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: I am the class of ’42! My only message to all who read this is, GET VACCINATED! And be well.
Berne Rolston RC’42: 2245 South Beverly Glen Boulevard, Apt. 303, Los Angeles, CA 90064; 424-208-3820; br@rolston.net
1943
Class Column: Thought you’d be interested to know in November I’m going on a cruise with seven women from our local bridge club. That gives us two tables of bridge in the afternoon, and after dinner I am the Designated Dancer for all seven. Not bad for a guy age 99.
Don’t think I ever mentioned my wildlife pets, Rufus #1 and #2. Both Rufuses are squirrels and take peanuts from my fingers. Pesky #1 is a crippled blue jay with a bum leg, but he doesn’t hesitate to fly to the patio table and hop, hop, hop over to me to snatch a peanut from my fingers. Pesky #2 is a healthy blue jay who sits on the table, staring at me through the kitchen window. He flies off when I come out but returns immediately to grab the peanuts I leave for him. I also have a pair of towhees who let me know they’re hungry with high-pitched chirps. They wait on the pool deck 4 or 5 feet from the kitchen door for me to scatter some broken up peanuts for them. My twin daughters call me Dr. Doolittle.
William Suter AG’43: billsuter1319@icloud.com
1948
Class Column: Not much to report, as I haven’t heard from anyone over the last few months. Always interested in what you are doing, about your family, and any news you want to share.
I’ve been trying to get the alumni office to print hard copies of class notes for the classes of the 1940s and ’50s but haven’t been successful. I keep telling them that most of the older alumni are not as computer savvy as the younger classes. I have mentioned to the alumni office that since our graduation in 1948, our class has contributed to Rutgers more than $7 million and was one of the two or three classes to help start and support the Rutgers Oral History Archives. We also have an endowed scholarship that is now more than $200,000. Maybe they will start listening.
Sorry to report that Sid Harris RC’48 died May 7, 2021. Sid was a fraternity brother of mine and had been a pilot with the Eighth Air Force in England during World War II. We had some great times together. Condolences to his family.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Bart Klion RC’48: 43 Abby Lane, Ballston Lake, NY 12019; 518-930-0509; bbklion@aol.com
1953
Class Column: Alan K. Illig RC’53 died in Rochester, NY, on March 1, 2021. Al was an exemplary student at Rutgers (Phi Beta Kappa) and a much-admired classmate. He went on to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and served in Germany with the U.S. Air Force. Afterward, Al studied at Harvard Law School and, for 40 years, practiced law in Rochester. In 2006, he received the Monroe County Bar Association’s Rodenback Award for his societal contributions. Preceded in death by his son John, Al is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of 61 years, and sons Karl and Robert and their families.
Ronald B. Massarik RC’53, a revered physician in the Chicago area, died April 24, 2021. Some of us fondly remember Ron as a pre-med student commuting to campus daily by train. Later, he earned his medical degree at New York University. Ron is survived by his wife, Marline of Deerfield, IL; two children, David and Sara; and five granddaughters.
Three other classmates died recently: Arthur T. Clark ENG’53, who died March 23, 2021; Don Fjelstad RC’53, who died April 7, 2021; and Solomon H. Tilles RC’53, who died March 25, 2021. If you have information on them, please share it with me for inclusion in the next column.
Richard G. Saacke AG’53 is enjoying retirement after a rewarding academic career. He joined the faculty at Virginia Tech in 1965, where he devoted his energy and talents to teaching and research in reproductive physiology. In 2016, in recognition of his numerous accomplishments, the university inducted him into the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Hall of Fame. Dick and his wife, Ann Litzelman DC’53, still live near the VT campus in Blacksburg, VA. Their health is OK: “We’re still above the grass,” is how Dick put it.
William (Bill) Sansalone AG’53, GSNB’61: 6835 Old Stage Road, Rockville, MD 20852; 301-881-0063; ws31@verizon.net
1955
Class Column: For the past two years we have experienced multiple changes in our lifestyles, depending on where we live. It’s not only the pandemic that we all face; it’s flooding in the South and East, wildfires in California and the Northwest, an overabundance of political angst, and many other social and local disturbances that make us wonder if it’s all due to climate change or some other issue that we have encountered. Whatever happened to good old invasions by aliens from outer space? Classmates unite! Let’s get them before they get us! Speak out and do something, even if it’s wrong!
A day or two after my email in August to classmates asking for responses for this column, I received notices informing me that 15 of my addresses were no longer in service. I sent this information back to my remaining distribution list, asking them to let me know of the status of any of the absentees but received zero replies. If you do have any information about any of the missing classmates, I would appreciate a note.
Bruce Pyle AG’55, GSNB’64 was an Aggie majoring in wildlife conservation and management. California could use him right now to help the Forest Service stop the spread of wildfires since most of the forests being destroyed are federal lands, not state properties. Got any time on your hands, Bruce?
Paul Dubow RC’55, NLAW’58, a regular correspondent living in San Francisco, and his wife, Joan, have kept close to their family with regular Zoom meetings. They manage to keep fit with two-mile walks along the Embarcadero almost daily and Paul continues to enjoy time salmon fishing in the Pacific. He keeps his hand in his legal work in arbitration but will finally wind up that activity in early November, probably to enable more fishing trips.
Marty Steinweiss AG’55 reached out to report the passing of Ron Ledwitz RC’55, who died August 11, 2019. He also reports that he is doing well and staying fit and is looking forward to our 70th reunion. Way to go, Marty! We will probably need some planning leadership in a couple years. Glad to hear from a volunteer!
Martin Giesbrecht RC’55, our favorite musician, spent a week in September playing his clarinet in a German band at Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest. Probably one of the oldest, if not the best, musicians in the band. Keep it up, Martin. Go for the gold! Your correspondent is reading your latest book and is gaining a greater appreciation of how our economy works. Now someone needs to tell the economists.
Bob Tarcza finally retired not once, but twice, from the federal government after more than 50 years. He worked at several engineering jobs with the Navy and the Defense Intelligence Agency, taking a midcareer break to become a government contractor and returning to the Defense Department for a second tour of duty. His jobs required foreign travel to places he never expected to see. He now lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, Elsie Mihaly DC’54, and is close to his family of two children, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Who said travel would slow you down?
Paul Bedell ED’55, another regular reporter, checks in with news of his daily 20-mile bike rides, followed by gardening and saving time for nearby family members, including two new great-grandchildren. The bike riding keeps him in shape for plenty of babysitting at the Bedell home.
Robert McBride RC’55: 6409 Buckskin Lane, Roseville, CA 95747; 916-773-3603; mojomom@surewest.net
1957
Class Column: It is with deep sorrow that I inform you that Richard Shindell RC’57 lost his wife, Donna, after a brief illness, on July 14, 2021. As you know, Richard over the years has been involved in our class activities along with Donna. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. A celebration of her life was held on August 23 and was attended by Tom Carpenter.
We had hoped to have a mini class reunion at Homecoming but the pandemic and expectation of crowds will keep us away. Let’s all try for 2022, which will be our 65th. Could that be true??
When contributing, remember the Class of 1957 Unrestricted Fund; we are not finished yet.
The following classmates have passed away: James R. Beattie RC’57, who died May 31, 2021; Elbert DeMaris RC’57, who died March 16, 2021; and John Laverty RC’57, who died April 11, 2021.
Harold Kaplan RC’57: P.O. Box 941313, Maitland, FL 32794-1313; 407-628-8444; hjk@ufg-lease.com
1958
Class Column: Gene Simms RC’58 writes, “Bonnie and I are okay. Had fun doing underwater photography of sediment on the bottom of East Grand Traverse Bay, MI, this summer. Pretty much quit teaching because of the virus. Still boring holes around sites for contamination but not much. Put grandson to work this summer sanding, painting, digging, and blacktopping around the house. He did fine for a kid who spends most of his time on his cell phone.”
Pierre Fournier RC’58 and Janet will visit Jean Austin (Bill Austin RC’59’s wife) in Franklin, TN. In June 2022, they will take a Tauck tour of British Columbia aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, starting in Vancouver and visiting Lake Louise, the Columbia Ice Field, Banff, and Calgary.
John Murphy RC’58 and Sandy celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in August. “We also celebrated with children and grandchildren in Hilton Head,” he says.
We lost a few classmates: Peter A. Cole RC’58, who died March 21, 2021; William D. Everett Jr. RC’58, who died June 8, 2021; Louis A. Papp ENG’58, who died March 25, 2021;
Clifton M. Robbins Jr. RC’58, who died May 10, 2021; and Allan G. Weisberg RC’58, who died May 12, 2021.
On July 19, a plaque and bench in memory of the late Don Taylor RC’58, GSE’65,’73 were dedicated at Old Queens. Attending were class president Don Cook ENG’58; class athlete Joe Ens RC’58; Matt Taylor LC’93, Don’s son and a sergeant in the Delaware State Police; Donna Valentino of Rutgers University Foundation; and me. Donna was instrumental in having the bench and plaque completed for the ceremony. Photos can be requested.
Ron Giaconia RC’58 recalls, “I would stop by Don (Taylor’s) office to chat about items on the Board of Governors agenda and to seek his counsel on many issues. He had great insight and was very helpful to me. He had a special personality and would remind me, in a diplomatic manner, that I needed to handle myself carefully, because I was the only member of our class who served on the Board of Trustees and Board of Governors! He would say to me often, ‘Remember, bring credit to our class.’ He was a special person!”
It is becoming more and more difficult to collect class news! Whatever the reason, “Class Notes and columns can now be accessed at alumni.rutgers.edu,” says the RUAA. “They are no longer part of Rutgers Magazine. In their new online home, Class Notes and columns are timelier and more easily shared on social media. (In Memoriam will continue to appear in the magazine.) This new platform is a vibrant home for Class Notes that is searchable and frequently updated.” Bah, humbug!
Robert Max RC’58, GSE’78: 12 Danbury Road, Woolwich, NJ 08085; 856-467-8148; bbmax96@comcast.net
1959
Class Column: Hal Baird RC’59 exults at being an ex-homeowner, having sold his Wall, NJ, home and settled into a rental in West Long Branch, where he attended grammar school. He’s off to Florida in October.
Undeterred by the pandemic, world traveler Dave Blanch AG’59 visited friends in Spain and Poland over the summer and expects to be in Serbia January/February.
Joining the ranks of published ’59ers, Dick Emmons ENG’59 excerpted an article about his youthful adventures as a railroad trackworker from his autobiography, mentioned here earlier, and sold it to Classic Trains magazine.
A random check of New Jersey/New York alums following Hurricane Ida turned up no war stories but did generate a fresh limerick from Rudy Landesman RC’59, GSNB’71:
I survived, as you see, the big storm,
Though the damage it caused was enorm.
As I now recall,
I slept through it all
As I would have in my Ford Hall dorm.
We regrettably have two deaths to report: Dan Cramsey AG’59, 82, died in Fishersville, VA, on April 8, 2021. Dan retired in 1994 after 35 years with the U.S. Forest Service, then studied for the ministry and served as a chaplain in correctional institutions in and around Albuquerque, NM. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, two sons, two daughters, nine grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Alan Woodward ENG’59 died on September 2, 2021, after a years-long fight against Parkinson’s disease. Following the death of his wife, Carolyn, two years ago, he had moved from the family home of 48 years in Franklin Lakes, NJ, to assisted living in Canton, GA. Prior to retirement, Alan was an information management systems executive with Georgia Kaolin Company. He is survived by his son Brian, who retired in Mexico, and daughter Monica, her husband, and their children Ian and Luzann in Woodstock GA.
Alan Schreihofer RC’59: 3776 Ashford Lake Court NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319; 770-458-7766; aschreihofer@bellsouth.net
1961
Class Column: When I receive notice for submission of the next class column, it is accompanied by a list of recently deceased alumni. I scroll down, beginning with the Class of 1958. Pausing after the Class of 1960, I relight my pipe and slowly look at each name thereafter. There are three this time: Gene Buckno RC’61, (see my last column), Peter Idstein RC’61, and Thomas Higgins ED’61, GSE’63.
Peter, who died June 19, 2021, was an AFROTC classmate. He was a member of the national championship-winning Queens Guards. Peter earned his master’s degree in education and a doctorate in behavioral science. Among the positions he held were college professor, principal, researcher, doctoral adviser, and superintendent of charter schools in Chester, PA. He is survived by his wife, Sandy, two daughters, and five grandchildren. He touched the lives of countless students during his career.
Thomas, who died June 8, 2021, earned several postgraduate degrees in education, including a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a doctorate. Tom worked in the East Brunswick schools for 27 years. He also taught in New Brunswick, Jamesburg, and Piscataway. He was a supervisor of student teachers at Kean University and a learning consultant for the Middlesex Educational Services Commission. An Eagle Scout with six palms, Tom was active in scouting. A railroad enthusiast and a competent photographer, he would annually send Christmas cards with photos from his adventures. Tom is survived by several cousins.
Tom Siegel RC’61: 3739 Waldorf Drive, Dallas, TX 75229; 214-351-1009; tomseigel@alumni.rutgers.edu
1962
Class Column: With just one year to our 60th reunion, it’s time for reminders. If you’re coming to our 59th this October, consider attending the 2021 Old Guard Dinner. As President Barry Pavelec RC’62 notes, all class reunions have been switched from spring to fall, coinciding with Homecoming weekend October 7–9 this year. Events include the highly talented football team’s game and lots more. With luck, that game won’t suffer another rare, unwelcome flood delay as the Temple game did. The alumni association’s website (www.rutgersalumni.org) has weekend details.
Planning our 60th is in Barry’s able hands. For years he has reached out, encouraging attendance. While class officers are generous with program ideas, why let them have all the fun? Please send your ideas to info@rutgers62.org. and encourage classmates to join you in New Brunswick around the middle of October 2022.
Stuart Freedman RC’62 is president of the Rutgers Living History Society, which will meet Friday, October 8. He plans to attend the Old Guard Dinner that night and encourages others to go as well.
Bill Lyons RC’62, GSNB’70, surviving Ida’s wind and rain as it sped toward Philadelphia, well west of Point Pleasant Beach, recounts times he and Barry, both talented and prolific writers, met for lunch to discuss projects each was working on. Bill writes, “In addition to being a dogged researcher with a curious mind, Barry is a wonderful storyteller without fear of a blank sheet of paper.” At one lunch meeting, fully vaccinated but hard of hearing, they sat so their “good ears” were aimed at each other! Making the best of aging is an important lesson for each of us. As you run, jump, trot, skate, or waltz into your 80s, remember that you’re not alone. Sharing memories and plans with classmates is always a great chance for camaraderie.
Geoffrey Gould RC’62, GSE’66,’74: 500 Magnolia Drive, Vestal, NY 13850; 607-757-0499; ggould@binghamton.edu
1965
Class Column: John Corcoran RC’65 had eye surgery and was disappointed that there would be “no water polo for at least two weeks.”
Rich Steffan RC’65, GSNB’69 is settling into a retirement community and hoping for trip soon to Hawaii.
Carl Wolf RC’65, chairman and CEO of MamaMancini’s Holdings, Inc., was uplisted to NASDAQ and got to ring the bell, too! And celebrated his 51 years of marriage.
Don Green RC’65 spent the summer on Nantucket, went to his 60th high school reunion, and says “seeing my three daughters in their 40s astounds me!”
Joe Ludwig ENG’65 lives in Sharon, MA, has two children and five grandchildren and founded a registered investment advisory wealth management business. He’s still in contact with many of his Tau Delta Phi fraternity brothers, including Al Sabo ENG’65, Jimmy Crumel RC’65, RBS’71, Steve Kaul RC’65, NJMS’69, Bill Levine RC’65, CLAW’68, Eddie Hindin RC’65, GSNB’69, Marty Levenstein RC’65, and Don Ricart RC’65, CLAW’68.
Reporting on cryptocurrency, Joe Sahid ENG’65 advised caution but “these currencies may well have a good future.”
Ed Doherty AG’65, living in North Carolina, worked for IBM in sales and marketing and hopes to attend his Wayne High School 61st anniversary reunion. He has three children, four grandchildren, and a son who just retired as a U.S. Army colonel with 30 years of service.
Carl Woodward RC’65, NLAW’68, class president, reporting on our class gift, said that the quick fix of the patio at the Zimmerli Art Museum was not a good solution.
Dennis Brodkin RC’65, NLAW’81 “survived the brutal heat wave that hit the Pacific Northwest” and had a wonderful family reunion trip in Charlevoix, MI.
Jim Hughes ENG’65, GSNB’69,’71 is in his 51st year as a faculty member at Rutgers, serving as the dean of Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy for 22 years (1995–2017). He’s now a university professor.
Joe Ramieri RC’65, retired from medical practice three years ago, is still riding motorcycles but hit a pack of deer on Route 10. He ended up in the ICU and is still recovering. (Let’s send get well wishes to zenbiker@aol.com).
John Plescia RC’65 sold his business and finally retired after 56 years! “Fishing and smelling the roses.”
Don Ricart left New Jersey after law school for 25 years in San Francisco and now 25 in Palm Springs. “Traveled far and wide, 85 countries, until COVID.”
Ed Richter RC’65 summered on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro, NH, this summer and says, “Come on you DU’s who enjoyed those years at 66 College Ave. Time to see some updates.” Two granddaughters graduated college—University of Rhode Island and George Washington.
Joe Beardsley RC’65 checked in with me.
Bob Otrupchak RC’65 and wife had COVID-19 but thankfully “just about back to normal.”
Ed Belding RC’65, GSE’94 says he’s “ready to start typing my third Wetherill Mystery, 13 Stripes. I consider it my best effort so far.” Softball turned out to be half a season after he came down with COVID.
Jim Hackett RC’65 is enjoying his latest grandchild; calls him Baby Gronk and has “already put a football in his pack n’ play.”
Howard McGinn RC’65, NLAW’68 is “still living in Easton, PA, and still doing my retirement gig as a volunteer genealogical researcher for the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society.” His oldest grandchild graduated from UMass and his son was promoted to executive director of Harvard Business Review.
Ray Arenofsky RC’65, NLAW’68 “wound up in Rutgers Law School in Newark with Ruth Ginsberg as one of the professors. I have been practicing personal injury law in Arizona for 51 years.” He donates earnings to charities.
Dan Rothberg RC’65 is back to outdoor dining only in South Carolina and discontinued sports officiating and substitute teaching.
Norm Thetford ENG’65, GSNB’67,’72 is “keeping up with my rowing and racing, winning three medals (gold, silver, and bronze) at a local regatta and four medals (two gold, silver, bronze) at the U.S. Masters Championships.” He works on genealogy or practices his baritone horn in his spare time.
Mike Wiener RC’65 reports, “Here in Thailand the virus is running rampant and vaccinations are slow in coming” but he shares “weekly emails with my old roomie Tom Clark RC’65.” He celebrated his 30th anniversary with his partner.
Harvey Kohn RC’65, in his new home in Arizona, is biking and golfing and still has a part-time orthopedic consulting job. His younger daughter’s tennis team qualified for nationals in Phoenix.
Richard Roberts RC’65, after earning an MBA from Columbia and completing Army service, became a founding staff member of what was then a new liberal arts/professional college in northern New Jersey, Ramapo College. He has three married children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Rich Smolenski ENG’65 got away to Los Cabos and plans trips to India and the Amazon.
Craig Matthews ENG’65 celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary and took 14 family members to a dude ranch in Montana.
Richard Ubersax RC’65 graduated from Yale with a doctorate in chemistry and joined DuPont in Wilmington, DE. He renovated a late 1700s farmhouse there, enjoyed racing and cruising sailboats, and had two sons. He retired in 2001 and moved to Waimanalo, HI, where his wife’s family had been living since the 1970s.
Bob Reardon RC’65 is giving drum lessons in Delray Beach, FL.
Marv Cheiten RC’65, our Class of ’65 ranking scholar, continues to publish poems and short stories.
Les Goodman RC’65, RBS’70 is stepping down after 30 years as a director of Wawa.
Daryl James RC’65, GSNB’67 has “been writing a lot and published a three-book series in the thriller genre available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble digitally: Prey of the Leopard, Leopard’s Wrath, and Double Tap.”
Mike Goodkind ENG’65 celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary. They cancelled their August trip to Paris but plan to go in March/April 2022.
Chuck Hennings RC’65: c2hennings@yahoo.com
1966
Class Column: Rutgers Homecoming—October 7–9—will soon be here. It’ll be our 55th anniversary reunion. Check rutgers66.org for news about Homecoming and other class activities and alumni.rutgers.edu for the agenda and how you can join classmates back on the Banks.
Ed Malberg RC’66 is again teaching an American history class at RU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, this time on Reconstruction after the Civil War. It’s a Zoom class. Ed is also an adjunct associate professor at Raritan Valley Community College.
Three more of our classmates have passed on. Powell Whalen ENG’66 of Holmdel, NJ, and Delray Beach, FL, died April 10, 2021. He was stationed in the Army at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, which led to a master’s degree in mechanical engineering at New Mexico State University. He worked for AT&T Bell Labs in Holmdel for more than 30 years and became a math professor at Middlesex County College upon retirement. He was buried with military honors at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth.
Edmund Grabowy ENG’66, GSNB’69 of Marietta, GA, died April 29, 2021. He joined our class after serving in the Army Reserves and went on to get master’s degrees in electrical and biomedical engineering. He worked for Becton Dickson in medical quality control, product development and design, and health and safety. In retirement, he started a business making custom golf clubs called The Golf Doctor. He was named Club Maker of the Year several times.
Richard Clark RC’66 died May 7, 2021, in Pawleys Island, SC. He retired as a vice president at J.P. Morgan Chase. Upon his move to Pawleys Island, he was an avid golfer and was president of the Pawleys Plantation Men’s Golf Association. And he loved his canine companions.
Larry Benjamin RC’66: 122 Almond Road, Freehold, NJ 07728; 732-625-9797; llbenj@optimum.net
1967
Class Column: Our news this time is about endings and beginnings. I’m sad to report the death of John Madama AG’67, who died February 14, 2021. John majored in biology at Rutgers. He was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and played keyboard in the campus-favorite band The Renegades. John enjoyed his work as a science resource specialist with the Gloucester, MA, public schools and taught graduate students desktop publishing at Harvard School of Design and MIT. He collaborated with leaders of the Wampanoags of Massachusetts, and with Russell M. Peters, published Clambake: A Wampanoag Tradition: We Are Still Here (First Avenue Editions, 1992).
After 30 years in Connecticut, your class correspondent moved to Philadelphia and was thrilled to welcome a new granddaughter into the family this past June. As a former rower and crew coach at Rutgers, he is very pleased to be within walking distance of the Schuylkill River and a bike ride from Boathouse Row.
Mike Moran RC’67: revmoran@gmail.com
1968
Class Column: I hope this finds everyone in the Class of 1968 well and coping with the challenges of the COVID-19 world. While it would be inaccurate to say things have returned to normal, I’m glad to see the students are back on campus since they lost an entire year of their college experience—something that can never be replaced. I also very much enjoyed attending the first football game against Temple. This year marks my 50th year as a football season ticket holder—where did the time go?
There hasn’t been a lot of news from our classmates, so special thanks to Constantine Mavroudis RC’68 and Kai Thomenius ENG’68, GSNB’70,’78, who took the time to update us on what they’ve been doing for the past half-century. Constantine says that after about six months of retirement, he was recruited to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis as chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery. His plan is to fulfill his four-year contract and retire from surgery at the end of 2024 and then join a medical school bioethics department.
Constantine and his wife, Martha, recently celebrated their 39th anniversary. The couple’s daughter, Paula, is senior vice president at Edelman, a public relations firm, while son Constantine David Mavroudis, MD, is an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and a congenital heart surgeon at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Having both father and son in the same medical specialty is more than a little unique: they are one of only five father-son congenital heart surgeons in the history of the specialty. They were recently highlighted on NBC’s Today, which can be seen here: Meet the father-son surgeons on a mission to save lives (today.com). Congratulations to both on their vitally important contributions to young lives.
After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Kai worked for two years with U.S. Army Electronics Command before becoming a full-time student again, pursuing a doctorate, which he received in 1978. He became fascinated by the then brand-new field of medical ultrasound. He worked for several ultrasound-related companies before ending up at GE’s Global Research facility in Niskayuna, NY. Upon retiring in 2013, Kai was a chief technologist in medical imaging. Since then, he has kept in touch with the field with part-time appointments at MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital, but Kai’s main goal has been to travel around the world with his wife, Clare. The pandemic has slowed them down, but they have plans ready for when it’s over. Last month, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with 20 members of the immediate family in attendance. Clare and Kai have two children and four grandchildren. Looking back, Kai believes he’s had a fine ride and that his years at Rutgers gave him a superb preparation for it.
As always, best wishes to everyone. Stay safe and write to me.
John Zinn RC’68, RBS’70: jzinn84@comcast.net
1969
Class Column: Bruce Hubbard RC’69 heads the Class of 1969 Scholarship Committee, which also includes Jim Cuviello RC’69, Paul Reagan RC’69, Tom McKay RC’69, Terry Stewart ENG’69, ED’69, Omer Brown RC’69, Jerry Harris RC’69, GSNB’72, Ralph Zemel RC’69, ENG’69, Rod Lusey RC’69, Peter Takacs RC’69, and John Sullivan RC’69, RBS’70. The fund has topped $600,000, and income of $17,500 was distributed. The committee reviewed the applications of 30 candidates and awarded eight scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $2,500.
Bruce reports that African American alumni from the 1969–1972 period have met regularly over the last year as the Black on the Banks Legacy Circle. They contributed $20,000 through the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance (RAAA) for scholarships. Bruce was recently elected treasurer of the RAAA, the three-campus, universitywide Black alumni organization. Upcoming events include the 2021 Hall of Fame Awards Dinner and the Extravaganza Homecoming Tailgate.
This summer, Bruce attended a reception on Martha’s Vineyard at the home of Board of Governors member Frank Hundley RC’86 in honor of the new chancellor of Rutgers–Camden, Antonio Tillis. It was very well attended, with more than 50 Rutgers alumni. Rutgers professor Deborah Gray White and Carolyn Mitchell Brown UCN’77, summer residents of Martha’s Vineyard, also attended. Bruce suggests, “We should plan an annual reception that can give the HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) a run for their money!”
Finally, on a personal note, Bruce and his wife, Connie, had the pleasure of dining with Sandy and Omer at their new and historic home, the Luce Residence, on Martha’s Vineyard in August. Omer and Sandy retired to the Vineyard from Washington, D.C., last year. Omer’s brother and family are longtime island residents.
John Baker RC’69, RBS’81 says, “Despite COVID-19, it has been a busy year for me and my Affetto Records classical music label. The big surprise came on August 6 when the Billboard Top Classical Albums Chart for that month was issued with my label’s July 2 release coming in at #3, behind #1 Yo-Yo Ma, and #2 London Symphony, with #4 also the London Symphony. Not bad company.
“I will have new CD sessions in Texas, New Mexico, Michigan, and New Mexico again over the next seven months, all of which are different and ‘interesting’—from organ works on iconic organs, to opera, choral works, and an experimental small instrumental ensemble playing music composed especially for it.”
Jim Cuviello reports that he and Michael Barr RC’69 met for an outdoor lunch on the Voorhees Mall at the end of May. They ate while sitting on Jim’s 50th reunion bench, from which they enjoyed the many beautification touches to the mall as the result of our class gift. The monument crediting our gift was in place along with the recognition plaque.
Costa Kensington RC’69, NLAW’73 and his wife, Cheryl, moved to Naples, FL, in 2020 after 31 years in Darien, CT. Costa fully retired after 47 years practicing corporate finance law, mostly in New York City. Their children, Ragan and Costa Nicholas Jr., live in Brooklyn, but “we are trying to get them closer to Florida,” Costa says, adding, “With Bruce Hubbard’s help, we have tried a few Zoom calls to our Chi Psi brothers. It looks very much like we are all retired and enjoying our nonproductive years.”
David Lieberfarb RC’69, GSE’72: dmlieb@optonline.net
1971
Class Column: Not much news except our 50th reunion this year. I have to report the passing of three classmates: Douglas Host RC’71, who died April 26, 2021; Anthony Ossi RC’71, who died June 10, 2021; and Peter Telem RC’71, who died May 4, 2021. Condolences to the families.
Ken Common RC’71: 12804 S.E. 302nd Street, Auburn, WA 98092; 253-887-0174; kdcruod@yahoo.com
1972
Class Column: Our class is coming up to our 50th reunion scheduled in October 2022. Details and dates will be coming soon. I wish everyone good health for the coming year and in the future. Please drop me an update for future articles or just to say hi. I enjoy hearing from our classmates and the stories and news that you tell.
My wife, Debra, and I are proud of our son Sam, who graduated NYU Law this past spring and passed the New York bar exam. He is with the law firm of Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in New York City. His field of interest is tax.
Andrew H. DePodwin RC’72, CLAW’76 passed away August 25, 2021. He was a graduate of Scarsdale High School in New York. Andrew is survived by two children and five grandchildren. Our thoughts go out to his family.
Dan Kramer RC’72: dankramer50@gmail.com
1973
Class Column: As I jotted down some thoughts for this column, I saw an email from the Rutgers Club of North Carolina. There’s one in the Raleigh-Durham area and they were posting info for the football watch party for the game against Temple. And I realized that for most of my life, I never worried about the Rutgers Club of Wherever because I lived 15 minutes from the stadium! Times and circumstances have changed.
Life has a way of moving quickly. Which is why I keep asking for your news and stories!
And just like that, someone responded! Erwin J. Shustak RC’73 was again selected by a nationwide survey of his peers for inclusion in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers in America, for the seventh consecutive year. His work is in financial services regulation law and he is a partner in Shustak Reynolds & Partners.
Two sad notes to share. As is often the case, we receive word late on many things, including deaths. We heard that Jeffrey C. Winter ENG’73 died June 29, 2021. As well, we got word of the passing of William Dries RC’73, RBS’74 who died December 2, 2020, from “chronic rejection after a double lung transplant.” Our condolences to the families.
Do keep Rutgers in mind and support the Class of 1973 Endowed Scholarship. Amazingly, we are less than two years away from becoming part of the Old Guard, 50 years after graduation. And, yes, there will be requests to support our class gift.
Be safe, be well, be Scarlet Forever! Tell me your stories.
Bob Cancro RC’73, GSE’78: scarknight@aol.com
1974
Class Column: Bill Fernekes RC’74, GSNB’78, GSE’85 reports that Eric Wasserman RC’74, GSE’76 retired in late June from Hunterdon Central Regional High School after 45 years of teaching. Bill also says that he and his wife, Sheila RC’76, are going to the RU-Delaware football game at Rutgers on September 18: “It will be a ‘retro’ event, since we used to play Delaware back in the day, and we often lost. We’ve not been to the new, updated stadium so it should be a treat.” Hope more of you get out to the stadium. There were 52,000 there for the opening game against Temple.
No other updates from the class. We are two and a half years out from our 50th reunion. We need to start fundraising for that event. It is hard to think of gifts to the university and not think of my dad’s (Ted Stier ED’49, GSE’50) class of 1949. They were the ones who donated the cannon used during football season and the statue at the stadium commemorating the first game against Princeton. Tom Handza ENG’74 and Charles Riemenschneider CC’74 are the lead fundraisers (to date) for our class. Expect to hear from one or both in the next few months.
Tom retired this year as a chemical engineer after 40 years with Sunoco Inc., wrapping up his career with Jacobs Engineering. He is interested in renewable energy and electrifying everything as the future of a sustainable and carbon-neutral environment. He started with an electric car and then installed solar panels. His next step is a heat pump to replace natural gas. He has also attended public meetings of the President’s Task Force on Carbon Neutrality and Climate Resilience at Rutgers.
Your correspondent is working with the Rutgers Club of Northern California to set up a virtual winetasting event for later this year. The event is tentatively scheduled for early November and will feature the wines of Homewood Winery in Sonoma.
Rick Stier AG’74: 627 Cherry Avenue, Sonoma, CA 95476; Rickstier4@aol.com
1976
Class Column: Greetings, classmates. Despite the best efforts of many at Rutgers who have been sending information recently, it seems to me, from speaking with several friends, that many of us aren’t tracking on the new structure and dates for class reunions. Our 45th reunion is this year, and activities have been planned for us to celebrate during Homecoming Weekend, October 7–9, in New Brunswick.
All class dinners are set for Thursday evening, October 7. While I know a weeknight is not optimal—and it won’t be a private dinner for us unless enough of us sign up—it would still be great for as many of us as possible to get to New Brunswick for dinner that evening either in our own groups or at the Rutgers Club.
My wife and I are making the trip from St. Louis to New Brunswick for the weekend—and we are even planning to go to the Rutgers-Michigan State football game of Saturday afternoon (discounted tickets are available to all alumni). Bottom line is we hope to see many of you for as much time as you can spend in and around New Brunswick during Homecoming Weekend. I know we have classmates coming from as far away as Alaska for the celebration—plus this is our last chance to practice for our 50th reunion in 2026!
So please: take a look at the full schedule of activities and register at www.ralumni.com/homecoming. I hope you will join us in New Brunswick on October 7–9 for fun and fellowship with your Rutgers ’76 classmates. Let me know if you have any ideas or questions at fviverito@stlsports.org.
Thanks, and cheers!
Frank Viverito RC’76: fviverito@stlsports.org
1978
Class Column: Hope the summer has treated you well and that the fall is off to a good start.
It appears that things have been slowly returning to “normal” on the Banks. Among the most recent announcements was the reopening (with some restrictions) of the Rutgers Club, which is on the second floor of the Livingston Dining Commons in Piscataway. Prior to its closing due to the pandemic, my cousin (also a Rutgers alum) and I had a chance to visit and it’s definitely worth a trip. The atmosphere is airy and spacious, the menu offers culinary delights, and special programs will most likely once again be regularly offered.
Those of us in the Class of ’78 will remember the original College Avenue location of the Rutgers Club in one of New Brunswick’s historic houses. The home was built in 1915 and owned by Ernest Webb until 1956, when he sold it to the university. The next year, the Rutgers Club was born.
The annual membership is reasonably priced. One benefit of membership is that the Rutgers Club has a reciprocity agreement with more than 100 university clubs throughout the world. So no matter where you are, the Rutgers Club card can open doors for you! The current Rutgers Club can seat more than 140 people for a wedding, anniversary, or other special occasion or up to 300 for a cocktail-style event. Also, thanks to the larger space, there are several smaller banquet and meeting rooms available. For more information or to register for membership, visit rutgersclub.rutgers.edu.
Until next time…
Mike Blishak RC’78: mikealan@att.net
1982
Class Column: Hopefully everyone is doing well. There has not been much chatter here, as classmates must all be on vacation. It would be nice if some of you (I know you are out there) send an update, as other classmates would love to know what everyone is up to. There is a lot going on in the world and it would be nice to know everyone is doing well. We can do this. Have a great fall and winter.
Norman Schleiffer RC’82: 168 Longwood Drive, Manalapan, NJ 07726; 732-792-0215; schleiff@alumni.rutgers.edu
1983
Class Column: Hope you all are staying safe. Not much to report other than I think I’m spending too much time isolating alone at home. The cat sneezed the other day and I actually said out loud, “God bless you.” I need to get out more.
In other news, our 40th anniversary is less than two years away. Any thoughts on a gift from our class? I kinda like the idea of something we might use when we visit—and before we get too old to enjoy. Send ideas my way.
Milan Indrisek RC’83: 3132 Savannah Drive, Aurora, IL 60502; 630-272-0296; msi961@comcast.net
1985
Class Column: Did you know that the Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature has helped aspiring writers and illustrators of children’s and young adult books in both fiction and nonfiction markets? They’ve been at it for 50 years. Each fall, RUCCL sponsors the One-on-One Plus Conference, giving writers and illustrators a rare opportunity to share their work with an assigned mentor from the children’s publishing world, such as an editor, agent, art director, or published author or illustrator. Learn more about RUCCL at www.ruccl.org.
Linda Tancs RC’85: lindatancs@gmail.com
1989
Class Column: Gerard M. Brady RBS’89, who died May 5, 2021, was a graduate of Kings College and earned his master’s degree from Rutgers in 1989. Gerard’s work life was spent at AT&T, and in his free time he focused on his family as well as golfing, yard work, biking, and hiking.
Barbara E. Heinecke SCILS’89, who died April 9, 2021, graduated from the Philadelphia College of Art. She taught in the Bristol Township School System before starting a career at the Burlington County Library, which inspired her to earn her master’s degree in library science from Rutgers. Barbara was an animal lover who rescued cats from shelters. She also enjoyed folk dancing and gaming, and was an avid reader. She enjoyed travel, particularly to the southwestern United States, which inspired some of her artwork and photography.
Michael F. Mosco CCAS’89, who died March 24, 2021, grew up in Gloucester Township, (Glen Oaks) NJ, before studying economics at Rutgers. He applied his degree to a career in retail as a sales/marketing director. Michael was proud of his Italian ancestry, loved to spend time with his family at the Jersey Shore, and enjoyed boating, fishing, American history, politics, coin collecting, Italian cooking, making money, and especially hockey. He was an avid Eagles and Flyers fan.
Erin P. Peterson (nee Gaffney) RC’89, who died May 11, 2021, grew up in Westfield, NJ, and received her degree in biochemistry from Rutgers. She worked for several New Jersey pharmaceutical companies throughout her career. Erin’s joys included her two children, practicing yoga, reading, and baking, as well as visiting historical sites and national parks.
Maria Lydia “Marily” Sarmiento ENG’89, who died March 17, 2021, grew up in Manhattan but went to high school in the Philippines before receiving her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers in electrical engineering. After receiving an MBA from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, she started a 30-year career at Siemens. Travel was one of her passions, and there seemed to be nowhere she had not visited. She also loved and found peace in golf. Maria focused on family and positively touched everyone she met.
John Fagan RC’89, GSNB’95: johndfagan@verizon.net
1990
Class Column: Thank you to all Rutgers alumni, students, faculty, and staff who have been working on COVID-19 projects in 2020 and 2021. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.
In July, I celebrated five years as the health and safety officer for the New Jersey courts.
Rob Kirkpatrick RC’90 and his family live in Cornwall on Hudson, NY. He runs Kirkpatrick Literary LLC and has negotiated book deals for New York Mets captain David Wright, Golden Globe-winning actor Olivia Hussey, and the Skeptics Guide to the Universe podcast, among others.
Rory McGregor RC’90 writes, “Greetings from London. Since leaving Rutgers, I have worked and lived in New York, Tokyo, and Kingston (Jamaica). From Jamaica I went to business school in Philly in 1994 before ending up in London in 1996. I was initially on foreign exchange and bond trading desks at various banks with a brief interlude at a dotcom in London circa 2000 (remember those days), after which I returned to financial markets and have been COO of an emerging markets investment management firm for the last 18 years. I have been married to Brenda (we met in Tokyo) for 27 years and we have a 15-year-old daughter, Aysha. I keep in touch with quite a few Rutgers people. In London I see Mazen Arafat RC’90 and Lou McCrimlisk RC’86 quite a bit. When I am in the New York tri-state area, I catch up with Rahul Sondhi RC’90, Praveen Jeyarajah RC’90, and Charlie Cammarata ENG’90. Look forward to hearing from classmates and ex-residents of Davidson Hall when I was preceptor there (1987–89).”
Rob Bardsley RC’90: robbardsley@alumni.rutgers.edu
1996
Class Column: As many of you know, I work at Rutgers and the return to work has been slow, but we are back. It’s been weird being on a college campus that has been empty for so long, but, as I type this in September, the streets and sidewalks and buses are filled with masked students and amazing social interactions. I’m so amazed at their resilience and at the school’s commitment to keeping us all safe and protected in these uncertain times. Keep the good news coming. It’s wonderful hearing from you all!
Brian Tobin RC’96, GSN’17: briannealtobin@gmail.com
