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| NOV./DEC. 2005 VOLUME 108 NUMBER 3 | Class Notes |
30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39
30 | Many thanks to Tom Whanger, who sent us an e-mail in August updating us on his mother, Beatrice FosterWhanger. Beatrice, who celebrated her 97th birthday last summer, has many fond memories of her days at Cornell. She still lives in her home in West Virginia, reads often, and spends time with her family. "She used to drive to the Cornell reunion every year, but now must have someone else do the driving." Beatrice can be reached at her son's e-mail address (see below) and would look forward to hearing from anyone in her class. Tom writes, "One year after a trip to Cornell,Mother gave everyone in the family a Cornell coffee cup, which we all cherish." To our readers, write to Beatrice at tfwswim2004@yahoo.com . . . and write to us, too, at:-- Class of '30, c/o Cornell Alumni Magazine, 401 East State St., Suite 301, Ithaca, NY 14850.
31 | I never like to start a column with sad news, but we have lost another distinguished classmate, class officer, world-class educator, and contributor during his lifetime to the joys and welfare of his friends, professional associates, and thousands of students. Jerry Finch, PhD '36 (Jeremiah S.), one of our class VPs, died August 25 at Monroe Village, the retirement community near Princeton, NJ, in which he had lived for the past ten years.
Jerry graduated from Arts and Sciences with us in 1931 and stayed on in Ithaca for his master's (1933) and his PhD (1936).As an undergraduate he earned a page-stretching eight lines of credits in the 1931 Cornellian, including manager of football, president of the Interfraternity Council, and chairman of the Senior Ball Committee, all fiercely competed-for jobs in our day. Aleph Samach and Quill and Dagger in the honorary category and Majura and Kappa Beta Phi on the "social" side were also listed. In graduate school Jerry was a TA under "Billy" Strunk of "The Little Book" fame, whose influence persisted in Jerry's lifelong devotion to precision in speech and writing.
As you may recall, good jobs of any kind were still scarce in 1936, especially in teaching, but some English professor at Princeton recognized a good prospect and hired our newly minted "Doctor."He doubtless did far better for the university and its students and alumni than he ever dreamed he would. Jerry stayed at Princeton till he retired in 1975, teaching English lit. and serving with great distinction for many years in the administrative posts of Dean of the College and Secretary of the University. Lengthy tributes from his contemporaries and successors in office will better describe Jerry's work, but I will give just a few examples: "Jerry was one of the kindest people in the world"; "Jerry was an exceptional motivator because people were so fond of him. People worked very hard because he was so generous, thoughtful, and kind"; "Jerry functioned as the wisest, most generous, most supportive mentor and friend"; "Although he had already taken up full-time administration, he remained until his retirement an effective friend of the English department and a gentle mentor to a succession of junior faculty." Jerry was also voted to honorary membership in the Princeton classes of 1931 and 1942.
He shall remain an honored member of the Cornell Class of 1931. As Cornell Classics scholar of our day Charles L. "Bull" Durham, PhD 1899, might have said: "Ave atque vale."
Though currently low on news, I do have one item of (perhaps) general Cornell interest. It is mostly about a year-old event, but it has a 2005 tag line from me. In 2004 I learned that Bruce Cohen '65, MME '67, a lacrosse teammate of my son Reeve "Ting" Vanneman '67 and the star attack man on a Cornell championship team, was riding his bicycle across Massachusetts in the two-day "Pan-Mass Challenge" race. I remembered Bruce charging, twisting, turning, and boring into the very goal mouth to score the winning goal, and figured his approach to this remarkable fundraising event (for the Jimmy Fund and cancer research at Dana-Farber) was worth supporting with a wave and a cheer as the bikers rode down Route 6A on the Cape. I told Bruce that I would be on a corner where the racers turned off on a short cut toward Provincetown at the end of the Cape. Last year I made it in plenty of time--I stood with perhaps 15 or 20 other early risers and applauded as the riders dashed by. To my great surprise and delight, among the vanguard a gaudily attired racer suddenly stopped, jumped off his bike, gave me a hug, leapt back on his bike and was off in pursuit of the other leaders!
The looks on the faces of the other race supporters at the corner had only a small part to do with my determination to be in place again this year. But--for the first time that I can remember--I OVERSLEPT! I never have to use an alarm clock, I always wake up! Sadly, not this time. Even worse, I learned later from Bruce that he had arranged with his team to be riding together at the turnoff this year, and all of them were going to stop and greet me! I guess I have to recognize that I am getting old. "Getting"? I AM!
If any of you have the opportunity in future years to contribute to this Pan-Mass Challenge, be generous. This year there were over 4,000 racers who rode from near the New York border to the end of Cape Cod and raised over $4 million dollars for cancer research. One of them may be in training near you for next year's race. Support him-- or her!-- Bill Vanneman, 237 N.Main St., #250, S. Yarmouth, MA 02664-2088; ggrampi@yahoo.com (new e-mail); tel., (508) 760-4250.
32 | A group of men with whom I have lunch almost every week includes a number of computer enthusiasts who are also bridge addicts. As a result, at least half the conversation at the table flows past me without slowing down. I am not a devotee of most jokes that clog my incoming e-mail, but this one seems to describe me at lunch: A trooper stops a redneck in a decrepit pickup. The driver cannot produce a license and the cop says, "Do you have any ID?" The driver says, "About what?"
That is the wretched condition in which I find myself. I have failed to produce an inspiration for our Class Notes. The best place to go in this sort of predicament is back in time. (Although critics derogate this frame of mind as "living in the past," I cherish my memories.) For instance, I once wrote Jerry O'Rourk a letter and mentioned Robert Benchley's hilarious "Treasurer's Report" because someone sent me a "summary" of our class finances to be reported in this space. I was amused because the report was full of numbers, including entries to be written to the right of the decimal point. No rounding to the nearest dollar for this meticulous man.
This correspondence took place in 1987 (Jerry died in '92), and in the reply I received, Jerry wrote, "After WWII, Bea (Greene) '33 and I and the kids had to eat and pay the rent when all I had was my ruptured duck from Uncle Sam. So I applied for and got the job as food and beverage manager at the Algonquin. That would be in 1946. An early project was to clean out a storeroom of junk--mixed china, trays, tableware, and what have you. There were file boxes of ledgers, menus, and paperwork and a folio of sketches.
Jerry checked out the paperwork with John Martin, the general manager."Throw 'em out," he said.And so Jerry followed instructions . . . except for five interesting sketches. One is a Berman wash; the others pen and ink--two by ‘Ding'Darling, a Toonerville by Fontaine Fox, and a James Thurber of little old ladies with cocktails in the lobby, loaded with fringed table lamps.All the artists except Darling had some association with the infamous (Jerry's adjective) Round Table, although not in the inner circle of the founders: Wollcott, Franklin P. Adams, and Harold Ross.
I miss Jerry O'Rourk and a number of departed correspondents.Whenever an envelope arrived from any one of them, I knew I had an item for the Notes. Bob Trier, for example, took pride in his collection of stationery purloined from various inns, hotels, and posh clubs he managed during his long career in the hospitality business. John Rice, a campus brat, was a youth seeking adventure and thrills. I'll have to see if I can unearth some of his recollections.
Just because it happened long ago doesn't mean it isn't interesting or amusing.-- James W.Oppenheimer, 140 Chapin Pkwy., Buffalo, NY 14209; tel., (716) 886-1314.e
34 | Ethel Mannheimer Schatz has sent in some news.We encourage all '34 classmembers to do the same.Write to the Class Notes Editor in care of this magazine (see address below), and we will include your news here. Your classmates want to know how you are!
Ethel writes from Los Angeles: "Seventy-one years ago, I received my BA from Cornell, and this August I'll celebrate my 90th birthday with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I walk several miles daily, participate in growth groups, attend classes, and continue to teach journal writing to ‘seniors' at the Center for Healthy Aging in Santa Monica, CA. Friends and family enhance my life, and I consider myself one lucky dame!"-- Class of '34, c/oCornell Alumni Magazine, 401 East State St., Suite 301, Ithaca, NY 14850.
35 | I have good news about the Class of 1935 Walk. During the Reunion festivities in June, we visited it, as we do each time we are in Ithaca, and we were pleased to see that the Walk looked the best it has ever looked. The new plantings and other improvements in the area are striking.We thank the Grounds department work crews for their accomplishment. The Walk is definitely a tribute to the class, whose original gift was made 15 years ago. I would also like to thank Barlow Ware '47 of the Alumni Affairs and Development office for his continued devotion to our Class Walk and for its care and improvement.
The persistent hot, humid weather in the Northeast brings with it a certain amount of lethargy as the column deadline draws near. Fortunately, when the printed product is exposed, the welcome autumn season will be with us. Bill Massar of 1550 Beacon St., Apt 14F, Brookline, MA 02446 is retired and enjoys his daily walks. He reports that his grandchildren have done very well at Vanderbilt U. and Haverford College and that one is a New York Times reporter. He has spent Thanksgiving holidays with his daughter Nina Sanders and family in Seattle,WA, for at least ten years or more.
Ted Woodruff and his wife Beulah have a new address at Bishop's Commons, 4 Burkle St., Apt. T21, Oswego, NY 13126.He retired from Key Bank as a vice president and has taught agriculture in high school as well as to veterans after WWII.He was an avid golfer and a member of the Lions Club, the Masons, and the Grange. The Woodruffs are enjoying their three children, ten grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. They sold their Florida home to be near their large family. Eleanore Smith Allen, 10209 Keeping Dr. NW,Albuquerque, NM 87114 is retired and has had the same address for 32 years. She has four children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
William S.Mudge, 105 Clubhouse Dr., #257,Naples, FL 34105 retired in 1975 after a career of merchandising and convention chairmanship with J. C. Penney.He reveals that he and his wife Mel eloped on Spring Day 1935 in Etna, NY, and returned to watch the crew races on Cayuga Lake with fellow Phi Sigma Kappa brothers.Mel has a long history of champion golf and tennis but is now in poor health. They have one son, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. Thanks, Bill, for sharing your one-time secret.
As always, we welcome any item of News that may occur or come to mind between annual solicitations.My best wishes to all of you.-- Albert G. Preston Jr., 252 Overlook Dr., Greenwich, CT 06830 (the same for 51 years); tel., (203) 869-8387; e-mail, davada35@aol.com.
36 | Quoting one of my colleagues recently, "Whoever said ‘No news is good news' was never a class correspondent." For the first time since I took on this job four years ago, there is virtually nothing new to report, but I do have the following items that I have not been able to fit in to our previous columns. Bob Price, 11 Malden St., Holden,MA 01520, tells us that he and his wife, Ruth (Bentley) "continue to enjoy reasonably good health for a couple of 90-year-olds.Walking about three miles a day seems to be more useful to us than the entire pharmaceutical industry. [Also, certainly a lot less expensive.] Having children and grandchildren around frequently keeps our spirits up, too."
Olive Nissel Shaw, 1317 Laurel St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060, has this to say. "We take many trips up and down the coast--this year to Stockton's Bridal Bower for grandson's wedding, and to Stern Grove in San Francisco for granddaughter's wedding. Always happy to return to glamorous Santa Cruz, to the house we have built for our daughter." For those of you who knew Gilbert J. Perlow, MA '37, he reports that he is "still here at 89," at 4919 Northcott Ave., Downer's Grove, IL 60515.
That's it for now, and I'll continue to send along whatever news I receive. Those of you with e-mail will have heard from me this past summer, and I'll share responses as they come in.-- Bill Hoyt, 8090 Oakmont Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95409; e-mail, subilhoyt@sbcglobal.net.
37 | Joseph Mandel, JD '39's son Lewis '69 retired after 30 years with the Internal Revenue Service as a strategic trial attorney and returned to private practice in 2004 as "of counsel" to Joe and other attorneys in the firm. Joe is still practicing law after 65 years "at the same old stand" in Bayside, but he and Rosalind always manage to take one or two interesting vacations each year. Last year it was cruising in the Caribbean, and, in September, they traveled through Transylvania "in an unsuccessful search for Dracula." Then a cruise up the Danube. Both Mandel grandchildren are teachers in Long Island high schools. Kenneth teaches social studies in Glenhead and Nina teaches mathematics in Oceanside.
John and Jan deBeers have enjoyed river barge trips in France--Bordeaux and Burgundy in 2004, and Burgundy to Amsterdam in 2003. John's 90th birthday party was celebrated on the patio of the Village Library in Stinson Beach, CA. Jan has a special interest in the Stinson Beach Historical Society. The deBeers have two daughters and two grandchildren--one in veterinary school at U. of Penn., and a grandson in the MBA program at NYU. John has served on the board of the Alzheimer's Association of Northern California.
John D.Henderson has moved south from Boynton Beach to Vero Beach, FL, where he can continue his hobby of "watching orchids grow." The one on display in the lobby where he lives has six stems and 30 flowers. Hendie has no major travel plans, but did enjoy Thanksgiving '04 in Washington, DC, where granddaughter Catherine deRose, a graduate of Penn State Hotel School, is employed at the Hyatt Regency. Grandson Peter deRose, also a Penn State graduate, is a manager with waste management in Pittsburgh. Daughter Joan deRose is in charge of the gift shop at the Greensburg, PA, Art Museum. Son Stephen is professor of geology at Oxford (Georgia) College of Emory U.
In Sag Harbor, Long Island, Stewart and Jeanne Waring are having a quiet retirement with no travel planned and no civic activities. They both were active in the Sag Harbor Historical Society. The Waring clan includes a daughter, son, and three grandchildren. President Ed Shineman has welcomed his first great-grandchild, Caleigh, daughter of Russell and Carrie Wallach.
Our class lost a great friend and classmate on June 21 with the passing of Peter Cantline Jr. in Goshen, NY. Pete had been class treasurer since our 60th Reunion and had earlier served as class president. He and his devoted wife Beth were enthusiastic participants for many years in Cornell Adult University programs and other summer adult programs and on many study trips.He was one of the most faithful responders to our annual News and Dues letters, so his name and active career were very familiar to readers of our Cornell Alumni Magazine '37 columns. Happy memories, Pete!-- Robert A. Rosevear, 2714 Saratoga Rd. N., DeLand, FL 32720-1403.
I hope all of you had a good summer, even though it was extremely hot and muggy, and are now enjoying a cooler fall.We are looking forward to an invigorating winter. As always, please keep us informed of your many activities.We hope to hear from more of you as time goes by.
Esther "Dilly" Dillenbeck Prudden attended last June's Cornell Reunion, along with Windy Drake Sayer, Louise "Davy" Davis, Claire Kelly Gilbert, and Mary Clare CapewellWard. Esther writes that she is still involved with many volunteer activities, and during the summer spent time with family and friends on Lake George. Esther lives in Lockport, NY.
Mary Clare Capewell Ward (Melbourne, FL) has three daughters, Robin Ward Ireland, Tracy Ward Kawi, and Bethe Capewell Ward.Mary says that she was a pre-Vet student at Cornell but married a veterinarian instead--John A.Ward, DVM '36. John passed away in 1996. Louise Davis (Haverford, PA) is still enjoying a stimulating life in The Quadrangle, a retirement community in Haverford, PA. She teaches a class in silver jewelry. Claire Kelly Gilbert (Ithaca, NY) volunteers twice a week pool-sitting. Windy Drake Sayer (Amherst, MA) was accompanied at Reunion by her daughter Mary, her granddaughter Mickey, and by Mickey's daughter.
We enjoyed hearing about what you've been doing, so please continue to send your updates.-- Selma Block Green, 15 Weaver St., Scarsdale, NY 10583; tel., (914) 472- 0535.
38 | Last February 25 marked the completion of Harold Segall's 59th year in the practice of law, for which he received a number of congratulatory messages from the lawyers and staff of his law firm, Holland & Knight LLP in NYC. Harold and his wife Edith were looking forward to the golf season, and often play with fellow golf club members Gloria and Leonard Roberts. John Hooley, MD '42, writes from Florida that he and his wife Betty have five children and nine grandchildren. One child is an attorney, one is superintendent of schools in a New York district, and a granddaughter is an attorney in Richmond, VA. All of John and Betty's children are college graduates. One went to Cornell and married a physician graduate of Cornell's med school--and one of their children is now a Cornell student.
Dudley Buck sent an engaging history of his life after Cornell: "I left Cornell with a 1st Lt.'s commission and was called to active duty in September 1941. After serving as commanding officer of three different units, I was transferred to the Inspector General Division and soon after sent to Europe on the first invasion of France. There I was made an inspector in the 9th Air Force and as such I traveled all over Europe--a total of ten countries by the end of the war. I had many types of assignments, one of which was to take a few hundred troops back to England that were being assigned to the Army. Try keeping track of 130 troops put up for the night at several different locations in the City of London--British troops were running them down the next morning."
Dudley continues: "I held up the train at the main train station in London, and in no time at all, a booming voice came over the intercom calling my name, saying I was the only person to have ever delayed a train leaving that station. I had a sergeant helping me, so I sent him on ahead.After getting the rest of the troops, I followed on the next train. All turned out OK, and I spent the rest of the war on many assignments, coming home a Lt. Col. I spent the rest of my working years as a district manager for Prudential Ins. Co. and retired after 30 years. Now, at age 90, I play the stock market--it has been good to me."
Some of you may remember James L. Rose (Mt. Dora, FL), who was at Cornell from 1936 to 1938 and took dairy farming courses. After working for a little over a year, James transferred to Michigan State U. and graduated with a BS in Ag Education in 1942. He taught for five years in Michigan, but the bulk of his work life was spent in Cherry Valley, NY, where he taught for 29 years. In that time, he writes, he had 14 cadet teachers under him. Now completely retired, James enjoys photography and working in his wood shop. He also attends all Cornell activities in the Lake County, FL, area, including meetings of the 10-12 Cornellians at the retirement community where he and Alice live.
News from George Hobby and George and Libby Schempp will appear in the next issue. Keep writing! --Class of '38, c/o Cornell Alumni Magazine, 401 East State St., Suite 301, Ithaca, NY 14850.
39 | By the time you read this, the weather will have cooled off, and the hottest, driest summer on record will be just an unpleasant memory. Imagine two and a half months without any rain--in Ithaca! It boggles the mind.
I tried a small experiment in June, being out of news for the column. I sent out 25 postcards to classmates not previously heard from, inviting them to write to me. I got back four answers--a very poor percentage. One was returned; one reported a death; and two were nice letters, which I shall report on. I am wondering whether I should keep trying.
Thelma Levine Block has lived in Ann Arbor, MI, for many years. She was involved in the Faculty Women's Club activities and her temple, as well as volunteer work at the hospital. I quote:"My life has been a good and happy one. I had a loving and devoted husband for 62 years.We had a great life together. He recently died after 50 years at the U. of Michigan, where he was a Distinguished Professor." She has two devoted children to enjoy and, all in all, sounds very upbeat. A delightful note. Thank you, Thelma.
The other letter was from Josephine Deppoliti Cianfa, whom I remember well. She was in the Home Ec school at Cornell and went on to Mass. General Hospital for a degree in dietetics. Her profession became a lifesaver for her when her husband died suddenly after only 12 years of marriage and left her with two children to raise alone. She did a remarkable job at her local hospital for 38 years, for which she was honored by the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Zonta Club, the regional Dietetic Association, and her Canastota Alumni Association. She spoke to a group of hospital administrators of Central New York,meeting at Cornell, who had been impressed by the work she did in the dietary department she ran at her hospital. She enjoys good health and plays golf five to six times a week. Though she lost her husband and son, both at an early age, she says, "I can truthfully say that this shy, small-town country girl who entered Cornell in 1935 and retired professionally in 1980 has many things to be grateful for in her life." I thank you for a wonderful letter, Jo.
Doris Brooks wrote that her mother-in-law, Eleanore Lange Brooks, passed away January 21, 2004.We send belated condolences to her family.Here in Ithaca, Jean Smith Marshall McElwee died on July 12, '05 at the nursing home where she had lived for the last few years. Jean led an active life in Ithaca, working tirelessly for several hospital organizations and the Women's Community Building. Though badly crippled by arthritis, she never let her crutches hold her back.Our sympathy to her family and extended family. Condolences may be sent to Lynne Marshall, 1270 Route 221, Dryden, NY 13053.
By the time you read this, you will have received the 2005 News and Dues letter. If you haven't returned it, please do, and save me from the aggravation of facing a deadline with nothing to report. I would beg of you on bended knee--if I could bend my knee!--Ruth Gold Goodman, 103 White Park Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850; tel., (607) 257-6357; e-mail, bg11@cornell.edu.