Class Notes: May/June 2026

Class Notes: May/June 2026

We just returned from our annual trip to Mexico and were greeted with warm weather, followed by cold air and “mixed precipitation.” Despite the flurries, there are many signs of approaching spring, from flowers emerging to the goose population slowly declining. One “highlight” of our annual trip to Mexico was a day of protest around Puerto Vallarta as members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel demonstrated following the death of their leader “El Mencho.” While portrayed in the US media as extremely violent, the actions in Puerto Vallarta were highly targeted against the government and businesses in which the government owned a substantial interest. Drivers of cars that were burned were carefully escorted away before their cars were ignited. Happily, it was over in a day, but the tourist population dropped substantially for the following week.

I was very disappointed to miss Stan Trotman’s memorial service due to bad weather, but Fred and Susan Kneip were there and Fred provided this summary: “On January 24, 2026, ten classmates and many of their spouses attended a gathering in Jupiter Island, Florida, celebrating the life of Stan Trotman who passed away on December 10. In attendance were Bruce and Nancy Alexander, Susanne (LaPrade) Broaddus, Peter and Anne Conze, Phil Crane, Carl and Christine Farrington, Mike Hansen, Jonathan Ingham, Barry Preston, Heaton Robertson, and Davidand Linda Roscoe. Bruce Alexander also served as an usher. Susan (‘Doozle’) Trotman put together a full day of activities before the service, including a one-handed golf driving contest to help everyone better appreciate the incredible dedication, skill, and fortitude shown by Stan throughout the later years of his life. David Roscoe noted to me that one of the facets of the service that he found most meaningful was a very professional presentation by three members of an opera company in the Miami area singing songs that were particularly meaningful to Stan. It was indeed a unique and beautiful way to remember someone.”

I followed Karl and Leslie Schonborn on Facebook as Karl posted numerous photos from Egypt and Jordan. Karl provided this brief report: “In the nick of time, Leslie and I concluded a visit to Egypt and Jordan, having given up for the third year in a row including Israel in our itinerary. In an age of travel hype, both countries exceeded expectations. Wowed at the start with the just-opened $1.2B GEM in Cairo, the Nile River tombs and temples that held the museum’s gold art treasures and artifacts won our hearts. We were able to enter royal tombs and walk about Jordan’s ageless, irreplaceable wonders. But we worry that both countries won’t be able to sustain ‘environmental tourism’: too many visitors touch hieroglyphics in Egypt and wear down Petra’s steps and disrespect Jerash’s Roman chariot paths in Jordan.” Incidentally, Karl’s Cleft Heart e-book, which includes stories from his 1966 round-the-world hitchhike adventure, goes on sale for 99 cents in April.

Alan Horton sent news of his recent marriage, a story of reconnecting that brings back many memories: “On November 14, 2025, I married Susan Waller Cope in Naples, Florida, where we now live. Our last big date before we reconnected in June 2023 after our spouses died in 2022, was at Yale on November 22, 1963. That was the day President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas on his way to Love Field to fly to New Haven on Air Force One for The Game. Susan was a Mount Holyoke sophomore at the time.” Congratulations, Alan.

Brief notes: In response to the news of Jesse Jackson’s death, David Roscoe posted the following: “In 1984 on a first-class flight to London, Jacque Jackson asked if I would change seats and sit next to her so Jesse could sit next to his political advisor. We talked for several hours, and then she asked if I would like to talk to Jesse. Of course, yes. They changed seats and Jesse and I spoke for three hours before landing at Heathrow. I can’t recall all we spoke about, but he was upbeat, optimistic, and eager to run. We cleared customs together, and he was soon accosted by the media. We shook hands, and I never saw him again. Jacque and Jesse . . . both class acts.” Bob and Mary Rounsavall took another trip to Antarctica. Mary sent a picture of Bob sitting in a single kayak while a whale bubbled around him—perhaps one he’d met before on a prior trip. Finally, Ralph Protsik, freed from producing reunion books, provided a list of potential Olympic events including: “Downhill Curling, Avalanche Snowboarding, and No-Sticks Ice Hockey.”

The YAA provided obituaries for three classmates who died several years ago. Robert (Bucky) Sides died on March 1, 2024, in Marblehead, Massachusetts; Robert (Bob) Peay died on October 10, 2019, in Goshen, New York; and Clifford (George) Gramer died on December 4, 2024. Their obituaries are posted on our website, yale1965.org. Please visit and post remembrances.

I don’t recall the exact date of our “official” matriculation at Yale, but we’re coming up on the 65th anniversary of that fateful date this September. Take a moment and remember how you felt that first day of Yale 65 years ago. Stay tuned for more Zoom programs, and please keep your news coming—it makes my job so much easier.