you who didn’t recognize the classmates on the dust jacket, front and back, Sam Francis has posted a name guide on the class website. Year-long efforts to make the reunion a success produced new resources which Sam Francis has posted on our class website (mostly in the home page primary navigation and footer):

  • An updated email directory
  • Map and list of reunion attendees
  • Reunion Book and dust jacket captions
  • Campus map of ’64 “Footprints”
  • Reunion photo slide show
  • Updated news articles

Sam Francis has posted on the class website the full video of our 60th Reunion Memorial Service. The names of the 91 classmates who died since our 55th reunion were read by classmates. The moving service was planned by Steve Klingelhofer and Don Edwards. We were also pleased to welcome Matt Lieberman (son of Joe Lieberman) who read the Hebrew Kaddish that his father had planned to read. At our Class Dinner on Saturday, we were pleased to announce five Class Service Awards: Jerry Flannelly, Ralph Jones, Owen O’Donnell, Jan Truebner, and Bill Morse.

Peter Salovey, who left the president’s office in June to return to teaching, wrote about our reunion: “It was a pleasure to celebrate with you and your classmates during the recent reunion festivities. Please know how much I value the incredible philanthropy of your class and your service to the university.” One of the conditions that contributed to our high reunion attendance was the monthly classmate luncheons and Zoom calls that keep many classmates engaged. Regional lunches and Zoom calls continued throughout the year. Ralph Jones organized lunches at Mory’s and the Lawn Club on June 5, July 10, and August 7. Toddie Getman emailed the Mory’s group: “Many thanks to you all for keeping this event! It meant so much to Chris, he'd be so glad to see it continue!” Ted Wagner and Tom Trowbridge brought classmates together at the Yale Club of NYC on June 12, but then took a break for the summer. Owen O’Donnell hosted Zoom calls in the Bay area on June 12, July 10, and August 14. In July, the discussion topic was: “What were the influences and circumstances that launched you on your adult trajectory?” Jerry Flannelly hosted Zoom calls in the Boston area on June 19, July 17, and August 21. In July, Ward Wickwire arranged for a guest speaker from the Jackson School of Global Affairs, Adrian Armanini, to give an overview of Yale’s newest school. The Zoom calls have no geographic restrictions. Dozens of Zoom calls were held for planning before the reunion and to assess “lessons learned” after the reunion (representatives from the Class of 1965 joined the post-assessment calls). Similarly, the Class Gift Committee kept meeting right to the end of the fiscal year, which accounted for surpassing our Reunion Gift goal. We will also be returning to the scheduling of quarterly Zoom calls for classmate authors and thematic discussions in September.

On July 10, Angus Gillespie participated in an event at the Staten Island Lighthouse sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities. He talked about the Ports of Newark and Elizabeth and discussed container shipping and the political economy of the two ports. He also talked about the importance of lighthouses and of Staten Island in the history of the harbor, and about environmental adaptations made to New York harbor over the course of its port history.

Class News

On the Class News page, you will find:

Also captured as a news article is Sam Francis’ Letter to the Editor of Yale Alumni Magazine in July which reprints his “Danger from Falls” article.

We reported what we could in the YAM July issue and will continue to add to it. While we would have liked to record/stream the full reunion for everyone, we could only record the Memorial Service on May 24; it is now posted on the class website (here). While a sense of mercy kept us from making a video of the class golf outing on May 22, Ted Jones posted a news report on our website. One of the consensus highlights of the reunion was the documentary film about Steve Bingham, A Double Life. We notified classmates in the NYC area of a film-festival screening in June and will continue to announce other appearances. In broader Yale news, Tony Lavely attended the webinar on June 24 that introduced then President-Elect Maurie McInnis. She plans to continue the practice of quarterly presidential updates in the future. The Yale Daily News published an article in May, “Physical frailty may put people at greater risk of depression.”

On the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6, John Wylie initiated a widely-commented email thread:

Classmates, on this D-Day anniversary, I find myself reflecting on my father (Y27) and would like to share a passage from a “philosophical memoir” I wrote about 12 years ago, shortly after I retired. My father was a surgeon in the Army and landed on the beaches of Normandy. He worked tirelessly, operating around the clock just behind the front lines as they advanced through France and Germany. The passage I am sharing deals with my experience of PTSD from a near-fatal incident during my work in a prison:

Repeatedly intruding into these midnight thoughts, amid flash­backs of that contorted face intent on severing the vessels in my neck, was an indelible story my father told about visiting Dachau only hours after it was liberated. I heard the story many times and made him tell it to my children before he descended into dementia. It has become so emblazoned on my mind that I vividly visualize the details of each separate scene. Perhaps I felt protected by going over and over it, not only by his strength — as if I was a little boy in rapt attention — but also by the mythic power of the epic drama that was taking place as I drifted into awareness of this earth. We had heard rumors about the prison camp. My buddy and I had the day off, so we took a jeep to see what was going on. We came to a bridge that was completely bombed out except that tracks were still left, so we very carefully drove across a ravine balancing the tires on them. First we came to the train station where there were large coal cars with ladders up the sides. We climbed up one and saw some dead men inside. We then went into the headquarters where we found German officers who had been lined up by the GIs and killed execution style. [My father never failed to stress that he had never seen that before.] There were Quonset huts with dead bodies stacked up like cordwood. The place was neat as a pin. [He never got over how neat it was.] Clothes were meticulously separated into orderly piles. [Then the most vivid image.] There were huge men — I think they were Russians — silently laying corpses in chutes one after another and pushing them into the incinerators with poles with a cloth bag attached to the end. [He would make violent pushing gestures.] We saw the prison in the distance but didn’t go up there, because we heard that the place was infested with cholera.

I was at least a decade away from contemplating the relationship between Darwin’s theory of group selection and Hitler. I was not focused on the issue of whether it was mandatory for groups to be in competitive conflict for morality to evolve within them. My father’s story meant to me that justice was being served. The good guys won, just as they always had since the beginning.

Joe Wishcamper commented: “The impact on men who experienced death and destruction in WW2 is difficult for us to imagine. Thanks, John, for this vivid story of just one of the horrors your dad must have experienced.” Don Van Doren commented: “Powerful remembrances, John, both yours and your father’s. Thank you for sharing these vignettes.” Mike Brodsky commented: “My father (Y33) also went to Dachau but never talked about it, perhaps because he was Jewish and it was too personal. I do have a picture of him in front of the ovens your father described. As much as those memories are horrific, they are too important to be forgotten.” Owen O’Donnell commented: “Thanks for sharing your father's description and your memories. My wife and I visited Dachau in the winter of 1969 when it was very cold. The place had a very cold and frozen impact on me, especially reading about holding men in tubs of cold water until they died. When I walked out I was feeling frozen to the core. How could humans treat other humans in such a horrific way? I get cold just thinking about it.” Steve Bingham commented: “Thank you both for sharing your memories. On a very different D-Day note, we shared our flight three days ago to Paris with four 100-year-old US Army paratroopers who were dropped into Normandy on June 6, 1944. They were coming for the 80th-anniversary events. Very, very moving, especially as all of us awaiting boarding roundly applauded them after the announcement of their presence was made.” Sandy McKleroy commented: “A compelling, heroic, and sad tale you told of your Dad's invasion experiences! Dachau some two decades afterwards for me was unforgettable. To him and his generation we owe such gratitude. Two uncles (whose stories I did not hear) landed in France and always Normandy has had a special place in my heart. By 1954, my aunt had married a Frenchman with roots in Normandy and I had the good fortune that summer, after having been smitten by French study in 6th grade, to fly over solo with a backpack to visit them and further my French. (No success in Paris — too much English). The highlight by far, though, was staying with my French uncle's childhood friend and family on an ancient apple, pig, and hay farm some eight miles from Omaha Beach where we did all the haying with horse wagons. Needless to say, I was fascinated by the war stories and visited Omaha Beach and the terribly moving nearby cemetery. At the end of summer, my older brother-like friend (by some 18 years), André Pallix, gave me an empty cartridge belt, (unused!), a packet of GI toilet paper, and my treasure, a severely dented American helmet. This hangs now in our garage, and I am continually reminded of and grateful for his sacrifice (I imagine he died in those horrible local battles). Steve, such good luck for you to have been able to participate in that spontaneous appreciation of the four old paratroopers! By the way, the book by Stephen Rabe, The Lost Paratroopers of Normandy: A Story of Resistance, Courage, and Solidarity in a French Village, tells their stories as well as those of the brave local French who often get less credit. I've been back several times to that area and with my son and swam in the now peaceful waters off Omaha.” Owen O’Donnell again: “Sandy, those are wonderful stories and thanks for sharing. We owe a lot to our fathers, uncles, and others who made the world so peaceful and beneficial to ignorant young tykes like us. So many people seem to have forgotten about what caused those sacrifices as they vote for fascist authoritarian politicians. The western world may have to live through a world dominated by rightwing dictators again.” Tony Lavely added, “On an uplifting note, I saw an AP article headline: ‘A World War II veteran just married his bride near Normandy’s D-Day Beaches. He’s 100, she’s 96.’ It made the six 1964 classmates who got married after turning 80 look like slackers, don’t ya think?”

In a separate post on Memorial Day, Kip Burgweger wrote in a Greenwich CT newsletter:

Kip Burgweger, Captain, U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps, 1964-1967; Fort Meade, MD; Fort Bragg, NC; Saigon, Vietnam; Bronze Star for Meritorious Service: In church on Sunday before Memorial Day, either I carry, or I arrange for another veteran to carry, the American flag leading the procession to the high altar. When we reach the altar, we hold the flag high and then, while singing ‘America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)’, we lower it in memory and honor of those members of the military who had no greater love than this, to lay down their life for their country. To me, Memorial Day means, foremost, a time to celebrate and salute those who have gone before us.

Tony Lavely added: “During the Memorial Day weekend at our reunion, we also remembered the three classmates whom we lost in Vietnam: Charles Brown. Bruce Warner, and Phinney Works. The inscription of the names in marble in the Woolsey Hall Rotunda was added to the “1964 Campus Footprints” map.

Class Notes (Non-Reunion)

Usually, I organize this column into five sections:

  1. Events
  2. News
  3. Notes
  4. Publications
  5. Obituaries

This structure makes it easier to read (or skip) topics that interest you (or not). Section #3, Notes, does not appear in the YAM version, because it’s the longest. In this issue, I’m dividing that section into two parts: #3A General Notes about Classmates, and #3B Feedback from Classmates about the reunion. Both are arranged in reverse alphabetical order.

In June, Roger Webb posted, “I want to say ‘thank you’ to all the people who sent me happy birthday wishes. This one was #82, so I have mixed feelings about the event. I did get a nice dinner at Kemuri out of it.” Pat Caviness commented: “Enjoy #82, Roger. Future birthdays will have more age to them!” In June, Ward Wickwire emailed Chas Freeman:

Sorry you couldn’t make our 60th Reunion in New Haven, Chas. I trust you are doing well notwithstanding the age-related issues that affect us all to some degree. The Reunion was a great gathering, though obviously smaller than our 50th. There was still talk about the Zoom session that we did on “U.S. and China: Confrontation vs. Collaboration” featuring you and Susan Thornton. For our 60th, I agreed to organize a session on Democracy vs. Autocracy and finally succeeded in getting Tim Snyder (currently the Richard C. Levin Professor of History and Global Affairs at the Jackson School of Global Affairs). It was a great success, evidenced by the attendance, and sparked some discussion on more events on foreign affairs. We also had an update on the progress of the Jackson School for the Boston Zoom Group which was also well attended. And, the progress the School has made in establishing a niche in the field of global affairs has been impressive. I was asked by some classmates about your possible availability to participate in a future web-based discussion on global affairs (too many topics to list but I thought U.S. and S.E. Asia might be of interest). There are no specific plans or schedules, but I just wanted to see if you might have any interest. I suspect the subject will come up this Fall. Please let me know if you could have an interest. And, be assured that if so, it will be web-based and no travel would be involved. Again, we missed you at the Reunion. Look forward to hearing from you and be well.

Chas Freeman replied:

Sorry to have had to pass on the reunion, Ward. I don't travel anymore except between my cottage at River Woods in Exeter, NH and our family home in Bristol, RI. I'm still a very active commentator on current foreign policy issues — China, Israel-Palestine, and Ukraine — as well as the emerging multi-nodal world order. (On none of these do my views coincide with the official narrative.) I'd be happy to join classmates to discuss a topic of interest to them if there is demand for me to do so. Almost everything I am now doing (all virtual) is now interviews rather than set pieces. But some of those are to be found at my website.

Joe Wishcamper hosted Barbara Plimpton (surviving spouse of David Plimpton) at our reunion and reported that both his wife Carol and Barbara had a wonderful time. In May, Joe Wishcamper received an honorary degree from the University of Southern Maine at their commencement. Joe Wishcamper wrote about our reunion: “The reunion was a wonderful event in so many ways, but it would have been even more so had Pat Caviness and Zack Krieger been able to attend. Watching Dick duPont circulate so smoothly was a joy. I would love a get-together somewhere, sometime before the next reunion.” With his son and grandson, Joe Wishcamper attended the semi-finals (Dortmund) and final match (Berlin) of the 2024 UEFA European Championship in Germany in mid-July.

John Witherspoon was unable to attend our reunion but emailed, “Thanks for all you do for all of us in 1964, Tony.” Bill Woodfin circulated the obituary of George Woodwell, an influential ecologist on climate change, that was published in The New York Times in June. Don Van Doren commented, “Thanks, Bill, for bringing this to our attention. I had not been aware of Dr. Woodwell’s work and influence. Nancy Upper (surviving spouse of Dennis Upper) added, “Bill, thank you. We were fortunate to have classmate Gus Speth speak to our Boston Zoom group last year. His work extends that of the Woodwell Climate Research Center.”

Bill Woodfin (Dallas) and Tony Lavely (Boston) had a bet on the NBA Finals and agreed that the loser would donate a Mory’s Memorial Brick. A man of his word, Bill donated a Memorial Brick in Hood Franks name. Don Van Doren emailed about the wildfires in June: “The main fires are in and near Ruidoso NM, about 200 miles to the south of us. We are able to see the smoke from those fires from our home. In addition, we were treated yesterday to a 10-minute, golf-ball-sized hailstorm with 60-mph winds that broke a few windows.” Don added a comment about the June Boston-area Zoom call. “Good Zoom call. I was impressed at how the Jackson School integrates its global affairs programs with other University disciplines — economics, health, law, business, etc. That integration seems unique among similar programs at other universities and sets Yale apart. On reflection, that integration clearly makes sense for our increasingly complex and interrelated world. Thanks to Ward Wickwire for arranging this.” Chip Thomas (son of Stan Thomas) emailed: “Tony, I haven’t told you some of what I’ve been up to the past several months (and years!). As an original member of NIVA (National Independent Venus Association), which formed at the early onset of the pandemic, we were able to raise $16B in 2021 in a bipartisan bill nicknamed ‘Save our Stages Act’ and then formally the shuttered venues operations grant. Lately, we’ve been focusing on live-event ticketing reform. Last week, the house passed a bill we sponsored called The Ticket Act. We are working on our crown-jewel bill called the Fans First Act, and are seeking additional bipartisan sponsors as we speak. It’s been a journey!”

Tony Thomson exchanged emails with John Hunsaker about longevity (and multiple other topics). Hunsaker wrote, “A while back Tony Thomson commented on how reading obituaries was more rewarding than reading other stuff. Michael Kinsley had written on that topic many moons ago, but I couldn't find it. Attached is his somewhat longer article from The New Yorker on aging, longevity [with a sidebar on his Parkinsonism], and baby-boomer stuff [yes, we are too old for that generation]. I thought the program at the reunion was good, but some held that other topics like this one would be of more interest.” Tony Thomson replied:

Thanks John, very interesting article. Did I say that reading obituaries beats other reading at my age? Hardly an original thought and I love thrillers and pop history. I do feel lucky when I turn up at some sort of gathering of elderly men and I am among the few who can still walk around without assistance. Today I just dug up some sod to replace bald spots on the lawn. I needed a shovel and a pickaxe. It was hard enough work to raise a muck sweat … not like filing sandbags in Vietnam but hard for me now. If I couldn't walk up our low hills with our dogs and garden, I'd consider my options. If Alyson goes first, I will follow promptly whatever my state of health. It’s another good reason not to have an electric car. I think that everyone should be given one cyanide pill at 75 in a thumbprint-openable box. No one should live the way I've seen folks in care homes … or my father when he was more or less ga-ga, blind, incontinent, and had multiple leg ulcers. His PCP wouldn't give him enough morphine to sleep. The PCP, a lay Baptist minister, thought father should have some time daily with enough relative mental clarity to cozy up to Jesus. Eventually a hospice doctor — a super kind Jewish woman — let him have enough morphine to make the big sayonara. and great age even with relative health is no fun IMO, though I know a 94-year-old who is sharp as a tack and cheats at duplicate bridge. He is bent double but would do most anything to go on winning at bridge. His partner tells me she hates him but he is such a good player it suits her 75-year-old ambition to play with the old bastard and get master points galore.

Earlier, Tony Thomson commented about the recent discussion of slavery: “Hi John, this is the best I can do on Yale dead in the Civil War. From the Yale Daily News: ‘In the 1860 to 1861 academic year, the University was only three percent southern, while nearly 700 students gave their lives to oppose the Confederacy.’ Just to ensure that you consign me to the eternally unwoke, my great great grandfather was Stonewall Jackson's chief of staff and with him when Jackson died. His name was Robert Lewis Dabney, a Presbyterian minister who wrote a lengthy life of Jackson and an even more lengthy defense of slavery. It is unreadable quite apart from the ugly topic.”

Jan Truebner (surviving spouse of Peter Truebner), who does such a wonderful job in outreach to surviving spouses, forwarded an email from Ann Marie Lynch (surviving spouse of Denny Lynch) who had a bad fall at our reunion: “Jan, you have been such a loyal and true new friend, and I am so grateful. On my arrival home Tuesday from Milford rehab I look forward to seeing and treasuring the Memorial Service program. If there’s a second one I’d also like to have it sent to Jan Kaminsky (surviving spouse of Rick Kaminsky) in TX. In the meantime, I send my gratitude and warmest good wishes to Tony Lavely in case you are in touch with him sooner than I am. Please tell him I’ll be writing as quickly as I feel a little better. Once again with my thanks, Ann Marie.”

Laura Landro and Rick Salomon didn’t attend our reunion. Rick emailed: “I wish we could be there, Tony, but we’ll be heading to Puglia where all of Laura’s family hails from. We’ll miss seeing you and many others and will mourn the passing of great friends. Say hi to Dick Niglio for me. He used to practice his start in our room!” Later, Laura and Rick posted multiple accounts: “A perfect evening with family and friends in a magical setting at Hotel De Russie in Rome.” Later, “Nothing but sunshine, good food, beautiful places, and amazing company in Puglia, Italy.” Still later, “More adventures with the Landro/Salomon crew, navigating the streets of Monopoli and Ostuni.” “Truly, we love truilly! These towers are dotted throughout the rural areas of Puglia and were long used for agricultural purposes. Families lived in their close quarters and some still do!”

Gerry Shea, who attended our reunion and led us in “Bright College Years” at the Class Dinner, fired off another letter to the editors of The New York Times following the June Presidential Debate: “To the Editor: The point is, I am sorry to say, that the Democratic Party has already changed candidates. The man thought to be their future nominee was an illusion. Those around him, who created and promoted it, bear a heavy burden. The man who stands in the place of that illusion today, as has now been seen and understood by tens of millions of Americans, is incapable of serving as our next President. Any attempt to continue to project the mirage will be fruitless, and immoral.”

In May, Ron Sipherd participated in the Yale Day of Service and posted photos of the group: “Yale Blue Green volunteers and descendants line up at the Lake Merritt community garden in Oakland CA, tired but happy after a half day of weeding and planting on the Yale Day of Service.” Nancy and Russell Sunshine traveled to and from the reunion via transcontinental train. On the return home in June, he emailed, “Tony, we're in the home stretch, enjoying Vancouver CA. Home June 17. Plan to blog about the trip in two posts, eastbound across US in late June, then westbound across Canada in July.” Bob Rands didn’t attend the reunion but wrote: “Six months ago when Amy and I were taking our under 6-year-old grandchildren to Naples for a beach vacation, she bought me a walker. It came in handy at the airport, of course, but also at our resort. When we got home, I got another for the second floor where our offices are located. I can walk some, but I become worn down too easily.” Later, Bob emailed: “We just had a slew of out-of-town house guests for a few days. Now all gone to the North Shore, so now we're back to our somewhat peaceful life. And my handicap son in Atlanta (Decatur actually) was kicked out of his apartment. So, we're spending a lot of time getting him into a new one.”

In May, Dina Marie Ruden (wife of Paul Ruden) posted: “Amazing night at ASTA Advocacy dinner. So proud of my husband!” Later, Paul provided background. “Tony, Dina is trapped in Indianapolis filming videos for Goodwill, having had to go directly there from the ASTA event in Dallas. I told her I would respond to your Facebook request. More information than you probably want to know so just use what, if anything, you choose and no worries. Shortly after I retired in October 2015 after 35 years with the American Society of Travel Advisors (formerly called Travel Agents), ASTA decided, for reasons unknown, to create an annual award called the Paul Ruden Industry Ambassador Award to be awarded to a high-achieving travel advisor/executive whose actions have enhanced, enriched, and promoted the travel-advisor industry. I learned in Dallas that it has been elevated to the top of the set of annual awards given by ASTA to retail industry luminaries, again for reasons unknown. When I was employed by ASTA I was the master of ceremonies for this event and bizarrely developed a reputation for being quite funny and entertaining, if you can imagine. Each year ASTA generously invites me to its annual Advocacy Dinner to present the award. The dinner is a formal affair in an elegant venue and is the scene of much gaiety and also fundraising for the ASTAPAC and the ASTA Advocacy Fund. This year set a fundraising record.”

Karen Carmean and Doane Perry, regulars on the Boston-area Zoom call (and also attendees at our reunion), emailed: “Our son Curt Perry received the Yale medical oncology research award among the fellows this year!” Bill Woodfin added: “I did my neurological training there and congratulate the entire family. It augurs a promising and productive career.” Later, Karen Carmean posted: “Please join us at The Art on Main Gallery for a talk/reading of a book by Doane Perry on photographing in Greece 1974-75: ‘Doane started making photographs as a cultural anthropologist in the Southern Peloponnesus Mani region of Greece in 1974-75. He continues to make photographs of the Berkshires’.” On June 27, Doane celebrated a potluck 82nd birthday, which was also streamed on Zoom.

After attending our reunion in May, Nancy and Dan Pollack traveled to Napa CA where Nancy emailed: “Right now we’re in Napa for our granddaughters Bat Mitzvah. We also celebrated Dan’s 82nd birthday. When we return home, at the end of next week, I’ll go through my reunion pictures. Hugs to Nancy. So nice talking to her at the brunch on Sunday!” While they were in California, the Pollacks had dinner with Kris Klint (surviving spouse of Jim Klint). Later, back in Chicago, they had dinner with Sherry Reum (surviving spouse of Bob Reum). Later, commenting on a FB Post made by Tony Lavely about Alice Waters’ influence on Yale food, Dan emailed: “You mentioned Alice Waters, Tony. Nancy and I shared lunch with Kris Klint at Chez Panisse Cafe in Berkeley during our Napa trip. We were very disappointed. The prices and attitude far exceeded the quality of the food.” In June, Dan Pollack emailed about his talented grandson, “During June in Illinois, high school teams play non-conference games to evaluate players for the fall season. We spent the weekend at Riverside Brookfield High School watching grandson Jake Pollack's team go 4 and 0 against high-quality teams. Jake is really progressing. He's now 6'9" (must have grown another inch) and working to build his strength and develop moves. Nothing better than watching grandkids have success. He attended clinics at Yale and Dartmouth during May and June.” Kip Burgweger commented: “Hey, Dan, great news about Jake. He may skip college and go straight to the Bears. Just a coincidence, but I am also in Illinois for today and leaving tomorrow, enjoying the company of siblings and cousins and nieces and nephews. A very nice state.” In late June, Dan Pollack emailed, “Nancy and I visit Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee WI tomorrow for another opinion. The doctor was recommended by our primary oncologist. We visited a local cancer wellness center for introduction to programs and last night zoomed with three other pancreatic cancer people (very helpful). One day at a time.” Later, Nancy Pollack commented on Tony Lavely’s Facebook posts during the reunion, “Thanks for posting the pictures!!! Such a wonderful weekend filled with interesting lectures and time to share with fellow classmates. Unbelievable effort on the part of the reunion committee. Tony, you deserve an Oscar.” Pat Caviness added, “Tony, I wasn’t even there, and I know without a doubt that you deserve an Oscar.” Dan Pollack had the perfect closing line, “Let us all be well and focus on attending our 65th reunion. Life is a journey.”

Pete Putzel reported that Mimi and Jon McBride stopped at the Putzel’s home in northwestern Connecticut for a visit on their way to Lake Champlain in June. Later, when Tony Lavely crowed about the Celtics 18th NBA Championship, Putzel commented, “Lavely, you’re a frontrunner. When was the last time you lived in Boston? [1963]. Right after the reunion, John Meigs emailed: “Tony, I thought the reunion went really well. I’m in Türkiye, a little exhausted from all the sightseeing. I’ll get back to you shortly. I’ve copied Chip Levengood, who was there and knows far more about Peace Corps happenings than I do, for him to respond as well.” Dana and Dick Niglio enjoyed the reunion and later left for a week in Colorado. On their return, they celebrated Tony Lavely’s 82nd birthday with him and Nancy at dinner in Maple Plain, MN. As reported earlier, Tony Lavely posted 16 of his 60th reunion experiences on Facebook which drew many comments from classmates. Earlier, commenting on a FB post for Tony’s first wedding anniversary in May, Wally Grant ’63 (Tony’s Beta fraternity father) wrote: “Happy Anniversary! It’s hard to believe that a young-looking couple like you are off to a 60th Yale Reunion. Have a good time. My 60th last year was great fun, although as chairman I had little time to visit with classmates. Your 60th will, I’m sure, be a wonderful experience, like mine.” During the reunion, Nancy and Tony Lavely stopped by Branford College to visit with the current Head, Enrique De La Cruz (the ninth Branford Master/Head Tony has known). Enrique emailed: “Thank you, Tony. It was great to visit with you. What a lovely account of the reunion weekend! Tom Barnard (fellow Branfordite), I’m sorry we did not cross paths. I went into TD but there were many more folks having breakfast than I expected, and I did not want to disrupt; but hope you made it to Branford and that we can meet the next time you are in the area. Please do drop me a note when you do.” When John Evans heard that Tony Lavely descended from a family of ministers, he emailed: “Russell Sunshine pointed out that you come from a lineage of Christian ministers, Tony. Perhaps that heritage has helped you to succeed as the uber-communicator of our class. I am awed regularly by the unlimited versions of the class notes and the extent of your constant flow of emails. You and Sam Francis hold the class together.” Tony Lavely replied: “Yup, seven generations of Methodist ministers on both sides. It ended with my brother Jay ‘65 and me (though we’ve both officiated at marriage ceremonies).”

Peter Bradford enjoyed the reunion (see his feedback later), and later commented on a high-school friend of Tony Lavely: “Last Sunday in church I asked Joe O'Donnell if he had gone to his Columbia 60th. He said, no, that he had sort of forgotten about it. Then, he asked if by any chance I knew you, Tony. I told him that if he had been Yale '64, there would have been no forgetting about his 60th reunion!” Joe Wishcamper commented on an exchange between Tony Lavely and Dick duPont about Dick’s new autobiographical compilation, “A Man’s Reach” and Tony’s upcoming trip to Africa:

Hey you boozers ... First, I second Tony’s motion on “A Man’s Reach.” It affirms my belief that college, especially liberal arts college, isn’t for people who have a passion for something and are eager to get with it. Gates is a great example and so is duPont. Second, Tony, you will love East Africa. I would suggest that you pay close attention to the birds as well as the mammals. Good idea to bring a Birds of East Africa guidebook. Hopefully, your guide will be knowledgeable about birds. I think that is required for them to be licensed. I always end each day making a list of birds seen. The other thing I found fascinating was the improbable mix of modern and primitive in the lives of the people. Everyone has a cell phone, even the herders with their machetes and spears. The towns lack adequate infrastructure and have grown up without any planning, and thus feel chaotic. People seem to live in the present. If true, this would help explain how little attention is paid to individual and societal betterment.

Douglass Lea did not attend the reunion but wrote Karen Carmean and Doane Perry: “No, I’m not attending the Yale reunion. Given the demands on money and time, I finally decided to forego the bonhomie, but I may be in the Berkshires in October.” Later, Douglass posted an article about abandoned amusement parks and commented, “I’ve already asked to be reincarnated as a 58th-century archeologist charged with interpreting the rites that can be associated with the unearthings of these 21st-century ruins.” Ed Gaffney commented, “I hope your request is granted. You’d be great for that position.” Douglass Lea regularly posts spectacular skyscapes from over Bequia. When one friend asked, “Do you enhance the color or is this for real? Extraordinary!” Douglass replied, “It's basically what the gods offer up every day in their wisdom and infinite variety. My role is minimal compared with their contribution. I always try to eliminate a common visual annoyance by leveling the sea's ever-present horizon line in the background. I often crop in hopes of guiding observers' focus on whatever in the tableau drew my attention in the first place. And I occasionally sharpen or blur the focus to enhance a photo's artistic appeal. Other effects seem to come unbidden with the apparatus I'm using, such as the slight drift toward deep purples and blues when I've captured an especially dark shadow. Finally, I seem to have a small gift for composition.” When another FB friend commented on Douglass’s use of the word ‘crepuscular’ (“Not a word you see much on social media. Not unlike ‘discombobulate’ in its lack of popularity”), Douglass replied, “I labor under the illusion that God gave me breath to bring ‘crepuscular’ to the hungry, teeming masses. His/Here/Its will be done, not mine, for God’s sake.” As Hurricane Beryl charged toward Bequia in July, Pat Caviness asked Douglass Lea, “Hey, friend and classmate, how many hurricanes have you sat out in your island dwelling?” Douglass replied, “The hype is certainly the most intense I’ve ever gone through. So far, the reality is manageable.”

Classmates who attended the Memorial Service at our 60th reunion (or who have watched the video on our class website) know that Matt Lieberman (son of Joe Lieberman) read the Hebrew Kaddish, as his father had planned to do. Matt emailed me: “Tony, It was great seeing you over the weekend, and thanks, again, for including me. As I said, I would love in written form any little stories from your shared college days that classmates might have about my dad that particularly stick out in their memories. If anyone has anything they'd like to share, they can email me. I knew him from 1967 on, but you guys knew him a few years before that!”

Sam Low attended our reunion and emailed Tony Lavely: “The artificial intelligence in my spell checker is not so good. I think I meant to say, ‘Way to go’. Anyway, sending ‘Aloha’ to you and your bride.” Later, Sam Low posted a “60 Minutes” video of Fleetwood Mac and commented, “I love this band, and I love this little documentary. I hope you enjoy it, too.” Earlier, we reported that Bob Kaiser wrote an opening essay in our 60th Reunion Book and later it was included as an Op-Ed in The Washington Post. Rick Salomon’s comment was truncated, so Greeley wrote back, “Hey Rick, your comment was cut off after ‘Greeley.’ Maybe you’re getting too old for Facebook?” Pat Caviness chimed in: “Bob wrote an excellent piece for the reunion. I was impressed that he thought we had failed on climate change and Trumpism. That resonated with me.”

Bill Kridel commented on Ron Parlato’s post-reunion blog post, “The Golden Years: No Sex, No Wisdom, No Shots Left in the Magazine:” “If life becomes blah at our age, why not end it? Especially if your spouse is dead? Don't know any good arguments against doing this outside formal religion or not upsetting the grandkids. A decent man would make sure the dogs were looked after. I liked Ron's article. Nicely nihilist (if that is the right word).”

When Tony Lavely posted encouragement for the Boston Celtics, chasing their 18th NBA Championship, Blaine Krickl emailed, “It strikes me as ridiculous that with around 2/5 of the MLB 2024 season completed, we are just now starting the final round of the NBA season. I fondly hope the Celtics can continue their dominance and claim the crown ere long. We have Queen's tennis, Wimbledon, Henley, Ascot, etc. to occupy us here. We have a date with the Baskeys for an opera on June 22 and a luncheon date with them and Karl Ziegler once Queen's has been restored to normal after the tournament week after next. Traditions of English summer.”

Candy and Waldo Johnston did not attend the reunion but instead took a scenic multi-week drive in their RV from their winter home in Florida, west and north up the Mississippi Vally, then east back to their summer home in Saratoga NY. Along the way, many many Facebook posts recorded them in Louisiana, Ohio, Wausaukee WI (Candy’s childhood home), Michigan, and finally New York. Here are a few posts:

We left the Arkansas and Missouri flat agricultural fields to cross the Mississippi into the rolling forested hills of Tennessee. We miss the spectacular wide-open vistas. It was dangerously windy as we crossed the river. … OMG, what have we done? Old age seeks comfort. We bid a sad farewell to Pathfinder and bought Pathfinder 2.0, a roomy home-away-from-home Forester 3011DS. Three days (May 9-11) were required to move and settle into our new digs. … The geologic formations of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore are most spectacularly represented by the 50-200 foot sandstone cliffs that extend for more than 15 miles along the Lake Superior shoreline near Munising, MI. Sea caves, arches, blowholes, turrets, stone spires, and other features are awe-inspiring. The name “Pictured Rocks” comes from the streaks of mineral stain that decorate the cliffs. Stunning colors occur when groundwater oozes out of cracks and trickles down the rock face. Iron (red and orange), copper (blue and green), manganese (brown and black), and limonite (white) are among the most common color-producing minerals. … Today was a New York day. We left the western vineyard country, passed through apple orchards, into pristine, broad farmlands all the while following the Erie Canal and Lake Ontario to our north. Farm homes, for the most part, are meticulously maintained. Our last camping night is on a Sodus bluff where we savor the view of whitecaps and waves on this great lake.

Jim Hart attended our reunion and posted this on Father’s Day: “Happy Father’s Day to each of you. May this be a memorable and joyous day celebrating the best of each of you.” On her birthday, Marya Holcombe (surviving spouse of Terry Holcombe) posted the celebration: “Wonderful 80th birthday with a dinosaur theme. Great friends and family.” Their daughter, Kerry Auld (who also attended our reunion) told us that her father and Chris Getman are now at rest in the Grove Street Cemetery. “The office can direct people to the locations. Such a wonderful place. So full of history.” In late June, Frank Hotchkiss emailed: “Gone to Europe for a Danube cruise, back November 10. Pretty much off the grid until then.” John Hunsaker was a great recruiter and promoter of attendance at the reunion, especially among his Trumbull College mates. Along the way, John heard from Fred Deyo, “John, I’ve run into health issues that preclude my attending the reunion. Hope it goes well. Thanks for all your work on this project.” John replied, “Hey Fred, thanks much for your reply. I am sorry to learn of the health disqualifier, but I know a fair number of classmates are in the same boat. I surely hope your status improves. The class website will be memorializing much of the happenings of the 60th.” Later, John Hunsaker circulated a New Yorker article by Peter Osnos, “The Suicide Pack.”

Ed Gaffney celebrated our age cohort with this post: “People born in the 1940s have lived in eight decades, two centuries, and two millenniums. We had the best music, fastest cars, drive-in theaters, soda fountains, and happy days. And we aren’t even that old yet. We’re just that cool.” Later Ed posted a comment about writing a book: “I’m going to write a book about all the things I should have done with my life. I’ll call it my ‘oughtabiography’.” Ed also weighed in on Bob Kaiser’s essay/OpEd, with this, “I’m glad you posted this, Tony, so I could share the WaPo article. It should go viral! I don't think we can carry the entire blame for lack of international control of nuclear weapons; we were working with a hobbled UN charter.” We have already reported Angus Gillespie’s Award of Excellence in Class News. Angus will also be participating in a National Endowment for the Humanities event on Staten Island on July 10: “Angus Gillespie, author of Port Newark and the Origins of Container Shipping, will talk about the Ports of Newark and Elizabeth and discuss container shipping and the political economy of the two ports. He will also talk about the importance of lighthouses and of Staten Island in the history of the harbor and environmental adaptations made to New York harbor over the course of its port history.”

Stephen Greenblatt and his son were courtside as the Celtics won their 18th NBA Championship. “We got to be there! Here's my son Harry looking, well, pretty happy.” Later, after he saw Tony Lavely’s Facebook post about Biden’s performance in the first debate (In which Tony invoked Stephen’s new book, Second Chances, Stephen Greenblatt emailed, “That's a fantastic post, Tony, and one with which I entirely agree. I think that we — precisely because of our age and stage of life — are in a position to take in fully what we saw the other night. It is a catastrophe not only for the country but for the world. But — apart from Kamala, whose motive I think I can understand — I do not get why the others would encourage Biden to continue on what is manifestly a disastrous course.”

Celeste Finn and Eric Fossel attended the reunion and later Celeste posted, “Couldn’t even post to mark our 18th wedding anniversary on Monday. Failed to take a photo with both of us in it that night so, this one from a Lab Central event, last night, will have to work in its stead. It was one of those ring Photo Booth things and Eric was studying how the thing worked. In the sequence, I’m telling him to step back so he didn’t look like a little animal photobombing a wildlife cam.”

When Steve Delman, who attended the reunion, heard Tony Lavely’s introduction of Officer Tristan Kiekel at the Class Dinner, he commented on Tony Lavely’s FB post: “Tony, I mentioned this story to you, but I want to share it. Saturday afternoon my wife and I were waiting on Park Street in front of the Reunion Headquarters at St. Thomas More for a shuttle to our hotel. A female Yale Police Officer came up to us and asked which reunion we were at. When we told her, she said she was an honorary classmate of mine! I had this expression of disbelief, so she pulled out her phone and showed us the picture of her with you and Terry receiving the honor. She then explained why she received it. This incident was one of the highlights of this wonderful reunion!”

In addition to distributing his new compilation “A Man’s Reach” and many observations about the reunion, Dick duPont shared the photography of his pilot friend, Ted Grussing: “Check out this album from my friend Ted Grussing in Sedona, a particularly memorable one, featuring Ted's annual coverage of the first flight of the year for the young red tails. He takes the shot from the tramway leading to his friend's house, stopping roughly midway when the tram gets in the best spot for the shot, about 100' from the nest.” Sam Crocker replied, “Unbelievable photos, duPs. Thanks for sharing.” Before the reunion, Joe Wishcamper emailed Dick duPont: “Your family is a big part of the history of the country!” duPs replied: “E. I. duPont (son of and front man for Pierre Samuel duPont) arrived via Block Island on the ship ‘American Eagle’ with a handful of family members. There the ship's Captain arranged for some urgent rudder repairs, before continuing straight to Newport. They arrived at Block Island on the first day of the first week of the first month of the first year of the 19th Century.” After the reunion, Dick duPont emailed Pat Caviness, Sam Francis, Tony Lavely, and Joe Wishcamper: “If anyone got me back and engaged with 1964, it was you four as well as Sam Crocker. I will always appreciate and remember what you guys did for me. I'm so chuffed you enjoyed my new book. That's the whole point.”

Jim Currie, the only classmate who flew himself to the reunion, emailed Tim White in advance: “In case you plan to attend our 60th (I have not checked the roster lately) here is a thread related to our earlier exchange regarding the freshman year 'Smith incident.' Dick duPont has written a piece about this event (also occurred around freshman year) and is sending me a copy. I think there is also a link to that on the class website. Joe Wishcamper was involved in one as well, and other class members at various times. I am trying to encourage a small gathering during this Reunion so all the 'crashees' can have a big laugh over their respective events and compare notes. As you'll note below, I plan to arrive early (for other business) in my RV7. It would be great if you could join us at least for that part of the Reunion. PS. I have my fuel stops down tentatively as: (from KAVQ) KCAO, KMYJ, KFIG, (final KHVN). Estimate roughly 14 hours enroute.” Tim White replied, “Sadly, I won’t be making it to our 60th, Jim. It would be especially fun to relive our ‘Crash Smith College’ adventure. I will miss seeing you all. P.S. Since we last chatted, I’ve moved from San Francisco to Naples FL.”

Pat Caviness responded with dismay to Tony Lavely’s reunion FB post about our departed classmate, Charlie Johnson and the Yale Campus police officer, Tristan Kiekel, who befriended Charlie: “Hard to believe. A long fall. Charlie had to be dealing with a mental disability. I read recently that when we graduated from college in 1964 only 10% of Americans had college degrees. I was astonished. When I received my doctorate, only 3% of Americans held doctoral degrees. Thanks for all the updates on the reunion. I’m living it through all your fine posts!” Later, when Pat heard that Tom Kleven had been one of the featured authors in Edward Massey’s reunion workshop, he emailed Dick duPont, another featured author: “I had to return to our freshman year 1960 Yale official football program to find Tom Kleven, but there he was, listed as being on the team, a halfback, 178 pounds, who went to Andover before attending Yale. I then checked the list of Yale players in the 1961 program for the Dartmouth game. There was no Tom Kleven. He must have played our freshman year and then decided to do other things in our sophomore year. Happened with a lot of guys. It's no problem waiting for your material. Living on a remote island in the Gulf of Thailand, we're used to waiting for the mail! I did read Tom's poetry, and I agree with you; our classmate has talent.” While his classmates were at the reunion, Patrick Caviness and Frederique were in Bangkok and posted: “We spent last weekend in Bangkok for some shopping, medical checkups, and eating out with friends.” Later, they posted more photos and wrote: “Frederique and I spent our last full day in Bangkok wandering through amazing shopping malls and, in stark contrast, exploring the back streets of Chinatown.”

Dick Berk, who was scheduled to be a presenter (on Artificial Intelligence) at the reunion, fell ill at the last minute and had to cancel. He emailed: “I was up most of the night reprocessing my dinner in very unattractive ways. I am still pretty nauseous and lightheaded. I don’t want to risk infecting you or any of my other classmates. So, I need to cancel my attendance at the reunion. I am so very sorry. I am not a very social guy, but I was really looking forward to this. Who do I talk to in order to get my discussion group in Saturday afternoon cancelled?” John Evans replied, “So sorry to hear that you are ill, Dick. I hope it turns out to be a quick transient and you can recover quickly. We will miss your presentation. If you can get a copy of yesterday's NYTimes, there is an article in the Arts section, page 2, reviewing ChatGPT-40. Echoes of the movie, Her. The review is well written and worth reading.” And Dick Berk replied: “I’m doing OK on prescription meds but still some distance from normal (whatever that is at 81). I just decided not to risk infecting anyone else, although I have nothing that you’d call a well-defined diagnosis. Still there is a significant respiratory component that I want to avoid passing along (apparently not COVID). I will take a look at the article you mentioned. Among the fascinating features of the AI debate is that of late, it all seems to focus on LLMs. I suppose that’s where the good political theater is and yes, there are some real issues, but ignored in all that is a host of other algorithms that in my view are far more concerning, at least in the short run. I write briefly about that in my reunion book essay. Meanwhile I remain very involved in writing code for criminal justice applications where my main justification is that the algorithms, while far from perfect, are more accurate and fair than most criminal justice human decision-makers. The algorithms are more transparent, too, if you consider how a judge might decide to incarcerate or not or how a DA might plea bargain. I have one such algorithm that is running very successfully in the Philadelphia Department of Probation and Parole, one that ran successfully for the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole until local politics killed it, and one I was recently invited to write for the Montgomery County Pre-Trial Services (next to Philly). Some people think that makes me one of the bad guys, and for others I am a nerd super-hero. It would have been fun to get into such things at the reunion discussion.” Pat Caviness added his wishes, “Sounds like you had a roaring case of food poisoning. I'm sorry you will miss the reunion. Here is wishing you a speedy recovery.” Later, Dick Berk emailed Dan Pollack: “Dan, Sounds like a good time was had by all at the reunion. Congratulations about your grandson Jake. Young men often continue to grow into their early 20s. He could wind up as a 7-footer. Jake will be actively recruited, and I wonder how the Ivies will handle NIL and fixed salaries for athletes at some major universities. It is so very different from the scene we experienced.”

Dan Berman messaged Tony Lavely (they are also high-school classmates): “I’m not coming to the Yale reunion. One of my close friends died, so Lorna and I are going to the celebration of life. PS. You’re doing a great job with Class Notes; I don’t know how you do it.” After the reunion, Steve Bingham emailed Tony Lavely, “Thanks so much Tony. My niece, Catherine really appreciated the honorarium and so enjoyed meeting classmates at the dinner Saturday. She, Francoise and I were also very grateful for the pledges of classmates to help cover costs of outreach and distribution of the film, A Double Life.”

Bill Bowe posted from Chicago, “Wandering downtown Chicago is fun. The 30-story ‘Beehive Building’ is peaked by a 20-foot glass ‘beehive’ ornament containing a blue glass box filled with six 1000-watt lightbulbs which emit a deep blue light, a prominent feature of Chicago's nighttime skyline. The beehive is supported by four limestone Bisons. Encyclopaedia Britannica (where I worked) occupied the lower half of the building from 1982-2005.” Later. Bill Bowe posted another photo, “Not much has changed in the 24 years since I visited Panmunjom with Encyclopaedia Britannica’s CEO. It’s the only portion of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where North and South Korean forces stand face-to-face.”

After playing a leadership role in planning our 60th reunion, Chip Brennan was unable to attend due to health situations in his family. Chip emailed: “I’m not sure that I ever mentioned it, but my wife Mary had major abdominal surgery on February 1. Her recovery has progressed, but it has been slow. She has now decided that the reunion trip would be too much of a strain. Obviously, I’m reluctant to leave her on her own given the circumstances. Thus, we will not be at the reunion. Sorry for the late cancellation. We were both looking forward to being there.” Later, Chip sent an update: “Tony, I got your voicemail. Mary is doing well. Unfortunately, her cancer has come back and she’s in the hospital. Delighted that the reunion was such a success. Our daughter Cindy is doing much better. They thought she might be experiencing organ rejection, but tests cleared her of this concern. Her cancer is very early-stage lymphoma which is very slow growing so we’re all upbeat about her prospects.” We wish Chip and his family the very best.

Jim Burdick had registered for the reunion but had to cancel at the last minute, writing: “Tony, we cannot come to the Reunion. I told John Hunsaker that I am involved in a drug development project. I would like to arrange for anyone with a lot of money available who is interested in investment. I would be happy to arrange an NDA-protected discussion with our President. I can send the published Phase 1 Report of the first in-human study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of MRG-001 in healthy subjects.”

Michelle Mead (surviving spouse of John Armor) posted: “Oh, my gosh, it seems so strange to read this FB Memory from 14 years ago: ‘John and I are celebrating our second wedding anniversary. Funny, it seems like longer. Guess that’s how it feels when you’re an Independent married to a Republican.’ John died 14 years ago in August. Can it be that long? I miss him still. He was one in a million.” Later, Michelle was spotlighted in the newsletter of her Charlottesville VA Alliance Francaise: “Welcome Michelle Mead to the AFC Library team. She has been working hard on the library. She has been sorting, cleaning, repairing and indexing our books for the last two weeks. Michelle has a lot of experience with libraries: she volunteered at the Waynesboro Public Library and was employed at the Music Library of Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia.”

Mike Austin is a regular on the monthly Boston-area Zoom calls. He was unable to attend the reunion but enjoys the regular contact with classmates via Zoom: “The only reason I didn't come to our 60th reunion was mobility. I think you're aware of the problem, and I don't see any easy solution. Good to see and hear you today.” We featured Mike’s Olympic Gold Medal on the “1964 Campus Footprints” map. Mike donated to it to Yale, and it is on display in Payne Whitney Gymnasium.

Class Notes (Reunion Feedback)

This section contains feedback from classmates and others about the reunion … both the complimentary and the constructive. Joe Wishcamper, one of the reunion leaders, emailed the two reunion co-chairs, John Evans and Ted Wagner: “John, I want to thank both you and Ted for such a great reunion. And, given that Ted’s illness left you as the sole reunion chair, you deserve special thanks for pulling off such a complex event and doing it so gracefully. You are the best!” Ted Wagner quickly deflected all praise to John Evans, “It was a great reunion! Eileen and I enjoyed it very much, meeting and making old friends and new. John put it all together and did a wonderful job.” Joe Wishcamper added: “The perfect weather set the stage for a perfect reunion. I was very moved seeing so many old friends in various stages of health, all of whom were happy to be together and eager for reconnection. The Saturday concert at Woolsey was stunningly emotional, ending with more than a thousand reunioners ranging from five years to seventy years and beyond joining together to sing ‘Bright College Years’.”

Ward Wickwire, another leader in reunion programming, thanked John Evans: “Many thanks for your leadership in organizing our 60th. From working on the Snyder discussion group alone, I realize the details involved, and it went very well. I also realize all the other parts of the Reunion have been involved in a number of them. My first reaction was that there was no way you could satisfy everyone, but from all reports, you apparently did satisfy everyone. Looking forward, there will be a major challenge for the chair of the next Reunion who tries to top our 60th. Thanks again to you and all the others involved.” Ward Wickwire also thanked his panel guest, Tim Snyder: “Tim, thank you again for leading our Class of ’64 discussion on Autocracy vs. Democracy. Not only was the overall feedback from attendees most positive and enthusiastic but everyone really appreciated your answers to the questions. Your presentations reinforced my interest in global affairs and in the Jackson School. In addition, I believe that your presentations stimulated an ongoing interest on the part of the Class of ’64. In fact, Adrian Armanini is joining a monthly Zoom session of classmates to provide an update on the Jackson School and its initiatives. I believe there will be an increasing demand for more similar presentations. Our class has been a leader in supporting the Schools of the Environment, Law, and Management. I believe we can stimulate interest in the Jackson School in a similar manner. Thanks again for your participation in our Reunion. I look forward to more of your books and videos and to updates on the Jackson School.” Don Van Doren agreed, “Totally agree. Snyder’s presentation was one of the best at the reunion. Thanks, Ward, for the note about his next book, On Freedom. I’ve already ordered it.” Tony Lavely added: “You scored one of the biggest coups of the reunion by getting Tim Snyder. He has one of the sharpest minds I’ve seen/heard in a long time. Three cheers for the Jackson School!”

Charlie Warner emailed: “I thought it was one of the best reunions ever. Very good weather helped a lot, but it was the interaction with old and new friends and mostly good options for the taking that made it a special occasion. Thanks for your part in making it a success, Tony.” Wally Winter wrote: “Hi Tony, I’m sorry I never had a chance to tell you what a wonderful job you and your co-organizers did for putting together a spectacular reunion. High points for me were the lecture about the pre-Inquisition period of Jewish/Christian/Muslim harmony in Spain, the talk by the Provost about plans for upping Yale’s game for science and engineering in the next decade, Sam Francis’ talk about evolution, the Dean’s talk about the importance of the humanities, the Peace Corps group discussion on how that experience affected us (profoundly, in my case), and finally the presentation at the New Haven History Museum on Yale and its history of interaction with slaves and ultimately black students. In addition, the food was superb, and the band Saturday night was excellent. Also, as often happens at reunions, one discovers new friends as I did, getting to know for the first time Sam Deloria and his lively wife, Vivian. Many thanks for all you have done for our class and especially for this reunion which may be, given the actuarial tables, the last one for many of us.”

Bill Woodfin wrote: “Tony, again I want to thank you for all of the time, work, and consideration you put in for our Class of ‘64 especially, along with a number of other classmates, regarding our reunion. After a two-day delay relating to American Airlines, Fran and I returned home last night awash in happy recollections of the three days we had spent at TD with classmates, spouses, and widows of deceased classmates. We very much enjoyed the music and dancing with Saturday evening’s combo though we didn’t last right up to the 11:00pm closing as I suspect you and Nancy did. As usual, Yale made some star faculty members available to us, and I thought it particularly informative listening to what Scott Stroebel had to say about upcoming expansion plans and what Pericles Lewis regarded as the purpose of a liberal education. I also enjoyed the opportunity with Margie and Tony Lee and Jon Greene to present the educational work we have been doing on climate change. I also want to give an emphatic ‘shout out’ for the beautiful product Bill Galvin gave us with the 60th Reunion Book. In a phone conversation yesterday, Larry Speidell told me he had read all the essays. I particularly admired the rather amusing photos on the jacket [there is a name guide posted on the Class website now], the color photos inside, and the essays by the widows of our deceased members. My thanks for all you do, and I look forward to our ongoing monthly discussions via Jerry Flannelly’s Boston-area Zoom sessions which, living 1,500 miles from New Haven, is about my only chance of visiting with classmates. Let’s do all we can to stay above ground and fit for the 65th.”

John Wylie was a classmate program presenter and emailed: “Hi Tony, Ann and I had an absolute ball. Friday night at Mory's with Keith Huffman, Jim Cohen, and Melissa and Martin Padley was a dream, replete with serenading by Whiffs. And I asked Timothy Snyder about the relationship between tyranny and charisma on Friday, and about the relationship between freedom and justice on Saturday; it does not get any better! I sent Sam Francis the three AI Yale images to inquire as to whether they could ‘find a home’ on the website, but I have attached through ‘Google drive’ a folder with those Yale images plus some of the best ones from the presentation; whatever you decide is fine. The captions are in the upper left corner of the images, which is not ideal, so if you want me to send them individually opened in an email with captions beneath them, I could do that; again, whatever you decide to do with them is fine with me. Ann and I sincerely thank you for doing so much to make the reunion a success.” John Wylie also sent an email to the Bay-area Zoom group: “Baby Boomers: The reunion was a success by all accounts. My highlight was Professor Timothy Snyder (“On Tyranny, On Freedom”) stating ‘The only defense against tyranny is truth.’ ”

Don Van Doren emailed:

Hi Tony, thanks for all you did to make this such a great reunion. I know that you will deflect praise to John Evans, Sam Francis, Bill Galvin, Jerry Flannelly, Steve Norman, Ward Wickwire, and many others who also played a significant part. But you are the (perhaps silent) ringleader, contributing to each of the others’ efforts and successes. Thank you! Diane and I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk with you and Nancy at the Peabody and walking back to TD. The Peabody renovation was stunning, as I recall the previous, jumbled quarters. Shows you what $160M can do! And, I feel that their new efforts to open the museum to the New Haven community are commendable. The reunion, for me, was about reconnecting with long-term friends, and to have the opportunity to cultivate new ones. And you and Nancy were part of that. We thought that the program was well-conceived and packed with good options.

Later, Don Van Doren added:

Tony, it was a wonderful reunion. Among the best vignettes:

  1. The documentary about Steve Bingham really made an impact on Diane and me. We’re working to get a showing at one of the alternative theaters here in Santa Fe.
  2. Getting to know Jan Truebner, and the fine work she is doing with the spouses of deceased classmates.
  3. Talk with Fran and Bill Woodfin about the encroachments to their farm outside of Dallas and discussing the vast landscapes here in New Mexico. We’re anticipating a reconnaissance visit sometime!
  4. Visiting with you and Nancy, both at the Peabody and by sharing the walk back to TD. It’s good to get to know you on a more personal level and to meet Nancy.
  5. Meeting up again with John Judson, Will Elting, Sandy Swanke, and others, some of whom I encouraged to attend in my role as Chief Pierson Flogger, and some I just hadn’t seen in 60 years.
  6. An outstanding Class Book, with kudos to Bill Galvin and Sam Francis.
  7. Fine presentations both by classmates and by Yale faculty.
  8. All in all, thanks to you, John Evans, Sam Francis, Bill Galvin, Steve Bingham, and all the others whose efforts made this possible.

The Steve Bingham documentary had a profound impact, especially on Diane. We really appreciate your relentless efforts to get three screenings of this excellent film. We’re going to work with Ann to arrange screenings in Santa Fe. Of the YAA sessions, we especially enjoyed Tim Snyder and Akhil Amar (who we had heard before), despite having to choose among excellent alternatives. Negatives? The only minor one from us was that the band was a bit loud for good conversation, but we may have been in a minority of people who were looking for more interactions. And, of course, I was disappointed that some classmates had died, and others couldn’t come or had to cancel at the last minute. Following the reunion, we revisited Mystic Seaport for a day and then took a few days enjoying New York City. In summary, we had an excellent time!

Nancy Upper (surviving spouse of Dennis Upper) and her guest, David Manns, both sent thoughtful feedback: “The Y’64 60th reunion made a rewarding trip for my guest David Manns and me. At 12:30pm Wednesday, May 22, David picked me up at my Lexington, MA apartment. Two and a half hours later, we checked into the Omni New Haven at Yale. This was David’s first visit to New Haven and Yale, so we set off on foot to explore. At Harkness Tower, by luck, we met the wife of Enrico De La Cruz (head of Branford College) chatting with friends at the ajar Branford gate. We explained who we were; she invited us in to stroll the Branford courtyards. From Branford, we walked to the Yale University Art Gallery to see paintings on loan from the Yale Center for British Art during the Center’s closure for renovation. Sublime! We wandered on to Beinecke Library. First floor and mezzanine exhibits rewarded us with stories and images of Frederic Douglass, James Baldwin, and Ollie Harrington. In Sterling Library, we studied glass-encased pages of sacred texts and whaling logbooks. With time to spare before our 7:00pm Mory’s reservation, we walked to and around Ingalls Rink, aka The Yale Whale. Ward Wickwire had invited David and me to join him and Mac Deford for May 22 dinner at Mory's. Over beers, Scotch, and classic fare, a lively exchange ensued among the four of us. Thursday, May 23, we continued our preference for walking. Reunion check-in brought us shoulder-to-shoulder with old friends and new acquaintances. Thursday's high point was our group tour of the Peabody Museum of Natural History. Friday, May 24, we attended the 9:00am introductory talk at Beinecke; returned to the Yale Art Museum to see paintings of Edvard Munch and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner; enjoyed the ‘Democracy vs. Autocracy’ lecture by Tim Snyder; and explored the Humanities Quadrangle. We packed Saturday, May 25, with: a morning guided group tour of Marsh Botanical Gardens; 11:00am - 12:30pm tour and demonstration of the Newberry Memorial Organ in Woolsey Hall; ‘Six Americas’ climate talk by Anthony Leiserowitz; a walk to Franklin and Murray Colleges and along the Farmington Canal Trail. After dinner at Timothy Dwight, we danced to the irresistible music of Jay Gitlin’s band! Sunday, May 26, we topped the Reunion with a 3.5-hour hike along Mill River, up woodsy and rocky trails to the East Rock summit and down. Throughout the reunion, mealtimes brought people together, conversations strengthened friendships, meticulous planning ensured events ran smoothly. The few glitches were forgiven. All reunion volunteers and personnel: thank you for a 5-Star weekend!” Comments from David Manns, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, UK, (Nancy Upper’s guest): “It could have been a little awkward attending such a reunion as a new partner of a 'surviving spouse', but it wasn't; so many people were so welcoming, and so many interesting conversations ensued. New Haven and the Yale Campus were all new to me; it was exciting to explore the campus both independently and through reunion events. Highlights were the Peabody Tour, Botanical Garden Tour, Newberry Organ Tour, spending time in the Yale Art Museum, and visiting the Sterling and Beinecke libraries. The various talks and discussions we attended were all interesting and thought-provoking. For me, an Englishman, it was particularly interesting to see the class organization in action. It was very impressive to see the results of a tremendous effort from the class organization itself and the collaboration of the University. There is no direct equivalent in UK universities, even Oxford and Cambridge. Cambridge Colleges certainly hold 'annual gatherings' for their individual alumni cohorts, which are usually a day's events culminating with a formal dinner, and usually combining more than one year's cohort. Nothing University-wide, and nothing on the scale of the Yale reunion, nor is there special recognition of major anniversaries like the 60th. I gather that the Yale system has evolved over more than a century starting from an Alumni Fund effort. I'm not sure how one could replicate it somewhere like Cambridge which doesn't have the same tradition of alumni classes bonding in support of the University!” Nancy Upper added her thanks to Jan Truebner (surviving spouse of Peter Truebner), “Jan, I join Lynn Jackson in thanking you for your continued great work for the Class of ’64 and for us surviving spouses. Your strength of character and delightful personality enhance every occasion!”

As already acknowledged, Jan Truebner was a force in engaging surviving spouses. Jan emailed: “It was a wonderful reunion, Tony! I have only positive feedback! I thought everything — from the lectures on Friday and Saturday, the discussion groups both days, all meals, music on Saturday, and ample opportunity to visit with people — was outstanding. The only negative was Ann Marie Lynch’s unfortunate accident. I have sent several emails and mailed her the program from the Memorial Service that Nancy gave me, but haven’t heard directly from her since I left New Haven. Rick Kroon (also from Rumson NJ) forwarded an email to me that he received yesterday. I’ll send to you. Ann Marie is still in New Haven but making some progress. It was great to see you and Nancy. As far as the surviving spouses are concerned, I think they were all duly cared for and needed very little from me aside from the information I forwarded from you prior to the reunion. Everyone I spoke with seemed to be very happy they’d attended. You did an admirable job of emceeing the entire event! Thanks for your extraordinary effort and for keeping us all connected through your Class Notes.”

President Peter Salovey emailed: “It was wonderful seeing you and your class this past weekend. I hope everyone had a lovely time. Meanwhile, I did want to thank you for your kind words in earlier messages.”

Bill Schmidt emailed: “It was great to see you at the reunion, Tony. Mary and I had a great time at the reunion. Here are a few comments. The first event was golf at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull. The storm washed out some tee times but a few hardy souls, including Mary and me, stayed. We played nine holes with Melissa and Martin Padley. There is a possibility that we could get together with the Padleys for more golf this summer if our busy schedules permit. By the way, Tashua would be a good course for our next golf outing. We went to a very impressive presentation by the Yale School of Nursing about wellness for seniors. I am going to make a gift to the School of Nursing to support their involvement in that area. I went to the presentation about senior-living facilities. It was timely and very helpful. The tours of the Schwarzman Center and the organ at Woolsey Hall were great. We liked the setup at TD. I renewed several acquaintances. The dance on Saturday was very nice. In the small world category, one of my high-school classmates is married to our classmate Bill Buss. We had dinner with them one evening. The food was excellent. The offerings were very interesting and very tasty. We and some of our classmates stayed at the Marriott Courtyard. It was well situated for most of the events. However, making the trek from the Marriott to TD in the morning for breakfast was daunting, so we and several others had breakfast at the Marriott instead. We did have lunch and dinner at TD. We gradually figured ways to get around on foot ,and in the evenings there was ample parking on Grove Street. The Reunion Book was fabulous. Kudos to the editors. Finally, I am looking forward to the next reunion in 2029.”

Mike Sherwood emailed: “It was good to see you, Tony, and everyone else! I just filled out the Yale Reunion feedback questionnaire. Basically, I thought the reunion was wonderful. You and your colleagues did a fabulous job, and I thank you. My only complaint is that there was too much to choose from — the agony of choice! The entire experience was surprisingly emotional for me. I spent a lot of time just wandering around the campus, with a big smile on my face and/or tears in my eyes — sometimes both at the same time. Thanks for everything you did.”

Leon Sigal emailed: “Best part was seeing old friends and chance encounters with classmates I hadn't known before and especially chats with widows — Toddie Getman, Susan Floman, Marya Holcombe. Nicest surprise was the food — whatever happened to mystery meat with wonderful gravy? Most memorable program items were talks by Tim Snyder and session on the press chaired by Paul Steiger. Congrats to you, John Evans, and others who put it all together.”

John Stein emailed: “I had a good time!”

Russell Sunshine emailed on his train trip homeward: “I'm in Old Quebec, bound for Montreal tomorrow. Fine Canadian history! I'm so sorry I didn't see more of you at the Reunion. Nancy and I were kiboshed by twin medical assaults. I was suddenly diagnosed with pneumonia, no longer infectious by the time we reached New Haven but thoroughly fatiguing. Nancy contracted a UTI and I had to escort her to Whalley Ave Urgent Care on May 23, for diagnosis, test processing, and an evening prescription of antibiotics. As a result, we missed almost all of the University and Class programs we'd so been looking forward to. I think Steve Greenblatt's presentation in the Authors’ Workshop was thoughtful and responsive. Steve contributed an insightful double presentation. First, he introduced his latest book, Second Chances, co-authored with Adam Phillips. It traces personal and professional recoveries by Shakespeare and Freud. Next, he candidly linked this theme to his own transplantation from America's West Coast to its East.” When he got home, Russell added: “John and Tony, thanks to you both for this candid feedback. I'm often involved in program planning here at our retirement community and appreciate that it's terribly difficult to achieve consensus when selecting program topics. I also firmly support and advocate free speech for opinions of every persuasion. In the reunion case, it just sounded weird to me that the same classmates were sponsoring what appeared to be overlapping, activist programs. The defense of a literal interpretation of the Bible seemed especially far from Yale's commitment to modern scientific education as I understand it. Tony, your point about Evolution and AI is a good reminder for me that there's a very broad spectrum of opinions among even Yale classmates in this tumultuous year. I have the impression that there's more consensus in our Y64 San Francisco Zoom circle. Tony, I did take enough cough syrup to make my presentation in the Reunion Writers' program. (I'll refer to my remarks in my upcoming late-June post.) Lest I sound like a whiner, I carried away two main impressions from our Reunion: a powerful respect for the organizing work that you and others contributed to this event; and an emotional appreciation for Yale's power to hold the loyalty of so many diverse talents for 60 years. Tony, your Class Notes are always personal, heartfelt, newsy, thorough, and inclusive. An art and a gift to us all. Continuing thanks.”

Paul Steiger emailed: “I had a great time at our 60th. I loved the lectures by superstar Yale professors Timothy Snyder and Akhil Amar. I even enjoyed lugging home on the train, where I could start leafing through it, Professor Amar's definitive book — all 817 pages of it! — The Words That Made Us, on the first 80 years of debate (1760-1840) that shaped the foundation of the U.S. Constitution. I also was fascinated by Steve Bingham's documentary screening and related Q&A, about key aspects of his life. It persuaded me, despite much gossip at the time, that he wasn't guilty of smuggling a pistol to a jailed black activist in California 50 years ago, despite Steve's slipping away, ultimately to France, after the ensuing gunfight. And I was thrilled at the chance to assemble and moderate a panel of five of America's greatest journalistic experts at covering the intersection of politics, economics, and money: Alan Murray, once Washington bureau chief of the Wall Street Journal, and subsequently boss of Fortune magazine; Jill Abramson, former executive editor of the New York Times; Joanne Lipman, onetime chief content editor for Gannett Corp.'s USA Today plus its army of 100 local U.S. newspapers, and now a best-selling author, speaker, and, at Yale, a lecturer on journalism; Jesse Eisinger, a financial columnist in Europe and New York for the Wall Street Journal, subsequently a Pulitzer Prize-producing reporter and editor for ProPublica; Jon Hilsenrath, ace WSJ Washington reporter on interest rates and the Federal Reserve, and author of the landmark book Yellen, which profiles Janet Yellen, a Yale Ph.D. with a unique trifecta of chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, followed by chair of the Fed, and currently Secretary of the Treasury, plus her Nobel Laureate (in Economics) husband, Yale College (and Yale Daily News) alum George Akerlof '62 and MIT Ph.D. (1966). Among the audience were classmates Peter Bradford, a longtime active environmentalist, a former member of the Atomic Energy Commission, and former chair of the Maine and New York states' utility commissions, and Leon Sigal, a leading expert on, sometime visitor to, and onetime NY Times opinion writer on, North Korea and its environs. And you, Tony, of course.”

Tom Susman emailed: “Tony, I thought having lots of time for conversation was wonderful — catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. The programs, both Class and YC, were top notch. TD rooms could use a bit of work. The mattresses were pretty bad and the sheets thin and slippery. But the price was right compared with hotels. I liked the variety of offerings at the meals, though I thought Saturday night’s was supposed to be celebratory but turned out to be the least of the bunch. I probably would have appreciated the band on Saturday if I had someone to dance with (my wife was in England with her sister). She’ll be there in five years! Thanks for all the hard work you and the committee put into the arrangements. I’m already looking forward to #65.”

Jim Rogers reminisced: “One brief story that impressed me: Rich Niglio and I were dining and for some reason he started telling me about his first day at Yale. He woke up one morning, packed a bag and walked a few blocks to become a Yale student. Fine, but it hit me and made me remember my first day. I woke up early in Demopolis, Alabama and we drove three hours to the Birmingham airport. I flew to Atlanta where I connected to New York. I got a bus in NY to Grand Central Station where I got the train to New Haven. I got a bus in New Haven to Yale. All of that took several hours and I still had no idea where I was or what was going on!” Later, Jim added: “Tony, we all owe Sam Francis and you a lot. A huge amount!” Once again, we thank Jim Rogers for his donation to make it possible for surviving spouses to attend the reunion at no cost.

Richard Roskos messaged, “Tony, thanks for your work and getting this event together. I really loved talking to people I used to know, was actually surprised that there was not another basketball player there in the whole group. something I’m not sure about. Anyway, I may check out some Yale activities around this area. I think that Fort Worth has an active Yale group which is somewhat closer to me than downtown Dallas. Maybe we’ll meet again in five years. Who knows, or stop by whenever you’re in Denton TX. I have lots of room. Coming back to the Yale reunion for the first time I set foot in New Haven in 60 years was a real treat and very meaningful experience. The campus was as I remember it being, very beautiful and calming in some sort of way. I found Branford where I used to live and where we had a nice cafeteria, but of course it wasn’t open that day. I did see a number of those whom I knew from way back then, most notably John Hunsaker, whom I studied with constantly during my senior year brushing up on the German I learned in Munich during my junior year abroad. A somewhat painful experience was that there were no basketball players there… a number I would’ve loved to have seen. And of course, Perry Wickstrom was long gone; he was the guy I walked with every day to the science buildings, and he was the best doodler I’ve ever known. Pete Putzel helped me remember him more and I am thankful for that. I thought the whole set up was really great save for the transportation, which got very inconsistent at times although many reunion workers tried to help out. So, we sat a lot. I attended the reunion with my daughter and grandson Indio and her fiancé Theo. They all were stunned by the beauty and the feeling of the place. The Peabody Museum was very special, and Indio seemed to know all the dinosaur names. The food was of course wonderful. Also, I took a course on how to write a memoir, which was very Yale-like in that it was like the philosophy classes I took. I can say that getting to go to Yale was one of my major life-changing events. I became much more cultured. I recall that I was told by Yale professors that even though I wanted to go to medical school, I should just take the five needed prerequisite courses and then actually learn something about life. My junior year abroad helped me become more in touch with Europe and the growth of civilization. I am sure it turned me towards becoming a psychiatrist, going to the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas, becoming a psychoanalyst and set me on a very gratifying career, which I actually still enjoy doing. By the way, three cousins of mine came up from New Jersey and I showed them around the campus. They all said they have been here before, but having a tour guide was very special. A few other things stand out, particularly the library where I used to study. I went up into the carrels where I spent much time and in particular I was again stunned by the reading room in the giant library with the large tables which, however, lacked the ashtrays that I remember. Thanks for your lifelong commitment to Yale, Tony, and being part of this journey for all of us.”

Martin Padley took exception to Tony Lavely’s earlier claim that Butch Hetherington had the shortest trip to the reunion. “While our webmaster par excellence usually gets things right, there was an error in the information that he transmitted to Tony Lavely when he noted that Butch Hetherington had the shortest distance to go to get to our reunion. Butch lives at the Whitney Center in Hamden, but so does John Tully, so it is really a question of whose apartment is closest to TD. Now if they came in the same car or took the Whitney Center’s jitney it would be a dead heat. It is very possible that John had the shortest distance to go.” Sam Francis rose to my defense: “Tony had the right data, but overlooked the fact that John Tully lives where Butch does. Actually, the question isn’t which apartment (2403 vs. 417) is closer to TD. The question is which apartment is closer to the front door of the Whitney Center, or the parking garage. John Tully added: “The Whitney Center has two buildings, North and South. Butch lives in South, John in North. As the crow flies, Butch is closer to TD since Whitney Center is North of Campus. However, the North building parking is closer to Whitney Avenue, so I claim that I have the shorter drive to TD.”

Dan Pollack emailed Bill Galvin and Sam Francis: “As I read through our 60th Reunion Book, my appreciation for what you have accomplished continues to increase. The Book is a remarkable accounting of classmates' lives, and only serves to reinforce how important remaining in touch can be. Our years at Yale were indeed very special and only the beginning of so many fascinating careers and experiences. Including widows' essays is a stroke of genius and has provided these lovely ladies the opportunity of paying tribute to their spouses AND sharing their experiences with each other. Did every participating widow receive a book? Nancy and I are sharing lunch with Kris Klint in California and Sherry Reum in Chicago and want to make sure they received one. Thanks again for making our 60th Reunion Book a treasure.” Nancy Pollack added: “Tony, thanks for posting so many reunion photos on Facebook. It was such a wonderful weekend filled with interesting lectures and time to share with fellow classmates. Unbelievable effort on the part of the Reunion Committee!”

Mike Price emailed: “Tony: We had great time at the reunion. It was one of the best, thanks to John Evans and others like yourself. I didn’t take photos, but Chego did and I will check with her to see what she has.” Jack Ostrich emailed Bill Galvin and Tony Lavely: “I thank both of you very, very much for all the work that you did to make our 60th Reunion so pleasant and so successful. Even my wife, Mary, who is often not easily impressed, enjoyed herself immensely. I pray that both of you continue to have good health, or at least as good health as we octogenarians are generally allowed. May we meet again in 2029.” Steve Norman emailed: “Tony, it was an honor to serve with you as co-chair of the Reunion Gift Committee. I thought our 60th was a success from start to finish, and the experience cemented the positive feelings that our classmates have for our impressive Class of 64. Your untiring leadership prior to and during the reunion played a key role in this positive outcome.” Edward Massey emailed John Evans: “John, If one believes rot grows from the top down, he must believe quality results come from quality leadership. That would about describe your role in the YC64 60th.”

Alisa Masterson, our YAA Support Captain at the reunion, emailed a few days before the reunion started: “Hello, John Evans, Tony Lavely, and Sam Francis! We are all very much looking forward to working with you for the best reunion ever for the class of 1964! You and the members of your planning committee have put in lots of hard work and done an amazing job creating programming and also ensuring that your classmates and their family members have time to spend together celebrating each other and the great class of 1964! Stephanie Hartnett has done an incredible job of making your ideas a reality and arranging all the details that set the stage for us to smoothly implement your plans. This is a great team, and we know the weekend will be a huge success!”

Jon McBride emailed: “Mimi and I had a great time at the Reunion! More relaxed than any previous reunion; we paced ourselves better and really enjoyed each presentation we attended. Well, okay...and I may be a minority voice here, but I felt Tim Snyder was disappointing on both occasions, our dedicated Class of 1964 presentation on Friday and the University-wide presentation on Saturday... As for feedback from the breakout group I facilitated on Saturday afternoon, I would say the subject — formally titled ‘Retirement Community: Pros, Cons and Issues’ on the program — was really about Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), now often called Life Plan Communities — is of substantial interest to many in the class, based on both the number of folks who showed up and the level of participation in the dialogue during the session. About 25-30 folks showed up. We started by going around the room and stating our name and whether we were ‘Living In,’ ‘Looking At,’ or ‘Thinking About’ a CCRC. Turns out we were about 1/3rd, 1/3rd and 1/3rd, and that made for lively conversation. Residents of CCRCs shared how they had made the decision to move and when they had done so, and the ‘Looking Ats’ and ‘Thinking Abouts’ had many observations and questions to share. The facilitator (well, okay, me...) shared a relatively newly grasped conviction that ‘there is a pig coming through a python,’ i.e., the gigantic cohort of baby-boomers all turning retirement age at the same time not all that many years behind us, are already driving demand for the relatively limited inventory of more spacious accommodations at CCRCs and will continue to do so. If we are interested, we had best speak up sooner rather than later if we don't want to wind up in a long queue waiting for a space to open up for us. There were several interesting observations as to the financial structure of existing and future CCRCs and the likelihood of being able to participate in the relatively common ‘all-services-included-in-the-monthly-fee’ Type A CCRCs today as opposed to the Type C ‘fee-for-services-at-market-rate’ CCRCs which appear to be emerging as the more common structure of the communities going forward. It's a serious subject, and we still had fun and laughed a lot. Attached is a photo of the seven Whiffenpoofs of 1964 able to be at the Reunion. I'll send several photos of the five of us who attended the commemoration/celebration of the life of Jamie Park who died in January of 2024, (the first of our 13 singers that we have lost) that took place on Sunday, May 26, after the Reunion, at the Parks' home in Amenia NY, in the Hudson Valley. At the Reunion on Friday evening were Roger Thompson, Jack Ostrich, Buck Wilson, Keith Huffman, Jon McBride, John Evans, and Gerry Shea. Our Pitchpipe, Al Rossiter, was not able to be with us at the reunion, at home recovering from recent surgery, so we were not able to sing. (Missing Steve Clay, Don Haggerty, Nick Baskey, and Jim Schulz, each not able to attend the reunion for a variety of reasons, didn't help there either.)”

Sandy McKleroy emailed: “Tony (fellow frequency follower of poetry): What joy seeing you and Nancy and for all those endearing encounters with classmates and spouses previously known and unknown. 'Twas like a grand family gathering with such camaraderie, soulful discussions and stimulating sessions of all sorts. Same dilemma as in college days as to which to attend. Looking forward to seeing you and the gang on our second Wednesday Zoom! Thank you for your dedication.”

Neil Mitchell emailed: “Tony, I greatly enjoyed our reunion and seeing you again. Indeed, I was so much ‘in the moment’ that I didn't spend any time taking photos. I hope to re-join the New England Zoom reunions, so I can keep in touch with all until our 65th. See you there!”

Bill Morse emailed: “I’ve been swamped, but I do intend to send you positive feedback on our reunion. It was a great experience and your reunion write-up captured it beautifully. There must be hundreds of versions of our 60th reunion. All our classmates who planned, organized, and orchestrated it deserve our thanks and congratulations. Two highlights for me were the inspirational tour of the Peabody, led by the director, David Skelly, and the film, A Double Life, about Steve Bingham’s 13-year ordeal. Three days of fascinating conversations and exchanges with classmates I had never met, and with old friends I remembered but had not seen in 60 years. In a sense, this 60th reunion mirrored our experience of Yale 60+ years ago, so many overlapping, fascinating speakers, discussions, and programs. An embarrassment of riches. The Reunion Book, Yale 1964 At 60, is a treasure!”

Colleen Murphy-Dunning (Executive Director, Urban Resources Initiative) emailed: “Thank you again, Tony, for including me and our URI summer intern, Tashi, at your reunion dinner last weekend. It was such a wonderful event! I am also quickly following up to introduce you to Suzanne Kelley (copied), who I mentioned was keen to include her former spouse, John (Jock) Burbank’s obituary on the Class of 1964 website. Suzanne can share more details with you, but as I mentioned, he only attended as part of the Class of 1964, but did not graduate with the Class. After completing his undergraduate degree at Columbia, he returned for graduate study at Yale.”

Kai Lassen (who served on the Reunion Gift Committee) emailed: “Fantastic reunion. Each one seems to get better. Sadly, I will be traveling tomorrow and unable to be on the call, but I have three more classmates to contact again and expect some good results.” Penny Laurans (who was a special guest on Len Baker’s and Joe Wishcamper’s “Yale Governance” panel) emailed: “Tony, It was great to meet you. I heard much of you through Terry Holcombe, oh how he is missed. So glad you appreciated the reunion session. Len and Joe are gurus of organization and information and ’64 is chock full of impressive people. Looking forward to your 65th!”

Larry Lawrence emailed, “Sorry to have missed you, Tony. Sally and I were only there for the Thursday night dinner as we had to be in Little Rock Friday and Saturday for a wedding, so we missed all the programming. We had dinner with Bill Galvin, talked to Len Baker a little on the way out, and met Gerry Shea for a drink at The Study. From your always comprehensive posts, it looks like it was a great success. Bob Leich (one of three 1965 guys who attended to observe “best practices” before their reunion next year; just as we do at 1963’s reunions) emailed: “Tony, thanks for the hospitality extended to Dave, Carl, and me at the Y64 Reunion. We look forward to a Zoom call when you have your post-mortem comments in hand. Enjoyed meeting and visiting with your bride as well! In one of our conversations I promised to send you two things: The first was a picture of our Berkeley rooming group taken at the Yale Club in October 2016. Dick Hoyt looked the best in the photo, (probably because he still had a full head of hair), but alas since then we have lost Dick. You inquired about DeStefano today. Second was the link to my book, Not My Father's War, which was published 20 years ago. Still available on Kindle and the paperback in the used market. It's a novel but a loose personal memoir of my times in the Vietnam War. The main character was Yale Class of '66, which I did to condense the timeline. A lot of Yale therein. Stay well and I hope our paths cross again soon. PS: I'll check on Jay again before long. [Bob has been a good friend to my brother Jay Lavely in ’65]. Maybe I can get him to go out for lunch.” Bob added his feedback on the reunion: “Overall I thought it was outstanding. Only negatives I heard from more than one person: Dinner the first night got bad reviews as being devoid of protein, one classmate saying, ‘They need to have food for 80-year-olds.’ I personally thought that after that first night the food selection was quite good, and I heard no further complaints. The excellent Steve Bingham film, although shown twice, was scheduled both days such that it made attendance impossible for the events scheduled prior and after. The TD accommodations got bad reviews, especially the unisex bathrooms. One of your classmates recounted hiding silently in the shower while a lady used the facilities. ‘How much trouble would it be to designate a men's and a ladies,’ he opined, adding, ‘People our age are not comfortable with this.’ (At your reunion five years ago, I stayed in Davenport and thought it was a lousy setup as I walked in on a spouse perched on the throne). All in all, congratulations on your usual exemplary job.”

Chip Levengood emailed: “Tony, let me pick up from John Meigs' comments about our returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) meetup. Although 37 of our class have been identified as RPCVs, we have lost some who have died and about 15 of us gathered to share our experiences and the lessons/learning we benefited from as Volunteers in the field. Because I have served recently on the Board of Directors of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) and as Chair of the Governance Committee, I took a few minutes to remind all that the Agency is alive and well. Following the safe repatriation of 7,300 volunteers in 72 hours due to the COVID pandemic, the Peace Corps has redeployed in about 40 countries with around 4,000 Volunteers and more to come. Over 250,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps since our founding 63 years ago, and the NPCA is the voice of this collective community, especially in advocating before Congress for issues impacting the Agency. I think the collective assessment of the meetup was that we had all greatly benefitted from our service and that living in developing countries had deepened our sense of humanity and humility. One 64er commented that his takeaway was that ‘intelligence knows no borders.’ Another stated that 'all men are my brothers, and all women are my sisters.' All of the 64 RPCVs who joined the meetup have maintained contact with their countries of service and with friends/co-workers in those countries. Thanks for all that you continue to do for the Class of 1964.” Chip Levengood added general feedback on the reunion: “Thanks as always for your leadership of our class. Katharine and I enjoyed the reunion, as we have past ones. A couple of comments. Frankly, we were disappointed by the food, especially on Thursday and Friday. High point were the chocolate chip cookies, but they ran out. The YC64 afternoon events were quite good, and it is very encouraging and positive to see so many classmates doing great works and making a difference. Steve Bingham's movie was a moving experience which brought back the uncertainty and anger of our post-graduation years; we are seeing whether it can be shown here at a Quaker-based CCRC where we have recently moved. I also helped John Meigs to organize the meet up of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of our class — 37 or a few more we might not know about. This is an amazing statistic!! I have personally been active in the national Peace Corps community, and I believe we hold some kind of record for the most members of a single college class to join the Peace Corps. The shuttle system was uneven — on two evenings there were two dozen or more of us waiting for some time for a bus to come along. If someone at each stop had an ability to communicate with the central dispatch point, things might have gone more smoothly. We stayed at the Marcel, so walking was not a realistic alternative!”

Jethro Lieberman emailed: “First and foremost, a thanks and bravo to you, Tony, and to the many people who made the reunion possible. I know how much work it takes to make something like this work. All in all, it was quite a feat of organization. And how you managed three continuous days of sunny blue skies and moderate temperatures in New Haven is a marvel unto itself. Overall, I’m glad I went. It’s refreshing to be back on campus now and then, the more so now that my wife and I are living farther away than we did for many years. The campus looked good, and so, I suppose to my surprise, did the town. The programs were abundant, maybe too abundant; but at our age, I can report that I finally no longer feel guilty at missing something I think I should have attended. The food at TD was a nice surprise: it was interesting and tasty, much better than one usually expects from cooking for such large gatherings. Kudos to the chef, and to the always polite staff. The Reunion Book is a treat. Mine didn’t arrive until we got back, and it’s been fun going through it. By the way, just for the record and perhaps for a later class book (no need to do anything about it now), I noticed that in one of the front pages, class secretaries and recording secretaries were listed. I was recording secretary during 1977-1979 but it seems my efforts have been lost to the history. I was particularly taken by the enthusiasm and good cheer I felt from all those I talked to. Despite the increasing indignities of aging that we’re all beginning to suffer from, it’s heartening to know that so many of us are still full of plans.”

Ann Marie Lynch (surviving spouse of Denny Lynch) mailed Jan Truebner (surviving spouse of Peter Truebner), “Hi Jan, you have been such a loyal and true new friend, and I am so grateful. On my arrival home Tuesday from Milford rehab I look forward to seeing and treasuring the Memorial Service program If there’s a second one I’d also like to have it sent to Jan Kaminsky in TX. In the meantime, I send my gratitude and warmest good wishes to Tony Lavely, in case you are in touch with him sooner than I am. Please tell him I’ll be writing as quickly as I feel a little better.” Tony Lavely added, “At lunch on Friday, before Ann Marie fell at Battell, I told her about the jerseys of Denny and Rick Kaminsky on display in Payne Whitney Gymnasium; we added the location to the ‘1964 Campus Footprints’ map.” Dave Kalayjian (who was sitting next to me in Battell when we heard of Ann Marie’s emergency) was a lifesaver. He tended to Ann Marie until the ambulance arrived. Later, Dave emailed: “Tony, your note to Ann Marie is a very nice gesture for a very nice lady. Ann Marie was a trooper throughout the whole painful ordeal at Battell Chapel. Hopefully, she is well on her way to a full recovery. By the way, kudos to the Yale staff personnel, led by Alisa Masterson. They were very attentive, concerned, and professional throughout the whole process of expediting care for Ann Marie and notifying her relatives. Given John Evans's mishap on Saturday, we all need to re-read Sam Francis’ essay on falls!” Dave added: “Tony, you did a great job throughout the reunion, particularly at Saturday dinner. I was glad to help out with Ann Marie's very unfortunate injury. Not big time heroism, like the 11,000 American, Canadian, and British young men who gave their lives at Normandy 80 years ago. Anyway, the reunion was a great success, with many interesting learning sessions and reacquainting with fellow classmates. The only small criticism I might have is with the somewhat underwhelming dinner on Thursday. All in all, a terrific effort by all involved! Relax now and enjoy the summer.”

Steve Klingelhofer emailed: “I had planned to call and congratulate you on herding our unruly gang to and through a great event. It's been a pleasure working with you and the Class Council. Having Matt Lieberman join us on Friday was a particular blessing. Thanks for your kind remarks about the Memorial Service that Don Edwards, Stephanie Hartnett, and I worked on. It was a powerful moment for me, especially with the classmates' reading of names, and Matt Lieberman's reading of the Hebrew Kaddish. You've been a strong and encouraging class leader.”

Blaine Krickl was unable to attend the reunion, but he commented on Tony Lavely’s posts on Facebook: “Tony, considering in what a whirlwind you were swept up as reunion events unfold, it's very good of you to make time to post important images so those of us absent can feel a sense of being there. The picture of you, Steve Norman, Ward Wickwire, and Peter Salovey is a very apt one. The Memorial Service later and dinner that evening are the seminal events of the gathering and bring together all the emotions and reminiscences which constitute reunion. Singularly poignant that Matthew Lieberman stood where his father had for so many years. I note, too, that there are as many as ten widows of classmates attending, including our friend, Nancy Upper, with her Cantab friend, David Manns. Nice to see that spirit of continuity reflected in those women's willingness to join the group. Hope your back is holding up ... I wasn't aware of the severity of the affliction but, sensibly, in the Sam Francis’ code, you are using a stick.”

Rick Kroon emailed: “Tony, you and your merry tribe put together a wonderful gathering. We owe you all a huge thank you and several cases of very strong drink. How many of us finally showed up? It would be wonderful if YAA put together a list of the attendees and sent it out. Again, thank you very much. I thought the reunion was near-perfect. I did see too many of our cane-walking (not you of course!) members moving very slowly from venue to venue. I don't know if it would be possible to do more (all) in one place like Harkness. Watching our more delicate members move slowly, I think, minimizing the distance between our assigned college and the meeting rooms is key. We are lucky to have you, Tony. Stay healthy and on the job! I also enjoyed talking to your new bride, Nancy, whom I had not known before.” Fellow New Jersian, Ann Marie Lynch, sent Rick Kroon an email later: “Almost alive again and focusing on serious P.T. Thanks, Rick, for all your moral support. Speaking of which I have #2 son Will around to help, plus indispensable helper Victoria. Two weeks, three days until driving and swimming. Oh, happy days will be here again!”

Kroon Hall at the School of the Environment and Speth Walk were two of the locations featured on the “1964 Campus Footprints” map. Lynn Jackson (surviving spouse of Kirkman Jackson) emailed: “It was a lovely reunion, and I was really appreciative of the memorial service and very much enjoyed the wonderful dinners. The Yale team couldn’t have been more accommodating as far as registration, drinks, meals, etc. What a great turnout you had for the 60th and Jan Truebner is just wonderful to keep us apprised of all the news. All my best, Tony, I and hope that you and Nancy have a terrific summer!”

Ted Jones, who organized the reunion golf outing, emailed: “What a magnificent time! Start to finish, Diana and I had such a wonderful experience (a little rain on Thursday notwithstanding). Diana was amazed at the whole thing: the depth and challenges of the faculty and classmate presentations, the ‘gentlemen (and lady) songsters’, the energy of the crowd in TD. But it was the personal interactions that meant the most, starting with the Hetheringtons at dinner, having you and Nancy stop by as well, and then interaction with so many friends. Thanks again for leading us to those wonderful moments.”

Ralph Jones emailed: “Tony, it was great to see you and many, many others! And thank you for the surprise of finding my name honored with the Class Service Award. Really doubt I deserve it. The only picture I took was of Nathan Hale. I had seen the Yale-Slavery exhibit at the New Haven Museum a few weeks earlier and Connecticut Hall was more or less on my way to the art gallery talk by Pericles Lewis. While Lewis's remarks were to the point, I did have a bit of the feeling that I was being pitched. Does Yale need to be defensive about having humanities? The most stimulating piece of the reunion was, for me anyway, Joe Wishcamper's ‘Yale Governance’ with Len Baker and Penny Laurens. Perhaps a better title would have been, ‘How Yale Has Changed.’ At one point, I thought of trying to do a write-up, but so far that has seemed like an unneeded exercise in verbosity. Penny's point that A. Whitney Griswold's insistence on the primacy of Yale College, and on teaching, of which we were significant beneficiaries, has been transformed into a research institution where the medical tail wags the [bull]dog resonates with me. I remember being concerned even as we were graduating that Yale seemed to be succumbing to ‘publish or perish’ which meant that teaching was a hindrance to professorial career advancement. And a detriment to student well-being. Whit's commitment to graduating a thousand gentlemen a year was wrong, near-sighted, and unsustainable. But our world desperately needs people who know integrity. Directly encountering people like Bill Coffin, Maynard Mack, Vin Sculley, Harry Rudin, Robert Brombaug, Richard Bernstein, the list could go on — was a meaningful contribution to our world. Of course, we failed, but we had inspiration. Beyond a career, for what does today's education prepare people? At the class dinner, I was struck by the number of people who mentioned moist eyes during the singing in Woolsey. My thoughts turned to wondering how many more times I might be able to join in waving handkerchiefs. And how much longer they'll retain the hat racks under the seats or the strange two-tone paint job. As far as I know, the clouds on the ceiling have not been touched since before I was born (perhaps there was some conservation some years ago when they filled the space with scaffolding). There are remnants of continuity amidst all the ‘let's tear this down’. Which brings us to the new possibilities with a new president elect. May she have patience, open ears, and good luck.”

Jim Heyworth emailed: “I was at the reunion only on Friday. A group of our '64 TD crowd arranged to meet for lunch, and I attended one talk and the Steve Bingham film and then headed back to Old Greenwich. Having the reunion on Memorial Day weekend, which is traditionally family time, makes for a more congested schedule. What I am excited about is Yale getting a new president. It was definitely time for a change. Peter did a good job, but change is good. Maurie McInnis seems like a good choice. I like the fact she has experience at UVA and Texas and is an American historian. Too much New England Ivy can get a bit stuffy. I look forward to learning more about her personal and educational philosophy. All the best, Tony, and thanks for all you do for our class.”

Bob Hilgendorf emailed: “We had a lot of fun. Great band. Class has a really good spirit, and you keep us together. Thank you for that.” Butch Hetherington emailed: “Tony: I had a very good time at the reunion but I could only be there Thursday and Friday. This was because my son had arranged a trip to NJ on Memorial Day weekend to show his son the house he had grown up in and the town where he had lived. He had not known it conflicted with the reunion, but when I heard about it I wanted to go. Our grandson is very important to us, and we had only moved to CT to be near them. It was a tough decision because the reunion was also very important. I will never forget being with my grandson and son for those two days and the fun I had with them.” Note: The basketball court that Butch Hetherington and his son donated for Pauli Murray College is featured on the “1964 Campus Footprints” map.

Marya Holcombe (surviving spouse of Terry Holcombe) emailed: “It was great to see everyone. I got too tired to come back on Saturday after a full day on Friday but enjoyed the discussions and lectures, especially the Buckley breakfast and panel. I think access for some of us is an issue and would suggest they encase the tent stakes next time; I almost tripped on them. Good job, Tony, and please thank the Reunion Committee for me.” Later Marya added: “Were there any jackets left? I didn't get mine, which would be a women's large if there are any? Are there any reunion videos? I think Jim Kearney who is in Memory Care would remember a tiny bit. He remembers, when asked that he went to Yale and was Class of 64. Can you send him a jacket, too?” [We did.]. Kerry Auld (Marya and Terry Holcombe’s daughter added: “Mom and I would like to suggest that some more consideration be made for attendees that have limited mobility and/or sight. Thank you so much for all your hard work, Tony!”

Keith Huffman emailed: “Thank you, Tony, for a great reunion. I could only attend for a day, but it was delightful to see everyone that I could. I commend your loyalty and energy level. As my late Aunt Ann used to say: "God love ya !"

John Howells emailed: “I had a good time at the reunion. I think the basic structure is good. I did not go to many sessions, because I have trouble walking, particularly on the slate steps and cobblestones. I would measure the success of the talks by the attendance numbers and use that as a guide for future talks where possible. I went to the talk about the Bible, and it was just incomprehensible at times. The schedule was fine as far as I am concerned. The food was good, but I got tired of all the vegetarian slant. ‘Vegetable Crab Cakes’ makes no sense to me. When they had hamburgers and pulled pork and flank steak that was better. The breakfasts were great. The fresh fruits were a treat. Basically, I would not make a lot of changes, just fine-tune it where possible.”

John Hunsaker emailed Bob Buchanan: “Bob, I am sorry our mutual reunion experience was only a brief hello, as I sure would like to have talked a bit. So it goes at such get-togethers. I am very glad I attended and revived olden times with some grand ‘old’ buddies. My suitemates, Ralph DeFronzo, Frank Franklin (with Cindy), and Kip Burgweger were there in full force. Some photogenic Trumbull chums — Sam Low, Bam Alling (who inveigled his way to three pictures on the front cover of the Reunion Book!—take a look) behaved as if they were still in the Beer 'N Bike race. What else could one ask for?! I do want to thank you, Bob, for your service to the greatest Yale class, but was disappointed that you weren't selling ties — which I could afford this time. With the very best wishes for you and your crew (nice photo in the book), I look forward to some robust palaver at the 65th.”

Bill Galvin emailed: “Any ‘flaws’ in the reunion were insignificant. If there is a ‘complaint,’ it would be the reunion rates charged by the area hotels. But that’s tempered by a recognition that the reunion weeks and a few other special events are their sole source for staying solvent. Not surprisingly, some of the Yale programs were better than others and the same could be said for our class presentations. The core of the reunion experience for me was the spontaneous conversations, many with classmates I had not known previously, which collectively reminded me of the wonderful gift that is the Yale experience. And, most important, there is a bond, a camaraderie among us that defies a simple explanation. I feel so fortunate to be a member of the Yale class of 1964. I did not take any photos — except for those in my mind — but all of them are memorable. Best to Nancy. Come see us this summer or whenever your Greenwich family needs to see you both.” Later, Bill Galvin emailed Jack Ostrich: “Jack, I most appreciate your kind words about the book and the reunion. I will give 99% of the reunion credit to Tony and the other members of the reunion team for its success. I’m very pleased you and your bride have enjoyed the Reunion Book. While at this point I am glad that project is over, it was a pleasure for me to engage with so many classmates whom I had never met while at Yale. I agree with you that staying healthy is our greatest challenge going forward. I was reminded of this a week ago after an enjoyable dinner with one of my sons and his family was followed by my wife Ellen suddenly experiencing significant abdominal pain which necessitated an emergency surgery for what was discovered to be an intestinal blockage. All of this totally unanticipated. Another indication for us that good health is by no means guaranteed.” Bill Galvin added a message to Tony Lavely after reading the Reunion Class Notes in YAM: “Congratulations on a wonderfully written summary of current Y64 events, Tony. I’m amazed how much you crammed into those 599 words.”

Edith Gelfand (surviving spouse of Michael Gelfand) emailed: “I received Yale 1964 at 60 in today’s mail and thank you for same and for all the work that went into it. I hate to be picky about my submission, and it’s obviously too late for the book, but there was one edit/omission that made it sound like we had gone to Israel twice. In fact, until the stroke, we had gone at least twice a year. (I had written ‘... at least two trips to Israel for many years, …’ which perhaps should have been clearer by including ‘annually.’) Israel was such an important part of our lives, and there were even a few years when Michael went 4-6 times as he was establishing Israel’s first out-of-hospital out-patient dialysis center in Tel Aviv. During the post-stroke years, the only thing I missed was Israel, our having already gone everywhere.”

Toddie Getman (surviving spouse of Chris Getman) emailed: “Thanks, Tony. It was so good to see so many old friends! Unfortunately, it was impossible to take photos one-handed!” Angus Gillespie emailed: “Yes, Tony, I had hoped to get a chance to talk with you. Like yourself, my mobility is limited. I appreciate all your good work as Class Secretary. I think the class reunion was an important experience, and I have been writing up my experience. It's almost finished, though I still need to cover Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Later, I can recruit my wife Rowena to send you some photos with captions.” Later, Angus did send a wonderful account of his experiences at the reunion which is posted in Class News.

Howard Gillette led a panel discussion “Yale and New Haven: Perfect Partners?” with his brother Jack Gillette (who ran Yale’s Teacher Prep program) and Julie Greenwood, Director of Squash Haven. Howard emailed: “Tony, I share your feelings about the reunion, which for me combined the chance to say hello to a number of people but also to have more than passing conversations with others. I hope I won’t be alone in considering the Bingham film and the discussion that went with it a highlight. As for our session, I think we managed both to introduce Squash Haven to some who had only a passing knowledge of the organization, but also alert an informed and engaged audience of the possibilities that follow from the Yale and Slavery report, including support for putting newly trained teachers in the schools (virtually replicating a program Jack created and directed for six years before it was terminated) and supporting economic growth through the new Center for Inclusive Growth funded by Yale and described as part of the university’s effort to ‘repair’ the damage slavery brought upon the community. Hoping you have a good summer and full recovery ahead of you, Tony.”

Stephen Greenblatt emailed: “Great to see you, Tony. Looking radiant! I was only there for a single day, but I loved seeing old friends and making the acquaintance of classmates I hadn't known. I enjoyed the Authors' Workshop, though I had to join it on Zoom. What was most striking to me, I suppose, was the range of writing that we're doing — from classmates who write for a living (as I and others do) to classmates who are experimenting, in some cases for the first time, with self-published memoirs and poems. I repeated my mantra that one of the (relatively few) virtues of reaching our age is that the time of our youth is now a distant, foreign, exotic country on whose strange customs we can report first-hand. Also, I was very moved by the documentary made about Steve Bingham.”

Sam Francis (without whom the reunion would not have been such a success) emailed: “I thought the reunion was excellent. Bobbie enjoyed it too. No real suggestions for improvement. My session on ‘Evolution’ went fine, though with one tiny glitch. They switched conference rooms at the last minute from a larger room to a smaller room, resulting in an overflow crowd which had to import chairs from neighboring classrooms. That resulted in a bit of early confusion, but no big deal. Regarding lessons learned, I think the big one in the runup to our 65th reunion has to do with the venue and with hotel rooms.” Later, Sam Francis wrote Dan Pollack who had complimented him and Bill Galvin on the Reunion Book: “Dan, thanks for your compliments about the Reunion Book. And yes, Kris Klint and Sherry Reum each received a book, as did every other widow who wrote an essay, as did all the other widows for whom we have mailing addresses (not just those who wrote essays). It’s harder to keep in touch with the widows than it is with our classmates, but thanks to Jan Truebner we have contact information for 34 of them, and 11 of them came to the reunion (a much higher percentage than our classmates!).”

Don Edwards emailed Reunion Chair John Evans: “John, many thanks for an outstanding job leading the reunion team. It could not have been more successful. I am deeply grateful to be part of this class. Best wishes to you and Dottie for a relaxing time in Chatham.” Will Elting emailed, “This is an opportunity to send some further compliments your way for the high quality of the reunion in the TD courtyard and your organizing prowess whilst in the midst of serious medical and surgical treatment. Thanks again for all your efforts and coordination. Everyone I spoke to seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience, especially the widows.”

John Evans, our Reunion Chair, emailed the Reunion Committee when he got to Chatham MA: “Many, many thanks for all your contributions. The reunion was a resounding success! It was a team effort and we had a great team! Tony Lavely has gone into detail recognizing individuals for the July/August YAM and I won't duplicate that, but I wanted you to know that I personally appreciated what each of you did. Congratulations on producing a wonderful event. I thank you again for myself and for all those attending from the Great Class of 1964!” Later, John Evans added: “Let me expand briefly on Tony Lavely’s excellent summary in YAM. We had a great reunion because we had a great team organizing it. Bill Galvin’s and Sam Francis’ and Bill's editorial team did the book, a wonderful result even with a late start and the screwup at the printer. Jerry Flannelly and his college captains, with constant nagging and support from Sam Francis, did a credible job on attendance. Steve Norman and his team, plus all the YAA support, managed to raise an exceptional class gift. Steve Klingelhofer and Don Edwards put on the memorial service. Ted Jones organized the golf outing. Dan Pollack managed selection and procurement of the jackets. Jan Truebner organized the surviving spouses. Tony Lavely, Sam Francis, and Stephanie Hartnett (YAA) were involved constantly. I worked mostly on class programming and tried to keep everyone in communication and moving forward. A great team; a great result.”

Mac Deford emailed: “Tony, I’ve. been intending to email you to thank you for all the great organizing you did. It was a tremendously successful event; great to see some old friends (old is the right word), and to be involved in some really enjoyable lectures and discussion groups — and the cocktails and dinners were terrific. So many thanks, Tony, and congratulations on such a great event.”

Sam Deloria emailed: Thank you guys for all your hard work putting the reunion together, slogging through my bitching and all. We enjoyed it tremendously, and are experiencing the bittersweet feelings of classmates gone, and who might be left if and when there is another one. The Courtyard took a ton of flesh from us rich Yalies. One guy told us he was paying $1,000 a night. I suspect that there was some funny business about the block of rooms set aside for the class, which disappeared in a nanosecond. As I have said on several occasions, I never figured out how to steal enough from the non-profits I ran to fund a lavish retirement, so let's hope the ole 401k replenishes in time for the next one. I owe a lot to the schools I was privileged to attend, their faculties, and to our fellow students, whose abilities provided a wonderful atmosphere within which to practice survival skills. One of the great lessons I learned early on is that you can't b.s. your way through a biology exam by talking policy. Hope to see you in five years, whether you are able to pass your duties off to some unsuspecting classmates or not.”

Steve Delman emailed: “The reunion was wonderful, not only because of the opportunity to renew friendships from long ago but also due to the intellectually stimulating lectures and tours of the new and renovated facilities. As I have found with our prior reunions, the bond among classmates is so strong that it doesn't matter who you sit with or whether you knew each other in college, there was plenty to talk about and much in common. The Reunion Book, of course, was an incredible project. Reading through the essays, it is truly amazing the lives our classmates have led and what they have accomplished since graduation. As we have aged, these relationships from more than 60 years ago have become more meaningful. Unfortunately, the next reunion is five years away and, at our age, many of us will no longer be around to attend another of these marvelous events. As you may know, I have been fortunate in participating in weekly Zoom calls with a dozen or more classmates from New Haven's Hillhouse High School, including three members of our Yale class: Leon Sigal, Steve Floman (until his untimely and unexpected passing this past January) and myself. Having grown up in New Haven, even the other Hillhouse classmates feel a connection to Yale, so I sent them daily reports and photos from the reunion weekend. You and the various reunion committees from our class have my deep gratitude for having made this past weekend the highlight of the post-COVID period for me and many others. The attendance of so many 80+ seniors was remarkable. We are indeed fortunate to have been able to attend.” Later, Steve Delman commented on Tony Lavely’s Facebook post about the Woolsey Hall Rotunda Memorial: “Tony, I get to New Haven fairly regularly and almost always stop in the Rotunda to remember our class heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam at such a young age. I think of the wonderful lives we have led that they missed out on and the great reunions our class has had. Thanks for all your efforts on behalf of our class and your almost real-time posts from the reunion weekend. We couldn't have a better Class Secretary!” Note: The Rotunda Memorial to Charles Brown, Bruce Warner, and Phinney Works is included in the “1964 Campus Footprints” map.

Dick Devens emailed: “I'm overwhelmed with email. I asked my classmate, Tony Lavely, if I could be unsubscribed from Yale emails, but keep my connection with him. He told me to check a box to unsubscribe, but I didn't see it. I have fond memories of Yale, but with political concerns coming in every day, I get WAY too much email, and still can't ignore it. I live far from New Haven now, and it's hard for me to drive long distances. But I admire what Yale is doing, including beating Harvard, our beloved enemy.”

John Doane, who led a session on Bible study, emailed: “The reunion was a very good time for catching up with old friends and enjoying discussions at mealtime with classmates I hadn't known. Jim Hart's session with the director of the Yale Christian Union was special, and the campus tour with Jon Hinkson of the Rivendell Institute about ‘Some Chapters from Yale's Christian Past’ was extremely informative. I had never bothered to learn about that before. The session on reliability of the Bible went well. There were about a dozen in attendance and there was a lot of interaction during my short presentations. I can still picture in my mind some particular locations of conversations with classmates at the 50th reunion, so I will probably have similar memories of the 60th. I hope you can enjoy Minnesota (and probably a bunch of other places) with your bride!”

Dick duPont, who participated in Edward Massey’s Authors Workshop, emailed: “My best fit was in Ed's workshop, so I got grouped with some pretty lofty writers. I didn't lead our session. Far from it, for there were terrific panelists. But we rose to the occasion and a good time was had by all, including the audience. In my case, I barely scratched the surface in the ten minutes allotted for speaking, so I will send a coil binder (prepared from various sources) to all my fellow panelists and to you guys and a couple of interested audience members as well. Any pages you wish to use are yours to copy. I can resend some if that helps. Because there was some confusion on rooms available, we switched gears and adapted our presentation accordingly. So, I didn't use my prescribed one pager as a lead-in. Thus, I'm attaching it now herewith — it features a tall tale about Wishcamper during his college preparatory days. I had a smashing good time, particularly at the breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets. Virtually everyone was upbeat, polite, and interested. I'm glad to have seen you, Tony, and Nancy, Bobbie and Sam Francis, and Carol and Joe Wishcamper in person and delightful. We'll be staying in touch going forward for sure.”

Alison Cole ‘99, the new Executive Director of YAA, emailed: “It was so wonderful to meet you. Thank you for making me feel so welcome among your class!” Sam Crocker emailed: “It was good to see you at the reunion! Dick duPont (duPs) and I arrived for breakfast at Timothy Dwight just before 8:00 Friday morning. We ran into Tony Lee, an old freshman hockey teammate, and his wife, Margie, and they were nice enough to let us join them for breakfast. I had a great time talking with Margie about a variety of different things, including gardening, biking, hiking, and housing costs. It was a wonderful start to what would become a really terrific reunion experience that got better and better as the day went on. The morning and afternoon lectures I attended were excellent with my personal favorite being Jay Gitlin’s ‘Yale and America.’ I thought the Memorial Service was really well done, and it was nice to see so many people in attendance. I would have to say that the most memorable part of my reunion day involved the discussions I had at the breakfast, lunch, and evening meals with both old classmates I knew at Yale and new classmates whom I had not known before. What resonated most for me was the realization that whatever any one of us did at Yale or even after Yale, while interesting, did not really matter. What mattered and brought everything into focus was that we were all members of the great Yale Class of 1964 and that is the singular most important thread that binds us all together. Dick and I left at around 9:30 in the evening feeling very upbeat about the good time we had at the reunion. It was a memorable day indeed! On another note, thank you, Tony, for the masterful job you do as our Class Secretary. It is not an easy job and you do it well! Thank you also to everyone who had a hand in putting everything together for the reunion. It was an extraordinary investment in time and effort over several months on the part of many classmates with the return on that investment being a truly successful and fun event! The Yale 1964 At 60 reunion book was particularly well done! Best wishes to you, Nancy, and your family for a happy, healthy, safe, and fun-filled summer!”

Jim Currie, the only classmate (as far as I know) who flew himself to the reunion, emailed: “It was all terrific, Tony. I’ll try to fill in more after a little recovery time — just arrived back in Tucson yesterday and today went to work on the required annual inspection of the bird (N44JL): outside in 107F heat all day. We did east coast and family visits after checking out of TD. The big hop here from Erie took about 10 hours. The last part turbulent and exhausting.”

Len Baker, who together with Joe Wishcamper led a session on ‘Yale Governance,’ emailed: “Terrific job at the reunion, totally over the top, especially in attendance, which I know took a lot of work. Only minor suggestion was that we had quite a few competing class-member sessions and attendance was quite low at some of them, though the ones I did were fine.” Note: The Baker Courtyard in Benjamin Franklin College is one of the locations shown on the “1964 Campus Footprints” map.

Tom Barnard, who led a session on Artificial Intelligence, emailed: “Great to see you at the reunion and glad you had such a good time. There was an excellent combination of activities over three days capped off by the Saturday night dance party. Carol and I had a great time. Thanks go to you, John Evans, and Sam Francis for working to make the reunion such a success. Reconnecting with college friends and being around Yale for a few days means a lot to me. I deeply felt the memories. The session on AI seemed to go well. There were 15 or so attendees and many insightful comments by them. Not surprisingly, people are both intrigued and cautious about the impact that AI may have on our world. Without going into too much technical detail, I tried to provide more information about AI than the typical national news article. For those interested, Sam Francis posted a video of my AI talk on our Class News site. Regarding feedback on the reunion, I think the traditional Yale-reunion format, supplemented by classmate program sessions, is excellent. The abundance of program options is a good thing, even though you can attend only one at a time. When available, posting recordings of classmate sessions on our website would help broaden access. Carol and I stayed in TD, which was very convenient. Our suite was ‘interesting’ including two small bedrooms each with two beds, a small living / studying room with 7.5-foot ceilings and rather worn wooden trim, especially around the entrance door. These are tight quarters for four undergraduates in which to live, sleep, and study. During the reunion, the TD courtyard accommodations were fine, and the food was generally OK, except for two of the entrées. As a hospitality business professional, you will know more about these aspects than the rest of us. Great reunion. Thank you so much for leading our class.”

Frank Basler emailed: “The reunion was spectacular. We had a wonderful time, learned a lot. Had great conversations with old friends. The food was excellent, and we enjoyed the band Saturday night. Altogether, I can't think how it could have been improved. Thanks for all you do, Tony.”

Ellen Berenson (surviving spouse of Harvey Berenson) emailed: “The 60th Yale Reunion was wonderful. I was there only on Saturday, but I did attend the afternoon programs, the President’s talk, the music, and of course the dinner. My son, Alex, class of 1994 was also in attendance for his 30th class reunion. So, a great celebration. I am only sad that Harvey had passed away four years ago from leukemia and wasn’t there. He loved Yale!”

Steve Bingham emailed from France: “Thanks so much, Tony. My niece Catherine Masud really appreciated the honorarium for the film showings and so enjoyed meeting classmates at the dinner Saturday. She, Francoise, and I were also very grateful for the pledges of classmates to help cover costs of outreach and distribution of the film.” Catherine Masud added: “Tony, thank you for organizing such a wonderful series of screenings of A Double Life at the Yale reunion! It was an incredible experience, so inspiring to be able to share Steve's story with such an engaged and receptive audience, and to have such meaningful conversations around the film during the Q&A and afterwards. For Steve, I know it was deeply meaningful and poignant to have this be a part of reunion weekend, and Françoise also. Big thanks to Stephanie Hartnett at YAA also, for helping to pull it all together!” Abby Ginzberg, a close friend of Steve Bingham and another force behind the production of A Double Life, added: “Adding my thanks and gratitude as well. The screenings were great!”

Peter Bradford emailed: “First off, thanks again for your remarkable efforts as Class Secretary. The reunion would not have been the success that it was without you (and Sam Francis and the various chairs). I very much enjoyed it but also found poignant the number of good friends either absent for health reasons or present but afflicted by pretty inexorable physical and/or memory issues. No more whining over stiff joints, compression socks, or even a transient kidney stone. I particularly appreciated what I understand was your decision to have A Double Life shown several times instead of the original once. I went Saturday. The room was still full. I could not have seen it had it not been shown that day. The movie was evocative for many reasons. Having lived next door to Steve Bingham freshman year, I knew him well enough to be thunderstruck by the news of his alleged involvement in the George Jackson killings in 1971, a feeling magnified by the fact that my closest friend at that time had served with Steve in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and was equally astounded and baffled. Just seeing the film clips of Steve and others at that age was an experience that brought home how long ago 1964 was and what remarkable times we have passed through and continue to. In a way the movie and the fears that led to Steve’s flight were a bookend to Tim Snyder's superb talk on US governance and the risks it faces.”

Bob Buchanan (who provided matching funds for a “Class of 1964 Scholarship Fund” as part of our Class Gift) emailed: “What an endearing time with so many old friends. The Class has benefited from many great leaders over these years, but none have come close to what you have accomplished, Tony. Thank you and know that you are respected and loved by a very grateful bunch of friends and classmates.” Bob added, “It was a great reunion. I enjoyed being there, and I am very proud to have a Yale education and ongoing interaction with my classmates.”

Bob Bulkeley emailed: “Tony, It was a magnificent 60th, my bum leg notwithstanding. My only criticism was lack of access to bathrooms in TD. I only wished I could have caught up with more classmates, a mobility issue. Your leadership was superb. Glad Chris Getman’s and Terry Holcombe’s families were there. My next stop in life will be Paasquaney's 130th celebration in August.”

Mike Arons emailed: “Thanks, Tony. I totally enjoyed our 60th, but only took photos of my daughter and 13-year-old grandson as I was showing them Yale Friday before she went on to her 30th at Brown. Hopefully, we’ll both be well enough for our 65th and get more time to talk. BTW, I saw Sam Francis and sent him my remembrance of Joe Lieberman to you both. I knew Joe for years before Yale and many of us knew then he’d likely be US President someday.”

Class Publications

Dick duPont attended our 60th reunion and participated in Edward Massey’s Authors’ Workshop. Later, duPs distributed his latest compilation of writings and. photographs, titled “A Man’s Reach.” Stephen Greenblatt also participated in Massey’s Workshop and talked about his latest book, Second Chances: Shakespeare and Freud, which he co-authored. The distaff side of the Greenblatt duo, Ramie Targoff, has a new book, Shakespeare’s Sisters: How Women Wrote the Renaissance. Tom Kleven also participated in Massey’s Workshop and talked about his book, The Meaning of Life and Other Poems. Syd Lea posted three new essays and two poems on his “Substack” newsletter. In June, the Wall Street Journal selected Sam Low’s book, Hawaiki Rising, as one of the five best books on sea voyaging. Ron Parlato posted a number of new entries to his blog “Uncle Guido’s Facts,” the most intriguing of which is “The Golden Years: No Sex, No Wisdom, No Shots Left in the Magazine.” Ron Sipherd kept up a steady pace of beautiful posts in his photographic blog “Ronksville,” with flora and architecture of Northern California. Russell Sunshine traveled cross-continent by train in both directions to attend our 60th reunion with his wife Nancy. Russell also participated in Massey’s Authors’ Workshop and posted his travel experiences in his blog “Agile Aging.” The first installment of Russell’s blog, “Our Last Grand Rail Adventure,” is now posted in Publications. “Today's installment traces our Amtrak route from California to Connecticut. Next month, you can follow us back across Canada, from Quebec to Vancouver.” John Wylie gave a presentation at our 60th reunion about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the publication of graphics and design, “AI Immersion.” To demonstrate his skills as a practitioner, John posted a flurry of his new work on his blog, “Why We Became Human.”Sam Francis’ article “Dangers of Falls” was published as a Letter to the Editor in the July-August Yale Alumni Magazine. Sam Francis circulated another article which captured his reflections on the important advances in our generation. Call it a “Pessimism Antidote”:

Consider that medical science in our time has increased life expectancy by over a decade. Smallpox and tuberculosis and polio are worries of the past. Cancer used to be a certain death sentence. No more. And consider the advances in gender equity. Women are better educated, marrying later, earning more, are in more positions of power and influence, and are actually going to Yale!!! Gay rights and other issues of sexual preference are much more respected than when we graduated. Technological innovations have been truly staggering over our lifetime. The transistor was invented when we were 4 years old; today there are chips containing 5 trillion transistors. The cell phone in your pocket has 100,000 times the processing power of the computer that landed man on the moon 50 years ago. The violent crime rate in the US has declined from 730 per 100,000 population in 1990 to 370 in 2022. The poverty rate in the U.S. was 22% when we graduated and is 11% now.

Angus Gillespie announced: “On June 18, 2024, Council Historian Dr. Angus Kress Gillespie discussed his latest scholastic work before US Coast Guard personnel and Council members at USCG Station Bayonne. At the event, Angus presented ‘Port Newark and the Origins of Container Shipping.’ This presentation was especially fitting considering the accident that recently occurred in Baltimore Maryland.”

In July, Gus Speth emailed: “Friends, I am launching an essay series, ‘Essays from the Edge’, and this is the first one (‘How to Lose Average Americans’). I hope you find them engaging. There will not be too many.”

Class In Memoriam

It saddens me to report the deaths of six classmates since the previous issue of YAM.

Jock Burbank’s widow, Suzanne Kelley, notified us that Jock (who was only with us freshman year but returned to Yale for graduate school) died on July 10, 2020, in Healdsburg CA.

Alan Rapoport died on May 18, 2021, in western Michigan.

Boardy Lloyd died on May 17, 2024, in Brookline MA. Pamela Lloyd (daughter of Boardy Lloyd) emailed: “Thank you so much for this thoughtful note, Tony, and the information about the reunions. Yes, it would have been my father’s 60th … such interesting timing. I am Boardy’s daughter Pam. I was Yale ‘90 and also JE. I will forward your note on to Lyn Lloyd, my stepmother, who will be touched to get this. She loved him so much. I will get you a photo. I had sent one in but will gladly send again for your class notes. Thank you so much for posting the obituary.”

James McCurley died on May 27, 2024, in Kensington MD. His daughter Peggy Gilliam emailed: “Angus Gillespie, a friend of my brother Jim's since Yale days, was kind enough to report Jim's recent death to you. For many years, Jim has had few contacts outside our immediate family. I prefer that people remember Jim and his many capabilities as they were when these individuals knew him. Only one Yale friend other than Angus has maintained contact with him. Thanks so much for posting my father’s In Memoriam. I really appreciate it. Our father also did his master’s degree at Yale. If I had been two years younger, I probably would have been a Yalie rather than a Smithie.”

Rich Peck died on June 10, 2024, in Lakewood OH. Days before the reunion, his wife Peggy, emailed: “Hi, I'm Peggy Peck, wife of Richard L. Peck (Trumbull), writing to let all know that although Richard has been looking forward to the Class of 64 reunion for months, he will not be attending. On February 18, Richard was admitted to the hospital with severe, acute pancreatitis. He had been completely asymptomatic before the sudden onset of extreme pain, and he has been hospitalized since — most of the time in first the medical and then the surgical ICU at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus. He had extensive surgery on April 24 and on May 9 he was finally discharged to a step-down hospital. We hope he will recover sufficiently to be moved to a Cleveland Clinic Acute Rehab hospital by May 30, but that may be an optimistic timetable. The reunion book arrived yesterday, and he has it in his hospital room now.” John Hunsaker emailed: “Rich and Peggy, I am so sorry for the abrupt turn of events, wish Rich a good recovery and absence of discomfort, and surely will miss his great company (like we've had in many past reunions). He always reminds me of our being neighbors in Vanderbilt and of our dear friend, Peter Beach, who died before his second year. It has been invigorating talking with you these last few months, and I thank you for your helping with the reunion stuff. I am dejected by your situation, knowing how much you were looking forward to seeing a bunch of old friends.” Days later, we learned that Rich Peck had succumbed. Kip Burgweger emailed: “Dear Peggy, I am sending you my condolences over the passing of our classmate Rich. He and I shared special things such as being classmates of the Class of 1964 and being neighbors in Vanderbilt Hall our freshman year and being fellow Trumbullians for the remainder of our undergraduate time. However, there may have been something even more special that we share. I have just discovered that we may be distant cousins. In his piece printed in the 60th Anniversary Reunion Book, he writes that the Peck family in America ‘dates back to 1638, with progenitor Joseph Peck arriving in Connecticut in 1638 . . .’ This is the first I knew that his ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Connecticut. Some of my ancestors on my mother’s side are also members of the Peck family. Jeremiah Peck, my 8-times-great-grandfather, was born in England about 1627 and died in Waterbury, CT in in 1699. His son Samuel Pecke (spelling was changed), my 7-times-great-grandfather, was born in Guilford, New Haven Colony in 1659, moved to Greenwich, CT and died in Greenwich in 1746. I now live in Greenwich in the Cos Cob district. There is a very old cemetery adjacent to my front yard in which my mother found a gravestone engraved with the name Peck. Here we have two Yalies descended from Connecticut’s earliest founders and spending four years sharing as classmates and possibly cousins. I am very saddened that we did not know this in time to share it together.” John Hunsaker added: “Dear Peggy, it is hard to find the words to express how deeply shocked and saddened I am to hear of Richard’s passing. It was an honor to have known him since 1960 as neighbors in Vanderbilt Hall, and I feel fortunate that we talked and collaborated recently as part of the reunion planning. I have wonderful memories of our regularly refreshed friendship and genuine camaraderie at many reunions. He was an incredible man. I hope that 55+ years of loving memories will sustain you all during this time of heavy grief. Thinking of you and sending my love.” Bill Kridel emailed: “Condolences, Peggy, on this unhappy loss after a valiant fight against an ugly cancer enemy. Some of my companies are making slow but useful progress in combatting PanCan, and I wish for your sake and ours that it had been faster. Prayers for all Pecks.”

Neil Hoffmann died on June 26, 2024, in Haverford PA. Neil was a dedicated Class Council member for many years. Morris Dean emailed the mid-Atlantic email group with the news: “Not all of you may have gotten word yet that our friend, Yale 1964 classmate Neil Hoffmann, passed away on June 26. We got the news from Neil’s daughter, Liz. Neil’s revised brief bio in the sidebar of ‘Moristotle and Co.’ gives a link to Neil’s obituary in The Philadelphia Inquirer.” Nortin Hadler (another member of the email group that Neil always engaged with) emailed: “Carol and I visited with Neil and Nancy this spring, the week they were moving into a CCRC. They were looking forward to this new phase of their life. Neil later told me that the transition was pleasing. It was a privilege to know him. May his memory be as a blessing.” Another group member, Cynthia Barnett, added: “Everyone, I’m grateful I was included in this sad notification of Neil’s passing. It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to reacquaint with this wonderful man. Jack and I followed the story of Nancy and Neil when they were first dating in Syracuse. Their lives together were happy and productive. A fine family has blessed this world. Nancy, you picked wisely and so did Neil.”

Obituaries may be found on our Class Website/In Memoriam. Please let me know if you would like to post a remembrance and/or donate a Mory’s Memorial Brick.

Betsy Park (surviving spouse of Jamie Park) hosted a remembrance open house at her home in Amenia NY after our 60th reunion. Betsy emailed: “I was so sorry to miss the reunion, but we had planned an open-house event to remember my husband Jamie, and that trip to New Haven was just not practical! Jamie was a member of the Whiffenpoofs, and a wonderful number of the members of the '64 Whiffs came to the house from the Reunion, to help us celebrate his life. Thanks to all those of you who are keeping track of those long-ago days in New Haven, bright college years!”

A national memorial service will be held in Washington D.C. for Joe Lieberman on July 24, 2024, at Adas Israel Congregation. Mike Arons added a nice remembrance for Joe Lieberman: “Other classmates have commented on Joe's wonderful contributions to our principles and values, our country, and to the world, but I thought I'd add a little history before he enrolled at Yale. I perhaps have known Joe Lieberman for more years than other Yale ’64 classmates. I first met Joe, likely at Burdick Jr. High School, as 7th graders in Stamford, Connecticut. Although I had a Bar Mitzvah at the Conservative Temple Beth El, I later joined Joe and others at the Orthodox Synagogue four blocks south for our Confirmation. His cousin, Joseph Ehrenkranz, was the Rabbi and took us annually to Yankees games, a definite draw for me! At Stamford High School, Joe was President of our Class both our Sophomore and Senior years. Obviously, he showed leadership skills early on, and therefore many of us thought he might even be President, not just of our class but of the of the United States! And he sure came close! Even then he had a way about him of befriending everybody and making them feel important. And he had a great sense of humor. At Stamford High School, with a very mixed class of Italians, African Americans, and those of all faiths, we all shared a strong sense of patriotism and community which we carried on to Yale, where five of us were admitted in the largest group ever sent from our school. One of my most cherished memories is a eulogy Joe gave at a mutual friend’s funeral, almost 25 years ago. Despite belonging to different parties, Freddy, a lifelong Republican, raised money for Joe's Senate campaigns. Their early years of friendship included Joe’s welcoming him to Stamford, and how that grew over the years. This is written just two weeks before our 60th Class Reunion, and I and all of our classmates will definitely miss him being there.”

Dick duPont wrote a remembrance of Bruce Warner to Mimo Riley (Bruce’s surviving spouse) in May 2024.

Bill Woodfin donated a Mory’s Memorial Brick in the name of Hood Franks.

Marya Holcombe (surviving spouse of Terry Holcombe) visited his grave in May and noted that Terry is buried right across from Chris Getman.