Class Notes

September/October 2010

by Tony Lavely

If you're reading these notes online, there's still time to register for the Mini-Reunion on the Maine Coast, September 23rd - 26th. You should have received a mailing from co-chairs of this event, Ward Wickwire, Dennis DeSilvey, and Mac Deford. Details about this unique and well-planned event are also on our Class Website.

Thanks again to Bill Drennen for being guest columnist for the July-August class notes. Please email me if you would like to do the same for a 2011 column.

The monthly classmates table at the Yale Club of NYC will convene after the summer holidays on the fourth Tuesday of each month, beginning September 28th. Call Pete Putzel (212-661-0066) if you would like to attend. At the luncheon last February, Terry Holcombe reported seeing Pete Putzel (the luncheon organizer), Pete Trowbridge, Robert Whitby, and Steve Norman (who has launched a new business in corporate governance advising).

Chris Getman reported on the eighteenth annual Class Golf Outing in May, attended by eighteen golfers (apparently only the winners from each of the previous tournaments were invited). As he posted it on the Class Website, Webmaster Sam Francis wrote: "Journalism suffers another setback with this report ... don't believe anything you read!" To escape Getman's wrath, Sam went sailing near Greece in early July.

In May, Bob Hilgendorf wrote: "My wife, Ling, and I are traveling to Shanghai with representatives of the University of Mexico Foundation to establish a faculty exchange program with Shanghai International Studies University in their American Studies Program."

Jon Van Dyke emailed: "I've been teaching International and Constitutional Law at the University of Hawaii since 1976 and received the University Regents' Medal for Excellence in Research in 2009, based in part on my book Who Owns the Crown Lands of Hawai‘i? In Spring 2011, I'll be visiting professor at the UC—Berkeley Law School." Jon's book brings to 85 the number of classmate books listed on our Website under "Publications." On a related note, Jon McBride co-authored an article, "Board Champions for the Ombudsman," that is also posted on our website. Please e-mail me if you've written a book or article you'd like to add.

Terry Holcombe and Chris Getman, who have provided great leadership to Mory's in its transformation and reopening, are moving into new roles as members of the Mory's Council. The opening date for the "new" Mory's with its "Temple Bar" is expected to be in August 2010. Through the generosity of 14 classmates, there will be a named "Class of 1964 Alcove" right off the main dining room.

Pat Caviness wrote: "I'm totally depressed about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and its impact on Louisiana. The town I learned to love can't get a break!" Bill Manuel worked in the BP Command Center for over a week. Nick Von Baillou emailed: "Joe Lieberman graciously invited me to visit with him in DC and I asked Jay Fetner ('65) to join me. Jay brought Joe a copy of his remarkable book on the African safari, which is a world class photo journal of animals in east Africa and beautifully written. Joe is at the top of his game and involved in about everything of consequence on the Hill. Vivi and I attended the wedding of Clare, the youngest daughter of Clancy Ridley and Eleanore, to a distinguished young surgeon in Atlanta. It was delightful and exquisitely done but we missed seeing Steve Clay who was already committed to a reunion at Exeter. Clancy has just retired as Chairman of Haverty's, which remains the only private furniture company of consequence in the industry."

Dan Pollack emailed: "In June, Bob Hannah and Susan and Mike Mazer and Hanna spent a weekend at our home. We visited the Chicago Botanical Gardens and enjoyed dinner at ‘Casa Pollack.' Nancy and I travel to Good Hart, Michigan in August to spend time at Hannah's Upper Peninsula cabin."

Bob Sexton, Executive Director of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence in Kentucky, acknowledged support from The Pew Center on the States: "This support will help us make quality Pre-K programs available to every child." Nate Jessup, previously affiliated with 1963, has affiliated with our class. Welcome Nate!

Gus Speth delivered a paper to the Consultative Group on Biological Diversity at Lake Tahoe in June, entitled "Towards New Consciousness in America: Roles for Grantmakers." It has been posted on our Class Website, and I commend it to you. Chris Getman circulated a copy and said: "It identifies a rational and extremely intelligent way to address the problems facing us, our kids, and future generations." Chris Getman also serves on the board of Urban Resources Initiative (www.yale.edu/uri), for which our Class provides summer internship support. Read the high praise this organization received in a New Haven Register article, now posted on our Class Website.

Recently, I took joy in seeing Stan Thomas' granddaughter, Aiden, at the first birthday party of my granddaughter, Lavely. We miss Stan and other departed classmates, but will always keep them in our memories. Please email me with any news about yourself or classmates.