Richard Banbury, Class Notes Correspondent
45th Reunion Class Notes
It would be difficult to imagine a more communal ambience than the one which alighted upon the south courtyard of Berkeley during our four-day 45th Reunion at the end of May. We have evolved over the years into a rather civilized bunch. A little less testosterone, but a lot more wisdom. (A far cry from the rum-soaked parties of freshman year.) In keeping with our stage in life, an overwhelming sense of fellowship permeated the atmosphere of this Reunion. There were no strangers. And what a Reunion it was, thanks to the enthusiastic work of Steve Lasewicz. As Reunion Chair, Steve skillfully and adroitly organized a terrific four days of camaraderie and nostalgia for the178 classmates and 136 guests who mixed and mingled under warm sunny skies.
Friday afternoon featured a Class Panel musing on “The Retirement Years: Finding Your New Path in Life”, with Tony McClellan as moderator. Jim Ottoway, who recently retired from his senior position with Dow-Jones and its subsidiary Ottoway Newspapers, recounted his contemplative and spiritual retreat to an isolated Greek Isle. This turned out to be an ideal locale for an inner journey of meditation and yoga “to prepare mind and soul for the diminished pace of retirement”. As Jim wisely sees it, the path to retirement must confront the question of how it is “possible to lead a meaningful life if work is not at the center of it”. Rob Northrup, after decades of working as a Public Health specialist in 38 countries, including Bangladesh and Indonesia, has also been searching for new pathways. Having recently assisted Project Hope on an initiative in Haiti, Rob is also finding more time to sing with his a cappella group, for which he is also now arranging the music. Rob and Quincy spoke of their bonding with four other couples, meeting on a regular basis over several years to address the riddle of retirement. As dancer, teacher of dance, nurse practitioner and mother, Quincy’s life, like Rob’s, has been full of professional challenges and energy-taxing activities. The five couples have learned that a continuing sensitivity to the marital relationship, and negotiating their evolving roles and responsibilities, are key factors in addressing this unprecedented stage of life. The final panelist was John Hetherington, who has found a new way to enliven his days after retiring as in-house counsel for a large corporate enterprise. It seems that the local Republican Party tapped John as its candidate for the recently-created 125th District of the Connecticut Legislature. A self-described reflective, orderly and private person, John was nonetheless bitten by the political bug. He came to realize that political campaigning is a source as well as a consumer of energy, and that the helter-skelter of electioneering and legislating raises the octane level. According to John, he literally discovered another persona within, one which previously had not found a channel for expression and recognition. For now at least, both the old and the new John are content to live in the competitive and unpredictable world of representative government.
The Memorial Service was conducted in Battell Chapel late Friday afternoon. Bob Neville, Dean of the School of Theology at Boston University, presided. Richard Seidman and John Wilkinson offered readings appropriate to the occasion. The names of our departed classmates, 128 in number, were then read by John Dwyer, Peter Knudsen, Harry Mazadoorian, Peter Ness, and Jim Taylor. The traditional procession to the Giamatti Bench on Old Campus followed, with a laying of flowers and a spirited rendition of Bright College Years.
During the Friday afternoon business meeting, Peter Wells was elected to a five-year term as Class Secretary, with Barry Schaller and Carol Schaller having previously announced their well-deserved retirement as your chief class executives. During the past fifteen years, Barry and Carol have graciously given their time, energy, goodwill and dedication to preserving and enhancing the Class of 1960 as a living and loving organism. Thanks guys for your blood, sweat and tears. Also elected as class officers, were David Carls as Treasurer, Tim Ritchie as Chairman of Class Agents, Mike Dickerson as Webmaster, Dave Toomey as AYA Representative, and yours truly as Class Notes Correspondent. The new Executive Committee, in addition to the officers, includes Bob Ackerman, Robert Hanke, Pete Knudsen, Steve Lasewicz, Ed Leavitt, Barry Schaller, Jim Taylor, and John Wilkinson.
Class Reunions are signal markers in the evolving life of the Class, and the 45th was certainly an uplifting and memorable experience for all who attended.
Stayoung.
Links to Classmate Websites
You may click on the name to email the classmate or click on the address to go to their website.
Bill Dunk - www.globalprovince.com
Chandler Everett - http://www.consumervest.com/index.html
George Flynn - http://www.columbia.edu/cu/chemistry/groups/flynn/
Bill Idol - www.ThirdAgeCenter.com
Bill Loftus - www.loftusgroup.com
Tony McClellan - Mill Pond Photography
Bob McKinlay - Clann Mackinlay Seannachaidh
Dale Purves, M.D. Director, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University
Dave Sellers - www.Sellersandcompany.com, www. Pixelux.com,
Nick Storrs - www.c21realtyteam.com
Larry Wan - www.wanconservancy.org www.wan-images.com
Hugh Wyatt - www.coachwyatt.com