Class Events

Our 55th reunion was a great success!

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Overview

Our 55th Reunion took place from May 30 through June 2, 2019. We were based in Pierson College and there was a full and exciting program. There were over 200 classmates and surviving partners in attendance. See who came. There also was a pre-reunion golf outing on May 29. See who played.

Tony Lee and Jon McBride were our reunion co-chairs. Sam Callaway managed classmate attendance, and Jan Truebner managed attendance by surviving partners. In recognition of her service, Jan was named an honorary classmate of the Class of 1964 on May 31, 2019.

In addition to lectures, the reunion program featured the chance to participate and interact on subjects that interested us. Our reunion began on Thursday afternoon with a Yale ’64 panel discussion, featuring Len Baker '64, Paul Steiger '64, and Wally Winter '64. On Friday and Saturday mornings there were the usual offering of talks by Yale faculty that were very informative and entertaining.

Friday afternoon featured class-sponsored “Conversations” in small groups on a variety of topics, each with a facilitator. Attendees chose their topics of interest and, instead of sitting and listening, participated fully.

Our Memorial Service took place on Friday afternoon, honoring our deceased classmates. Saturday afternoon was a continuation of the popular Kaleidoscope of Passions from our last reunion, where classmates shared their passions in 6-minute talks.

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Slideshow of Registrants

Here's a slideshow of photos contributed before the reunion by reunion registrants. This slideshow was shown at the opening ceremonies on Thursday, May 30, and will also live in perpetuity on this web page as a memento of the reunion. The background music is from the original vinyl album by our 1964 Whiffenpoofs.

To enlarge the video, click the "Full screen" icon visible at the lower-right corner when the video is playing.

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Photos from the Reunion

Here's a slideshow of photos contributed after the reunion by reunion attendees. The background music is by the Yale Glee Club back in the days when it was all men.

To enlarge the video, click the "Full screen" icon visible at the lower-right corner when the video is playing.

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Kaleidoscope of Passions

At the reunion, the "Kaleidoscope of Passions" featured 15 talks by 14 classmates and one surviving partner. Each talk was 6 minutes long. The talks were given in the order listed below. The talks whose titles are underlined are now online and can be seen by clicking on the title.

• Sam Francis: "Facts Matter"
• Tom Trowbridge: "Storytelling"
• Stephen Greenblatt: "Distant Cousins"
• James Carney: "I am in Love"
• Peter Giblin: "In Vino Veritas"
• Waldo Johnston: "Geezers Go Sailing"
• Chuck Mokriski: "The Unexamined Meal is Not Worth Eating"
• Jim Rogers: "‘64’s Phileas Fogg"
• Al Rossiter: "Writings from Prison"
• Rick Hatton: "Aerial Firefighting"
• Paul Ruden: "Blogging"
• Don Van Doren: "Living Off the Grid"
• Soren West: "Unto the Hills"
• Nancy Upper: "Power of Ampersand"
• Harvey Geiger: "Fasten Your Seat Belts: More Sex in Cars"

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Memorial Service

The service was conducted at Saint Thomas More Chapel, just across the street from our Reunion Headquarters in Pierson College. The full memorial service program may be found here.

The memorial service was organized by Steve Klingelhofer, who phrased a fitting eulogy by researching the obituaries and remembrances of all 58 classmates who died since our previous reunion in 2014. Steve was joined by three other readers: Bob Buchanan, Waldo Johnston, and Pete Putzel. 

We again thank Jan Truebner for her leadership in inviting surviving spouses to the reunion and the service.

Steve Klingelhofer	Jan Truebner	Joe Lieberman

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The organists prelude, the Adagio with Strings, by Samuel Barber (used in the film Platoon), was a period reminder of those classmates whom we lost in Vietnam and for those who served, as well.  The service was also uplifted by the reading and explanation of the Hebrew Kaddish, by Joe Lieberman.  Our 1964 Whiffenpoofs sang "The King of Love My Shepherd Is" as a choral interlude.

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Readings by Bob Buchanan:

• Alvin Philip Adams, Jr. – Three-time U.S. ambassador; peace-maker; human rights advocate; life-learner.

• Gerald Pitman Allen – Architect, writer, teacher; passion for revitalization of Central Park and church restoration.

• Michael Ellsworth Batton – Civic and business leader; world traveler; close relationships with family, friends, and employees.

• Stephen John Becroft – Ph.D. in classics; prep school and college teacher; programmer; potter; singer; missioner to rural Africa.

• Edouard Ernest Benjamin - Courageous international statesman; soccer star; joyful; loving to friends and family.

• Geoffrey Donald Charles Best - International lawyer; creative writer and actor; Skull and Bones; dedicated husband, father, and friend.

• Charles A. Bosworth III – Investigative journalist; finance; actor and singer; Peace Corps; civic activist.

• Ross E. Canterbury – Labor lawyer; public official; adventure traveler; mentor; lecturer.

• Willard “Ward” Cates – Physician; public health researcher; international leader in women’s’ reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, hunger prevention; sportsman.

• Carroll John Cavanagh, Jr. – Attorney; Secretary and General Counsel to National Gallery of Art; civic organizations; wit and friendship.

• Lawrence Y. Chapman, Jr. – Phi Beta Kappa; architect and creator of significant venues; favorite phrase: “Art is long; life is short.”

• Harold Norman Clark – Architect and technical designer; environmental activist; slapstick comedy; Delta Blues guitar; civic activist; warm friend.

• Bertrand M. Cooper, Jr. – Honors English; Peace Corps; Lawyer; Equestrian; Sierra Club; loyal friend.

• Guild Copeland – Athlete; investment manager; traveler; humor.

• Richard L.J. Cussler – “Farmer Doc,” Physician; Idaho mountains; skiing; “walked through many doors without regret.”

• Robert J. Dayton – Devoted Minnesotan; businessman; youth mentor; civic servant; local philanthropist; fiercely loyal to family and friends.

• William N. Duesing – Artist; educator; civic activist; ecologist; environmental broadcaster, lecturer, and writer; organic farmer.

• James Wilson Eighme, Jr. – Diplomat; keen intelligence, broad interests, modesty, generosity, and uncommon decency.

• Foster M. Fargo, Jr. – Innovative computer scientist; accomplished cook; puzzle wizard; unassuming brilliance and empathy.

• Umberto Jose Fontana – International marketing and finance; culinary aficionado; enthusiastic; curious about history; treasured friends and family.

Readings by Waldo Johnston:

• Timothy Richard Garton – “The Fox;” All-American and World Master Swimmer; engineer, contributed to lunar module; self-discipline and determination.

• Franklin David Grabill – Public interest lawyer; community change agent; advocate for the homeless, Indian rights and rural legal assistance.

• Daniel Howard Gross – Journalist; Alaska realtor; outdoorsman; lover of singing, cooking, digging artifacts.

• William Lee Hanley, Jr. – Business visionary; philanthropist; individual liberty, classic values. Chair of Corporation of Public Broadcasting and other Boards.

• Eric R. Hansen, Jr. – Architect; devoted to a positive “built environment,” rehab of old buildings; active in New Haven community.

• Lowell B. Hawkinson - Pioneer in information technology and academic adviser at M.I.T. Devoted to educating children.

• Hoke F. Henderson, Jr. – Pathologist, Professor; enjoyed higher math and reading in three languages. Former Boy Scout and paperboy.

• James Kirkman Jackson – Proud Marine, husband, and father of four; investment adviser; historian; genealogist, artist.

• Lloyd Marshall Kahn – Physician; educator and education advocate; union activist; founder of school for nursing.

• Stephen David Kahn – Intellectual property lawyer; marathon runner; advocate for environment; Save the Children.

• Frank Michael Laurence – Primary school teacher, college professor; musician; critic; author; playwright and screen-writer.

• Joel Alan Levitch – Radio and media leader; WYBC Chair and broadcaster; life-long news reporter; freedom of speech advocate.

• Clarkson Lindley – Naval Officer; lawyer; horse aficionado; athletic coach; environment advocate; the prairie; fox hunting.

• Angus Christian Macbeth – Environmental and human rights lawyer; (Japanese Internment reparations legislation); landmark EPA laws and regulation; gentleman and scholar.

• David Duncan MacBryde – Philosopher; author; activist; advocate; promoter of “participatory democracy” in US and Germany; proud feminist.

• Paul Thomas McDonald – Ph.D.; research scientist; woodworker.

• Miguel A. Marin (Bosch) – Mexican and U.N. diplomat; disarmament expert and advocate; wise, generous, and kind.

• Martin Steven Munn – Lawyer; Brooklyn Assistant D.A., later criminal lawyer, and Council to NY Assembly; active in politics.

• Oluwole Adetunji Odundun – Physics scholar, Nigerian university professor; embodied enthusiasm, love, compassion, and kindness.

• Francis Ferdinand Paul – Neurosurgeon, Vietnam War veteran, licensed pilot, pioneer in application of high-tech to medicine.

Readings by Pete Putzel:

• David Lewis Plimpton – Writer; wood craftsman; therapist; world traveler; scholar; athlete; mariner and fly fisherman; unassuming and modest.

• W. Robert Reum – Michigan LL.B.; Harvard MBA; basketball star; business leader and turnaround CEO; empathy, character, judgment; philanthropist.

• William David Roth – Ph.D.; professor; author; inventive; funny; sincere; courageous; vulnerable; inspiring, respected, and beloved.

• Henry B. Satterthwaite – Eclectic, involved, eager to help others; technology innovator in US and overseas; antique cars; public service in church, schools.

• Joseph Duff Shuman – Lifelong Pittsburg resident; Harvard Law; corporate attorney.

• David Carlson Smith – Attorney; poet; musician; lithograph publisher; author; translator; sportsman; humanitarian.

• Ralph Lynwood Straw, Jr. – Magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, All-American swimmer, Skull and Bones; lawyer and banker; marathon enthusiast.

• Robert Buckley Tanner – Phi Beta Kappa; lawyer/businessman; historian; community leader.

• Peter Louis Truebner – Lawyer, Assistant DA in Southern District of NY; private practice as litigator; sportsman (Yale football, tennis, golf); community leader; wit; intelligence; raconteur.

• William Albert Turnage – Outspoken environmental activist and leader; invigorated Wilderness Society; represented Ansell Adams and Trustee of Ansel Adams Trust iconoclast.

• Dennis Upper, Ph.D. – Clinical psychologist; treatment of PTSD, substance abuse, and range of therapeutic services; author; poet; musician.

• Edward P. Vollertsen III – Vietnam War veteran; banking and financial services; leading credit analyst; mentor; avid fisherman;

• Brice Toland Voran – Lawyer; community leader; mentor to young lawyers; photographer; philosopher.

• Charles B. Westover, Jr. – Free spirit; entrepreneur; high school teacher and mentor; lover of learning; songwriter; poet; activist.

• Per Henrik Wickstrom – Compassionate heart and lung surgeon; outdoorsman; athlete; painter; caregiver to homeless families, and mentor to children.

• Alling Woodruff, Jr. – Phi Beta Kappa; Dramat; writer; advertising; entrepreneur; animal adoption; building and wildflowers.

• William H.J. Yerkes – Scholar, writer; literary; kind, elegant; newspaper reporter; media relations.

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Reunion Schedule

Below is the day-by-day and hour-by-hour summary of the reunion schedule.

Wednesday, May 29

Thursday, May 30

Friday, May 31

Saturday, June 1

Sunday, June 2

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Conversation Groups

Facilitated conversation groups met on Friday, May 31 from 1:45pm to 3:00pm, and again from 3:15pm to 4:30pm. These sessions were designed to give classmates and guests an opportunity to talk with each other in small groups about a wide variety of topics. The role of the facilitator was to guide the conversation and to ensure that an open, fair-minded, and full discussion takes place — not a lecture, but a chance to share stories, concerns, and opinions.

Session A: 1:45pm - 3:00pm

Session	Personal issues	Facilitators
1A	Retirement travel	Tracy and Ward Wickwire
2A	What mindful, meditative practices help keep you sane (or not)!	Carol Wishcamper
3A	Faith communities in the age of the "no religious preference"	Steve Klingelhofer
4A	Coping with debilitating illness	Toddie Getman & Robert Whitby
5A	Having "The Talk" about end-of-life choices	Sally Edwards & Larry Capodilupo
6A	Residential options: Retirement communities vs. staying put	Steve Floman
7A	Healthy lifestyles over 77	Waldo Johnston
8A	Aging with wisdom	Al Rossiter

Session	Civic issues	Facilitators
9A	Robots and artificial intelligence	John Evans
10A	How can pre-college education be transformed?	Paul Ruden
11A	How can Red and Blue America learn to talk with each other?	Tony Lavely
12A	China in the 21st century	Mac Deford

Session B: 3:15pm - 4:30pm

Session	Personal issues	Facilitators
1B	Living with grief: Losing a spouse or child	Joe Wishcamper
2B	Family dynamics of addiction	Bob Bulkeley
3B	What is creativity and how do you use it in your life?	Mimi McBride and Mike Mazer
4B	What gets you out of bed in the morning	John Hanold
5B	The challenge of memory loss	Bill Drennen
6B	Better with age: Is this the best time of life?	Don Edwards
7B	Have you heard about green burials?	Margie Lee

Session	Civic issues	Facilitators
8B	The future of intercollegiate athletics	Jim Duderstadt
9B	Stopping climate change is hopeless. Let's do it.	Sue Damour
10B	Wealth inequities	Bruce Driver
11B	The erosion of ethics in the 21st century	Chuck Mokriski
12B	Feasible and desirable electoral reforms	Tom Rowe
13B	Free speech on college campuses	Terry Holcombe

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Don't Let the Old Man In

Here's some good advice from Clint Eastwood.

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Email Communications

If you didn't receive the emails below, please contact our webmaster Sam Francis and let him know your current email address so you'll receive our future communications.

• Initial reunion details (10/17/18)
• Follow-up details (11/1/18)
• Kaleidoscope of Passions (11/15/18)
• Conversation groups (12/1/18)
• Thursday afternoon panel (12/15/18)
• Golf (1/1/19)
• Memorial service and surviving partners (1/15/19)
• Update on reunion program (2/1/19)
• Registration is open (3/7/19)
• Reunion attendance (3/14/19)
• Miscellaneous topics (4/1/19)
• Taxes suck; Reunions do not (4/15/19)
• Slideshow and old men (5/1/19)
• Our reunion is upon us (5/15/19)
• Reunion logistics (5/22/19)
• Reunion wrap-up (6/15/19)

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Golfers