Class News

Nick Danforth ’64 suggests that future memorials be via Zoom

September 28, 2021

Some time ago, Nick Danforth ’64 emailed Sam Francis ’64:

I’ve never thanked you at all, much less adequately, for your great work as class techy on the ’64 webpage — plus your reunion talks. You’re a real glue that helps keep us in touch, virtually and vitally. BRAVO!

I hope we'll all be able to have Zoom memorial services “together” in future. There are now, or will soon be, several classmate memorial services each month, even post-pandemic (if it ever comes). Most of us should not try to attend each other’s memorials in person as we approach our 80s.

If there is anyone who could write up some guidelines for classmates on how to host or participate in Zoom memorials, encouraging us all to learn at least the basics of how to host the zoom, and how to show a slideshow, or how to transfer the slideshow from In Memoriam for each classmate’s Zoom, it would be appreciated.

At least it should be encouraged for the future as winter and surges approach.

Of course, we could all read the directions for Zoom hosting, but I suspect you would be doing (another) big favor to the class if you were to encourage or explain the process to us with a few pointers.

I’m learning the ropes by helping organize stills and videos for a January Memorial Zoom for my dear friend and Russian Chorus singing pal, Drew Days, Yale Law grad, Solicitor General under Bill Clinton, and nearly a Supreme Court nominee, who died weeks ago.

Few of us could or should gather in person, but I can tell you that with a combination of multinational stills, videos, and sound recordings going back 40+ years, it will be an extremely moving tribute to this wonderful Yale friend. More of us will be able to attend virtually than personally, and as I lose my hearing and my eyesight I increasingly prefer Zoom anyway!

I hope as we all disappear in the next decade or two, we will share many such compelling moments together but apart.

P.S. from Tony Lavely: My wife Wanda did not want her “Celebration of Life” on October 17 to be recorded. However, I have left a request with my children that I do want mine recorded and streamed when the time comes.