Class Columns are written twice a year by alumni who have volunteered to be correspondents for their class. If your class year has a correspondent and you’d like to share news with them, just look for their contact information at the end of their column.
1942
Class Column: Hi, everyone, I’m still looking for word from any of my classmates who may still be able to respond, but sadly, again, no one has. Perhaps, as I have said in the past, I may be the “last man standing.” When I entered Rutgers, I was 16 and on average two years younger than most of my classmates. Since I’m 98, other classmates who survive would have to be 100. Fortunately, from time to time I do hear from other alumni, for which I’m very grateful. For those who are interested, I’m still working as a lawyer on arbitration matters, although I have decided to give up driving my car. I’m in reasonably good health and hope to hear from anyone interested enough to write. My best regards to the families of my classmates and hope you all stay well and safe.
Berne Rolston RC’42: 2245 South Beverly Glen Boulevard, Apt. 303, Los Angeles, CA 90064; 424-208-3820; br@rolston.net.
1943
Class Column: Of the 15 ’43ers listed in the last communication from Rutgers, only five are alive today. Stan Ross AG’43 is now his wife’s caregiver but doing well himself. He’s been in an exercise program run by his local hospital, and his driver’s license (like mine) is good to his 101st birthday. A World War II veteran, he worked as a chemist.
Sid Sewitch RC’43’s son called to say Sid died June 20, 2020. His son fondly remembers when Sid, a stalwart Rutgers man to the end, found another alumnus at a restaurant and the two of them began loudly singing Rutgers songs.
John Archibald ED’43 passed away March 29, 2020.
Ed Simon AG’43 died June 20, 2020.
Rich Snethen AG’43 is in a retirement home, and on Memorial Day, he delivered a talk on World War II to the residents, along with an original poem.
As for me, I still walk a mile a day, drive the L.A. freeways at freeway speeds, and am in excellent health. I remarried five years ago and we were very happy until age caught up with Shirley, and I am now her caregiver. Several years ago, we spent two weeks on a riverboat tour of South Africa and were able to take several cruises together.
William Suter AG’43: billsuter1319@icloud.com
1944
Class Column: With sadness of heart, we extend our sympathies to the family of Frederick J. Kroesen RC’44, CC’80, who died April 30, 2020. Gen. Kroesen retired in 1983 after more than 40 years of active duty service. During his career, he earned many decorations from the United States, France, Germany, and Korea. He was a member of the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, and was recognized as the first OCS graduate to become a four-star general. His career is featured in the Class of 1944’s military history book.
Doug McCabe RC’44: 459 Passaic Avenue, Apt. 155, West Caldwell, NJ 07006; 973-226-3955.
1945
Class Column: I’m Mort Burke, your class correspondent. Remember me? This time I’ve got nothing to report. But I think that Spence Ross ENG’45, Burt Krevsky RC’45, Pete Jennings RC’45, Sam Goldfarb ENG’45, and Rudy Zamula RC’49 are still around.
You guys drop us note telling all the latest gossip. My email is below. Stay well!
Morton Burke ENG’45, GSNB’48: 9 Greenbrier Road, Oakhurst, NJ 07755; 732-222-8320; mortburke109@gmail.com
1948
Class Column: I’m writing this in mid-September 2020 while the university is starting the fall semester with most students off campus and, for now, no Rutgers football to watch on BTN. Quite a difference from last year.
Bill Shepherd RC’48 called to catch up on ’48ers, but we didn’t connect. He left a message that all was fine with him and we’ll try again.
Bob Ewald RC’48 reports that he celebrated his 96th birthday in quarantine in May and survived with no diagnosis of any life-threatening problems. That’s great news.
Bill Kimball ED’48’s son informed me of his passing at 97 on June 24, and we sent the family our sincere condolences.
I received a long email from Doug Gross AG’48, GSNB’52, who is 96. He was a member of Zeta Psi and an ag major. Like most of our class, Doug was originally in the Class of 1945 and served in the artillery in Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. He received his master’s degree at Rutgers and his doctorate at Iowa State. He spent seven years in Peru as a program leader for the forage and livestock program and retired in 1990. He lives in Raleigh, NC, and has four grandkids and two great-grandsons. Thanks for the update.
I spoke to Bob Archibald RC’48, who is still in North Palm Beach, FL. He has some physical problems but is doing quite well. He may come north to New Jersey later this fall, but most likely will return to Florida again for the winter.
As usual, let’s hear from you about what you are doing, your family, and any news. Stay safe and well!!
Bart Klion RC’48: 43 Abby Lane, Ballston Lake, NY 12019; 518-930-0509; bbklion@aol.com
1953
Class Column: After pre-medical studies at Rutgers, Ronald Massarik RC’53 enrolled in New York University Medical School, completing his medical degree in 1957. He then served as a physician with the U.S. Army for 10 years. After military service, Ron practiced internal medicine in McHenry, IL, until 1977, when he was named chief of clinical medicine at Amoco Corp. in Chicago. Ron retired from Amoco in 1995 and lives with wife, Marline, in Deerfield, IL. They have two children, David and Sara, and five granddaughters.
James S. Maxwell AG’53 succinctly summarized his post-Rutgers years as follows: “The Army drafted me during the Korean War and sent me to White Sands Missile Range [in New Mexico]. I learned about missiles, radars, drones, and other military weapons, becoming a tester of these systems and retiring when I was 57. For 30 years, I did volunteer work as a master gardener and tax preparer.” Jim and his wife travel extensively and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
About three years ago, Owen D. Cassidy RC’53 lost his wife, Mary, after a 64-year marriage. Also at about that time, he moved to Cedar Crest, a senior community in Pompton Plains, NJ. Owen enjoys good health and, already, is looking forward to our 70th anniversary class reunion in 2023. His address is 403 Madison Garden, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444.
Last November, your class correspondent attended a concert on the Princeton campus; it marked the 150th anniversary of the first collegiate football game in America (Rutgers versus Princeton). Glee clubs from Princeton, Rutgers, and Yale gave sparkling performances. “On the Banks of the Old Raritan” was the concluding piece—with Rutgers alumni singing along. What an unforgettable evening!
Please send news for future columns. Phone calls are welcome, too.
Bill Sansalone AG’53, GSNB’61: 6835 Old Stage Road, Rockville, MD 20852; 301-881-0063; ws31@verizon.net
1954
Class Column: This coronavirus pandemic sure has changed our lives. Hope you are being careful and observing all the rules. I should be getting ready to go to the warm weather in Florida but postponing the decision until it is safe, as many of you have.
Billy Cohen RC’54 writes that he and his wife, Lila DC’55, have been living in Israel for 48 years, and are proud great-grandparents. We last saw Billy and Lila at our 50th reunion.
Dick Plechner RC’54, NLAW’59 said that the Rutgers ROTC is looking for candidates for its Hall of Fame. If you think of any qualified people, let Dick or me know.
Tom Nathaniel ED’54 is in touch with Joe Triggs RC’54, who still lives in Hawaii, and Fred Gruninger ED’53,GSE’61, Rutgers’ former athletic director.
Our condolences to the families of Roger A. Pile RC’54, who died May 22, 2020, and Leonard Rosen RC’54, who died July 19, 2020.
Please let me and your classmates know what is going on with you.
Herb Hersh RC’54: 12 Whitehall Road, Monroe Township, NJ 08831; 732-599-2196; herbhat@gmail.com
1955
Class Column: Your correspondent is pleased to report that he and his wife, Lois, celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in August. After canceling various activities and pleasures appropriate for the occasion due to the pandemic, we did exactly what many others our age have done: sat together and forgot why we were there. It was memorable, I’m told.
Mort Reinhart RC’55, GSE’62 sent a lengthy email correcting previous information that he had moved to South Carolina. In fact, he has never left New Jersey and has lived in Somerville since 1962. After graduation and two years as an Army ordnance officer, he carved out a very successful career in public service positions with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Department, as an English teacher and guidance counselor, president and strike leader for his teachers association, and associate director/field rep for pensions and benefits with the New Jersey teachers association. He then started his own retirement consulting firm, which continues to operate today. He and his wife have three sons, one a doctor and two in legal professions. He is an avid golfer, spent 35 years as a referee of high school sports, and has served as our class agent and member of reunion committees several times.
Tom Bond RC’55, GSNB’57 called me to report the loss of his wife more than a year ago and his move into an assisted living facility in Peabody, MA. Tom was one of our star golfers at Rutgers along with classmates Jim Byrne RC’55 and Joe (Bud) Lucas RC’55. He was a member of Alpha Chi Rho and received a commission at graduation in the U.S. Air Force, where he spent a few years in Yuma, AZ. In his civilian life he worked in finance and investments at the New York Stock Exchange, dealing with institutional and retail sales investors. He survived a bout with cancer in 1992 and retired in 1998.
August Fischer RC’55 lives in Naples, FL, where he and his wife enjoy swimming and beach walking at Marco Island all year, in spite of persistent rainy days, all in search of a nude beach. Dream on, August.
Andy Batcho RC’55 also lives in Florida and reports that his household is pretty much locked down due to the relaxed attitude of the governor of Florida, who doesn’t believe masks and distancing are important. Hang in there, Andy.
Bob Bruschi ENG’55, U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, retired, sent a message from his home in Georgia, emphasizing his support for veterans and first responders who give their all in respect and honor to our country in the face of many challenges. Thanks for your dedication, Bob.
Malcolm Busch RC’55 is still living within a couple of miles of the New Brunswick campuses. Mal reports all is well with his family. He is still working but found time to think about his classmates and decided to check in with Dick Grossman RC’55. Dick pre-empted him by calling Mal first and they enjoyed their unplanned conversation. Mal has discovered what the terms “assisted living” and “independent living” really mean. If you live in an independent living home and your weekly housekeeper no longer visits, you are required to assist with the chores and you become a participant in assisted living. Only a lawyer would figure that out.
Jim Bernard RC’55 is still practicing psychiatry in New York City. He describes his situation as “no news is good news.”
Speaking of “no news,” By O’Hearn ED’55 writes, “I’m reporting that there is nothing to report.” But he did dig into his vast wardrobe to share one of his T-shirts with us. It says, “The best thing about the good old days was that I wasn’t good and I wasn’t old.” He’s stayin’ alive in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Frank Minor RC’55 was a transfer classmate from Pace College in New York City. He graduated with a degree in business. He earned his doctorate in psychology at Ohio State and joined IBM, where he became corporate senior psychologist, with assignments in the United States and Europe. He was a faculty member at Columbia University Teachers College and St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. He is the founder and CEO of Career Dimensions, Inc. and FOCUS Career Planning Systems. He is a classmate not many of us knew in school, but one we can all admire for his contributions to his industry and education. He lives in New Hampshire.
Charlie Benson ENG’55 moved with his wife into a long-term care facility in San Clemente, CA, where he can watch the Pacific waves roll in. We hope he can continue to provide an occasional chuckle with jokes suitable for us mature readers.
Ken Andersen RC’55 writes from Durham, NH, welcoming the return of opportunities for his bike riding pleasures. “Bike riding up and down hills is a good metaphor for our daily life as it goes on one day at a time,” he says.
Charles Castro RC’55 has had a good life in San Antonio, TX, since 1963, manufacturing girls’ dresses. He retired this year, but also had time to be the chair of three banks and run a Texas longhorn business in Oklahoma.
Dan White RC’55 lives in Nyack, NY, and was disappointed to learn that his favorite local team, the Nyack Indians, will get a name change. He stays in touch with Ron Mastrolia RC’55 in Florida and Bob Levine AG’55, who is retired and lives in California.
Paul Dubow RC’55, NLAW’58 wrote, “None of this is worthy for the alumni newsletter,” so here it is. He has not had a haircut since March. His kids tell him he looks like Albert Einstein. He and his wife walk a lot along the San Francisco Bay waterfront and he catches a lot of salmon in the ocean during the season. So what’s not to like about that. At least he’s active and happy!
Paul Bedell ED’55 lives in Florida, where he enjoys his daily 20-mile bike rides and at-home floor exercises to stay in shape. He serves as a deacon in his church and spends many hours with his family members. He and his wife both spent careers in public education, leaving him worried about the fate of our education system with all the problems caused by the pandemic.
Erik Nicolaysen RC’55 complains that he is unsure about his condition at this time since he has been having serious disagreements in his discussions with Alexa. He is seeking help, preferably from a human. Hang in there, Erik, help may be coming. Just remember to include your needs in your Christmas list to Santa.
Gordon Macdonald AG’55, GSNB’58,’61 says he and his wife have left Hershey, PA, and moved permanently to Naples, FL, planning to make only occasional family visits back to Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He spent his 40-plus-year career in medical-related positions at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Harvard University, and Penn State. He has been our class vice president, where he led the campaigns to raise money for our scholarship programs and was heavily involved in planning and executing our class reunions.
Robert McBride RC’55: 6409 Buckskin Lane, Roseville, CA 95747; 916-773-3603; mojomom@surewest.net
1957
Class Column: Tom Carpenter RC’57 sent an email out to members on his mailing list to inquire how they were doing in our strange times. The following replied “OK”: Dewey Storms RC’57, Norm McQuillin RC’57, Walt Cummins RC’57, Jack Ellis ENG’57, John Hurley RC’57, and Ken Deveney RC’57, GSE’69.
While talking to Ernie Docs RC’57, he asked me for the address of Doc Volz RC’57. I didn’t have it here in North Carolina with me but Googled his name. Unfortunately, he passed away on May 23, 2020, in Frederick, MD.
With deep sorrow I have to report the passing of Dick Schaefer AG’57, GSNB’59 on November 18, 2019. After graduation, Dick earned his master’s degree in fisheries science. In 1972, after working for the State of New York, he began a 30-year career with the National Marine Fisheries Service. After retiring in 2002, he was president of the American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists. He was a great Yankees fan and enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. In 1999, he married his second wife, Ann, whom I spoke to at great length. They lived in Bethesda, MD, and spent most weekends at their second home on the Nanticoke River, where Dick could hunt and fish and Ann could paint. Ann is an accomplished artist with a fine arts degree and a physician assistant master’s degree. They continued to travel even though Dick was confined to a wheelchair with Parkinson’s disease. You may remember that Dick and Ann hosted the tailgate parties when we played Navy in Annapolis. Ann has a website, annschaeferart.com. Her work is so good I bought four pieces for my grandchildren. Check the site out.
We continue to think about our reunion in 2022. Any ideas, get in touch with Tom at tcarpenter@verizon.net. Don’t forget the Class of 1957 Unrestricted Fund when making contributions.
Harold Kaplan RC’57: P.O. Box 941313, Maitland, FL 32794-1313; 407-628-8444; hjk@ufg-lease.com
1958
Class Column: Alan Goldberg ED’58 is enjoying Miami.
Pete Fournier RC’58 still plays tennis, doubles twice a week and singles once a week.
Dick Ossi RC’58 and Carol have moved to Amelia Island, FL.
Bill Whitacre RC’58 was in Nice, France, when the coronavirus arrived in February. The only effect was to cancel the end of “carnival,” their Mardi Gras. “We came home with no flight restrictions March 10 and are now holed up in our condo,” he says. “We can see the Boston airport across the bay, but now only a few small planes a day are landing. Sad.”
Gene Simms RC’58 will not teach this fall because of the virus and Bonnie’s health situation. He’s working at home on the computer and spending a lot of time cleaning out the garage, planting new flowers, fishing, and doing research on iron oxide.
Jose Carballal RC’58’s grandson, Jose IV, was admitted to the business school at Ohio State. He will major in sports management.
Guys! Do not let the virus get to you! See what it did to our column—very little news. Get out and do something! Go fishing! Enjoy nature! Play tennis!
Request: Please forward your most memorable experience/time/class/girlfriend. I’ll post the results. Thanks and stay well!
Robert Max RC’58, GSE’78: 12 Danbury Road, Woolwich, NJ 08085; 856-467-8148; bbmax96@comcast.net
1959
Class Column: Dick Emmons ENG’59 writes that the coronavirus finally forced him to retire from the jet engine business at age 88: “I’m busy enough, playing the stock market, gardening, searching my ancestry, and writing my autobiography.” The latter is a fascinating tale filled with colorful people and not a few wild exploits: early work on the Jersey Central “track gang,” hot cars and service in electronics maintenance at Atlantic City Naval Air Base before matriculating at Rutgers, followed by a long mechanical engineering career in the aviation industry, with assignments in Germany and business trips to Russia. If you’d like to read it (online), contact Dick at f_richard_emmons@outlook.com.
Things you discover after 60-plus years: Rudy Landesman RC’59, GSNB’71 is a great composer of limericks (limerician?). His contribution for this column:
Our Knights of late lost their knack
for winning. Just where’s their attack?
Instead of “Hurray!”
The fans shout “Oy vey.”
Bill Austin, we wish you’d come back.”
Rudy’s self-described life story: “After dropping out of three of our best graduate schools—Columbia, Yale Drama School, and finally Rutgers, where I did teach some classes in the German department and got an ‘ABD degree’ (all but dissertation)—I permanently temporized in various establishments as a waiter, bartender, and maitre d’ in the Lehman Brothers executive dining room. I take credit, of course, for the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the consequential global financial crisis of 2008. At the age of 60, I took a vow of poverty and stopped working.”
Reflecting on COVID-19, the Rev. Joel McEachen RC’59 remembers the flu epidemic of 1957, when cots and bedding “filled the main student lounge and main gymnasium.”
Amid the current pandemic, there are, happily, no class member deaths to report.
Alan Schreihofer RC’59: 3776 Ashford Lake Court NE, Atlanta, GA 30319; 770-458-7766; aschreihofer@bellsouth.net
1961
Class Column: It is with profound sadness that I report the news of the passing of two classmates. Charles “Steve” Hancox Jr. RC’61, a resident of Somerset, NJ, passed away May 5, 2020. He served our country faithfully in the U.S. Army Reserves and had a lengthy and successful career in sales and marketing. Steve was predeceased by his sons, Mark and Keith RC’94 Hancox. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Toni Hancox, a daughter, and six grandchildren.
We also lost Daniel Fertonani RC’61, who died July 17, 2020. He grew up in Fair Lawn, NJ, and at the time of his death was a resident of Lafayette, NJ.
Col. David H. Pinsky RC’61 died October 9, 2020, from a major stroke. He is survived by his wife, Betty Roberts Pinsky, two sons, and three grandchildren. Dave was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served two tours as a U.S. Air Force combat pilot. He received 41 awards and decorations, including a Distinguished Flying Cross (awarded by Vice President Hubert Humphrey); two Silver Stars; Legion of Merit; Bronze Star; two Purple Hearts; two Meritorious Service Medals; and 27 Air Medals. Dave retired from the Air Force in 1987 at Beale AFB, CA, where he served as wing commander of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, which flew U-2s, SR71s, and other reconnaissance aircraft flying highly classified missions. He then served as deputy director of utilities for the City of Santa Rosa, CA, from which he retired in 2006. Not one to sit still, Dave became director of the Pacific Coast Air Museum. He was an avid skier and a member of the ski patrol, and skied until his late 70s.
There is no other news to report. Perhaps it would be appropriate to revisit the words of Charles Dickens, in A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.”
Stay well and stay safe.
Tom Siegel RC’61: 3739 Waldorf Drive, Dallas, TX 75229; 214-351-1009; tomsiegel@alumni.rutgers.edu
1962
New Brunswick Class Column: Tino Mattoli RC’62 wrote in September, lamenting the spread of COVID-19 throughout Europe. At home in Rome, he’s careful to stay safe. Four of his five sons, their wives, and 14 of Tino’s grandchildren relocated in recent years to Miami because of political unrest in Chile. One son got the virus but is well again. His fifth son and wife live in Chile, where he teaches at a university. Tino stays in touch with Arthur McDermott RC’62, each challenging the other to stay healthy enough to attend our reunion in 2022! Arthur continues to be invigorated by his Colorado businesses and is making plans for retirement, probably when he turns 100!
Jack McColley RC’62 was planning to leave before Thanksgiving for three months in Ukraine at the home he and his wife share when not in Florida. Jack, Moss Alan Jackson RC’62, and others may be seen frequently on Facebook, with evidence of Jack’s vegetable garden and Moss’s trips to Brigantine Beach or a golf course often posted.
My visit to New Jersey to learn how George Gussis RC’62, NLAW’65 and several other classmates are doing was postponed, thanks to COVID-19.
Class president Barry Pavelec RC’62 reports that plans for the 2022 class reunion are, unfortunately, still murky. Until the state of the nation’s health is known and declared safe, planning for our gathering can’t proceed. But the class officers are watching the situation closely and discussing options. Once the class website is revised, Barry will ask for suggestions on how to stage the reunion. Please keep your calendar clear for fall 2022, which will be here before we know it!
I would appreciate hearing from you soon. Please go to our website at rutgers62.org to catch up on news from the past several months, then send me yours. Most of all, stay well!
Geoffrey Gould RC’62, GSE’66,’74: 500 Magnolia Drive, Vestal, NY 13850; 607-757-0499; ggould@binghamton.edu
1963
Class Column: Robert Kanarick RC’63 and his wife, Roberta DC’64, GSE’92, took a stupendous trip in December 2019, traveling from Dubai to Singapore. Along the way they visited Oman, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Not ones for letting any moss grow under their feet, Bob and Roberta then spent five weeks at Singer Island, FL. Bob is on the board of the Rutgers Alumni Association, and Roberta is on Rutgers’ Board of Trustees.
Pem Schaeffer ENG’64 has always considered himself a classmate of ours. Now retired and living in Brunswick, ME, Pem worked as an aerospace engineer for the Hughes Aircraft Co., first in California and ultimately in Maine. While back in New Jersey, Pem enjoyed having lunch with two of his Chi Phi brothers, Gino Parochniak RC’63 and Hugh Evans RC’63.
Hopefully, we all are coping with COVID-19 by staying safe and well. Please keep in touch!
Adrian Zapotocky ED’63: abzap@verizon.net
1965
Class Column: Complete classmate input will be emailed to all on your correspondent’s class contact lists.
Harvey Kohn RC’65 is still part timing as an orthopedic consultant for workers’ compensation and personal injuries in Milwaukee, WI.
Gene Sacks RC’65, NJMS’70 spent several months at his vacation home in the Colorado mountains bike riding and golfing.
Don Green RC’65, a retired physician, is living close to his adult daughters in Pennington, NJ.
Dan Rothberg RC’65 is watching a lot of Neil Degrasse Tyson and is ready for interstellar travel!
Joe Sahid ENG’65’s get-together with Craig Matthews ENG’65 and other classmates was postponed.
Frank Rega RC’65 spent many years as a software engineer and consultant, and now lives “the quiet life” near the Delaware coast. He’s written 14 books about mystics, miracles, and saints.
Ed Belding RC’65, GSE’94 is building a studio for his painting but had knee surgery before finishing.
Dennis Brodkin RC’65, NLAW’81 endured an incredible trifecta of impactful events in Portland, OR: dealing with the pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, and wildfires that came within 25 miles of the city’s perimeter.
Bob Reardon RC’65 is a member of the Irish Session Players at Finnegan’s Irish Pub in Delray Beach, FL.
John Plescia RC’65 still enjoys working but is taking a lot of time off at his condo in California and fishing.
Bob Otrupchak RC’65 is reading a lot and golfing better than ever!
Steve Appell RC’65 has taken up bicycle riding. He’s gotten up to 25 miles every other day and has been to the mountains in North Georgia and to Breckenridge, CO.
Darryl James RC’65, GSNB’67 finally retired from the oil and gas industry and has been spending time on editing his three new books.
Jim Hackett RC’65’s granddaughter’s assistant teacher is the daughter of Tom Martinsen RC’66, with whom he played football at Rutgers.
Mohamoud Abdi Daar RC’65, who lives in Somaliland but spoke at our 50th reunion, had a long career with the Organization of African Unity, a diplomatic organization and forerunner of the current African Union. He is looking forward to doing more research on issues such as climate change and development.
Norman Thetford ENG’65, GSNB’67,’72 learned to scull a single and joined a challenge to do a virtual row from Chicago to Toronto through the Great Lakes—a distance of 1.74 million meters! When not rowing, he’s working on writing a history of his rowing club.
Bob Mudie RC’65 still bikes between 80 and 100 miles a week in Texas, where he can bike almost year round.
Ron Butt RC’65 reports that the loggerhead turtles are finished tearing up the sand dunes in his backyard four miles north of Sebastian Inlet Park/Bridge in Florida.
John Corcoran RC’65 didn’t take a vacation this year and instead followed the exploits of his eldest son and his family being chased around the upper Northwest by brush fires.
PJ “Rocky” Graziano RC’65 has recovered from surgery and played a short Senior’s Baseball Season of nine games.
Class President Carl Woodward RC’65, NLAW’68 reported that the class donated $20,000 to the Rutgers Future Scholars program and $10,000 to the veterans services program. We also donated $65,000 to the Zimmerli Art Museum for a sculpture at the front of the building.
Mike Goodkind ENG’65 is doing private Pilates sessions twice a week and using the pool on the roof of his building.
Jon Rodiek AG’65 provided an illuminating discourse about current times.
Alan Day ENG’65, CCAS’65 had a long weekend in Cape May, NJ, in August and spent a week in Sandbridge, VA.
Chuck Hennings RC’65: 6079 Tarawood Drive, Orlando, FL 32819; 407-909-0507
1966
Class Column: Michael Perlin RC’66 was among the online speakers at the Cambridge (UK) Bob Dylan Society in September. Michael focused on “Early Dylan,” referring to the first Dylan concert he saw in New York in May 1963, and then on his use of Dylan lyrics in law review articles.
John Woloszyn RC’66’s infectious disease-fighting company, Intralytix, has been awarded a multimillion-dollar grant from two federal agencies to conduct a clinical trial to manage Shigella infections. John’s company, based in Columbia, MD, develops bacteriophage-based therapies.
Believe it or not, our 55th is only a year away. Rutgers is combining Alumni Weekend with Homecoming in 2021 so we will meet on a weekend to be determined in October. The class Reunion Committee is meeting via Zoom with Cyndy Shersick, director of milestone campaigns, to plan the weekend. Cyndy helped make our 50th so special. Please send any suggested activities my way so I can share them with the committee.
Ted Robb ENG’66 has checked in from Media, PA, where he and Jean, his wife of 53 years, moved after years in South Jersey. Ted applied his civil engineering background for years at the Philadelphia Electric Co., and later worked on the business side of the Philadelphia College of Bible, now Cairn University.
Michael Perlin, Ed Dauber RC’66, and I have seen each other via Zoom as students in the RU Lifelong Learning course “The Presidential Election of 2020,” taught by Gerald Pomper, one of our political science profs.
Paul Yashenko RC’66 died June 20, 2020, at his home in New Haven, CT. Paul devoted his life to education as a history teacher at North Haven High School and later as a guidance counselor at Amity Regional Junior High School in Bethany, CT.
Thomas Haines RC’66 died October 6, 2019, at his home in Pemberton, NJ. Tom, also known as Gus, taught science, coached basketball and football, and was a curriculum supervisor in the Pemberton school district. He also was a blueberry grower on the family farm and served on the New Jersey Farm Bureau.
Thomas Weaver ENG’66 died at his home in Quakertown, PA, on September 6, 2019. He received his degree in engineering and worked for the National Air Defense Center in Johnsville, PA. He helped develop the computer system on the P-3 Orion submarine hunting aircraft.
Roger Fithian AG’66, of Christianburg, VA, died August 26, 2019. He served in the Marine Corps before majoring in agriculture at Rutgers. Roger was a forester in Virginia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. He served the church wherever he lived.
Richard Bird RC’66, the retired Rutgers graduate registrar, died June 17, 2019. He joined our class after serving in the Army. In his 50-plus years on the Rutgers staff, he defended the integrity of the registrar’s office’s rules and records.
John Calimano RC’66 of Jackson, NJ, also died June 17, 2019, after a long battle with cancer. He served in the Navy in Vietnam and Spain. Cal taught at East Brunswick, NJ, High School, where he developed the Institute for Political and Legal Education (IPLE), a course in which students develop skills in public speaking, debate, research, and collaboration. The IPLE room at the school is dedicated to him.
Larry Benjamin RC’66: 122 Almond Road, Freehold, NJ 07728; 732-625-9797; llbenj@optimum.net
1968
Class Column: Back in early March, when I saw the men’s basketball team’s big win over Maryland, I knew it was the last home game but had no idea it was my last visit to campus for seven months and counting. It’s by far the longest gap between visits to the Banks, probably since my Vietnam service, which is creeping up on its 50th anniversary. As a result, all the news from the Class of 1968 has come electronically. I was glad to get updates from three classmates who are spread out across the country.
Peter Bookman RC’68, NLAW’71 says that he has been happily retired since 2002, after working for the federal government. Retirement for Peter apparently hasn’t meant a lack of activity, since he is pursuing an off-and-on avocation as an auto mechanic. What else is retirement for, if not to pursue our other interests? He lives in sunny Tucson, AZ, and would love to hear from anyone planning to visit the area.
Closer to New Brunswick, or at least in the same time zone, is Bill McGarrity ENG’68 who, with his wife, Alida, lives in Lauderdale-by-the Sea, FL. Like Peter, Bill is enjoying retirement after a career in general management with telecommunication companies Ericsson and Nortel. While at Rutgers, Bill was a member of Alpha Chi Rho fraternity along with our new class vice president, Bill Stohler RC’68, RBS’02.
Like me, Bill Stohler is in New Jersey, retired from the corporate legal world for more than a decade. Bill has been fairly regular on campus, auditing classes to learn Italian as well as attending football and basketball games. Whether on or off campus, he has enjoyed meeting up with fellow “Crows” and/or Rutgers grads like Dave Azar RC’68, Al Maurice RC’68, Charley Mansueto RC’67, Joe Nackson RC’68, and Arnie Lakind RC’69. Bill has also been a very valuable member of our reunion committee and we are very grateful to him for taking on the position of class vice president.
The above totally exhausts my backlog of class updates so I really need to hear from any and all of you for future columns. This is obviously a difficult and challenging time, which can make catching up with fellow classmates especially rewarding and enjoyable. Please stay safe and write!
John Zinn RC’68, RBS’70: jzinn84@comcast.net
1969
Class Column: I start my second stint as your class correspondent with the idea that where Rutgers is concerned, you CAN go home again, at least if you live within commuting distance of the campus. Auditing classes has become one of my favorite activities, and I highly recommend it.
Half a century after studying with history department chair and university historian Richard P. McCormick RC’38, GSNB’40, I met his son, former Rutgers president Richard L. McCormick outside a store in Metuchen, NJ. That led to my auditing his incredibly timely course on “Political Corruption in America” in 2017. I followed that up the next year with two history courses taught by Paul Clemens on the American Revolution and famous trials. In 2019, I audited another course where past and present collide in often grim news: “Walls, Wayfarers, and the Wall: A History of the U.S.-Mexican Border,” taught by Camilla Townsend GSNB’95. In the 2020 spring semester, before the pandemic shut down the campus, I started Lou Masur’s class on “The Civil War and Reconstruction.”
I have also enjoyed taking OLLI-RU classes on such subjects as Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, movies about American presidents, Merchant/Ivory movies, and films directed by Norman Jewison.
In 2019, I participated in the university’s Oral History Project and am now the not-so-proud possessor of six compact discs containing my autobiographical meanderings. I am truly terrified to listen to them.
Finally, a shout-out to two of our classmates: my former Campbell dorm roommate Marvin Schlanger ENG’69, who invited me to a gala dinner a few years ago at which he was honored by the School of Engineering, and former Daily Targum editor in chief Owen Ullmann RC’69, who has been thrashing me at Words with Friends since we renewed acquaintance when he gave a virtual lecture at an alumni event.
I look forward to hearing from fellow members of the Old Guard so my next column isn’t all about me.
David Lieberfarb RC’69, GSE’72: dmlieb@optonline.net
1974
Class Column: Carl Glassman RC’74, SSW’76 reported that they celebrated his mother’s 96th birthday on the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers this summer. Also joining in were his wife, Nadine Silnutzer LC’75, and his youngest brother, Ronald Glassman LC’81. He says the College Avenue campus continues to evolve, but the essence of the campus has remained the same. Of course, Old Queens remains unchanged. Carl and his wife celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary. They had a quiet but fun “staycation” due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Their B&B (Wedgwood Inn in New Hope, PA) survived the pandemic and is now operating under strict adherence to public health guidelines.
Gus Haritos RC’74, CLAW’78 reports that all is well on the home front and urges everyone to stay safe.
Ben Eng ENG’74, GSNB’76 says that his 3-D printed model ship designs are selling well on the internet and he has been getting good reviews in the German modeling magazine ModellWerft. Next up will be a 1/72 scale Fletcher class destroyer like the one in the Tom Hanks movie Greyhound. Ben also says that the retirement community in which he lives has been coping with the pandemic using Zoom and holding outdoor activities like parking lot movies. Lastly, he has been writing a series of articles for his community newsletter about a trip be made to China when Deng Xiaoping opened up the country 40 years ago.
Your correspondent has been home for all intents and purposes for seven months. I did make one trip back to New Jersey to visit my sister, Betsy Whitehead CC’80, and family. Staying at home has been a bit of a challenge the past few months, thanks to the wildfires in the area. Air quality has been poor and one gets a bit tired removing ash from one’s car. Very pleased that there will be a football season. Hopefully, the end result will be similar to what Coach Schiano managed to accomplish during his first tenure. Go Rutgers!!!!
Rick Stier AG’74: rickstier4@aol.com
1976
New Brunswick Class Column: I hope you and your families are taking care and staying well. I still can’t quite process that we’re all now in an “at-risk” age demographic during this pandemic, but time flies.
And speaking of time flying, our 45th reunion, set for 2021, is nigh upon us! The most important news for now, though, is that Rutgers is moving class reunions from the traditional spring weekend to coincide with Homecoming in the fall. Hopefully, for next year that will give us a better chance to gather in person, as opposed to 2020, when reunion activities were virtual. So I continue to ask that you send me your email addresses (and any personal news) to fviverito@stlsports.org so I can update you with whatever fall 2021 reunion news I receive.
Needless to say, class news has been slow lately, but I always appreciate hearing from classmates (like Marty Yudkovitz RC’76, recently) who read my notes and want to stay in touch. Thanks to you all and I hope to see you next fall.
Frank Viverito RC’76: fviverito@stlsports.org
1978
Class Column: Where have you been? It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from you. Although Class Notes no longer appears in the print edition of Rutgers Magazine, we’re still here online and would love to share your news, accomplishments, joys, hobbies, celebrations, etc. with our classmates. So, let’s connect! Please drop a line to me at the email address below.
Speaking of staying connected, for the past few months our alma mater has been doing a terrific series of virtual alumni engagement events with faculty members and alumni that you can participate in from the comfort of your own home. Each week or so there’s a new speaker with a new topic. Check out the schedule on sas.rutgers.edu.
One such program this summer featured Carla Yanni, a professor of art history, who presented a wonderful and informative one-hour program on the history of Rutgers’ Old Queens campus buildings. We learned that the Old Queens campus site was a fruit orchard prior to being acquired by Rutgers and that the first structure built on the property was the Old Queens building, which is now a national historic landmark. The architect was John McComb, who also designed New York City Hall and The Grange, the Manhattan home of Alexander Hamilton. When originally built, Old Queens housed faculty apartments, a chapel, recitation rooms, and a kitchen and dining room, but it was not a dormitory. It served as the university president’s office for 200-plus years and now houses the New Brunswick chancellor’s office and offices of other high-ranking administration officials. So, now you know!
Until next time…
Mike Blishak RC’78: mikealan@att.net
1985
Class Column: President Jonathan Holloway gave his first speech to the University Senate. You can read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/3n1qTmU.
Continue to stay safe and be well.
Linda Tancs RC’85: lindatancs@gmail.com
1989
Class Column: Mark E. Scheurer GSN’89 died June 13, 2020, at age 73. The following is from his obituary: “He was a lifelong resident of Jersey City, NJ. He graduated from Saint Peter’s Preparatory School, where he embodied the ethos of a ‘man for others’ and was a true scholar/athlete. After graduating from Saint Peter’s College in 1969, he obtained his master’s degree from Rutgers 20 years later.
“Mark was a lifelong academic who taught at the college level, including at Rutgers, Ramapo College, and several community colleges. Mark was an avid sports and movie fan. He loved books and music, especially the songwriting and storytelling of Bruce Springsteen.
“Mark was a keen observer of the human condition. He chronicled his life and the world around him by writing poetry, often under the pen name Pontiac Maguire. A prolific writer, he marked years of milestones. With every birthday, graduation, new job, holiday, birth, death, wedding, time of sadness, and joyous occasion, he wrote a powerful reminder of how much he understood and how deeply he appreciated life.
“He was a loving father, brother, son, uncle, grandfather, and friend. As he once wrote, ‘Let me see if I got it straight, family is first, second, and third, everything else is just to be absorbed and disgorged, depending on its severity.’ Mark treasured his Irish heritage and his Maguire family namesake. He fully embraced the Maguire clan motto, ‘Justice and fortitude are invincible.’ He valued and promoted equality for all and was a staunch supporter of Native American rights.”
John Fagan RC’89, GSNB’95: johndfagan@gmail.com
