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| JULY/AUG. 2004 VOLUME 107 NUMBER 1 | Class Notes |
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31 | This Class Notes column started out as a draft for the annual spring News and Dues letter to all '31ders. Then I found out that we have again graduated! We are now officially senior citizens among Cornell alumni/ae "with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto," including exemption from Class Dues. That was the good news. BUT! What about the "News" part of the annual letter title? No solicitation of news items for this column! Then, obviously, no class news! Then, inevitably, no more class column! That was the bad news for this class correspondent.
So-o-o, after a couple of chats with our kind, cheerful, and always helpful friends at the Alumni Office and Cornell Alumni Magazine, we have settled on the following: 1) we will send all surviving '31ders a copy of this issue (some of you have already signed up for a subscription, so will be getting a copy that way); and 2) in this 1931 class column, we will ask all of you to: a) keep on sending in news items, either to me at the address at the end of this column, or to the Class Notes Editor, Cornell Alumni Magazine, 401 E. State St., Suite 301, Ithaca, NY 14850; b) read this issue cover to cover and note all the exciting action now taking place on what was "our Hill"; and c) send a check for $21.50 (if you are not already a subscriber) for six more bi-monthly issues to Cornell Alumni Magazine at the address noted in the preceding. If you will keep on sending in notes (remember, they don't have to seem like "news" to you; the best news your classmates and friends in other classes can get at this stage of our lives is "still doing the same old things"), this correspondent, or the Class Notes Editor, will write them up in a future issue.Many thanks to all '31ders who already subscribe to Cornell Alumni Magazine. Be sure to renew your subscription when you receive the yearly invoice.
Gene Maiorana (Eugene E.) is one '31der who noticed the absence of a letter and News Form. He took the trouble to send me a patriotic, stars and stripesbedecked letter with his news: 1) his then-new address, 50-29 16th Rd.,Whitestone, NY 11357-3177; 2) his recent troubles: "Sustained two senior citizen falls, one of which earned me seven stitches on my forehead. Fortunately, no broken bones. I'm still walking around!" Thanks, Gene, for defining a "senior citizen fall." Len Gordon (Leonard), one of our surviving Class VPs, sent in from his then-new address 6350 NW 62nd St., #111, Tamarac, FL 33319, the bad news that he recently had to give up his regular golf rounds because of "ticker trouble," but is otherwise carrying on.
In the past year, as we limp along in our mid-nineties, we have lost many good friends from the class. All deserve more than the little space available in this column and the Alumni Deaths pages, but two class officers who have served the class for many years do merit special recognition. Rather than just feeling sorry for ourselves over the loss of two old friends, I suggest we rejoice in what they have done for us, for our class, for Cornell, and for humanity.
In the Class of 1931 Notes in the Jan/Feb 2004 issue of this magazine there appeared the sad news that our Class Vice President and Cornell Fund Representative Ed Mintz had, in September 2003, himself lost the battle that he had so vociferously urged all of us to fight—"to live to be 100 and attend our 80th Reunion." Ed had spent a great deal of time and effort in fending off the Grim Reaper.He kept himself in top physical shape and urged all of us to do likewise. Though technically retired from his life insurance and estate planning profession, he kept on working with his clients and maintained his place in his company's "Million Dollar Round Table" for a record 62 years. In an interview in 2002 he was asked what gave him the most personal satisfaction. His answer sums up a life well lived: "I receive the most joy from life situations I have helped improve."
The sturdy legs that carried Frank O'Brien and his determination on so many daily long exercise walks finally gave out on him, and probably that very lack of exercise hastened the day early this year that we lost him. Frank was our Reunion Chairman from our very first gathering. He believed he had been chairman longer than the chairman of any other reunion class, because he had a head start with one of the last of the old "Dix Plan" reunions a couple of years after we graduated. When Harry Murphy, MD '34's medical education commitments prevented him from continuing as the elected Men's Class Secretary (there were no class presidents in those days), Frank continued to act as Reunion Chairman and "Lord High Everything Else" until the class was reorganized as one of the early combined men's and women's classes, with Bruce Hackstaff as president and Gert Goodwin as first vice president. Ever since, his advice, counsel, and support have been invaluable to the Class Council, to Bruce, and to me when I succeeded to Bruce's twin hats of president and class correspondent. Any good things we have done should be credited to Frank. The dumb things are our fault.
Frank cherished his Irish heritage, claiming descent from a long line of O'Brien Kings of Ireland, one of whom was the proprietor of Bunratty Castle, now a prime tourist attraction on the River Shannon. According to Frank, this King befriended the parents of William Penn, and perhaps saved the young Penn's life, thus establishing a connection to Philadelphia where Frank ran his family business and built it into one of the early truly global enterprises. Frank applied the same imagination, energy, and decisiveness to running all of our reunions, and to his counseling.
As the classicist icon of our day, Bull Durham, PhD 1899, might have said of these two stalwart '31ders: "Ave atque Vale." Bill Vanneman, 237 N.Main St., #250, S. Yarmouth, MA 02664-2088; tel., (508) 760-4250.
32 | The ladies have, until a few months ago, been sending me bits and pieces of news so that the rest of us can learn what they have been up to, but the men in our class seem to be largely of the strong, silent sort. I haven't been able to determine whether this is modesty or lethargy. A few fellows whose appearance in this space are overdue: L.Herbert Allcorn Jr. (Clemmons, NC); Arthur Harvith (Annandale,VA); and Herbert Heerwagen, JD '34 (Maplewood, NJ).
Ellen GobelWalsh '76, whose official title within the university is Director of Regional Offices but whose real function is supplying me with all sorts of interesting Cornelliana, somehow got hold of a tiny pocket book titled Cornell Freshman Handbook, 1928-1929. It was presented by The Christian Associations of Cornell University to the members of the Class of 1932. I had one of these priceless objects once upon a time, but had completely forgotten that they existed. It makes wonderful reading.
A few reunions ago a group of us were discussing frosh caps. No one could remember whence they came, but a separate page in the handbook says, "The official Freshman Cap will be on sale at the Freshman Advisory Booth in Willard Straight Hall, by the Student Council. The price of the cap is $1.50." I have no recollection of seeing a coed in a beanie.Were they exempt from this particular humiliation? There is a long list of not particularly onerous rules governing freshmen. Following are a few samples: no Freshman shall smoke at all on the campus or on Schoellkopf Field except in the Freshman section; no Freshman shall smoke a numeral pipe in public; each and every Freshman shall wear at all times a cap of the following description . . .; no Freshman shall be allowed to walk on the grass on campus; no Freshman shall be allowed to sit in the first three rows of seats or boxes in any theater; no Freshman shall appear in public with galoshes unbuckled; no Freshman shall appear in public wearing knickerbockers or golf trousers.
I recall one evening during our frosh year when Edward Suor and I went to visit Fred Rope, a classmate, in his dorm room. Fred was wearing a bathrobe, and Bud Suor noticed a pledge button pinned to its lapel. He remarked about this and Fred replied that the upperclassmen in the fraternity to which he was pledged had warned him against failing to wear the pin at all times. Bud asked, "Do you put the pin in your mouth when you shower?"When I run this partial list of "don'ts" through my memory, I wonder whether, in good conscience, I ought to return my diploma to the university.
The ads in the book are interesting. Driscoll Bros. & Co. advertised "PADDLES—Made to your individual needs. Also a large line of stock models. Demonstration." Unless there was a great interest in canoeing, which I don't recall, these articles must have been for disciplinary use. The Onondaga in Syracuse offered "Rooms without Bath $2.50 per day; Rooms with Bath $3.00 per day."And there is a section devoted to Yells and Songs. The words to "The Big Red Team" included the line, "Six thousand strong we march, march along." I wonder what the population is today.
The Comptroller of the University estimated the average expenses of a student to be $1,410 for the academic year. There was a breakdown as follows: Fraternity men $1,420; non-fraternity men $1,398; sorority girls $1,450; non-sorority girls $1,250. Note that the differential cost for men was $22 and for girls (Note: not called women) was $200. This doesn't make sense to me, but perhaps some of you can explain it. Jim Oppenheimer, 140 Chapin Pkwy., Buffalo, NY 14209-1104; tel., (716) 886-1314.
34 | These Class Notes, I am told, will appear in the Cornell Alumni Magazine that will arrive after our class's 70th Reunion has come and gone! The final column—the report of our 70th Reunion—will be featured in the coming September/October issue.
Our Class of 1934 is coming to the end of the line! When we, as "green freshmen," were standing in the registration line, signing up for our first classes in September 1930, we were not thinking of our 70th Reunion some 74 years later.We had to learn the ropes of the Cornell experience.Where do we go for meals? Are we choosing the right courses? Where are our classes held? In which building? On which campus? Are we interested or not in joining a sorority or a fraternity? Who will our new friends be? Those and so many other concerns were occupying our minds—so important to us on that September day. In a relatively short time we found the answers or the solutions to our concerns. Now, years later, those big problems seem to be just concerns for young people who have "flown the coop," so to speak.
We got through the "worry" stage and settled into college life.What a great experience our undergraduate days were for us, sitting at the feet of such great teachers as we had. I can't remember all of mine. A few have remained in my memory who were "stars"—great teachers such as Morris Bishop '14, BA '13, PhD '26, Paul O'Leary, PhD '29, Herb Briggs, Bristow Adams 1900, Harry Caplan '16, PhD '21, and Donald English. These were renowned professors, but they were also wonderful teachers who touched my life in college—teachers I always remember with sincere thanks. I know you had favorites in your own colleges—people you revered, who helped you in special ways and became good friends. At Cornell we were fortunate to have such a great faculty and to be the recipients of their great talent to teach.
As we approach the end of the '34 Class Notes that have appeared in the Cornell Alumni News and Cornell Alumni Magazine over these 70 years, it is time to pay tribute to the Men's Class Correspondents who have written these notes so diligently month in and month out over the years.
My memory is a bit weak on the early years. The first one I remember is Jack Little, who wrote the class column for years before he became disabled and for many years after he was confined to a wheelchair. Despite his handicap he was always cheerful, as well as a dedicated correspondent.When Jack's health required him to relinquish his duties, our good friend Hilly Jayne took over. For many years Hilly did a great job for the class. After the women's and men's classes merged into one organization, Hilly carried on for the men's notes until about five years ago when he was forced to retire from the position. Hilly had been so prompt and willing— he worked hard at it and did a great job.
After Hilly, Karl Schmidt offered to become the new Men's correspondent. Karl was also very special. Even after he knew he was afflicted with cancer, he kept on diligently producing our notes until shortly before his death. Remarkably,Hilly Jayne returned to the task and served us well, until his health prevented him from continuing.
These three gentlemen, all of whom "died with their boots on," were great members of the class and devoted Cornellians. As our Class Notes come to an end, it is proper that we pay our respects and extend a "special thank you" to Jack, Hilly, and Karl! William R. Robertson, 143 Rivermead Rd., Peterborough, NH 03458; tel., (603) 924-8654.
35 | When you read this column, it will be approximately a year to our 70th Reunion. I hope that those of you who still like to travel will seriously consider attending and will note the dates of June 9-12, 2005 somewhere where you can't forget them.
I was recently informed of the deaths of our longtime class Vice President Caleb Hobbie and his enthusiastic wife Janet, a member of the Class of 1935 of the U. of Maine, who adopted our class. The Hobbies were regular attendees of our class mini-reunions, as Cal was probably the best golfer in the class and they enjoyed the class associations.We will miss them greatly. The class acquired a Presidents' Golf Trophy in 1972 and maintained it until our 1985 Reunion. During that period, Cal's name appeared 19 times as Low Gross or Low Net or Champion, in play at courses from Ithaca at Homecomings and reunions to Bermuda, Ireland, Scotland, Florida, Cape Cod,Wilmington, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Mexico. Our names that appear as winners on the golf trophy include Bo Adlerbert, Joe Fleming, Paul McNamara, Jim Mullane, Art North, and Stan Stager.
I was pleased to receive a note from J.Hambleton Palmer, a fraternity brother of mine, who reported that Eva and he recently moved from a large house where they had lived many years to an apartment at 8301 River Crescent Dr., Annapolis, MD 21401. It was a trying experience, accomplished with the help of storage space. The Palmers have been ardent sailors and judges of sailing regattas for many years. They still participate but no longer have their own boat. Ham, that is not all bad. He and Eva have traveled extensively: east to Istanbul, west to Bangkok, north to Iceland and Alaska, and south to Cape Horn. They spent last Christmas at Costa del Sol in Spain. They have three grandchildren in Chicago and New Orleans. The Palmers are planning to attend our 70th in June 2005. Great planning, Ham.
Any time that you have NEWS, feel free to send it directly to me. I will receive it with thanks glady. Albert G. Preston Jr., 252 Overlook Dr., Greenwich, CT 06830; e-mail, davada35@aol.com.
36 | As I mentioned when last we met, you have flooded me with news, for which I thank you. But now my cup runneth over . . . which is another way of saying that due to space limitations some of you will have to wait until next time to see your name in print. For starters I have a nice letter from Bob Soman (363 Hilltop Blvd., Canfield, OH 44406), who says, "I feel that your column serves a great purpose" by keeping us in touch with Cornell. "We remember the Quad with its giant elm trees, the concerts at Bailey Hall, the dances at the Drill Hall, a beer or two at Zinks, the crew races, etc. I suggest that you might be a rallying point for a trip to Ithaca for our 70th Reunion.
"Maybe you or someone could arrange for a suite of rooms at the Hotel school for those of us who could attend.We all must have some good stories to tell either about school or about later years. Regarding news, I am a little out of the loop. I don't go to the alumni meetings in Cleveland, as it is a tough drive for me. I play golf three or four times a week here during the season, and have spent a week or two in Florida and also in Arizona during the winter.We go to plays and symphony concerts locally (Youngstown). I usually read a couple of books a month." Thanks, Bob, for your suggestion about our 70th, but by now I don't buy any long-playing records or green bananas, so thinking about something two years away will have to wait for a while. But I do hope we can get there.
This came in over the Internet from Walt Grimes: "For the curious: I'm retired and have been for too many years now.My son Larry now owns and operates W.B. Grimes & Co., which I started, a business brokerage firm specializing in the communications media field—newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, etc. One daughter, Cathy Sanders, is with MCI, and another, Judy Stark, is in sales for WSAW in Wasau, WI. Each of the children is married and has offspring of his or her own, and three of these are now in college—unfortunately, none at Cornell. One grandson, Sean Stark, of whom I am especially proud in these turbulent times, has recently enlisted in the US Army and has just completed his initial training at Camp Jackson in South Carolina."Good to hear from you,Walt, and we share your feelings about your grandson and certainly wish him well.
Here's a gem of brevity from Andy Peirce (2413 Shoreham Highlands, St. Joseph,MI 49085), which in its entirety reads, "I married Betty Bingham on Feb. 27, '03." Congratulations, Andy, and our best wishes to your bride, but come on, tell us more. For instance, what have you been doing since learning the harsh realities of life playing in the backfield for that '36 team of ours? Mary Emily Wilkins Wells tells us, "On July 29, '03 (my birthday), I received a great present—the birth of my first great-grandchild, Caleb Lytle Cogan, whose grandparents are James H. ‘Torchy' '62 and Susan Landy Lytle '64. Her mother, Dorothy Landy, has that same birthday." Thanks,Mary. Another potential Cornellian to add to that fine family?
Margaret Morgan Lawrence (34 Dogwood Lane N., Pomona, NY 10990) says that she is listed in the book 100 Most Notable Cornellians—a very nice honor. Jo Biddle McMeen (2402 Shadyside Ave., Huntingdon, PA 16652) is still writing her column for the Huntingdon Daily News twice a week, which I suspect is some kind of record. Yvonne Breguet Ruffnear (939 Beach Dr. NE, #605, St. Petersburg, FL 33701) says: "In 2002 I moved from Washington, DC, to St. Petersburg to be near my two sons, who live here. I live in a nice assisted living apartment house downtown. Lots of activities."
It is not surprising that many of us are moving to be closer to sons and/or daughters, as Olive Nissle Shaw and her husband have also done. "We moved from sunny Oroville, CA, to cool, foggy, glamorous Surf City—Santa Cruz, CA (1317 Laurel St., 95060) to be closer to our son. This unique city wastes nothing, recycles everything. Residents here dress as they wish, with little concern for fashion. Favorite transportation: bicycles, though streets are filled with Mercedes and Jaguars— none bought new, all well-kept.Housing here so scarce and expensive, property owner with enough room can build a county-approved additional dwelling unit. Our son plans to do this so that our daughter can move from Montana with her four cats and our little family will be united. Our advice? Stay put if you can—moving is not fun and you never really find everything. It's a challenge, but we're glad we did it."
Would you believe that Olive and I were in high school together in Summit, NJ? The Jersey air kept us young.More news next time. Bill Hoyt, 8090 Oakmont Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409; e-mail, subilhoyt@sbcglobal.net.
37 | Summer is finally here and we know that soon many of you will be taking vacations.Wherever you go and whatever you do, please continue to inform us of your activities.We enjoy hearing from all of you, so keep the news coming. Thanks to all who have responded so well to our earlier request for updates.
Mary Ferguson Mills enclosed an article and picture from her local Connecticut newspaper naming her Person of the Week. The article describes the interesting activities that she has been engaged in as founder of the Madison Historical Society's Docent Program of the Allis-Bushnell House. To mark the 25th year of the program, Mary will be honored at the annual MHS picnic in July. Because of her farsightedness, an average of 400 visitors tour the house each year. Claire Kelly Gilbert is now living in Longview, a retirement facility overlooking Cayuga Lake. She takes courses at Ithaca College, offered tuition-free to Longview residents. The college is involved in Head Start as well as geriatrics, so, as Claire says, "We go from the cradle to the grave, as it were."
Another one of us who keeps active is Marion Bean Parnell, who is involved with bridge,music, and volunteering. She lives in a retirement village in independent living and "thoroughly enjoys it." She had a pleasant visit in Seattle,WA, where she attended her granddaughter's wedding. Dorothy McCormack Grady has been busy with the Bethel Historical Society and the Red Cross blood drives. Once a year her family goes winter coasting in Vermont. Her grandchild Leslie Nicholas '92, who lives in Chicago, did a bicycle marathon for the benefit of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Your correspondent, Selma Block Green, went to Cancún,Mexico, in February for her 23rd yearly vacation/reunion with her family—relatives who have also bought timeshares. Ludmila Koshkin Beve resides in Augsburg Lutheran Village at 6825 Campfield Rd., Apt. 10H, Baltimore, MD 21207-4634. Eloise Grant Jones took her summer vacation last year in Redfield, NY, where she owns a camp on the Salmon River Reservoir.
Another active alum is Mary Clare Capewell Ward, who enjoys walking, birding, reading, and socializing. She also performs various activities at Fountains, an adult residence. Her vacation last year was spent in Puerto Rico, and every year she attends the Cornell '37 Reunion. Mabel Carroll Street,MA '41, volunteers for the Jewish Family and Vocational Service and Metuchen Public Library. She is proud to say that her granddaughter Sarah Ordonez will enter Cornell in August as a freshman in the College of Human Ecology, thus continuing a family Cornell tradition to the third generation.Mabel's daughter is Janet Street Ordonez '78. Mabel's brother Jacob Carroll '36 and his son Michael '72, MBA '77, as well as other relatives, have also earned Cornell degrees.
Louise Lee Robinson, moved last August to Albuquerque, NM, in order to be close to her family. For 60 years, she had been living in Danville, KY. Her new address is 8810 Horizon Blvd.NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113-1695; tel., (505) 821-4302. Dorothea Bentley Witherspoon rejoices in the arrival of her great-grandson, born June 22, '03. He has his own website, robertjosephgarrison.com.
Shortly before going to press, we learned that our co-president Doris Thompson Shineman died on Sunday morning,May 2, at New York Hospital. Doris was elected co-president with her husband Ed at our class's 55th Reunion in 1999. She was a loyal Cornellian and a special friend. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Ed at: 420 East 51st St., #14E, New York, NY 10022-8022.
Remember to keep us posted of your interesting summer vacations . . . and keep well! Selma Block Green, 15 Weaver St., Scarsdale, NY 10583, tel., (914) 472- 0535.
38 | George Engles, BA '40 (Woods Hole, MA) says that his main hobby is music: "I've played jazz piano since age 16, solo and with groups. I make CDs with my son Christopher as producer. I believe they have one of mine at 385 Thurston Ave. called ‘Retrospective.' I don't play gigs now—can't drive at night—but my wife Norma likes to throw parties and we always end singing the Great American Songbook. Have done a lot of traveling in the years gone by: Africa twice, Europe (Italy and France).We like life on Cape Cod—moved here in 1970 from Manhattan. I hear from Les Scott '39 by mail and occasional phone call. Your mention of the Libe Chimes reminded me of my freshman year ('34) when I tried out the chimes at 8 a.m.! The view is great from up there, and it's good exercise—for a while. Good luck to all. I'll enjoy reading the magazine."
James McKay is still actively engaged in pro bono work at his firm, Covington & Burling. In November, he was involved in the longest trial in the recorded history of the Family Division of the D.C. Superior Court, from Nov. 6 to Nov. 26. The court approved the adoption of a 4-1/2-year-old girl by his client, the foster mother. James also represents veterans in the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. In addition, he has continued with creative writing, having written three novels and an account of the operations of a patrol craft that he commanded during WWII. Two of the novels, SPIKE! and Tomorrow & Tomorrow, may be obtained from listbooks.com. "I have been in close touch with Jim Kruse, Bill Kruse's son. Jim is teaching in Concord, NH. Phil Burnham, BA '38, originally in the class of 1936, emailed me out of the blue. Phil seems to be in good shape and sent me an account of the severe wound he suffered during the Battle of the Bulge, necessitating the amputation of one of his legs. Phil's e-mail address is pburnhamjr@att.net."
Robert Ohlbaum's wife Mollie wrote us that Bob passed away on March 10, 2004. "Bob was 86-1/2 years old and always wanted me to contribute to the College of Engineering for giving him a scholarship from 1934-38." The Ohlbaums had three daughters (including two Cornellians) and one son. Jean ScheidenhelmWolff recently moved from Hilton Head, SC, to the Carriage Club, a retirement home in Jacksonville, FL. "A very, very special place," she says. Her son and his wife live in Jacksonville. "He, too, is a Cornellian, as was my father. No more great trips, but I've been to most continents except South America." Eleanor Walbridge Morgan's husband Millett '37, MS '38, died in 2002. They had been married 65 years. He was a retired chaired professor at the Thayer School, Dartmouth College. Eleanor has four children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She and her husband used to travel widely because of his international scientific connections in ionospheric research. She still travels to visit family.
Lucile Howard Jarvis sent news of her family:"My daughter Barbara lives in Hawaii.Her daughter (my grand) graduated from Bucknell and is now in Barcelona. My son Peter and his Japanese wife Jungko live in New York. He is with the Dept. of Education.My darling Serge is deceased. He was ‘the wind beneath my wings.' I am still going strong in every way. I have two projects to produce. First, ‘China: Then & Now,' an update on the NBC TV special produced 30 years ago in China— both programs featured the same Chinese family! The second project is the US tour of the prestigious ballet company The Kremlin Ballet. They perform at the palace inside the Kremlin. The program they will present on this, their first tour in the US, is their version of Tom Sawyer. It is fabulous and whimsical."
Send news to: Class of '38, c/o Cornell Alumni Magazine, 401 East State St., Suite 301, Ithaca, NY 14850; e-mail, cornell_magazine@cornell.edu.
39 | As I write this column on April 15, we are all praying for a good dose of sunshine. By the time you read this, reunion will be over and we shall be aiming for our 70th! Sounds improbable, doesn't it? The September/October issue of the magazine will carry our full Reunion Report.
Meanwhile, some of us are still functioning well. Rawley Apfelbaum Silver is still writing scholarly books. Her latest, to be published around August, is titled Aggression and Depression: Identifying Children and Adolescents at Risk. Although she says she and her husband "don't get around much any more," obviously she hasn't stopped working in her chosen field. I think this is her third book in recent years.
June Williams Ryerson and husband Elbert will be celebrating 65 years together this July. Her husband was the Director of Art for 33 years at the Elmira public schools, and, as a consequence, they traveled several times to Europe and to the southwestern states, both meccas for art lovers. Interestingly enough, both her children became art teachers. Sarah Steinman Harms had a wonderful trip to Hawaii, a gift from her children. They spent time in a wonderful resort on the Big Island and did whale watching and helicoptering over the volcanoes—an exotic experience, Sally said.
As you well know, our age is catching up with us, and frequently these days the news is not so good. This past year we have lost a number of classmates, most recently the following: On February 4, Virginia Moscript Potter passed away. She spent her long busy life committed to community service, working in military administrative positions as a WAVE in WWII, in academia here at Cornell and at Stanford in California, and with the Girl Scouts, and helping to find jobs for academics, as well as directing volunteer services. She had a varied and interesting career, and on top of that, wrote poetry, which is now being edited for possible publication.
Quite suddenly, Sylvia Dean Phillips passed away. She had made plans to come East to reunion and was looking forward to seeing old friends again. She obtained a Master of Speech Therapy and worked with children in the Seattle schools after her first marriage ended. She was formerly married to Alton Phillips (a crew enthusiast) and the sister of our classmate Ben Dean of Owego. I quote Barbara Babcock Payne, MA '70: "Although Sylvia did not want the attention that comes to a big donor, surely at her death she can now be recognized as the anonymous donor of the shell for the Cornell women's crew that was dedicated in the Statler courtyard during our 60th Reunion."
Margaret "Peggy" McInerney Dunlavey also passed away. She was a Tri-Delt and a Home Economics major.Her husband Justin, JD '48, four children, and eight grandchildren survive. For those who would like to write, the family address is 2027 Forest Hill Dr., Silver Spring,MD 20903.
Margaret Smith Moock passed away on Feb. 10, '04 after suffering a massive stroke. Her sister Helen Smith Hughitt '45 was kind enough to send us word.We send our sympathy to her family and suggest that letters of condolence can be sent to them in care of Helen Smith Hughitt at 441 Shady Lane,Moorestown, NJ 08057.
So far, the Goodmans are doing all right and hope that you all are, too.Write! Ruth Gold Goodman, 103 White Park Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850; tel., (607) 257- 6357; e-mail, bg11@cornell.edu.
Arnold "Arnie" Allison (Tamarac, FL) recently became a great-grandfather of twin boys who are now wearing Cornell Dr. Dentons. His daughter Rochelle (Allison) and husband Arthur Green, both '73, celebrated their 30th Reunion along with their son Nathan '98. Their older son attended Princeton and is now at Yale Law. Arnie wrote that he wouldn't be able to attend our 65th. Kenneth Holgate lives in the Dundee, NY, area, where there are a number of Cornell alumni. He gets to see his grandson Jeffrey Hall, who works in Cornell's Athletic Dept. They get together occasionally to see Cornell football games.
When we heard from Bill Twaddle (Chateaugay, NY), he was still hoping to go to our 65th Reunion, but felt house-bound with a bad back. A trip might do a world of good, Bill.He wrote that Grace, his wife of 65 years, died in September 2002, and his son-in-law in October 2001. Russell Hopping lost his wife Janet in April 2003 and misses their annual March visit to St. George Island in Florida with her family. Our deepest sympathy to Bill and Russ on these tragedies. Russ has had several throat problems recently that have sent him to the hospital, but apparently he is recovering, as he has been playing golf and can now yell "fore."He lives in Roswell, GA, and recently drove to Denver to visit his son William '69 and his family.
Robert, MS '42, and Ruth Phelps Latimer '45, MS '46, his wife of 65 years, now live at the Waterman Village retirement home in Mt. Dora, FL, where there are already 13 Cornellians. They would welcome visits by other alumni. They recently celebrated their anniversary with a trip to Key West. Congratulations! William Jay Brown Jr. (Wellesley, MA) reports that he is still bicycling, playing tennis (although more slowly), and reading for the disabled. George Lewis Kalb Jr. enjoys reading the short stories of Vladimir Nabokov at his home in Medford Lakes, NJ.
Many thanks to my co-correspondent Ruth Gold Goodman, who will be giving us all a full report on reunion in the next issue.More news from the Men's column after that. Phil Twitchell, 1963 Indian Valley Rd., Novato, CA 94947; e-mail, philtwitchell@comcast.net.