What would most motivate you to attend our 60th Class Reunion?

September 18, 2023

Dear 1964 classmates and friends,

Now that the dates for our 60th Class Reunion have been announced — May 23-26, 2024 — we want to see what we can do to interest you in attending. Co-chairs John Evans and Ted Wagner and the entire Reunion Committee are working hard to make this our best reunion ever. Back by popular demand is the Bales-Gitlin Band, which played at our 50th and 55th!

The November-December 2023 Class Notes, which are embedded at the bottom of this email, will bring you up to date on what many classmates are doing. Sadly, it also carries news of arrangements for classmates we have lost since the previous issue.

Our next classmate Zoom will be on October 5 featuring Len Baker and Bob Archer on, “Climate Crisis: Rethinking Required or Else!” Joe Wishcamper will moderate.
Register by clicking here.

Sadly, I report the deaths of two classmates since the previous issue: Jon Waxman died in Washington, D.C. on August 15, 2023; Bob Downing died in Philadelphia, PA on August 13, 2022. There will be a memorial service for these and other departed classmates at our 60th reunion.

Toddie Getman has asked me to convey the location and timing of Chris’ Celebration of Life in New Haven on Monday, September 25 at 11:00am. If you are unable to attend, you can watch the live-streamed service here.

Your feedback on suggestions for our 60th reunion will be appreciated.

Cheers,

---

November/December Class Notes

[To read these Notes in your browser in living color, click here.]

Our fall schedule includes gatherings to remember and celebrate departed classmates. Chris Getman’s Celebration of Life will be at 11:00am EDT on September 25 at Trinity Church on the New Haven Green. It will also be streamed on this link. Terry Holcombe’s Celebration of Life will be on October 29 at the Elm City Club in New Haven. Eulogies for both men appeared in the September-October issue of Yale Alumni Magazine Milestones, pages 18-19. The ‘64 golf group will remember these men at a special dinner and service (led by Don Edwards) at Mory’s on September 19 after a round on The Yale Course organized by Ted Jones. Both families will come together with friends at a special tailgate before the Columbia football game on October 28.

Ralph Jones organized classmate luncheons at Mory’s on August 2 and September 6. The group decided to memorialize Chris Getman with a special plaque in the Presidents Room, recognizing Chris’ leadership at Mory’s over the years. Jerry Flannelly organized Zoom calls for the Boston-area group on July 19 and August 16. Owen O’Donnell organized Zoom calls for the Bay-area group on the same dates. On one of the Bay-area calls, Owen O’Donnell sparked a robust discussion by asking, “What is your view on the SCOTUS decision on Affirmative Action?” On another call, Owen posed: “Is Yale’s procedure for sexual crimes/harassment appropriate?” Frequently, classmates from outside these areas attend which makes for even livelier discussions. For example, Blaine Krickl and Karl Ziegler attended the Boston calls and told the group about an in-person gathering at the Savoy in London on June 21 to hear President Peter Salovey present “For Humanity Illuminated,” that showcased Yale’s vast digital collections. Nick Baskey also attended. Blaine and Karl both had photo-ops with Salovey. Ted Wagner has revived the New York-area luncheons at The Yale Club on third Wednesdays; September 20 kicked off the fall season.

On a more spontaneous basis, Frank Oates wrote: “Phil Lochner and David Turner spent several days in St. Louis in late April, visiting Sarah and Bob Dunn, Peggy and Frank Oates, and Sarah and Kent van den Berg. All were ambulatory, coherent, and congenial, and wine and conversation flowed pleasantly.” Frank added: “I’m a diligent reader of Class Notes.” David Turner added, “In May, Phil Lochner, Peg and Bob Norris, and Nancy and David Turner were guests of Pam and John Hanold in Turners Falls, MA. It was great to catch up, with good food, good conversations, and lots of laughter. The Norrises and Turners then proceeded to Bexley, OH for the high-school graduation of their shared granddaughter, Charlotte Turner, who enters the Yale Class of 2027 this year.”

Nancy and Tony Lavely attended Yale Club events in Minneapolis: Minnesota Representative Liz Lee ’11 spoke at the Minikahda Club on August 22; Charlie Zelle SOM ’83 will speak at the Minneapolis Club on September 13. Joe Wishcamper has organized and will facilitate a Zoom event on October 5 at which Len Baker and Bob Archer will discuss "Climate Crisis: Rethinking Required or Else!" There is still time to register. Next in our quarterly Zoom series, Edward Massey is organizing another ‘64 Authors Book Club in early 2024. Ralph Jones (our new YAA Class Delegate), Kai Lassen, and Tony Lavely will be attending the YAA Assembly and YAF Convocation on November 16-17, “The Creative Economy at Yale: Innovations in Culture, Science, and Technology.” Tony Lavely also attended the quarterly Zoom webinar by Peter Salovey on August 18.
 
Planning for our 60th class reunion next May 23-26 is underway, led by co-chairs John Evans and Ted Wagner. They are planning an exciting reunion schedule at many new Yale venues. So, save the date and start reaching out to classmates, roommates, and teammates to coordinate plans. A digital class book is in the works, with Sam Francis supporting the technology. Jerry Flannelly is heading up the Attendance Committee. Special thanks to Jim Rogers for his early and generous gift to the Class of 1964 to enable us to waive all reunion charges for any surviving spouse who wishes to attend our 60th reunion.

The big announcement in the Yale Daily News was President Peter Salovey’s decision to make this his last academic year as president and then return to a faculty role. We will have an opportunity to see Peter at our class reunion next May. In Class News, Ralph Jones will be our YAA class delegate for a three-year term, replacing Bill Morse. Ralph Jones and Steve Klingelhofer have joined the Class Council. In other news, Jon McBride shared a report from Squash Haven. Pizza lovers will appreciate that Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana has become a sponsor of Yale Athletics.
 
In this issue, we begin the “Notes” section” (which is too long for YAM) with the end of the alphabet. Karl Ziegler posted: “Jane and I enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Queens Club with our dear friend and favourite Kuwaiti Ambassador on the beautiful terrace overlooking the tennis courts.” In September, Jane Fuller posted a birthday greeting to Karl Ziegler. Karl commented: “Jane, my wife, just posted this [photo of a gorilla taking a selfie] as it's my birthday today. She says I’ve still got it. Hurrah!” When he isn’t on a fishing expedition or working on our next Class Zoom event (on October 5), Joe Wishcamper emailed: “We hosted a reception for President Biden at our home in late July.” Joe continues to participate in his businesses of affordable housing and commercial solar development. His wife Carol is actively involved with racial justice and tribal issues in Maine. Joe reports that they are fortunate to be “living our best lives.”

In September, David Wyles posted: “What a fabulous night! My son Rio and I went down to the Odeon Theater in the heart of Downtown L.A. to a big benefit concert for the Ed Asner Family Center. Matt and Navah Pakowitz-Asner introduced the show and talked about the Ed Asner Center and their vital work with the disability community. Up for me next Sunday is Van Morrison and Taj Mahal at the Greek Theater! Rio and I am going to hear Eric Clapton with luminaries such as Steven Stills, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Buddy Guy, Vince Gill, and Los Lobos! How’s that sound for a string of unbelievable concerts?”

In August, Jan Truebner posted, “Look where I am! The debut concert of this year’s Whiffenpoofs at the Darien Library!” Laura Landro posted with Rick Salomon, “We fell in love with San Ysidro Ranch in a stay there thirteen years ago and had the chance to return on our recent trip out west for a romantic dinner. Beautiful outdoor setting with a fireplace glow that makes everyone look good.” After reading a New York Times article about crime in New Haven, Bill Schultz emailed: “I don’t remember feeling afraid to wander far and wide in the day. Recent visits to the campus reveal a much tonier surrounding area than the one we experienced. Guess it’s like any city these days. Some bad areas to avoid.”

In early September, Nancy and Tony Lavely visited Gerry Shea in Marblehead Neck, just a few days before he returned to Paris. Gerry opened a lovely French Burgundy and prepared burgers on the grill while Nancy fried pommes frites. It was a perfect way to spend a late summer evening looking out on Boston Harbor. Days earlier, Gerry had entertained Robin Jones and Nick Danforth with a late summer outing on his 16’ sailboat before he pulled it out of the water for the winter. Gerry also told us about his 1966 appearance on “Password.” He provided the perfect phonetic clue (“Cheerios”) for the answer “serial.” Of course, we talked a lot about Claire, who died last summer. Gerry misses her terribly.

Ron Sipherd posted: “To my wife on our 50th wedding anniversary. Here’s a photo of her on our honeymoon in California’s Trinity Alps in 1970. Someone asked me if we plan to renew our vows. I told him they never wore off.” Paul Ruden shared the news that his wife Dina Marie has taken a new position with the Alaska Native Corporation as Director of Strategic Planning at Chenega IT Enterprise Services. Nancy and Dan Pollack posted: “Friends from the New Trier Class of 1961 just celebrated our 80th birthday. We spent a weekend together celebrating our long friendships.” Later Nancy posted a compromising photo of Dan snoozing with a plush toy: “Look who is enjoying our annual trip to Bellingham WA, where we spend a week every year, relaxing, doing water sports, and just hanging. The weather is perfect, and Lake Watcomb is a comfortable temperature.”

When he heard that Tony Lavely was planning a honeymoon trip to Egypt, Pete Putzel (who made the same Nile cruise a few years ago) gifted him a copy of Empress of the Nile [fascinating and informative]. When they returned to Minnesota in September, Nancy and Tony Lavely had dinner in Wayzata with Dana and Dick Niglio to celebrate Dick’s 81st birthday. Has anyone heard from James Mandel recently? Last heard, he was married to a Russian wife and living there. Jon McBride reported that the students of Squash Haven wrote personal thank-you notes to SH contributors: “Thank you so much for supporting my Squash Haven teammates and me. I’m grateful to be on the SH team, because I’m able to up my performance and get better at squash. We appreciate your generosity and friendship.” Randy Labbe emailed in August: “I hope this finds you well and please accept belated but heartfelt congratulations on your inspiring marriage. Leslie and I celebrated our 57th last month and marveled at your track record. On behalf of Wally Winter and me, please submit the attached eulogy for Dick Goodyear on the Class of ‘64 In Memoriam section of the class website. Wally and I both regard rooming with Dick as one of the special rewards of our Yale education.”

As a new resident of Minnesota, Tony Lavely is taking a deep dive by attending all six of the Twin Cities professional sports teams and the top twelve cultural sites. In August Nancy and Tony went to the Minnesota State Fair. Earlier, Dana and Dick Niglio joined Nancy and Tony Lavely at an annual gala to support the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. It was a 1950s theme, so Tony channeled James Dean with a pack of Pall Malls rolled up in the sleeve of his black T-shirt. Dick Niglio was a Blues Brothers lookalike. Over Labor Day, Tony attended a wedding in Park City UT where his brother Jay ’65 officiated the marriage of his granddaughter. Tony has also attended a number of local Yale Club events (reported elsewhere). At one event, he met David Crosby ’62 and updated David on ’64 hockey players that David knew when he captained the team in 1962.

Douglass Lea jumped on a thread about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and answered one query, “Could AI just be an electronic substitute for LSD?” with this: “Interesting thought. I’ll push it through my neurocircuits and see what comes out.” Later Douglass posted forlorn photos of his two dogs and commented, “Sparkie and Monty (boyfriend and girlfriend) refuse to exit the car until I do my daily duty and drive them to the beach, despite monsoonal rains of Biblical proportions that continue now into their seventh hour.” Tony Lee emailed in late July: “Margie and I just received heartfelt thanks from Toddie Getman. It’s been very moving to experience friends handle grief and transitions with such dignity. I just finished re-reading Chris Getman’s essay in our 50th Reunion Class Book. It’s wonderful. I suggest you include it in his In Memoriam page.” Later, Tony Lee emailed: “A lot has happened with our climate-change group. I’ve attached below two recent issues that can get you started. Unfortunately, our website is currently down. We have six leaders in New England and five more in Texas. Two in Texas (Bill Woodfin and Jon Greene) are Y64 classmates that I never knew as an undergrad. Bill will be contacting you on another matter. He is responsible for taking CWSCC to Texas and you could get an interesting story from him. We’re having two leadership planning meetings over the next three weeks.” In early September, Nancy and Tony Lavely had dinner with Margie and Tony Lee at Longfellow’s Wayside Inn in Sudbury MA. Tony Lee talked about an interesting article he had seen in the NYT titled “Tiny Forests With Big Benefits: Native plants crowded onto postage-stamp-size plots have been delivering environmental benefits around the world — and, increasingly, in the U.S.” Margie and Tony Lee were also excited about participating in the “March to End Fossil Fuels” on September 17 in NYC.

When Tony Lavely posted on the 60th anniversary of the “March on Washington (August 28, 1963), Sam Low commented, “I was there.” I know Bob Kaiser was a few blocks away on assignment as a Washington Post intern. Were any other classmates there? Earlier, Sam Low emailed about the terrible fires on Maui, “It is awful.” Over Labor Day, Sam Low posted a beautiful painting of an empty Vineyard street: “Titled ‘After Labor Day,’ this is a painting by my father Sandy Low, probably done in the late 1950s.”

In accepting his nomination to the Class Council, Steve Klingelhofer emailed: “I'm honored to be asked to join this extraordinary team of youthful classmates … and hope to survive my term of office [2029].” On his trip East, when he saw Gerry Shea and Tony Lee, Tony Lavely also joined his Newton High School 63rd reunion (they do reunions every 2-3 years now, so as not to miss seeing old friends), Tony Lavely saw Lorna and Dan Berman, who is both a high-school and college classmate. Dan traveled from California for the gathering. Their son, Jake, just published a book, The Lost Subways of North America, which showcases his celebrated cartography, covering 150 years of never-built North American transit systems. Stephen Greenblatt is also a Newton High School graduate, but he was Class of 1961 and then accelerated at Yale to join our class. Before they left Boston in September. Nancy and Tony Lavely visited the John F. Kennedy Library at Columbia Point on Boston Harbor. Though he had visited it many times, Tony heard again the line Kennedy delivered at the June 1962 Yale Commencement which still resonates today: “The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie — deliberate, contrived, and dishonest — but the myth — persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the cliches of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” Tony said, “I was at that Commencement making a little extra bursary money setting up chairs on the Old Campus.” At the same occasion, Kennedy delivered the more memorable line (at least to Yalies), “It might be said now that I have the best of both worlds, a Harvard education and a Yale degree. I am particularly glad to become a Yale man because as I think about my troubles, I find that a lot of them come from other Yale men.”

Syd Lea emailed: “Hey, Tony, I hope the married life is as good as it can be! So, you are now a Midwesterner? Whenever I dream (that's all it is now, dreaming) of moving, I imagine not having my seven grandkids close at hand. That's (too) unsettling. You must have wrestled with that one too. I don't envy you.”

Candy and Waldo Johnston had a busy and prolific summer of posting. Candy: “Today I visited the family burial plot in Cooperstown [NY]. I did not cry but my heart still aches, especially for our boy buried in Oregon.” “Fifty-five years ago, Waldo and I made this journey official and in 1971 were blessed with our beautiful daughter.” “A Cooperstown sunflower field is like a sky with a thousand suns.” “Rhetoric is the art of persuasion, which along with grammar and logic (or dialectic) is one of the three ancient arts of discourse.” “See the remains of the tree trunk? At 81, Waldo can still fell a very tall dead tree, saw it up, cart it away, and return home to accolades from his wife.” “Wisconsin Happiness Destination … Wausaukee.” “The loon sounded the alarm as the eagle rhythmically winged down Elbow Lake toward me, then gracefully soared above the trees to circle on invisible drafts. I was mesmerized for almost half an hour before the majestic American symbol disappeared behind the tall Wisconsin pines. I love everything about this childhood home of mine.” Waldo: “Racing in the Lawrence Cup on Otsego Lake last weekend.” “I’m wearing the orange lifejacket. I’ve sailed this boat for 37 years from Vero Beach FL to Cooperstown NY.”

When Ted Jones saw a photo of Tony Lavely and Peter Salovey at our 55th reunion, Ted commented, “Terry Holcombe took a picture of me in Benjamin Franklin College sitting on a bench with Statue Ben, and my pose was exactly, ‘Now Ben, if you had listened to me ...’ ” On another thread, when asked “What was the best radio station you listened to when you were young?” Ted Jones replied, “WLS National Barn Dance once a week; otherwise, WJJD with Dick Biondi playing all the faves.” When he saw Tony Lavely’s post about attending the 105th anniversary of Camp Manito-wish in Wisconsin (where Nancy and her son Carter both attended), Ted Jones (who also attend the camp) commented: “My granddaughter just returned from a few days in Northern Wisconsin with a friend whose family has a cottage on Boulder Lake. She brought back a camp insignia hat for me (just like the one you’re wearing, Tony).”

Bob Hilgendorf wrote from Santa Fe, “Thanks for the Christmas card, Tony. I’m working on my dairy-farm project here. I skied eighteen times on my two new artificial knees and hip (they threw the hip replacement in at no extra charge). Ling and I did a great trip to Switzerland and Mont Blanc in October.” When he read a post titled, “How old is our universe? New study says Big Bang might have happened 27 billion years ago,” Ed Gaffney commented, “Would this eliminate the need for ‘inflation?’ ” To which Douglass Lea answered, “As long as the supply chain remains intact, Ed.”

Bill Galvin, who is on our 60th Reunion Committee, wrote a very thoughtful email: “To follow up our luncheon discussion today regarding the Y64 60th reunion, here's a recap of my thoughts. Yale, along with the other Ivies and many major academic institutions, has been hosting reunions of their alumni for well more than 150 years. Naturally, the interests (and motivation) of alumni in returning to their alma mater to attend a reunion evolve over the decades since graduation. Recent graduates may be more inclined to gather and compare careers and life changes (marriages, children) while older generations may focus more on rekindling the bonds formed long ago. But it's different when you're 80-83 to make the trek, be it 30 miles or cross country, back to New Haven. There are so many mitigating circumstances — health/mobility issues, demands of family commitments, other important priorities for how one's limited time is spent. Going back to New Haven may not be high on anyone's list. All of which makes the Y64 Reunion Invitation a marketing challenge — ‘Why should I come to my 60th reunion at Yale?’ Is it social/nostalgia? — reconnect with Tom, Dick, and Harry (if they are healthy and interested in coming too)? Educational? — Listen to a few lectures by ‘famous’, ‘renowned,’ etc. Yale faculty on ‘important’ topics’ — Entertainment? — a change of pace, the possibility of engaging with a few old friends and others from decades past, in an interesting environment (Yale campus), with some good meals as a focal point. One concept to consider: The common thread is YALE. We were all selected by YALE. We made our careers, at least initially, by leveraging our YALE degrees — we had instant credibility and access because we had a YALE degree. And then life happened, and we each evolved to who we are today — 60 years later. Using that 'history,' consider this thought as the basis for the invite: ‘Come back for your 60th reunion — see the YALE of today — its people, facilities, its vibe — share the experience with classmates, spouses/partners and enjoy the association at one of the world's finest academic institutions. YOU are YALE — yesterday, today, and tomorrow."

After reading the September-October issue of Class Notes, Stephen Greenblatt emailed: “This is an unbelievably rich Class Notes, Tony, though it bears the very painful news of the loss of two of our most beloved classmates. I hope all is well with you in your new married life. Ramie and I spent five weeks in Italy, with a quick jaunt to Morocco, in June and early July. I was once again teaching a Shakespeare course in the Harvard/Ca’Foscari summer school in Venice. We managed to time it so that we left Italy just before the crazy heat wave. Now we are in Vermont for the Marlboro chamber music season.”

When they celebrated a wedding anniversary with a dance. Susan and Steve Floman’s daughter posted, “Happy Anniversary to my role models. Wishing you many more years dancing together!” Morris Dean emailed, “Hi, Tony. Inspired by a 2021 article I read recently in The NY Times (about a villanelle by Elizabeth Bishop), I tried my own hand at writing one, my first villanelle: ‘Feel the Deep Sadness of the Coming Night’ — After Dylan Thomas's villanelle ‘Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night.” In early September, Dick duPont emailed from eastern Pennsylvania: “We're on alert for the escaped convict. They caught him on a trail-cam last night and have adjusted their search area accordingly. It now includes Longwood Gardens which is only five miles north of us. So, I pulled out my Remington 12ga Magnum shotgun, squirted the odd bit of WD-40 in the action and loaded it with 3" 00 Buck. If he ventures into our immediate perimeter, I could respond with guns blazing.”

Frederique Deleage and Patrick Caviness are back in Koh Samui, Thailand, after their whirlwind European vacation. Patrick posted, “Nikki Beach. Our first social outing after returning from France was to go to a Bastille Day celebration at one of Samui’s favorite beach clubs to see the festivities.” Later, Frederique posted, “Happy birthday, darling Patrick. Today is your special day. Know that you are cherished and loved by ME! As we continue on the beautiful journey together, I promise to stand by your side, supporting and loving you always.” In another post, Pat drew from his remarkable digital file of old photos to remember adventurous times with Jack Cirie: “Here we are in Pants Pass over Mount Kaweah in the High Sierra in August 1975. We were both fit. Jack was a Marine captain, and he planned the trip. Our objective was to hike to the headwaters of the Kaweah River in the California High Sierras. The headwater of the Middle Fork that feeds the Kaweah River originates in a glacier lake over 13,000 feet high. Located in the Sequoia National Park, the river has a vertical drop of nearly 2½ miles. It is one of the steepest river drainages in the Joaquin Valley.”

With memories of his own experience in Hurricane Katrina, Tony Lavely reached out to Tom Barnard as Hurricane Idalia approached Savannah in August. Tom replied, “Thanks for thinking of us. I feel sorry for the folks in Florida. Sounds like severe storm surge. We'll decide tomorrow morning about evacuating from our island. Probably stay. I'll let you know how it turns out. So sorry about the passing of Chris Getman. Great obituary for a larger-than-life guy. In early September, Steve Bingham emailed the Bay-area Zoom group: “I just learned that the film my niece Catherine Masud made with Abby Ginzberg about me, A Double Life, will premiere at the Mill Valley Film Festival on October 8 and October 15 at the Rafael Theatre in downtown San Rafael. I bought a block of tickets for the October 8 showing to resell at cost. Please let me know if you want any.” [Note: Tony Lavely is exploring the feasibility of screening this film at our 60th Class reunion.]

Bill Bowe posted from Chicago during the summer: “There was a bit of haze in the air yesterday, as I watched the Thunderbirds practice from a Loop vantage point.” Later, Bill posted: “Mike Royko wrote a 1966 column about my uncle’s death. Usually, Royko looked down at public figures. Gus Bowe was an exception to the rule. The headline was: ‘Augustine Bowe: A judge who spoke his mind.’ ” In a more light-hearted mood, Bill Bowe posted: “The word for the day is ‘Hurkle-Durkle,’ a 200-year-old Scottish term meaning, ‘to lounge in bed long after it’s time to get up.’ ” Bill added: “What could be more Hunky-Dory than a Hurkle-Durkle after a long night of the Hokey-Pokey?”

After reading about the deaths of Terry Holcombe and Chris Getman in Class News, Michelle Mead (surviving spouse of John Armor) emailed: “Oh, how sad! Alas, as time marches on, inevitably we lose our companions in life and in the classroom. Having lost my beloved John, I know how easy it is to spout forth platitudes, hoping that they will bring solace. Still, my French mother had a saying in which I find great comfort. ‘Ne meurt vraiment que celui qu'on oublie.’ (Only those whom we forget are truly dead.) These two marvelous men have left such a great number of friends, and lived such full lives, that their memory will live on. I can't believe that this August 20 will mark 13 years since John left us. I know that he would get a chuckle every time I get together with his daughter, and we tell stories about the crazy, interesting things he got up to! He was truly unique. Thank you for letting me know about Terry and Chris.”

In Publications, Don Rosenthal has a new book, Richard Wagner and the Art of the Avant-Garde, 1860-1910. Syd Lea emailed: “My 16th collection of poems, What Shines, is in the shops and available from me, signed via my website. In January, my seventh collection of personal essays, Such Dancing As We Can, will be published, and my second novel, Now Look, will follow in May 2024.” John Wylie had a lead article in July 2023 issue of The Montreal Review: Grace, Fall, and Redemption: Mental Illness and our Revolutionary Nature.” John explained: “The piece marks a significant milestone in my post-retirement philosophical project. It delves into complex questions about human nature, providing substantial evidence to challenge some deeply ingrained and, I would argue, disconcertingly negative beliefs on the subject. In stark contrast to the optimism we shared during our time at Yale, these perceptions can veer towards cynicism. I wonder if our classmates might benefit from revisiting their perspectives on who we are as a species after reading this piece. It's great to have a platform where we can share our thoughts and work with the class, and I appreciate you providing that for us.”

Chuck Lubar ’63 has many friends in our class, and they have commented on his new book, An Improbable Journey: Music, Money, and the Law. Paul Ruden continues to be a prolific blogger in “Shining Sea.” The same goes for Ron Parlato in his blog, “Uncle Guido’s Facts.” Tom Kleven, who is Professor of Law at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, emailed: “I'm planning to attend our 60th reunion next year. I write to ask about the possibility of reciting poems from a book of poetry I published a few years ago entitled The Meaning of Life. I think members of our class might enjoy hearing them. I certainly don't presume to have a definitive answer to the question of life's meaning, which most of us who are fortunate to still be around have contemplated during our lives and about which we have a wide variety of answers. Rather, the theme of the book is to pose the question of life's meaning: ‘What is the significance of life for a thinking being aware of having but a brief moment of a nearly incomprehensible span of time in this tiny spot of an almost unfathomably immense universe?’ ”

Since the previous issue of Class Notes, we were notified of the deaths of two classmates. Jon Waxman died in Washington, D.C. on August 15, 2023. Jon was a distinguished lawyer who represented marginalized people during his career. Bob Downing died in Philadelphia, PA on August 13, 2022. Bob was a distinguished chemical engineer in his 31-year career. Obituaries for these two men are posted at In Memoriam on our Class website. They will be remembered during a memorial service at our 60th reunion next May. Ian Robertson ’63 posted a wonderful tribute to Chris Getman on his In Memoriam page. Bob Kaiser posted a remarkable letter Chris wrote about how to lead a good life, sent to his grandniece 20 years ago. On receiving the news of Chris Getman’s death, Colleen Murphy-Dunning, liaison between Yale and Urban Resources Initiative (URI), emailed: “Thank you for sharing this terribly sad news. Chris was incredibly kind and supportive to so many, including URI. Today I spoke with his son-in-law, Erik Pearson, who is now the URI Board President. I also called Jody Bush, former URI Board President, who originally introduced me to Chris and invited him onto the URI board. I’ll email the Friends of URI today to share this sad news.” Mory’s will be placing a plaque in the Presidents Room at Mory’s which will read: “The Yale Class of 1964 honors classmate Christopher H. Getman (1941-2023) for his enduring dedication and service to Yale University, Class of 1964, Mory’s, Yale Athletics, Handsome Dan, The Course at Yale, Urban Resources Initiative, his family, and the New Haven Community.”