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.
1943
Class Column: The Class of ’43 now boasts only five members: Henry Morgan SB’43, NLAW’47; Lou Pokorny ENG’43; Stan Ross AG’43; Rich Snethen AG’43; and me. I’m about to turn 100, planning a big party, still walk a mile every day, and feed my pet squirrels at the kitchen door.
William Suter AG’43: billsuter1319@icloud.com
1948
Class Column: As of this past fall, there are 73 ’48ers still with us. If anyone wants to contact a classmate and needs their address, just email or call me. October 8 was not only Homecoming but also reunion weekend, along with the annual meeting of the Rutgers Oral History Archives. I had the opportunity to meet the latest recipient of our Class of 1948 Endowed Scholarship, a very impressive young lady. Our scholarship fund is now over $200,000 and growing. We still need your contribution to Rutgers University Foundation; earmark it Class of 1948 Endowed Scholarship. As always, send me any information on you and your family’s activities.
Bart Klion RC’48: bbklion@aol.com; 518-930-0509; 43 Abby Lane, Saratoga Springs, NY 12019
1953
Class Column: Henry J. Hohenstein AG’53 continues to live in Shady Cove, OR, where he is chair of the city’s planning commission. Hank’s 54-year career in land-use planning contributes significantly to the commission’s work. On September 27, 2021, Hank and his wife, Susan, hosted a birthday party via Zoom. His Big 9-0 was the next day. When it came time to sing “Happy Birthday,” the voices in Oregon were augmented by others from upstate New York to San Diego. As undergraduates, did any of us envisage a future in which technology and computers would enable a coast-to-coast party like the one Susan and Hank hosted?
Don Fjelstad RC’53 died April 7, 2021, in Salt Lake City, UT. He was born in Livingston, NJ, in 1931 and graduated from Livingston High School at age 16. After several odd jobs—one a ticket runner on Wall Street—Don enrolled at Rutgers and became an ROTC cadet. Upon graduation, he served as a junior officer with the U.S. Air Force. Subsequently, he pursued a career in strategic business planning in Salt Lake City. An avid skier, Don enjoyed skiing with his two daughters and three stepsons.
I often reflect on the excellence of our classes at Rutgers. The same holds for other activities, e.g., the nondenominational chapel service on Wednesdays, concerts by artists from Carnegie Hall, and so forth. Regardless of what part of the university we were enrolled in (agriculture, arts and sciences, education, or engineering), the curriculum was composed of a blend of sciences and humanities. The former would prepare most of us for careers. The latter would enhance the lives of all of us. What a priceless—and enduring—gift!
William (Bill) Sansalone AG’53, GSNB’61: 6835 Old Stage Road, Rockville, MD 20852; 301-881-0063; ws31@verizon.net
1955
Class Column: Dick Prentiss RC’55 sent a nice Christmas greeting to everyone but couldn’t restrain himself from bragging about the 70-degree temps in Key West in December. We’ll check again when it’s hurricane season.
Gordon Macdonald AG’55, GSNB’61, our class vice president, was at home in Hershey, PA, from May to October, then he and his wife returned to their Florida condo. He stays in touch with his Alpha Chi Rho roommate, Ernie Barrett ENG’55, and had a long conversation with Larry Suydam AG’55, another ACR buddy who is living in New Jersey and doing well. Gordon is active in local veterans’ breakfast meetings and recently met a former USAF pilot of the Hanoi Hilton experience who knew our late classmate John Dramesi ED’55 and spoke highly of him.
Jim Byrne RC’55, one of our outstanding class golfers, is also another Florida visitor who has slowed down a bit, getting out on the course only once or twice a week when it’s warm and sunny. He sends his best wishes to all classmates.
Danny White RC’55 had heart surgery a year ago and had some difficulty recovering throughout most of 2021. He’s a little better now, but still unable to drive, causing him to miss seeing Ron Mastrolia RC’55 during a reunion with Ron’s children recently. Oh yes, Ron is also a Florida resident of many years.
Paul Dubow RC’55, NLAW’58 and his wife, Joan, gave up their downtown San Francisco high-rise of 16 years and moved west across the bay about 20 miles to Walnut Creek, CA. They now live in Rossmoor, a senior residential community in the hills behind Berkeley and Oakland. Instead of SF fog, they now have beautiful views of the golf course and distant hills. He no longer plays golf but most likely continues his passion for deep-sea salmon fishing.
Leonard Levy AG’55 has finally retired from his lifelong floral and garden business in Paramus, NJ. Everything now is coming up roses!
Martin Giesbrecht RC’55 was in the path of the tornadoes that swept through western Kentucky last fall, devastating thousands of people, but fortunately they passed him by. Living a good life has its rewards!
Jack Witemeyer, our class president, finds that living in New Hampshire has several advantages. It’s a small state so it has fewer of everything to worry about, no sales or income taxes, and plenty of firewood to stay warm. It also gets good snow for skiing, a hobby he plans to resume next year. He is not planning to move to Florida.
Karl Reinhardt AG’55, an aggie who spent his career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a conservationist, passed away October 6, 2021, in Cincinnati, OH.
Edwin J. Schwartz RC’55 died December 23, 2021. He was a gifted storyteller and a passionate fan of the arts. We will miss his entertaining messages about living in Mexico. Our condolences to Karl’s and Edwin’s families.
Bob 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 report the passing of Dick Hill RC’57 on January 2, 2022. He was a four-year varsity athlete in cross country and continued participating for many years after graduation. He was a math major, a TEK, and a member of ROTC, which pointed him toward the Counter Intelligence Corps. After his stint, he spent 40 years with Prudential Life as an actuary in various executive positions. Dick was a Loyal Son of Rutgers and spent many years on the university’s Board of Trustees. As a member of the Rutgers Alumni Association, he spent one term as its president. He was very active in our class alumni affairs and for several years, we were co-chairs for our class fundraising campaigns. He was a great RU guy.
I am also sorry to report the passing of George Ohye RC’57 on January 28, 2022, after a brief battle with cancer. George had been a member Tau Delta Phi fraternity and was in ROTC. After graduation, he served in the Army and Army Reserve. While working full time and raising a family, he pursued a law degree at night, which he received from Seton Hall in 1971. George enjoyed a long and successful career in the pharmaceutical industry. He held leadership positions at Carter-Wallace, Johnson & Johnson, and Bristol Myers Squibb. George and his wife, Donna, who survives him, led a rich and happy life, traveling around the world and the country attending concerts. He was an important member of the Class of 1957 and active in alumni affairs.
We lost one other classmate, Cornelius Cabarle RC’57, on October 12, 2021. You can read his obituary here.
On a brighter note, we are beginning to plan our 65th reunion. Given our current situation, I hope we will be able to gather our class. Watch for announcements for that function and plan to attend.
Don’t forget our Class of 1957 Fund so we can make a gift to RU in honor of our 65th reunion.
Harold J. Kaplan RC’57: P.O. Box 941313, Maitland, FL 32794; hjk@ufg-lease.com;
407-592-6488
1958
Class Column: Hank Goetz RC’58 meets Friday mornings with a group of former flyers at a local deli to swap stories. Hank acts as facilitator. It’s called “Bagels and Baloney.” Bagels are good and so is the baloney. Tony Curto RC’58’s good friend Thomas Suozzi is running for governor of New York and Tony is “heavily” involved in his campaign, raising funds, and aiding him in the transition to governor if he wins. “Exciting,” he says!
Steve Fisher RC’58 and his wife, Sue, just “donated our tennis rackets to Goodwill.” That’s the way the ball bounces!
Gene Simms RC’58 writes, “We have been careful about the virus, so not much is happening. We are getting 195 miles to the gallon with our (electric vehicle) Volt with the extra gas engine. We use it mainly around town, where it will run 30 to 50 miles on the battery but we do take it up north in the summer. It has not added much to the electric bill for the past three years. My back suggests I may not be using the kayak much in the future; other than that, we are OK.”
Dave Pooley ED’58 traveled to the Rutgers bowl game but was not impressed.
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Peter Failla ENG’58, who died January 9, 2022. Peter spent most of his career as the proprietor of Alpha Engineering and Surveying Associates in Parsippany, NJ. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kathleen, three daughters, a son, and nine grandchildren. My classmates and I send our deepest condolences to Peter’s family.
That’s all, folks. Stay well!
Robert Max RC’58, GSE’78: 12 Danbury Road, Woolwich, NJ 08085; 856-467-8148; bbmax96@comcast.net
1959
Class Column: I had a good telephone conversation with Paul Koch ENG’59, who’s celebrating his and Helen’s 69th wedding anniversary. Their children and grandchildren are all “in the neighborhood” (Franklin, NJ), so the pandemic has been an occasion for greater togetherness, although Paul regrets no longer being able to hit the open road in their motor home.
A U.S. Air Force Korean War vet, Paul started an electronics engineering career with Stavid/Lockheed but changed course, graduating from Seton Hall Law School in 1967 and becoming a patent attorney with Bell Labs. Later, in private practice of general law with his brother-in-law, he was joined by son Francis RC’87.
Class President Stan Liptzin ED’59, GSE’63,’76 and Eileen are proud great-grandparents of Ella Isabel, born in May 2021 to granddaughter Amanda Rotkel. Ella’s grandmother is Shari Liptzin Rosenblum RC’85.
The Rev. Joel McEachen RC’59 laments, “Well, our plans to move (from Fairfield, CT) to Minneapolis (wife Sandra’s hometown) are down the tubes. Murders, muggings, robberies, burglaries, carjackings are all up astronomically…”
Joel’s communications are always replete with memories of college days:
(From Hegeman Hall) “we could look out over our desks and get a spectacular view of the building of Frelinghuysen Hall. We ate up the rumor that Grace Kelly would come to the dedication ceremonies because the brickwork was done by her father’s Philadelphia contracting company. No such luck.”
Bill Swinkin RC’59 checked in from Delray Beach, FL, where he and his wife are “spending a relaxing winter.”
Jim Virkler RC’59 and his wife, Eleanor, are the latest to report downsizing/moving intentions, from Galena, IL, to the Iowa City, IA, area, nearer one of their children. Jim has the dubious distinction of being the first in our class to report a COVID-19 diagnosis: “I acquired a raging case…in late September and spent three and a half weeks in the hospital—not pretty. I have virtually no memory of the bizarre things my wife tells me about my condition during that time. Thank God, I have basically recovered, but still benefit from physical therapy.”
Happily, no deaths to report.
Alan Schreihofer RC’59: 3776 Ashford Lake Court NE, Brookhaven GA 30319; 770-458-7766; aschreihofer@bellsouth.net
1961
Class Column: Edward Watts RC’61 died May 10, 2020. He was a lifelong resident of the New Brunswick area. Edward taught Latin and history at Franklin High School in Somerset, NJ, retiring in 1993. His last few years were spent in Pennsylvania near his nieces and nephews.
Tom Siegel RC’61: 3739 Waldorf Drive, Dallas, TX 75229; 214-351-1009; tsijag06@gmail.com
1962
Class Column: Arthur McDermott RC’62, 80-ish like many of us, started another senior living apartment complex in October (72 units). In spring he’ll begin a 150-unit complex that’s neither age nor income limited. Plans for back surgery are on hold because his wife, Margaret, got Covid early in January. Fortunately, it’s a mild case from which she is recovering. Arthur also noted the shocking loss of 1,084 buildings, most family homes, in Boulder County, west of Denver, with around 30,000 people displaced. Given the almost full occupancy of McDermott Properties, little relief could be offered to people burned out of their homes.
Jack McColley RC’62 wrote from Florida via Facebook to comment in detail about Russia’s huge troop formation on the Ukraine border. He and his wife, Tetyana, own a home in Ukraine but reside in the United States during winter. They have been watching Biden and Putin in their political dance, deeply worried about the safety of her relatives and of Ukraine.
John Hendricks RC’62 is a hockey hero! Always an excellent communicator, he’s been a good friend to those of us who miss a news item or a sports schedule or a link between Rutgers and an event worth noting. More than once, he has spotted an article about or reference to Rutgers hockey when, up in New York state, I’ve missed it. His thoughtfulness is the best kind of “character trait,” and I always appreciate hearing from him.
Tino Mattoli RC’62 promised to share details about his relative’s olive oil business, reputedly with very high-quality olives grown near Foligno, part of Umbria, the central region of Italy. I am still waiting…patiently!
It’s disappointing, however, to hear from so few classmates, especially as President Barry Pavelec RC’62 has worked so hard on our 60th reunion to occur in October during Homecoming Weekend.
Please send news!
Geoffrey Gould RC’62, GSE’66,’74: 500 Magnolia Drive, Vestal, NY 13850; 607-757-0499; ggould@binghamton.edu
1965
Class Column: Bob Mudie RC’65 took a four-day bike trip to the Natchez Trace from Jackson, MS, to Nashville and got to do more broadcasting for the Greenville Lions football team.
Dennis Brodkin RC’65, NLAW’81 plans on going to SoCal to visit family and friends and to a wedding in Michigan. He just celebrated his 40th anniversary of graduating from Rutgers Law School.
Rich Smolenski ENG’65 is “staying 100 percent retired and haven’t worked a single day in 2021; Bev, on the other hand, retired early in her career…on our wedding day. Our planned trips to India and the Amazon are on hold for now.”
John Adams RC’65 spent three years in the Air Force JAG at Hill Air Force Base, then practiced law for 12 years. After some time at Bear Stearns, he set up a boutique brokerage firm and, finally, ran a private investment fund. After retirement, he became an adjunct professor in political science at Rutgers in New Brunswick.
Don Ricart RC’65, CLAW’68 reports that due to COVID-19, the most exciting event this past year was “cooking a tomahawk ribeye roast for Xmas.”
Don Green RC’65 attended his 60th high school reunion and was unrecognized since “I had grown from 5 feet to 5’8”. They were looking up now instead of looking down.”
Dom Addario RC’65 enjoyed the movies Don’t Look Up, It’s a Wonderful Life, and A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott.
Joe Kriegel RC’65 is semiretired and renovating his 14-room Victorian house, built in 1883, plus he saved cats from the executioner!
Ed Belding RC’65, GSE’94 continues working on his third Wetherill Mystery and his granddaughter is turning into a top swimmer at South Brunswick.
Darryl James RC’65, GSNB’67 has completed a sixth book; traveled to Mesa, AZ, Texas, and Colorado Springs; and hopes to take the Queen Mary 2 to the UK.
Mike Maguire RC’65 calls senior citizens as part of the Hunterdon (NJ) Helpline Telephone Reassurance program and mentors Rutgers STEM and business students.
John Corcoran RC’65, our class humorist, still believes laughter is the best medicine despite the fact he needs “to take some pills first.”
Michael Wiener RC’65 and his partner are now known as “donut boys” after donating 300 donuts to a nearby Buddhist temple in Thailand.
Norm Kline RC’65 noted that Jack Wurgaft RC’65 died September 11, 2021.
Dave Wolf ENG’65 visited with his daughters and only grandchild last summer in Kitty Hawk, NC, then with his other daughter in Black Mountain, NC.
Joe Lavenia RC’65 says, “Thanks for staying in touch.”
Rich Steffan RC’65, GSNB’69 enjoys our updates and says, “Happy new year!”
Tom Clark RC’65 cruised to Cozumel and keeps in touch with Mike Wiener.
Jon Rodiek AG’65 sent me humorous headlines. Thanks, Jon!
Dave Stout RC’65, GSE’82 had a tough year with health issues but wishes all a “bright and healthy 2022.”
Jim Hackett RC’65 met a dog walker whose father he played football with at RU.
Harvey Kohn RC’65’s daughter qualified for the national tennis state league over-40 tournament.
Raymond Harbort RC’65 graduated from the General Theological Seminary in 1968 and served parishes in Peekskill and Warwick, NY, and in Hackensack and Haledon, NJ. He is an avid cyclist and did a 45-day ride from Seattle to Washington, DC.
Carl Woodward RC’65, NLAW’68 continues to represent friends and nonprofits in legal matters and is chair of the Board of Directors of the National Wildlife Refuge Association.
Gunnar Askeland RC’65 sadly reported the passing of lifelong friend, college roommate, and Delta Upsilon brother Jay Miller RC’65 on June 19, 2021.
Chuck Hennings RC’65: c2hennings@yahoo.com
1966
Class Column: Our class commitment to RU continues 55 years after graduation. This past year, more than 20 percent of our classmates donated more than $125,000 in aid to students with gifts to Scarlet Promise Grants and endowed scholarships. Donations totaled $8.7 million, the largest ever by our class. The class officers thank all who contributed.
COVID-19 concerns, travel, and health issues limited our turnout for Reunion Weekend in October. The class was represented by Class President Ted Hardies RC’66 and his wife, Diane DC’68; Ken Johnson ENG’66 and his wife, Jackie; Fred Cassaday RC’66; Art Falk RC’66, RBS’90; Bill McGuinn RC’66 and his daughter; Hal Shill RC’66; and me. The memories shared were priceless.
Hal reports that the Targum digitization project now includes all four of our years on campus. Check the issues from September 1962 to May 1966 at https://rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu/search/results/?q1=targum&orderby=datedesc&ppage=10numresults=10&key=root&start=101.
No holiday season would be complete without a greeting from Keith McDermott RC’66 in the UK. Keith and his wife, Isabelle, live in London and Gloucestershire. Their photo card shows all four children and eight grandchildren.
Michael Perlin RC’66 is co-editor of a new book, Justice Outsourced: The Therapeutic Jurisprudence Implications of Judicial Decision-Making by Non-Judicial Officers, which will be published by Temple University Press this year. He’s really excited about the cover art, designed by his wife, Linda SSW’77.
We have lost five more classmates. Alan Fass RC’66 of Bridgewater, NJ, died October 12, 2021. He was a purchasing agent for the Bell system for 40 years. He served in the Army during Vietnam. He was an active supporter of the Home Sharing Program of Somerset County. He is survived by his wife, Elaine DC’65, GSE’67, whom he met at RU, and two children.
Joseph Loughran RC’66 of Whitemarsh, PA, died September 15, 2021. He majored in economics at RU and served in the Naval Reserves. Joe joined his father’s company, Airline Hydraulics, and worked there for 55 years. He helped open eight branches to distribute hydraulic and pneumatic products and was chair of its Board of Trustees. He and wife, Norma Jean, had three children and seven grandchildren.
Marc Alan Rosenblum ENG’66, GSNB’71, a dentist and professor, died July 16, 2021, of pancreatic cancer. Applying his ceramic engineering training that started at RU, he helped develop the first durable white composite fillings while working for Johnson & Johnson. Marc opened his own dental practice in Paramus, served as a professor in dentistry at Columbia and UMDNJ, and helped found the Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College.
William Wickham RC’66 died in Cape Coral, FL, on July 16, 2021. He was a business administration major at RU, served in the U.S. Army, and then became an accountant in Columbus, OH. In the 1990s, Bill owned SBC Advertising, a full-service marketing and advertising company. He was an avid golfer in Ohio and owned many boats in Florida.
Travis Cronshey RC’66 of Reading, VT, died May 21, 2021. He was a stonemason contractor and skilled carpenter. He built his own home in Vermont and helped construct the covered bridge on Route 106 in Hammondsville, VT. Travis loved being outdoors, be it camping, snowmobiling, or jeeping.
Larry Benjamin RC’66: 122 Almond Road, Freehold, NJ 07728; 732-625-9797; llbenj@optimum.net
1967
Class Column: I was fortunate to attend a luncheon for a group of Rutgers graduates from the 1960s at the Black Squirrel Pub in East Falls, Philadelphia, in December. David Watson RC’67 pulled it together and it was great to see him and Bill Mansmann AG’71, Glen Lampa RC’69, Ron Stricklin RC’69, Chuck Maddox RC’65, James Armour ENG’68, Terence Doran RC’68, Ted David RC’69, Gordon Forbes RC’67, and Harry Conroy RC’69.
I hope all our class members received the email from Class President Bob Gravani AG’67 and Vice President Jack Frost RC’67 regarding our 55th reunion. It will be held in the fall of 2022 in conjunction with Homecoming Weekend. Our class has made significant contributions to Rutgers and our gifts this year will increase the endowment of our class scholarship and allow us to identify another university priority to mark our 55th milestone. Be on the lookout for further communications as the date draws near.
Finally, it was with great sorrow we received news of the death of Peter (Irving W.) Tallman AG’67 on October 24, 2021. As his friends remembered, “he was an energetic rapscallion who could just as easily open a meaningful conversation about death as make an irreverent joke. He was known by his family as a perpetual source of love, generosity, and eccentricity who did it his way, up until the very end.” Our condolences to his wife and partner of 21 years, Patsy Tallman, his son Brett (Susan), stepsons Jeff (Victoria) Russo and David (Jennifer) Russo, and five grandchildren (Grace, Louis, Angela, Elliott, and Leo).
Mike Moran RC’67: revmoran@gmail.com
1968
Class Column: At the end of last year, I learned that two members of our class, Dwight Hlustick ENG’68 and Robert B. Thaler Jr. RC’68, died in September 2021. Dwight, who died on September 30, was an engineering major at Rutgers and worked for 32 years at the EPA as an environmental engineer. Originally from New Jersey, he lived in northern Virginia, where he was active in hunting, fishing, and cycling. Although transplanted to a different sports scene, he reportedly maintained his loyalty to the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles. Dwight leaves a sister and three nieces.
Robert died on September 19, just a day after he watched his beloved Scarlet Knights football team defeat Delaware. After a successful high school football career at the Jersey Shore, Robert played 150-pound football at Rutgers and became a longtime and dedicated member of the Rutgers Football Touchdown Club. Like several of us in the Class of ’68, Robert took ROTC and eventually served in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. After military service, he went to New York Law School and became an attorney and local prosecutor at the shore. He is survived by Pat, his wife of 37 years, as well as three sons and two daughters.
On behalf of all members of the Class of 1968, I want to extend our condolences to Dwight’s and Robert’s families. May Dwight and Robert rest in peace.
To help our class stay in touch, I’ve begun two initiatives. The first is a Rutgers Class of 1968 Facebook page, which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/367708048230020. There are currently 29 members and I would very much like to add as many as possible. Since many of us don’t care for social media, I have also begun an email group that can be used to share news. In anticipation of our 55th reunion in 2023, I’ve begun sending out a monthly email reflecting on what we were doing at Rutgers 55 years ago. I would be happy to add others to the list, simply email me at jzinn84@comcast.net.
John Zinn RC’68, RBS’70: jzinn84@comcast.net
1969
Class Column: In late February, your class correspondent attended a book release event by Alan Winter RC’69. A retired periodontist, Alan has turned to writing historical novels. The latest is titled Sins of the Fathers (Skyhorse Publishing, 2022), a collaboration with Herbert Stern. It picks up where their 2020 release, Wolf (Skyhorse Publishing 2020) leaves off. Both well-researched tales take place in Germany between World Wars I and II, chronicling the rise of Hitler.
An album on John Baker RC’69, RBS’81’s classical music label, Affetto Records, was listed at #3 on Billboard’s Top Ten Classical chart this past fall.
Several notes from Bruce Hubbard RC’69: “The Class of 1969 awarded its annual scholarships of approximately $17,000 again this year, and women were again the primary recipients. Jim Cuviello RC’69, Rod Lusey RC’69, Paul Reagan RC’69, Tom McKay RC’69, Jerry Harris RC’69, GSNB’72, Omer Brown RC’69, Mark Koury RC’69, John Sullivan RC’69, RBS’70, and I are members of the Scholarship Selection Committee.
“Nick RC’69, NLAW’73 and Costa Kensington RC’69, NLAW’73 have both retired, Nick in Massachusetts and Costa in Florida. Omer Brown has retired to Martha’s Vineyard and lives in the historic Luce Home in Vineyard Haven. Look him up if you visit the Vineyard.
“Jerry Harris, Bryant Mitchell RC’69, Chuck Bowers AG’69, NJMS’74, and I are members of the Black on the Banks Legacy Circle, a group of late 1960s and early 1970s black alumni who meet through Zoom calls and who have contributed to the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance, Inc. for the Paul Robeson Scholarship and the Will Power Scholarship.
“I am in continual Facebook contact with my high school and college classmate Rod Lusey, who is retired as a colonel from the U.S. Army and now lives in Oklahoma.
Finally, Chi Psi members of the Class of 1969 keep in touch through Zoom calls during the pandemic, including Paul Reagan, Dick Askin RC’69, Keith McAllister RC’69, Nick and Costa Kensington, Don Robinson RC’69, and me.”
David Lieberfarb RC’69, GSE’72: dmlieb@optonline.net
1972
Class Column: I wish all our classmates and their families a happy, healthy new year! This is our 50th year since our graduation. I hope many of our classmates can make a reunion visit to see the many changes and celebrate our 50th anniversary. Dates for reunion will be announced in the future.
My wife, Debra, and I made a road trip up to Jacksonville and the Gator Bowl from the west coast of Florida. This was my seventh in-person RU bowl game.
It has been very quiet on class news. Drop me an email to get your updates in a future class column.
Dan Kramer RC’72: Dankramer50@gmail.com
1974
Class Column: In the last class column, your correspondent mentioned that he was working with the Rutgers Club of the San Francisco Bay Area to set up a virtual wine-tasting event. On November 11, seven members of the club gathered with family and friends in front of their computers to taste wines from Homewood Winery in Sonoma. Many thanks to Katherine Lau ENG’16 from the club for coordinating the event and to David Homewood, the owner and winemaker, for sharing with the group. The event was well-received, so much so that one of the participants came to the winery to taste a few more wines.
Jamie King RC’74 and Tina celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary in the fall. They are enjoying retirement in Vermont. They report that “skiing, hiking, and kayaking in the Green Mountains is the life!”
Still staying one step ahead of the posse, John Carlucci RC’74 works closely with a nonprofit organization, the NFL Alumni Association, in a marketing consulting capacity. He helped create the association’s most recent health care initiative, Huddle Up: Let’s Talk Obesity, an awareness campaign focusing on excess weight and its impact on overall health. Click this link to view a short video featuring some legends of the game: https://vimeo.com/595658024/2472787e0e But what keeps John young at heart is being around his 4- and 2-year-old grandsons, Owen and Everett, who can do no wrong in his eyes!
Tom Handza ENG’74 reports that he completed the Philadelphia Broad Street 10-mile run in 90 minutes. He is considering taking on the burden of coordinating the 50th reunion fundraising. Anyone wishing to help Tom or who has ideas for gifts to the university can contact your correspondent.
Richard Stier AG’74: 627 Cherry Avenue, Sonoma, CA 95476; Rickstier4@aol.com
1976
Class Column: For decades, the crew that lived on Hardenbergh 5 our freshman year has been the heart of our class. They hang together through thick and thin. They gather frequently. And they’ve been enjoying weekly Zoom calls on Sunday evenings throughout the two-year pandemic.
But now it’s time for them and all of us to look to the future—specifically to our 50th reunion in 2026. It will be here before we know it.
Our 45th reunion last October was a bit disjointed, and the overall homecoming/reunion event was not well-attended—certainly understandable due to Covid—but now’s the time to start planning for the big one.
I’d like to get a group together to begin meeting soon. Let me know if you’re interested in participating or if you have suggestions and ideas. But as usual, the most encouraging signs come from Hardenbergh 5.
A note they’re circulating says, in part, “If you’re reading this, we all challenge you to actively maintain close friendships; many of us will be available at our 50-year reunion to give you tips on how to do it.”
I know they’ll be there. Please let me know if you want to join in, too!
Otherwise, stay healthy and safe. Hope to connect with many of you soon.
Frank Viverito RC’76: fviverito@stlsports.org
1978
Class Column: If you haven’t been on the Banks in while, you may not be aware that the Alumni House at Van Nest Hall is open and ready to welcome you home. No matter where you earned your Rutgers degree, it’s a place for all alumni to relax, socialize, network, and reminisce. Van Nest Hall also contains Rutgers’ alumni engagement offices. Staff members can provide information on travel, benefits, events, volunteer opportunities, and more. Among the amenities available are meeting space for all alumni and chartered alumni organizations, interactive displays featuring Rutgers facts and alumni profiles, Wi-Fi, and a large parlor with comfortable seating.
As you well know, Van Nest Hall is on the historic College Avenue campus. But did you know that it was the second instructional building to be constructed at Rutgers? It was erected in 1845 and named for Abraham Van Nest, a New York City merchant and devoted trustee of Rutgers College. Over the decades, Van Nest Hall has served a wide range of academic, administrative, and other purposes, including being the home to literary societies, a museum and chemistry lab, housing for the college’s history faculty, a chapter of the YMCA, and offices for the departments of English and health education, admissions, and student affairs. The beautiful renovation has retained the building’s historic character and awaits your arrival to help you stay connected to the past, present, and future of Rutgers.
The alumni house is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The first floor of the building is wheelchair accessible. If you need help in planning your visit to the alumni house, please email rualumni@ruf.rutgers.edu.
Until next time…
Mike Blishak RC’78: mikealan@att.net
1982
Class Column: Hopefully everyone is doing well. The pandemic lingers and the government overreach continues, but I digress. The last couple of years have been filled with alumni children’s weddings. So, a big shout-out to my roommate Anthony Angelosante RC’82 on the marriage of his son, AJ Angelosante SAS’11, and roommate George Goldberg ENG’82 on the marriages of his son Josh and daughter Abby.
Manny Katz ENG’82, RBS’89 gave away his daughter, Hillary, three times (to the same groom, lol) due to the delays caused by the shutdowns. I had the good fortune to watch my son Scott walk down the aisle twice (also to the same bride, Megan), and look forward to walking my daughter Heather down the aisle by the time this gets posted. The backlog of weddings seems to be big business since the virus landed here, but hopefully all who wished to take the plunge were finally able to do it and move on with their lives. I would love to hear from you, so drop me a line.
All the best,
Norman Schleiffer RC’82: 168 Longwood Drive, Manalapan, NJ 07726; 732-792-0215;
1989
Class Column: Gina-Rose Garella Halasnik DC’89, RBS’89 died September 14, 2021. Gina lived in Kinnelon, NJ, with her husband, Stephen CC’90. They were Rutgers football season ticketholders and attended many games with the family. Gina worked in accounting while raising her two children. She will be remembered for her vibrant and warm personality that helped her connect with everyone around her. In addition, she loved travel, fashion, trivia nights, and gatherings with her large circle of friends.
John Fagan RC’89, GSNB’95: johndfagan@verizon.net
1990
Class Column: Carmen Ferrigno RC’90, GSC’93 started a company called Convergent Communications & Consulting. In fall 2021, he produced 80+ live internet talk shows from the floor of the UN Climate Change Summit in Glasgow, Scotland. He is a Senior Fellow at Kite Insights, a climate-focused think tank in London
Rob Bardsley RC’90: robbardsley@alumni.rutgers.edu
