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MAR./APR. 2004 VOLUME 106 NUMBER 5  Class Notes

40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49

40 | My accident injuries have healed so I am back on track. I hope it doesn't happen again. Class President Bob Schuyler sent some family news: "Our youngest daughter (UVA '79), a horse-child, makes the Amherst-Saratoga Springs Run, and sneaks through Hoosick Falls to the narrow pass through the Pownal, VT, horse track, then Williamstown, MA, to the Mohawk Trail." "Sky" reports that George Davis Jr. died recently. He lived in Virginia Beach.

I'd like to pay tribute to others in our class who have passed away. One of our most faithful, Peggy Myers McElwee, died on August 8. She lived most of her life in Ithaca. After graduating with us, Peggy earned a master's degree in economics from the U. of Vermont, and worked closely with her husband Raymond in the accounting department in the W.D. McElwee and Sons construction company. She had two daughters, one of whom died in 1970. Her husband died in 1995. During her lifetime, Peg was a Girl Scout leader and an aide at Cayuga Heights Elementary School, Boynton Junior High, and Ithaca High School. She was the founder of the Book Fair, which grew into the "Friends of the Library" book sale.

Peg served two terms as trustee for both the Village of Cayuga Heights and the Town of Lansing. She was also involved in zoning and planning the Intermunicipal Water Commission at Bolton Point. As an active member of the Presbyterian Church, she served many years as a deacon. Peg was also director of marketing for W.I. Myers Vegetable Garden. She was former president of University Women and a member of the Country Club of Ithaca from 1947, enjoying golf and new friendships.

Another dedicated class member, Clarice Burke Meijer, died on August 18 at Kendal at Ithaca. She was happily involved with the gardens there, starting and developing many. She taught "Home Ec" in the Homer schools. She leaves one son and two daughters, all married. She had agreed to being co-chair of our 65th Reunion, helping Bill Baird, and was class agent for our Plantations units.

Morgan Sinclaire also passed away recently. He was a substantial supporter of the university and will be missed. I send my sympathy to his wife Esther (Jones), who lives in Santa Monica, CA. Sidney Scott, who studied Ag Engineering, died Apr. 14, '03. He was on our soccer team with Art Peters, Bob Wood, MD '43, and Bob Johnson. He earned Cadet Major in ROTC. His older brother Bill '37 is a professor of organizational development at Tuscaloosa. Rodney Lightfoote died Nov. 1, '02. He and his wife Martha lived in Clifton Springs, NY. He was active in alumni affairs and attended most of our reunions.

Luba Lemish Haimes died on Feb. 21, '03. Her husband Melvin lives in Georgetown, SC. Stephen Vinciguerra, JD '42, LLM '46, who lived in Latham, NY, with his wife Beatrice, died on Aug. 20, '02. Some of you will recall his football playing at Cornell. From Ken Stofer '43, BS '48, we heard of the death on October 19 of another football great, Bill Worcester of Baytown, OH. Bill was a member of the undefeated 1939 football team. After receiving his Electrical Engineering degree, he spent his entire business life with Cutler-Hammer, transferring from Detroit to Hammond, IN, and then to Cleveland. Bill has a son Ted in Kathmandu, Nepal, a daughter Nancy in San Francisco, and a daughter Martha in Bay Village.His wife Barbara died several years ago. Thank you, Ken, for forwarding this news.

To all of you—STAY WELL.We'll see you in June 2005 at our 65th Reunion! -- Carol Clark Petrie, PO Box 8,Hartford, NY 12838; tel., (518) 632-5237.

41 | It's early December as I write this column, though it will be almost springtime when you read it.Holiday time at Kendal, a retirement community in Ithaca where I have lived for 3-1/2 years, is a time of many activities. Some of the 350 residents have families in the area, so they divide their time between Kendal and their children's homes. I have two daughters and two married grandchildren living in the greater Ithaca area, for which I am grateful.We enjoy our holidays together, visiting in the various homes. At Christmas two of our children who live far away do drive on the treacherous snowy roads to have a big family Christmas.

At Thanksgiving, for instance, Kendal had a wonderful, sumptuous dinner planned. We residents signed up for the time we would come. Buffet tables loaded with delicious foods were set up in two of the dining rooms. Patients in the nursing home and assisted living section were served in the other two dining rooms. I drove to my older daughter's home in the afternoon to help her prepare another Thanksgiving dinner for 14 family members. Thus, I had two wonderful dinners and much family togetherness.

My volunteer job at Kendal is planning and securing speakers for evening events each month. In a cultural community such as Ithaca, I have no trouble booking speakers and entertainers. Our residents are a talented group and enjoy speaking themselves, and we love hearing them, too.

Connie Cook, JD '43, of Ithaca, had a stroke about a year ago. She is fully recovered now and has moved to the Longview retirement home located near Ithaca College. She is happy her daughter and grandsons, 7 and 3-1/2, live in Connie's lovely old home in Ithaca.Her son and grandson live in Arizona.

Alice Sanderson Rivoire, MS HE '48, and husband John '42, MBA '48, were on a great Adult University (CAU) trip to the Baltic with four days in Iceland first. She says it's a fascinating country with a variety of art and scenery and good food! Their luck held—they had great weather. Alice was selected to be on the board of the Tompkins County Library Foundation.

Alice Marion Williams Hallanan returned her news form last year, but sent no message. She lives in Alexandria,VA. Jean Soule Schragle of Lexington, MA, reports that she is widowed and proud of three children and one grandchild. -- Dorothy Talbert Wiggans, 415 Savage Farm Dr., Ithaca, NY 14850-6504, tel., (607) 266-7629; e-mail, flower@localnet.com.

Dr. Herbert Abrams is still working as Professor Emeritus of Radiology at Stanford U. He gave a lecture at UCLA on Terrorism. He also gave a speech on sick presidents, including Cleveland,Wilson, Harding, and Eisenhower's heart attack, Crohn's disease, and stroke. Herb stays in shape by riding his bike to work and playing tennis. He and his wife spend summers at Martha's Vineyard.

Lew Birckhead has a new address: 17388 Oak Crest Dr., Spring Lake, MI 49456. Lew and Sylvia did what many our age are doing by moving into retirement homes. Let someone do our work, cook our meals, clean our quarters, take care of our yard, and even chauffeur us and provide nursing care.A classmate wrote, "We are out of the Golden Years and into the Survival Years."

When Cornell athletic teams play Harvard, Bob Brunet, who lives in Cambridge, will be there to greet them. He not only knows the coaches, but the bus driver (named Ralph) as well. He is very close to the Big Red women's hockey team. He loves to get letters from them that thank him for his cheerful interest in their team.

This granddad column writer was happy to learn that Williams College was declared the "Best College in the US." Our grandson Ted McGhee, is a junior there and always on the honor roll. Last summer he partcipated with a group of five who rode their bikes from the East Coast to the West Coast—they averaged 60 miles a day—then flew home.

Bart Bartholomew is on a walker and is in fine spirits.He and Eddie (Burgess) have moved close by to a new address: 2660 SW 22nd Ave., #1205, Delray Beach, FL 33445. The Ken Cudmores enjoyed having their whole family present to celebrate their 60th anniversary.

For '41ers who may have missed the confirmation of the death of True Davis in the Sept/Oct issue, he died on Feb.26, '03. In the Johnson Administration, he was appointed Ambassador to Switzerland. He lived in St. Joseph,MO, where he was active in community and professional affairs.

Deadlines for these columns come every other month, and I need more updates from all of you. Please send news of recent travels, hobbies, family, or favorite exercise. My only exercise is for someone sitting in a wheelchair— moving head, arms, and legs, and bending the body, as well as wheeling the chair for getting about the same as walking persons do. Obituaries often contain welcome news we never received while the classmate was alive, so let's all ask our family to send our obit when we leave for Heaven. Mark Twain said, "I don't believe there is a Heaven, but I'd like to go there!" -- Ralph Antell, Beaufort Towers, 7015 Carnation St., #408, Richmond, VA 23225..

42 | Bill Webster (Little Rock, AR) was honored by induction into the Air Force Aviation Hall of Fame. Bill visited Rabaul for the first time since he streaked across the harbor on Nov. 2, 1943, piloting a B-25 bomber, strafing and bombing Japanese shipping. A Brigadier General, Bill commanded the Kentucky Air National Guard, then headed up a bank's trust department, and now serves as VP of the United Methodist Foundation.He still relives the Rabaul close call when he led the 8th Squadron to safety.

Glen, BS '47, and Margaret Botsford are settling into their cottage at Kendal at Ithaca. Helen Zinn Arenson (N. Palm Beach, FL) visited Plymouth, MA, for her granddaughter's wedding. She enjoys boating and her three sons, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, is active at the Old Port Yacht Club, and edits the club's monthly publication. Ruth Naitove Sherman (Lynbrook, NY) took an Alaska cruise with her niece. "I didn't feel enthusiastic about going, so Big Surprise! It was one of the best cruises ever. Seeing the glaciers was like being on a strange new planet." Alaska cruises are very popular out of Seattle, leaving every Saturday. Ruth studies Spanish to help her in tutoring English as a Second Language.

Jean Fenton Potter (Washington, CT) recently enjoyed a QE2 cruise to London and Lisbon, Portugal. Paul and Greta Wilcox Leighton '44 (Scottsdale, AZ) moved recently to a retirement community. Paul is doing substantial management consulting work. They are active in church work and enjoyed the 50th Reunion. Another Scottsdale resident, Donald Walsemann, agrees that Reunion was exceptional. He serves as president of the summer activities at his park, and with Mary attended a Diamondbacks baseball game with the Phoenix Club. About their recent Caribbean cruise, he states, "The ship accommodated us by diverting course into St. Correct Harbor to pass over the crash site of our oldest son's Navy helicopter. Final closure was established when Mary tossed a bouquet at the site."

George and Barbara Crohurst Howell (Oak Brook, IL) are so busy it makes one's head spin. With Gus Vollmer (Butler, NJ) they attended the Trustee/Council Meeting and the inauguration of President Jeff Lehman '77, learned of the nanotechnology revolution in engineering, and danced to Big Band music at the Inauguration Ball. They also had a great time at a huge family reunion featuring their four children, 12 grandchildren, and 14 greatgrandchildren. They keep in shape with swimming, golf, workouts, and hobbies. George has been the mayor of Oak Brook and trustee of Oak Brook Christ Church.

Doris Stone Hanrahan (Punta Gorda, FL) reports: "All those hours spent playing with toy soldiers finally paid off for son Philip.He will be promoted to Brigadier General in the US Army Reserve." Congratulations, Stonie. Sally Rudolph Drachman (Mamaroneck, NY) loved a Smithsonian Inst. trip to Seneca Falls. "Since I was born Dec. 1, 1920, it was particularly significant to me, as that was the year women got the vote. I hadn't realized how powerless women were up to that time." She encourages us all to take this trip, as it is "an important part of our history that seems to be easily overlooked."

Beverly Ham Allen (Arcade, NY), a retired teacher, is active in literary and library clubs and the Retired Teachers Assn. She favors watching the Buffalo Bills and Cornell sports and visiting their Adirondacks camp at Long Lake. Son James is following in the family tradition as president of the NYS Apple Growers Assn. Dad was president of the NYS Vegetable Growers, and grandfather president of the NYS Potato Growers. Frederick and Winifred Schumacher (Naples, FL; FWSchu@att.net) look forward to their 60th anniversary, play golf three times a week, and enjoy five daughters, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. They sadly report the passing of Dick Morgan (Issaquah,WA).

John Jackson and wife Suzanne (Bryn Mawr, PA) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April, and now he sadly reports her passing after a brave battle with cancer. Louis Mehr's wife Marcia (W. Orange, NJ) tells of his passing recently from brain cancer. Louis served in WWII in Italy and afterward on the Allied Commission. He got his PhD from Brooklyn Polytechnic in organic chemistry, worked for Shell Oil in St. Louis and received some patents, and later opened his own laboratory, Acro Chemical Corp., in New Jersey. Louis taught organic chemistry at Queens College for ten years. Our sympathies to all.

Turn now to the interesting '73 column. I discovered that David Ross '73, a very wellknown Seattleite, is the class columnist. The morning commentator of radio KIRO, he is a fine singer who appears in a Gilbert & Sullivan operetta every year. I met him through the local Cornell Club and found him most cooperative when I was with a local music committee and we needed an MC. He can be very funny. Also, many thanks to Ken Hubbard (Ft. Myers, FL) for another gift of fresh fruit.His musical group now plays at Snook-Haven on the Myakka River.

Thanks for all the interesting information you send me. -- Carolyn Evans Finneran, 8815 45th St. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98335; e-mail, Ceefinn@juno.com.

43 | DATELINE: Rehab Hospital somewhere in Pennsylvania. In the wee hours of pre-Thanksgiving November, I went to get out of bed, my left knee buckled, and I slithered to the floor like a Slinky.When I discovered I couldn't get up, I realized I had had a stroke. They tell me I'm on the road to recovery and it behooves me to believe them. In lieu of Teddy bears, make my life easier—send news for this column.

Stay tuned for the July/August issue this summer and the annual list of Cornell legacies, where you will find fourth-generation freshman David R. Bean II, grandson of our own Albert C. Bean Jr. (Kansas City, MO). Says Ace, "Cornell matriculation has been a tradition in the Bean family since Day One of Cornell University's founding in 1865." At the top of that tree is Ace's grandfather Charles M. Bean, who was in the second graduating class of Cornell (Ace's uncle was in the first). Also making an appearance will be Maria Adelmann '07, granddaughter of Adelaide and Bill Taylor (Williamsport, PA). "She makes her grandparents proud!"

More good words about our 60th Reunion. John Vanderslice (Allison Park, PA) sends congratulations to all who worked effectively to make it such an outstanding reunion. "Dottie and I are still talking about it. Now we plan to visit Wells for her 60th in 2004. I personally regret not having time to talk with more classmates. "In January, they plan to stay at Paul Handlery's Resort Hotel Handlery in San Diego, when son John's daughter gets married.

If you were paying attention, you will recall that Furm South's new Canadian wife, Frances, was stopped at the border and didn't make it to reunion. Furm's latest update from Sewickley, PA: "Still working through lawyers and the bureaucrats at American Immigration to get her a visa. Fortunately, she is here on a parole. Neither lawyers nor bureaucrats have any motivation to resolve anything as long as you go on paying them! Four months so far and it looks like another two to three months. Hope Ritter was at my home with wife Linda and son Michael for the Head of the Ohio Regatta in October." I trust that by the time this magazine reaches you, Frances also will be safely at the head of the Ohio.

William Hoff and his wife thoroughly enjoyed reunion last June and are looking forward to the next one."Hope they supply Segway Human Transporters for that long trip from the Statler Hotel to Barton Hall. I am sorry to report that George Morrow died in August. George and I were fraternity brothers, and after not seeing each other for almost 50 years, we ended up as neighbors in Florida. We attended a lot of Cornell gatherings in Sarasota. I will certainly miss him."

Our class lost another star in November, Barber Conable, BA '42, LLB '46, former president of the World Bank and longtime member of the US House of Representatives. Along with most of us, he grew up quickly at Cornell, having entered, in his words, "largely unprepared for the university's challenges." Originally an activist against involvement in the war, his views of his own responsibility changed when America became engaged.He was able to graduate after his junior year and immediately enlisted in the Marines.As he wrote in the Compendium: "I left a greatly changed Cornell, greatly changed myself, and grateful that the university had challenged my innocent ways in those difficult times."

Philip '42, MS '53, and Rosemary Williams Wilson (Kingston, RI) spent the month of January 2003 in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, then made a trip to the Canadian Rockies in September. Their granddaughter shares their enthusiasm for travel and will spend the fall semester studying in Rome, followed by a spring semester in France. Betty and Dick Fairbank (Little Rock, AR) have enjoyed many years of traveling in the US and Canada and abroad. "Now we live in a retirement village, a 15- minute drive from each of our daughters and five grandchildren."

Several generations of Cornellians have been helping Martin '42 and Beatrice Swick Ornitz celebrate their 60th anniversary. Son Richard '67, daughter Nancy, and five grandchildren (including Alexandra '94) came to Aspen, CO, "to wine and dine us and have fun rafting, horseback riding, and ballooning. It was very joyous for all." For dessert, Bea and Martin ordered a month's cruise on the Pacific Ocean— Tahiti, Hawaii, and the islands in between.

After 37 summers, Gladys Haslett Poor (Marblehead, MA) had to give up cruising on her sailboat—ten years of Parkinson's stole her sea legs. "Husband George still toots a mean trumpet and I still paint in watercolors. Had a big show in May 2003, and continue to exhibit in regional shows. Because of the Parkinson's, my style has changed. I didn't get to Florida, so missed seeing Jean Quick Bryant and other Florida classmates. Cheers to all."

Welcome ashore, Gladys. My style has changed, too—but not enough to land me any major shows. -- S.Miller Harris, PO Box 164, Spinnerstown, PA 18968; e-mail, millerhar ris@netcarrier.com.

44 | That Big 80 is still being mentioned. Forris Chick of Clinton, CT, celebrated in September 2002 with a seven-night cruise to Fanning Island, then seven nights in Honolulu. Short trips to Maine were added. Jerry Tohn's daughter Ellen '81 gave him a small 80th birthday party. Present were seven Cornellians representing three generations and a fourth "hopeful": Laurie Frank Krotman '67,Max Krotman '67, Helen Tohn Fishman '47, Adam Krotman '05, Jerry, Ellen, Margot Tohn '86, and Jeremy Price Harper (Ellen's son and a hopeful for the Class of 2015). Alison King Barry, BArch '47, is delighted to be 80 as of December 2002 because she can ski free at Alta, Utah, their all-out favorite area, among the best in the world and tops in the US. She and Alan skied there last April en route to the Hawaiian cruise. She says she'll be careful. Fred Taussig of Englewood, NJ, turned 80 in March 2003 as he was recovering from a broken leg. Ski injury? Mitchell Zavon considers hitting the 80- year mark an achievement in itself, yet he continues consulting in occupational and environmental health. He also serves as chair of the Sarasota/Manatee section of Common Cause, which helps ensure an informed electorate and clean elections. He writes and publishes occasionally. He claims a second marriage of 27 years "and counting"—four children by first wife, three step-children, three grands, five step-grands, and one step-great-grand.

There are others still working. Russell Marron still practices law in Rochester, NY.He, Ann, four children, and seven grands are "all doing OK."Attorney Edward King, BA '47, JD '49, after 52 years in general practice in Ithaca, is "working at slowing down," encouraged by wife Theresa. Ken Kander, BS '47, of Issaquah, WA, is still doing some engineer consulting work and visiting grandchildren in San Francisco. Howard Evans, PhD '50, completed the sixth edition of The Guide to the Dissection of the Dog with coauthor Alexander DeLahunta.He taught for two weeks at the vet school of St. George's U. on Grenada and co-led, with Frank Rhodes, a trip to Antarctica in December. William Swain, BS EE '43, enjoys partial retirement in Sarasota, FL, and work. "Connie calls the work my hobby."What work? She volunteers at a church thrift shop.

Our ever-on-the-job president sent a report on Homecoming festivities that included tailgate and post-game parties, plus Friday and Saturday class dinners. "Cornell was defeated by Brown, but we had some great parties." The 27 participants were: Renata and Bob Ballard, Lou and Janet Buhsen Daukas '46, Erica and Howard Evans, Bill Falkenstein, Bob Dillon, Alice and Robert Garmezy '45, Bob Miller and friend, June and Harold Parker, JD '50, Art and Dotty Kay Kesten, Nancy and Peter Miller,MBA '48, Jenks, DVM '43, and Doris Holmes Jenkins, Dan Morris, Roy Unger '43, Ted and Jean Thoren (honorary '44), Maryann Trask Pfeifle, and Cliff Whitcomb '43,MBA '48. Dotty and Art attended President Lehman's inauguration. Dotty, as class president,marched in the procession.

On November 28 Dotty and Art, along with Janet and Lou Daukas and Helen and Jerry Levitan, BA '47, MBA '48, were guests at the wedding of Maryann Pfeifle and Cliff Whitcomb. The Kestens are hard at work on reunion arrangements. As of December, when I sent this column in, nearly 120 classmates had already said yes to attending our 60th on June 10-13, 2004. Over half indicated they are coming "with spouse," bringing the total to more than 180. Sign on now and help us beat the record for a 60th! -- Nancy Torlinski Rundell, 20540 Falcons Landing Cir. #4404, Sterling, VA 20165; tel., (703) 404-9494.

45 | By the time you read this the 99th annual Mid-Winter Meeting of the Assn. of Class Officers (CACO) in New York City will be over and our officers will have been digesting all the information made available, especially concerning reunion activities. Cornell's new president, Jeffrey Lehman '77, was the keynote speaker at the January 24 luncheon. Also by now, Suzanne Lopez Moody (Berne, NY) will have come back home from her annual winter hibernation in Big Pine Key, FL, and will again be visiting with daughter Carey, who has returned to nearby Schoharie after practicing law in St. Croix, USVI. Kevin, one of Sue's sons, is an archaeologist; the other, Richard, a marine geologist. She retired over a year ago from 42 years of real estate work.

Permanent Floridians Robert '39, MS '42, and Ruth Phelps Latimer, MS '46 (Mt. Dora), live in an extended-care facility, along with ten other Cornellians. Ruth reports that the Lake County Cornell group of about 40 meets twice a year for picnics, wine-and-cheese parties, etc. Farther south, in Naples, Brigitte Watty Miller, BA '44, keeps busy volunteering at the Cleveland Clinic/Naples and at an elementary school, as well as with the Cornell Club of Southwest Florida. Last year she took her daughter and two granddaughters to Italy for a sojourn before visiting another granddaughter in France. More now-permanent residents of the alligator area keep popping up: Jeanette (Knight) '47 and Stanley Johnson, BS '48, our reunion co-chair (Ponte Vedra Beach) frequently see Elizabeth Mathison Lind Welsh Everett, as well as Anna Huttar MacDonald, BS '44. Libby and Bill live contentedly with two Siamese cats, golf, play bridge, and read. All say that they are active in the Cornell Club of Greater Jacksonville. It's interesting to note that almost every communication from a Florida '45er mentions something like that; maybe they secretly miss the north after all! On the other hand, the Cayuga's Waiters visit them to entertain, which may indicate a reverse-direction desire, not too surprising during an Ithaca winter.

Another distant Cornell Club attracts local alumni: in Tucson, AZ, James Carley, PhD '51, includes its activities with bicycling as what keeps him busy when not doing a bit of engineering consulting and teaching. He and Karen had perfect weather for their Alaskan inside passage cruise, followed by two Hawaiian trips. Jim didn't say how the weather was there, but didn't need to. About as remote from Tucson as one can get in the continental 48 is Eastport, ME, the farthest northeastern point of the US, but there is e-mail there, via which Dorothy Scott Madden Boyle advises that she managed to collect photos and memories of her Cornell days and sent them to be preserved in the Archives, as requested by sorority sister Inger Molmen Gilbert '49. Therefore, even if our class Reminiscences project is moribund, hers are preserved. Scottie's roomie, Alma Morton Blazic, BA '44 (Cincinnati, OH) and she plan to attend reunion, where they can share their memories with those of us who don't recall everything.

Faithful correspondent and retired teacher Adelaide Kennedy Underwood, BS '44 (Cortland, NY) is still busily keeping contact with her former roommates, Ann Lynch Pape, BS '44 (Garden City,NY), Rosetta Deni Newton, BS '44 (Orchard Park, NY), and Marilyn PotterWithiam, whose address is an Alumni Records mystery. If Addie will let us know that, it would be appreciated. All four girls married Cornellians, and Addie is active in the Cortland County Cornell Women's Club, so we know where their loyalty lies. Of course, Ann Pape attends the aforementioned CACO meetings as our class secretary and probably did some jumping for joy this year on her two new (now 1-1/2-year-old) knees.

We were distressed to hear from William Rothfuss, BS '44 (Greenville, SC) that his lovely wife Toni is mostly bedridden with pulmonary fibrosis, so Bill's golfing and other activities are curtailed while he takes loving care of her. I can sympathize, since my Barbara's arthritic spine makes it impossible to do much but stick close to the fireside. I was also sorry to read in the Nov/Dec issue of CAM of the death of Blanton Wiggin '44, BS '43, husband of our own Erma (Nightingale) (Hollis, NH). When last heard from three years ago, Bud and Erma were still operating their instrument manufacturing business and physically active.

I recently read that you can achieve inner peace by finishing all the undone things you've started, so I completed this column and looked around to see what else I needed to do. I finished up a bottle of white wine, a bottle of red wine, a liter of rum,my Prozac, a large box of chocolates, and a quart of beer. You can have no idea how good I feel. -- Prentice Cushing Jr., 713 Fleet Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23454; e-mail, CescoVA @aol.com. Our class Home Page: http://hometown.aol.com/CescoVA/CU1945.html.

46 | At my age I'd rather be "Singing in the Rain," but I'm hearing "Let it Snow, Let it Snow!" Last Friday (Dec. 5), Reading, PA, had ten inches of snow and today, Sunday, Dec. 14, they are predicting another ten inches. And "It Isn't Even Winter." Sure wish we'd hear about our move to a senior citizen complex soon—no more SHOVELING!

I love my telephone because it keeps me in touch with you. I answered my phone the day after Thanksgiving to find myself talking to Pat and Sam Miller. I'd called them recently but got no answer. Now I know why—they'd been in Florida a few weeks. I thought Sam sounded pretty good, but he said he had trouble walking and talking because of a stroke. He wanted to know what we'd done to replace him as class president and I said he was too hard to replace. I'm sure you'll all agree.

I also love the US Mail for the same reason. Christmas cards started arriving in early December. Priscilla Alden Clement was first with a note from her new apartment in South Hadley, MA. Nine of the immediate family recently held a memorial burial service for her husband Gordon '44, BS '47. It must have been a beautiful service from what she said: "Snow and then blue skies at the gravesite as if Gordon was watching over them." She is glad she has two bedrooms and she welcomes all old friends.

Then Jan Bassette Summerville (our first class correspondent) wrote. She really lives in the snow belt—Sackets Harbor, NY. Her note read, "Six grandchildren, ages 5 to 22, continue to thrive." Sal and Pat Kinne Paolella sent a postcard from Manchester, NJ. They'd been at an Elderhostel at Peabody in Baltimore, MD. "Lots of good music to hear—student recitals every night." Florida will be calling them soon. I expect to hear from many more of you in the next week. Right now, you'll brighten my day, as I'm mostly sitting—took an unscheduled tumble down nine steps. Broke nothing, thank God, but am I bruised and sore!

Now my appeal to you—I am out of news, so how about taking a sheet of paper or a postcard and dropping me a note? Now don't all do it today; some can wait a week or two or a month, but DO IT.My last two reports were so long (the Round Robin and Witford twins) that I asked Paul to make his column shorter and he obliged.Now I need your help again. I guess just being alive at our age is something, so write about your health. If you're like me, "you're still kicking but not so high." Please let me hear from you. Give me some ideas of what you'd like to hear about our class. Still hope to see you for our 60th in 2006. -- Elinor Baier Kennedy, 503 Morris Pl., Reading, PA 19607; tel., (610) 777-4938.

Robert Bennett, BS '45 (Wantagh, NY) visited the Canadian Rockies, Calgary, and Victoria in August 2002. He found the trip "very interesting, with plenty of photo opportunities." Bob has decreased his participation in the national ASME but is "still going strong in the ASME Auxiliary," which invites male participation. He claims to be "in reasonable health, but slowing down." (Bob, better speed up or one of those auxiliary ladies might catch you.)

Doting grandfather James Johnstone Jr., BS '45 (Wynnewood, PA; jjnbb@comcast.net) cruised the Caribbean in March 2002 with grandson James, then 3-1/2. Now that young James is 5, he can debug the glitches in the monster computer Jim assembled for his H & R Block tax work. Jim plays competitive tennis and strives to shoot his age in golf. He says, "All is well; best wishes to all."

Anne and Peter Verna Jr., MS '48 (Charlotte, NC; pvernajr@carolina.rr.com) were featured in the lead article of the September 2002 Charlotte Observer gardening section. Pete and Anne grow a constantly rotating wealth of produce throughout the year on fruit trees and bushes and leafy and root plants. They even produce 400 pounds of honey per year in their hive and get their crops pollinated by the honeybees. The emphasis is not on saving money, even though they are zealous in saving and reusing water. They claim their produce, grown organically in the rich soil they've cultivated, is healthier and tastier. And they extend the availability of their crops by canning, freezing, drying, and storing them strategically. Pete feels that their excellent health is due to their diet of organic crops and finds they have no need for pills. Anne agrees and does not attribute their good health to good genes.

David Day, BS '45 (Centennial, CO; dvdy@aol.com) just received his Nov/Dec issue of Cornell Alumni Magazine. His modem reception, like mine, limits CyberTower to the equivalent of audio plus slides. However, the method provokes interest and Dave thinks Cornell has a winner in new president Jeff Lehman '77. "At present I am revising for a 5th edition my book Moving the Earth. It is a practical construction guide originally co-authored with Herbert Nichols. The 4th edition, published by McGraw-Hill in 1998, was 1,352 pages. The 5th edition should be considerably shorter. Fortunately, I take time off from my arduous task to play tennis two or three times a week. Also,Mary and I dashed off with daughter Barbara for two weeks in Scandinavia in July. Our four other children are doing well in their professional work, scattered from Colorado to the West Coast.We have five ambitious and adorable granddaughters. I enjoy your column. If you ever need help, summon me by e-mail."

TO PUBLISH YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS, e-mail it to me. Include your name and city and state of residence. Send news to: -- Paul Levine, 31 Chicory Lane, San Carlos, CA 94070; tel., (650) 592-5273; fax, (650) 593-2572; e-mail, pblevine@juno.com. Class website, www.alumni.cornell.edu/orgs/classes/1946/.

47 | By the time you read this column, some of the news may be well over a year old, but in this case "old news is better than no news," so we begin with a communiqué from Lawrence Katchen (steelarry@webtv.net), who tells us that in Jan. 2003 he cruised from San Diego south to Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, the Panama Canal, and Aruba to Fort Lauderdale. He says, "Sorry I missed our 55th Reunion, but time constraints interfered. I commute on a weekly schedule from New Jersey to Florida.Home is now in Florida. I keep a condo in New Jersey and the office is in New Jersey.My frequent flyer status is infinite platinum." Lawrence and June have three children and three grandchildren.

Betty Rosenthal Newman retired from teaching after 29 years in June. She's attended many Adult University (CAU) classes and traveled to Vietnam. She received the "Distinguished Faculty Award" from the Newark Academy of Livingston, NJ, last April. She enjoys golf, tennis, and duplicate bridge. In retirement she plans to volunteer with inner city youth with a focus on reading. Betty has two sons and four grandchildren. Patrick O'Sullivan, now in partial retirement, works on bilingual dictionaries in Pushtu/Tajik/Chechen for MacNeil Technologies. He enjoys walking, jogging, and bicycling. His wife Fia is a retired Latin teacher. They have four children and four grandchildren.

Israel Milner (izegmilner@ieee.org) is parttime faculty as an associate professor teaching environmental science at Temple U. He was, until recently, the chair of the Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network (CAAAN) Committee for Cornell, but he is still active in college fairs and meeting with student candidates. He is on his township's Environmental Protection Advisory Board and was named "Man of the Year" by his congregation. In January 2003 he traveled to the Cayman Islands to catch up on snorkeling, playing with stingrays, and, most importantly, doing nothing for a while. Israel says he and his wife Edith "share all the good stuff that keeps us busy." They have two grandchildren.

Irwin Gonshak (igonshak@aol.com) writes, "I produce seven half-hour radio programs per week for the NYC Dept. Of Education's radio station, WNYE-FM/91.5: ‘Everything Goes?' (literary readings),Monday and Friday 6-6:30 p.m., and ‘Teacher as Historian' (US Dept. of Education grant),Monday to Friday 6:30-7 p.m. I am exchanging the ‘Teacher as Historian' program with the U. of Missouri's ‘Talking History' series (with the Organization of American Historians), which are broadcast nationally on public radio satellite and worldwide by the Voice of America. Stay tuned."

Marvin Wedeen has been proactive in retirement, trying to encourage multi-municipality planning. Cornellians he's been in contact with are Jim Vlock, BA'46, MBA '48, Bill Berley '45, BS '48, Jerry and Barbara Bayer Silver, BS '46, John and Helen Allmuth Ayer, BS '46, and, of course, Barlow Ware. Marvin planned to move to a continuous care retirement community in Sewickley, PA, by last July. Mary Steadman Rothrock (m.rothrock@worldnet.att.net) is a retired teacher. She was legal secretary for her late husband Cecil '49 for ten years. Mary has 11 grandchildren.

Ursula Holahan (urshol@webtv.net) says she attended a Cornell reunion in Charleston, SC, last year and took a ten-day cruise to the West Caribbean in January 2003. Although her sight is limited and she is losing peripheral vision, she is still active in her church. William Davies volunteers in schools. Last year he vacationed in Copper Canyon,Mexico.He has taken various classes at Mendocino College and enjoys playing racquetball.William has five children and ten grandchildren.

Robert Herm, BA '46, MD '50, and wife Betsey (B2herm@hargray.com) enjoy attending opera performances around the country: Santa Fe, Charleston, SC, Sarasota, Cooperstown, San Francisco, and DC, to name a few. Robert says he plays terrible golf, but Betsey plays better. Allen Ginsburgh, BS '46, said in a News Form of last March, "I decided to run for the School Board—how nutty! Wish me luck."We do, but did you make it?

James, PhD '51, and June Jacobi Gillin '48, live permanently in N. Palm Beach, but are back in Westfield, NJ, in the summer. They enjoy golf. James and June have daughter Sherie and son J. Scott '74. Martha Merrill Tawse is a retired nursing educator and her husband Robert is a retired doctor (MD '46). They have four children and nine grandchildren. Caroline M. Wood is involved in Concord grape farming. Her hobbies include Women of the Moose, card playing, and Affenpinscher dogs.

We close this column with apologies to Arlie, who was not able to write the column this month. It is not up to her high standards and stylish writing, but we'll try to do better next time from the Class of '47 ghostwriter. Send news! -- Arlie Williamson Anderson, 238 Dorchester Rd., Rochester, NY 14610-1329; e-mail, arlie47@aol.com. (Assisted by Peter D. Schwarz, pschwarz@rochester.rr.com). Class '47 Web page, www.alumni.cornell.edu/orgs/classes/1947/.

48 | This month's edition of Class Notes is a combination of the last of our updates from early 2003 and a new round of news from this year. It was compiled while watching Pro Football on Sunday, Dec. 21, '03. From Willis Garwood, Perrysburg, OH: "Reading, snoozing, trip to Sedona, AZ, Florida in January 2003, grandchildren's graduations. All problems are mental/physical. Solution: support medicine to a high degree.World's problem is poverty/peace. Have learned that computers are a ‘humbling' experience.We are travelers on the ‘Road of Life.' "

(Giants kick off to 17. Dallas kicks 10-yd FG, leads 3-0.)

Margaret Brown Immen, Defiance, MO: "Retired, reading, horses.Husband Fred '50 and I rented a PMV since I have trouble walking and went to Missouri Botanical Gardens. It was great! Visited great-grandchild, grandchildren, and children.We all got together at Tablerock Lake (MO) to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. The world has to learn to get along with each other and the solution is learning to forgive and be forgiven. I'm learning sign language. In 1967 I received a master's in library science, worked one year at Cardinal O'Hara High School (PA) as librarian, and was replaced by a priest. Then I worked at a public elementary school for 1-1/2 years and had to quit because of ill health. Then I substituted in our school district.We moved to Northern California in 1972 and I attended a local community college. After two years I received an AA in aircraft airframe and power plant maintenance. From then on I maintained our airplane. I have 100 hours flying time."

(Giants return kickoff to their 30, move for-ward, kick 45-yd FG. Score tied, 3-3.)

Mary Stenbuck Brown, Kensington, CA: "Retired; cat sitter (three). Reading, library volunteer. Sleep when possible. Recovering from cataract removal and nursing right arm in a cast. Body can fall apart in many places at one time. World's problem is overpopulation and radical fundamentalists. Solution is education. ‘When the meaning of life is revealed to me, you'll be the first to know.' " Eugene Littman, Newburgh, NY: "President of USA Illumination Inc., a lighting fixture manufacturer, and member of regional board of directors for Key Bank.Moved my company to larger headquarters in New Windsor; business down since 9/11. All my family was at the Cornwall campus of St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital on Oct. 9, '03 for the ribboncutting ceremony at the new Littman Emergency Center, which we helped a lot to create."

(Giants kick off to Dallas 30. Giants hold Dallas punt to Giants 30. Dallas holds. Giants punt to Dallas 14. Dallas 36-yd pass for TD, extra point good. Lead 10-3.)

Jackie Smith Flournoy,Westport, CT: "Taking care of Jim, running house, dealing with doctors and various medical items. Play bridge and do crafts at Cedar Point Yacht Club (20-year member), rake leaves. Sail Wednesday nights with three-generation family crew. Would rather be on a cruise. Too busy with Jim's dialysis, cancer, and diabetes to attend reunion. Sister Cynthia Smith Ayers '52 and husband Jon '50 joined us for lunch to celebrate our 53rd anniversary. Jim's brother Hugh '50 and family visit frequently, traveling between homes in California and Florida. He's happy that ‘Arnold' is now governor of California. We need to create more time and get out of Iraq. The meaning of life is to love one another."

(Dallas kicks off, holds. Giants punt to Dallas 17. Dallas punts to Giants 16. Giants punt to Dallas 15. Dallas punts to Giants one yard line. Giants punt from one inch line to their own 40. Dallas kicks FG, leads 13-3 at halftime.)

Lynn"Grumpsi" Ellis, Clearwater, FL: "Locomotion impairment kept me from the 55th Reunion. My daughter and two of her children visited in October. We prepared by getting flu shots. The solution to today's problems is to iron my shorts. I've learned not to wear long pants over Velcro-festooned knee braces or you will end up wearing weird shorts. The meaning of life is, ‘It's better than the alternative.' " Ira Kaufman, MD '53, Houston, TX: "Presently a citizen and a student. There's nothing I'd rather be or do. Plan to eat, play piano, make love, study, hear music, digest information, develop opinions, change opinions. Missed reunion because it was too far off my schedule. Moved from NYC to Houston with equanimity—proved to be smooth. Most pressing problem is listening to my children. Solution: turn off cell phone. Don't know solution for Islamic terrorism. Californians are ‘nuts.' Life is like a fountain."

(Second half: Dallas kicks off to Giants 10. Giants go nowhere, punt to Dallas 32. Dallas runs back to Giants 22, kicks FG, leads 16-3.)

Virginia Keeler Smith, Ponte Verde, FL: "Present day job is staying alive and staying awake until 9:00 p.m.Would rather be cashing coupons.Had insufficient frequent flyer miles to attend reunion.Most pressing problem is renewing and paying for prescription medicines."

(Dallas kicks to Giants 22. Giants go nowhere, punt to Dallas 20. Giants hold. Dallas punts to Giants 35. Dallas takes over on downs on own 17, moves downfield, kicks 49-yd FG, leads 19-3.)

Writing this column is certainly more exciting than watching grass grow on the football field. -- Bob Persons, 102 Reid Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050; phone/fax, (516) 767-1776.

49 | Lots of hopefuls for our 55th: Arlene Whitman Ross, John Bilon, MS '57, Silvio "Sy" Volpe, Art Lowenthal, BA '48 (who wants to jitterbug with Bet), to mention just a few. Arlene is still working and loving every minute of it, in carpet and rug sales to interior designers. She attended "Investing 2003" last summer at Adult University (CAU). John Bilon is busy with Rotary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and community projects. Sy Volpe says anniversaries, reunions, two cruises, and a trip to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, fill up his time. "God bless to all!"Art has three of four children married with five grandchildren. Daughter-inlaw was diagnosed with leukemia and treated at Cornell Medical Center last year. Sure hope she's doing well, Art. He signed off, "Love you guys!"

Marie "Toni" Russo Carter keeps in touch with the great gals in the Nursing School with many mini-reunions. Then, of course, there's the bi-annual Phi Gam (classes '40 to '52) reunions at Cornell—number 12 in '02. Tony Tappin writes that despite the weather and a loss to Colgate, they had a wonderful time at their last get- together. He and wife Mary enjoy winters in Tucson and summers in Oak Brook, IL. He is active in the Cornell Clubs of Southern Arizona and Chicago.He has "graduated" to Chairman Emeritus of the Tower Club Campaign. "Give us a call if nearby."Heard from Lou Durante (sure I remember you!), also a participant in those bi-annual reunions, who recalls Bob Curran well—saw him often when he was editor of Chevalier magazine in New York City. Bob was always most pleasant, had an Irish gift of gab, could converse on any subject, and was a gifted writer. Lou is in touch with Dick Keegan, who he says deserves a meritorious award for keeping the Cornell spirit alive! Hear! Hear!

Edward Collum, BS '52, and Mary Louise ("Pooh") had a wonderful visit with Walter and Cathy Ainsworth at their home in Big Sky, MT. They also enjoy sailing and fishing with them during their annual summer vacations to the St. Lawrence River. Bill (Frank W.), PhD '55, and Betty George Kinsman '51, M Ed '53, often see Mary Ann Seipos '51 in Sanibel, FL. Bill's resumé in a nutshell reads: MSEM, Stanford '50; PhD, Cornell '55; Bell Tel Labs, '53-57; taught mechanical tech at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY, '63-93; five children and 11 grandchildren. He has retired with Betty to a home on the Erie Canal in Fairport. Paul Carver, MS '57, had a great lunch and gettogether with Bev Haude Prime Pearson and Ned in Litchfield, CT. He has had four Carver kids, spouses, and six grandchildren staying with him—some for a few weeks! "Floor space at a premium, but wonderful times were had!"

Donald Webster, DVM '49, kept his veterinary practice in Cornell hands when he sold it to Douglas Hart '65, DVM '67, upon his retirement in 1994. Julia Sumberg Sutton, a retired professor emerita of musicology at N.E. Conservatory, has made numerous presentations and published books and articles on music and dance history of the 16th to 18th centuries. Married, divorced, remarried, and widowed with no children, she lives in Waltham, MA. Ruth Samuels Hanft is busy with community and volunteer activities and travel—Mediterranean cruise and then to England last fall. She still does an occasional lecture and wrote a book (text) published in December '03.

Barbara Starkweather Brown lives in a senior community in San Diego. Active in local affairs, she is "helping the old folks' cause while still young and able!" All kids and grandkids (except one) live close by. "I got a pet rat for my last birthday. She's cleaner, smarter, and easier to care for than a dog or cat." Cuddly too? Any other pet stories out there? Howard and Ellen Carlson have moved to a senior community with continuing care—four fine dining rooms and lots of activities. "Planning on our 55th Reunion."

Hope to meet correspondent Paul Joslin '50 in March. They rent here in The Villages. Oh, yes,my brother was playing tennis doubles here, when one of his opponents mentioned Cornell. 'Twas Russell Norman Meyer. See you soon! -- Mary Heisler Allison, 1812 Puerto Bello Dr., Lady Lake, FL 32159; tel., (352) 259-0203; new e-mail, mha@hopsnet.net.

 

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