Class News

Dick Ainsworth '64 writes a poignant update of his life

December 20, 2019

After sitting in a silent mode on the '64 sidelines for 65 years, I decided it was long past time to emerge from my self-imposed seclusion and update my old friends of yore on my current status and views of the world.

Having been exposed as a US Navy officer to Agent Orange (and many other dangers) during the Vietnam War, thirty-five years later I contracted kidney cancer of my left kidney in 2000, had it removed, and in 2016 suffered through the failure of my right kidney, and had to enter a rigorous renal dialysis treatment program: three days a week, five hours per session, forever. The good news is that I'm still cancer-free.

Bottom line is that the ordeal has afforded me much more time to devote to: Joan, my super-supportive wife of 55 years , many hours of silent reflection time while strapped into my dialysis chair, reading, crossword puzzles, and following the latest Fox News reports.

After a long and successful career in the investment and private-equity worlds, I've spent my recent time collecting fine art, serving as Board Chair of The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park here in Cleveland (where we recruited Clark Harvey '64 as a highly effective Development Director).  I was a major "Pioneer" fundraiser for the 2004 Bush-Cheney election campaign. Cheney is a long-time friend of mine dating back to our days together at Berkeley College. This, despite my ongoing admiration of our classmate Joe Lieberman and his capabilities.  I have also been involved with and financially supported a variety of other charitable causes in the Cleveland area.  I have been a loyal and consistent YAF supporter.

All of the above activities have occurred while I've tried to sell our 12-year-old Lake-Erie-fronted residence in Bratenahl, OH (next to our good friend Patience Humphrey, George's widow), in favor of an attractive condo in Pacific Gate, a spectacular new high-rise glass tower overlooking San Diego Harbor, where I started my US Naval career in 1966. 

Finally, my fervent hope for our country's political future is that both parties can summon the will (and courage) to bury their partisan hatchets long enough to work together to solve some of the major socio-economic-political problems confronting us and our future generations. Otherwise, God help us all!

Ainsworth family wedding in 2011