Class Notes

March/April 2023

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

The 2023 New Year dawned as these Class Notes for March-April 2023 were being written. It brought winter storms across much of the country but also holiday messages from many classmates. As a Class, we ended the year with a most informative Zoom event organized by Joe Wishcamper and led by Howard Gillette titled, “Re-evaluating Civil Rights.” Classmate panelists were: Jim Duderstadt, Joe Lieberman, and Joe Rich, each of whom had significant roles during the civil-rights movement. Jonathan Holloway, president of Rutgers, and John Brittain, a distinguished civil rights lawyer, also contributed to the program. A video of the session can be viewed here.

The first Zoom Book Club of 2023, “Russell Sunshine : From Past to Present,” will take place on January 20. Organized by Edward Massey, it will feature Russell Sunshine and his memoir, Far & Away. Russell will also incorporate his current blog, “Agile Aging” into the discussion. Owen O’Donnell will moderate the session. This Book Club event will be recorded and will be viewable on our Class website. Watch the Class Website/Events page for the next Zoom theme event in April-May 2023 and the next Yale Authors Book Club in July-August 2023.

While it was not strictly speaking a Class Event, the November 2022 edition of The Game was attended by many classmates and friends in Cambridge. Tailgaters at the Harvard Boat House included Sam Francis, Chris Getman, Tony Lavely, and Nancy Lindley, surviving spouse of Clarkson Lindley. It was a great game with a thrilling finish. With the win, Yale won the Ivy League title. Earlier in the week, Tony Lavely and Nancy Lindley had lunch with Margie and Tony Lee at the Newton Marriott.

Regional classmate Zoom gatherings and events continued through November-December 2022. Chris Getman organized luncheons at Mory’s on November 2, December 7, and January 11. Jerry Flannelly hosted Zoom calls for Boston-area classmates on November 16 and December 21. Owen O’Donnell hosted Zoom calls for Bay Area classmates on November 30 and January 11. The January 11 session included a discussion of “Advice we give our grandchildren.” If you would like to join any of these gatherings, please contact the organizer.

The annual 1964 Class Council meeting will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, in New Haven, with some members attending via Zoom. I regret to inform classmates that Jennifer Julier, our longtime YAA liaison, has retired. Jennifer wrote: “I am retiring from the YAA effective January 31. For some months now, Weili Cheng and Jenny Chavira (daughter of Don Edwards), as well as the rest of our Class Group, have been preparing for my departure. Our #1 goal has been to make it a smooth transition. I am pleased to let you know that Assistant Director Stephanie Hartnett, an experienced member of our team, will be handling your class business after I leave.”

As 2022 ended, Jim Rogers posted a YouTube video on Factopedia TV, “The Collapse has Begun.” Recently, there were two articles in the Yale Daily News that garnered a lot of interest and commentary from classmates: “Lawsuit over Yale Corporation petition process heard in court” and “Students and alumni sue Yale, alleging discrimination against students with mental illnesses.”

Your earnest Class Secretary, Tony Lavely, confesses a lapse of duty on maintaining content for the News page on the Class website during the later months of 2022. It seems he was “otherwise engaged.” To wit, Tony and Nancy Lindley (surviving spouse of Clarkson Lindley) became engaged in November 2022. They will be married on May 19, 2023. Tony and Nancy expressed their gratitude to the many classmates and spouses who have offered congratulations and best wishes. The record shows that theirs will be the first marriage of a 1964 classmate and a 1964 surviving spouse. Dana and Rich Niglio (who will be Tony’s best man for the second time) live a few miles from Nancy Lindley’s Minnesota home. They hosted the couple for an engagement dinner in Wayzata MN in early December.

Jane and Karl Ziegler sent New Year greetings: “Wishing you and your loved ones much love, joy, gratitude, laughter, and abundance for a great year ahead!” Bill Woodfin wrote: “I’ve enjoyed helping Margie and Tony Lee teach our online climate-change courses. Programs include four night sessions, each 1½ hours long. If you haven’t taken one, sign up at www.CanWeStopCC.org.” In December, David Wyles posted: “’Merry Christmas!’ said the Snowman to the Tree. And I say the same to Thee!” Later, David added, “Happy New Year to all of my friends! May this be a wonderful year for each and every one of you!” In early January, Nancy Upper (surviving spouse of Dennis Upper) emailed: “I’ve met a new British friend. Our innumerable mutual interests — among them love of the arts, classical music, and walking in conservation land — deepen our affection. This spring, we will travel to England together for events at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was a top scholar in mathematics and is now a benefactor.” Nancy and Dan Pollack posted a photo of their children: “Standing tall in Cancun. Special moments with Gramz and Popsi loving it.” The Pollack’s grandson, Luke, signed with the University of Iowa football team: “Here we are checking out Kinncik Stadium, home of the Hawkeyes. You go, Luke! We’re looking forward to seeing you be part of the team!” Jan Truebner posted, “Having a great time at Club Med in Punta Cana DR with my family over Thanksgiving!” At Christmas, Jan added a family photo taken during the trip.

In November, Russell Sunshine emailed the Yale 1964 Authors Book Club hosts: “I wanted to give you a heads-up about heart-health issues I experienced in late October. With no advance symptoms or personal health history, I was admitted to Stanford University Hospital to treat some heart complications. The outcome was implantation of a pacemaker/defibrillator. Since returning home October 30, I’ve been growing stronger daily. The prognosis from my cardiologists is complete recovery in December with no difficulty honoring my January 20 Book Club commitments. I will probably be extracting some “Agile-Aging” lessons from this hospital encounter in my end-of-November blog post. I didn’t want those of you who read the blog to be taken by surprise. In December, Russell added: “Warm year-end greetings from our home to yours. We’re enclosing our 2022 family news. Please excuse my transmitting this letter in batches. I am still on the mend, not yet back up to full strength. Nancy joins me in sending our holiday wishes to you and your loved ones.” In late December, Ron Sipherd posted the photo of a sunrise: “The dawn of a new year; wishing everyone a happy and peaceful (or adventurous, if you prefer) 2023.”

Owen O’Donnell (the tireless host of the Bay Area Zoom calls) wrote: “My wife and I have survived the pandemic without getting COVID-19. We are also surviving the climate crisis by living in one of the few US cities that is not getting really hot; however, we need rain and lots of it. We have had no major health issues yet, so I guess we are lucky.” Michelle Mead (surviving spouse of John Armor) posted, “Eight frigging degrees outside. The last time it was this cold, I got married.” Later, Michelle posted, “I’m having such fun binge-watching ‘The West Wing!’ My late husband John Armor was into politics, and I became his campaign manager when the gentleman previously doing it got sick. It was nasty, exciting, challenging, and thrilling. I miss it.” Anne and Edward Massey sent a holiday newsletter. Among other things, they wrote: “We explored the option of moving into a senior community. After several visits, we decided to stay in our apartment in Norwalk CT, where we have friends nearby, all our medical support in place, and our apartment is one of a kind, spacious, and a beautiful home. We passionately support the Buckley Society at Yale, where we have attended lectures and fundraising events. We support a robust environment of debate from which we are always open for new learning. A reflection of my years at Yale.”

Colleen Murphy-Dunning (Director of both the Hixon Center for Urban Ecology and the Urban Resources Initiative at the Yale School of the Environment) wrote at Christmas, “We are so grateful for all of the support of the Class of 1964.” Paul Manchester wrote: “After 43 years in the Federal government, I retired from the Federal Housing Finance Agency in February 2021. I then had a position as a Housing Policy Advisor to Senator Catherine Corez-Masto (D-NV) and made a presentation to a Policy History Conference in Tempe AZ. Since then, I have written six columns for the online paper, National Mortgage News. In January, Ruth and I will be moving to Riderwood, a nearby senior community in Silver Spring MD.” In January, Bill Morse posted, “Happy New Year, Tony! Congratulations on your engagement! Here’s a photo of our two granddaughters on Christmas Day.” Robert Lamson wrote: “I recently retired as CEO of Precision Appliance Technology … more accurately, semi-retired. With my family, I have launched a specialty foods and distinctive kitchen tools distributorship in Seattle. Attivo Culinary services both chefs and food-service professionals and home cooks nationally. A sister company, Attivo Mexico, previously formed with friends in Puerto Vallarta, is a similar business model with a different product mix.”

When Tony Lavely told Syd Lea that he and Nancy Lindley (now engaged) had reconnected on Syd’s Yale 1964 Authors Book Club in July, Syd said,” Nothing could make me happier than knowing my poetry reconnected you. The Lord works in mysterious ways!” In December, Douglass Lea posted stunning scenes of the waters off Bequia in his album “Bequia Scenes.” Sally and Larry Lawrence sent a wonderful holiday photo of their extended family, including the canine members. Sam Low posted: “Having reached the ripe age of 80, I am voyaging back into the past. Having learned to dive and seek shipwrecks in Martha’s Vineyard waters, I spent my early years as an underwater archeologist. I’ll try to include some articles and a movie about these adventures in future posts.” Mary Jane and Rick Kroon sent Christmas greetings with this news: “Rick had his 80th birthday in July, a quiet celebration with just the family. At dinner, we all read our toasts, including the grandchildren, and Rick loved it. Another happy event occurred this week. Our grandson Andrew was accepted to Yale. He will join his cousin Michaela who is a freshman there this year.”

Candy and Waldo Johnston posted colorful photos from the McKee Botanical Gardens Festival of Lights in Vero Beach FL. In January, the Johnstons posted, “We’re starting 2023 in Jonathan Dickson State Park in Hobe Sound FL.” Ted Jones wrote on his holiday card, “Tony, your travels on Facebook look fun and exciting. I look forward to seeing you in February at the Class Council meeting.” John Howells included a family photo on his holiday card from Hilton Head SC. Edith Gelfand (surviving spouse of Michael Gelfand) wrote: “Michael died on April 26, 2022, five days after his 80th birthday. Despite speech issues following the major stroke he suffered in 2012, he did quite well for a number of years. A second stroke several years ago was a downward turning point for his health. Per Michael’s wishes, he was buried in Israel.” Bill Galvin texted, “Tony, congratulations to you and Nancy Lindley. Best news I’ve heard all year. Great way to get the New Year launched (and the rest of your life)!” Jerry Flannelly (who regularly organizes the Boston Area Zoom calls) emailed: “This has been a year of significant events for you Tony. Congratulations on your engagement. As someone who grew up in Minneapolis and lived through many Minnesota winters, I believe you were prudent to delay your move to Long Lake until the Spring!” At Christmas, Celeste Finn (spouse of Eric Fossel) posted, “Every day, somewhere in the world, the Nativity Scene is alive.”

In late November, Bobbie and Sam Francis spent a week in Washington D.C. enjoying the holiday sights and shows. In February, Sam attended a Yale-related dinner honoring veterans. All honorees were asked to submit a short video, and Sam’s video can be seen here. Dick duPont sent Christmas greetings from Kennett Square PA. Morris Dean sent photos for the Class 80th Birthday Album. His son interviewed Morris on the occasion, and Morris posted the account on his blog, Moristotle. Bill Carey wrote: “My life has included moves to lots of interesting places: Boston, Seattle, New London, San Francisco, Rochester MN, and finally Cleveland where we have lived since 1976. I remain active as a liver specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, still working four days a week. We have a very active liver transplant program here. I’ve also been part of the Cleveland Clinic International Outreach in places like United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Turkey. I spent two years in the Navy as a submarine medical officer, spending much of that time underwater in the Mediterranean. I loved every minute of it. I’m still married, and we have three kids and five grandchildren.”

Frederique DeLange and Patrick Caviness posted: “We’re watching the sunset over Nathon Harbor on Koh Samui and recovering from a fun-filled gathering on Boxing Day. We’re enjoying a day where very little, if anything, is happening other than an abiding sense of peace, calm, and tranquility.” Later, Pat added, “Happy New Year to all our friends from the fabulous Tembo Beach Club Resort on New Year’s Eve. Superb evening! We all danced. And danced. And danced the night away!” Tom Barnard sent family news over the holidays: “I’m back into my photography hobby and did several short trips to Florida to photograph osprey fishing and then eagles as they choose mates. Carol and I are still playing golf and bike riding. I’m still enjoying kayaking. Over Christmas, we’re headed to St. John USVI for an extended family vacation.” Chip Brennan emailed, “Tony, congratulations on your engagement. I think it’s terrific that you found someone with whom to spend the rest of your life. It’s my standard counsel to all widows and widowers.” Arthur Burrows wrote: “Elise and I sold our publishing company a year ago. I’ve kept a small office doing some writing and design. We’re still living in the home in Vermont that I bought in 1970. A beautiful place to live. Our children and grandchildren live nearby.” Kip Burgweger sent holiday greetings: “Our daughter Lauren got married in Dallas to Austin Maxey. I’m a member of the Old Greenwich CT Town Meeting and the Town’s Commission on Aging. I’m also on the board of Neighbor to Neighbor which operates a food pantry and provides clothing to people in need. Tony, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. Thank you for your great Class Notes.” Paula and Paul Balser sent holiday greetings from Manhattan. Lorna and Dan Berman sent holiday news: “We continue to fight for worker and voter rights, environmental justice, and universal healthcare. I’m still writing, cycling, and swimming.”

On the Publications front, classmate authors and bloggers were very active. Marjorie Lee (spouse of Tony Lee) wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Boston Globe commenting on their November 6, 2022 editorial, “Election Lies have Fatal Consequences.” Edward Massey wrote a holiday email encouraging people to “buy books and support reading.” Russell Sunshine wrote a poignant chapter in his blog, “Agile Aging,” chronicling his own recent hospitalization and recovery. Ron Sipherd posted a lovely photo in his photography blog “Ronksville,” titled “Moonrise, Winter Solstice.”

Honorary Classmate Tristan Kiekel, an officer with the Yale Police Department, notified Terry Holcombe that 1964 classmate Charles “Larry” Johnston died on November 23, 2022. Terry expressed the profound gratitude of the Class to Officer Kiekel and the Yale Police Department for their care and kindness to Larry in his last years. His body was returned to Georgia for burial in the family plot. See Larry’s remembrance page here.

Art Boylston sent a remembrance and notified us that Henry Edmunds died of heart failure on October 20, 2022. Bill Carey donated a Mory’s Memorial Brick for Ben Day and wrote: “Ben was quite a character, whom I first met in high school. Ben was prone to stretching boundaries in those days, but he settled down after meeting Roseann, whom I knew, too. She was exactly what Ben needed; they stayed inseparable until his passing from prostate cancer. Ben wrote frequently, publicly and privately, about his cancer battle. It was quite touching and inspirational.” Bill Galvin remembered his son Will (who died in 2022) with altar flowers at the Christmas Eve service at Christ Episcopal Church in Greenwich.