Class Notes: September/October 2024
By John M. PinneyFor those of you who follow my osprey updates, I’m sorry to report that it appears this will be another chick-less season. Given the oppressive heat we’re experiencing, they’re probably thinking of leaving for South America early. I hope this isn’t a harbinger of decline in the osprey population or of climate change affecting reproduction.
For those who couldn’t care less about osprey, there is a lot of news about our class and classmates. The Asheville minireunion will get underway shortly. Thanks to Ralph Protsik’s herculean efforts, and the excellent support of our YAA team of Janene Castaldi and Cristina Hall, attendees should have a wonderful visit to the gem of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, beginning on September 16. Ralph has also been busy laying the groundwork for our 60th reunion class book, with coeditors John Schenck and Bob Woodward. On the 60th reunion front, Roscoe, Leich, and Farrington succeeded in gathering many useful lessons from ’64’s 60th and escaped without incident.
Contrary to my prior report on our class dinner, David Roscoe had to withdraw his offer to update us on AI, due to a schedule conflict. However, I’m very happy to report that Bob Woodward has agreed to be our speaker—about as timely a substitute as one could ever wish, given the election will take place less than two weeks after our dinner. Mark your calendars for October 25 at the Yale Club of New York City for this timely event.
The class Zoom program continues to deliver outstanding programs. June’s program was a presentation by Megan L. Ranney, dean of Yale School of Public Health: “Addressing America’s Gun Violence Crisis as a Public Health Epidemic,” moderated by Bill Lindsley and Walt Senterfitt. Our July speaker [was] our own Judge Barrington (Danny) Parker, senior judge, US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. His presentation [was] “My Thirty Years on the Federal Bench: Reflections and Insights,” moderated by Ted Garrett and Burt Haimes. Dennis Mack kindly supplied information on the August program: “Our August program will be Steve Guss, who has a book coming out soon: The Quest to Know the Heart—the disrupters who gave us modern cardiology and cardiac surgery.” September’s program will be held a week later than usual to accommodate the Asheville minireunion.
Brief notes: For those who attended the Santa Fe minireunion, Southwest Seminars forwarded a very nice note of thanks from Curtis Chavez, CEO of Keres Children’s Learning Center for our visit and gift. Karl Schonborn posted a picture of his remodeled birdhouse, which carries a Yale sign on the gable end. Alan Jacobson sent an update: “I have just turned 80 and am celebrating with my wife Madeleine our 55th wedding anniversary in June. We are fortunate to live near our daughter and her family, so see them frequently. I have not retired; still work part time studying the central nervous system effects of diabetes. I also spend time painting and showing my artwork. I just had a wonderful Zoom call with my roommates, Gerry Doyle, Dave Strong, and Ralph Protsik. These interactions bring back wonderful memories from our time at Yale.” Tom Esslinger posted a photo of the Vietnam memorial showing Woody Knapp’s name: “It is hard to believe that only one member of our class was killed in Vietnam. On Memorial Day, we visited our departed friends whose names are on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. RIP Woody.” David Hawkins posted a video of the Whiff alumni at this year’s reunions demonstrating that his yodeling is strong as ever. Finally, Seth Hoyt shared photos of the Yale graduation of our “adopted” classmate Jimmy Hatch.
Chris Kinney kindly supplied a brief note on the Celebration of Life for Bill Parsons on May 21: “Attending from our class in person and by Zoom were Stan Trotman, Fred Kneip, Charlie Stone, Gil Ott, Bob Rounsavall,Susanne Miller, and Ted Cox, who wrote: “I found the evocation of all that Bill was, and how much he meant to so many people, very moving.”
We have lost several classmates since the last notes. Fred Roberts shared the sad news that Henry Hacker, his former roommate and friend for 63 years, died on June 2. Fred’s remembrance is posted on the class website yale1965.org together with links to Henry’s gift of British Railway Posters to the Yale Center for British Art. Mike Jacobson reported the passing of his former roommate, Jim Mullins, on June 14. David Maulsby died at home in Baltimore on April 7. Gordon Bear sent the following: “It is my sad duty to report the death of our classmate Henry Steady, whom I knew since the fall of 1961, when we roomed together in Wright Hall. He died last September in his native Sierra Leone.” Please visit yale1965.org and post remembrances of these and other classmates we’ve lost.