Before the 30th Reunion my column was devoted to those whose who needed no puny b-ache to explain their physical absence because their presence among us was spiritual rather than physical. This group of classmates had joined the ghostly assemblage about which we sing in The Corps. The idea was borrowed from ’55 Scribe, Charles Rhodes. On occasion, former plebes still look to their first classmen for guidance. The idea met with approval so I tried it again before the 35th. Hard to believe five years have flown by and here I am again doing a column you will read after reunion.
This column is dedicated to our fallen classmates and wives. This listing will be organized by cadet battalions & companies with those who have died since the 35th Reunion Roll Call at Trophy Point on 2 Oct 93 shown in bold print.
A1 Donald O Ellerthorpe (15 Aug 96). B1 Alfred R Mason (1 Jun 67), John H McKillop (3 Sep 89), Ola R Nelson (28 Dec 92), John B Sampson (14 Nov 95), Theodore F Smith (4 Apr 80). C1 Joseph K Brown (26 Feb 88), Ernest F Geipel (12 May 80), Joanna Gell (24 Apr 91), Thomas J Kelly (8 Nov 97), James J Kernan (29 Dec 95). D1 Joseph A Evans (23 Jun 79), Charles A Normington (18 Nov 66).
E1 John C Burke (6 Dec 92). F1 James H C Ballard (24 Oct 96), Robert A Bethmann (2 May 72), Cookie Hamilton (3 Sep 93), Richard S Johnson (17 Jan 65). G1 Jerry L Burton (22 Jan 60), Sammy H Cardwell (22 Feb 61), Suzanne Cardwell Meehan (26 Jun 92), Lee A J Gaughan (30 Jun 87), Connie Morrill (9 Jan 85), Merwin L Morrill (21 Aug 67), Linda Sedgwick (8 Feb 75). H1 Gloria Betts (11 Apr 96), Stanley A Maxson, Jr (5 Jan 85), Gerald T Rudolph (14 Dec 82), Ralph R Wensinger ’59 (21 Oct 68).
I1 John W Carson (12 Jul 79), Richard T Lynch (10 Sep 64), Lon A Spurlock II (29 Mar 69), Clifford B Trott (23 Sep 88), George G Wees (12 Feb 95). K1 Gerald C Capelle (1 Apr 65), William A Denson (23 Oct 75). M1 Richard D Kittleson (4 Dec 79), John W Schneider, Jr (25 Mar 75).
A2 Hugh A Bauer (10 Jan 71), Dedo Faiola (1995?), G John Faiola (21 Jan 80), Joan Toney (4 Feb 92), George N Lancaster (10 Apr 96). B2 Dan A Brookhart (12 Nov 63), Joe M Davis (4 Aug 63), Robert W Giuliano (2 Nov 71), Floyd B Spencer, Jr (31 Jan 68). C2 Kathleen Bahnsen (11 Apr 96), Adam Benjamin, Jr (7 Sep 82), Patrick J Green (6 Feb 90), James L Massey, Jr ’59 (8 Dec 92), Eugene J Scales (31 Jan 96). D2 Anne Bowen (30 Sep 92), Robert Degen (8 Jan 71), Diane Miller (1997?), Robert E Olson (5 Feb 69), Dan Yarr (3 May 1998).
E2 William N Bicher (17 Jun 97), Donald M Forney (21 Feb 94), Beth Gietzen (21 Sep 78), Emma Jane Phillips (May 1996?), Franklin D Phillips (16 Jul 81). F2 James A Godbey (7 Dec 78), David A Hettinger (6 Feb 94), Mary Ann Kempnow (1959?), John A Nowak (16 May 94), Frederick J Schluter (12 Jul 60). G2 Robert F Bowers ’59 (25 Jan 93), Wayne D Day (11 Mar 66), Alice Wakefield Forman (15 Nov 91), Thomas A Forman (13 Nov 93), Carol Ann McCauley (??), Kay Wright (19 Sep 97). H2 Robert E Baker (6 Feb 92), Catherine Clements (25 Sep 97), George E Hussey (4 May 70), Strube J Jackson (30 Sep 83), William P Marshall (24 Apr 60), Robert T Stinson (14 May 58), George W P Walker (31 Jan 59).
I2 Olen A Brown (24 Oct 64), Bernard R Card (1 Jun 89), Gudrun Glover (21 Nov 94), Warren Rubel (31 Oct 93), Pat Schwar (17 Mar 97). K2 Jerry Dunn (6 Sep 97), Jackie Howard (14 Mar 85), Roy S Kirkpatrick (26 Aug 91), Robert L Kirtley (8 May 94). L2 Gary G Durkee (1 Oct 93), Ann Gracy Eliot (29 Apr 78), John H Eliot (25 Dec 95), Edward G Hale, Jr (8 Jun 66), Linda Beal Mellin (1 Mar 97), Dewitt T Monroe, Jr ’59 (1 Aug 81), Charles S Moore (25 Apr 67), David F Nidever (30 May 71), Carol Snipes (1998?). M2 Kenneth W Clark (3 Apr 83), Lawrence M Malone (7 Jan 68), John S Rave (13 Nov 95).
"Well done, be thou at peace." I believe the numbers are 100, 76 classmates and 24 wives. In five cases both the husband and wife have died. If you were AWOL from the Memorial Service and Roll Call at Camp Buckner on Sunday, 24 May, sit up with chin well in, then resolve to attend our Mini in the Barracks in June 1999, the Portland Mini in 2000, the Sante Fe Mini in 2001, the unspecified mini in 2002 and our 45th at West Point in the fall of 2003. With the passage of time and ever-growing ranks of the ghostly assemblage, the living have no excuse for not joining the class at its reunions!
And now for information on-hand via email. More mathematics from Walt Patterson in response to my bit about Pat Mellin’s bike riding across MN on his birthday. "’The mathematically gifted have figured out that Pat is 63.’ A quote from column #102. Those of us who are truly mathematically gifted have figured out that Pat is 62. However, nowadays students are taught that ballpark answers are acceptable! Estimation is a valuable skill. My statement of 62 is based on the principle that it takes 11 clothespins to hang up 10 diapers. You see if the first bike ride occurred during the year Pat was 60, then the second occurred when Pat was 61 and the third when Pat was 62. Check it out - Pat won't be 63 until this coming 28 April (also my late mother's birthday). If Pat continues to ride for 15 consecutive years he will be 74, not 75."
More from Walt "A note of interest: Both the oldest member of the class, Wally Ward, and the youngest member of the class, Dave Livingston, are M1 files. Sorry to hear that Larry Bullis had his birthday changed. You would think those things would not be easily correctable in the computer system, but not so.
"For many years after graduation (until 1978) I maintained my NJ drivers license. For reasons of space one year they changed my name from Walter M. to W. M. After two more years of being W. M. they changed it to WM Patterson. Then the next year (having more space I guess) they changed it to William Patterson. I complained and was informed I would have to go to court to get my name changed to Walter M. I went in in-person and complained, but they refused to change my name. At this point I was really teed-off and yelled at the clerk, ‘Do you know I went to the same school as Robert E. Lee.’ Now it just happens that at that time the NJ Commissioner of Motor Vehicles was named, you guessed it, Robert E. Lee. I was being facetious. But the clerk promptly ran to the back room and returned with a license with Walter M. Patterson on it. Thank you Robert E. Lee. This is a true story!" Your Scribe must acknowledge that Walt is (1) correct and (2) a college math professor. As an engineer I knew better, but subsequent branch transfers to infantry and aviation relieved me of math skills.
Back to Walt’s email, "Well, enough bull for one letter. Susan and I are both doing fine down here in SC and we do plan to go on the cruise and to attend the 40th.
Hope to see you then. You do a wonderful job on the column - keep it up. Sincerely, Walt." Scribe’s next comment is that NJ and PA motor vehicle bureaucracies have much in common: William Patterson and 43-year old Larry Bullis.
Next is an account of Roger Waddell’s retiring from Gulfstream by his yearling squad leader, Ivar Rundgren ’56. "I drove down on Wed (29 Oct) and found their comfortable home around 1700. Becky, the oldest daughter, had arrived earlier and the entire family, other than Roger Jr, would be there for this memorable event. Laurelei told me that this was going to be a retirement roast.
"The event took place in the dining facility of the 8th Air Force museum in Savannah -- a fitting location surrounded by aviation memorabilia. I would estimate that 100 or so fellow (and female) co-workers made the effort and paid for their own lunch just to be there for Roger's retirement. His immediate boss (USNA 62) began the remarks, which were quite complimentary and then the co-workers added their comments. This was the kindest roast I have ever attended. Nobody made an unkind remark during the luncheon. I have always thought that compliments from superiors were gravy--but when contemporaries and subordinates made them, that made the effort really worthwhile.
"From this writer's vantage point, it was obvious that Roger was greatly respected, admired and held in high regard. Listening to some of his friends I found that Gulfstream often used him as the reserve armor battalion to insert in those major crises that crop up periodically. Gulfstream will not be the same without him. I told Laurelei at our last breakfast the Roger should have managed that outfit - she didn't argue with me.
"George, I certainly do not need to tell you, but for everyone else--there stands a man who truly represents the finest qualities and standards that Duty, Honor, Country has produced. Our best to Judy, Ivar." Great report. Not too many squad leaders show up 41 years later, a tribute to them both.
Evelyn Hutson, our hostess for the Charleston Mini, has been in touch with Frank Phillips’ brother, Robert. The next is from Robert via email from Evelyn: "I want to express my heartfelt thanks to you for the information you sent regarding memorial services for those who are deceased from the Class of 1958 USMA. Frank's wife Emma Jane died several years ago. He has one son, Mike, and one daughter, Melinda who are living. They are both married and doing well with their lives.
"I still remember Ted Timberlake, Frank's good friend. During my senior year in high school, my Dad drove me down to Pope AFB. I had to take a physical exam for the Air Force Academy. My father died tragically on base. Ted was the only person I knew on base. He took me into his home. I'll never forget his kindness. I'd love to come to Camp Buckner (for the 40th Reunion Memorial Service). Again, thanks! Robert Phillips."
Evelyn continues, "I can let him know the time of the memorial service at Buckner if you let me know the schedule. Of course I have the general info and the cost of the dinner. I will also look to see if Ted Timberlake is on the email list and attempt to forward this to him. He would be pleased that a kindness done many years ago, and probably forgotten, has brought someone comfort. See you at the reunion!
Evelyn Hutson."
From Bruce Hamilton via email: Will Collett's son-in-law, Marc, was killed in a snowmobile accident this past Friday. I don't know any funeral arrangements yet. I am telling you because I don't know if Will or Andrea want this on the net (Will subsequently gave me permission to put this out on the class net). In any case, this is a real tragedy for them, they truly loved the boy. Noelle and Marc had been married for only 2 1/2 years, or there abouts. They went together for probably 8 years before getting married. They were a lovely couple. It is so sad to see such young people meet with this kind of tragedy so early in life. Bruce
And Lawton’s email:
"I received the message from Bruce Hamilton. Once again we have been visited by tragedy. I've subsequently talked to Wilma Hamilton and Will Collett. They are planning a memorial service this Saturday in PA and ILO (in lieu of) flowers are suggesting a donation to Habitat for Humanity. For those wishing to send condolences, Noelle's address is: Mrs Noelle C. Falcone, 234 Broadway Ave, Horsham, PA 19044-3238."
Class EC. At the class meeting yesterday at the ANCC, Jerry Mitchell was elected to the class Executive Committee. He takes the place of Lee Miller who has not only served on the committee these last 7 or 8 years, but is also the A1 CCQ and has headed up the effort to sell at Founders Days and reunions copies of the art works that we hung in the First Class Club. I'd like to publicly thank Lee for all the time, effort and sage advice he has provided in the class' behalf and to welcome Jerry who will do as equally an outstanding job.
George Lawton."
Off the email net, "To answer George Sibert's question: Michael Fredrick Easley's bride is Catherine Hofreiter. She is beautiful, bright, caring and a geriatric nurse! Regards, Barry Zwick." Your Scribe received a letter from Fred in which he commented that some in the class are preparing for the future via investments while he opted for a geriatric specialist!
Another tidbit from email traffic, "I spoke to Mark Sigurski on Wednesday before leaving for AAAA. Not an April Fools joke. He is fine. His address and telephone effective 7 April are 720-19 Tramway Lane, Albuquerque, NM 87122 and 505-822-9905 (home and office and answering machine). Unfortunately, he is doubtful for 40th..."
Time to quit. Any other news on hand will be old, old news after reunion. I honestly wish that every living member of the class could have attended and hope those who did not will consider the error of their ways and make suitable amendments in behavior to make the next one!