108th Column
Must begin with sad news. Those on email already know that Jerry & Faye Cook lost their daughter and son-in-law on the Swissair crash in Nova Scotia. Julie and her husband was married last year and were en route to delayed honeymoon when the plane went down with tragic loss of lives.
Here is email from Paul Ciasullo on this subject: "Jerry Cook visited Evelyn and me this weekend, and left yesterday AM en route to Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, the nearest land point of the Swissair crash site. Memorial services have been held in California and Mississippi for his daughter Julie (I think Rooster & a couple of other classmates were able to attend). Jerry is handling this tragedy as well as can be expected, and finally felt that the time was right for him to be able to make this trip.
"I thought that some of you might be interested in the fact that Jerry has established a memorial scholarship fund in Julie's name at Southern Mississippi. If interested, donations can be made as follows: Julie Cook Sperber Memorial Scholarship Fund, USM Foundation, PO Box 10026, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0026." Our hearts and sympathies are with Jerry & Faye and have been since the terrible news hit our email net.
Received word today from AOG that Joseph Arlen Scherffius (M1) died on 29 Oct in San Antonio. Joe was found in Jan Cow year, a victim of Solids. The last report on Joe was from Gene Scales, who was in touch with virtually everyone. Gene saw Joe a few years ago. At that time Joe's health was poor, but he enjoyed seeing Gene and hearing about '58 classmates. Joe was an Assoc Member of AOG. He was buried in Sam Houston National Cemetery. Our condolences to Mary Ann and their family. Our thanks to Jim Britton '57 for notifying the AOG and our thoughts and prayers go out to Joe's family.
And more sad news. Larry Burchell (M2), one of our contributions to '59, died of a stroke on 15 Sep in Blanco, TX. Larry had quadruple bypass surgery earlier and was doing well. The stroke was out of the blue, completely unexpected. He was buried in Sunset Memorial Park, San Antonio. Many will remember that Larry was a victim o Plebe Math in Dec 54. He retired from the Army from Ft Sam Houston in 1988. His wife Mary and their three sons (all married) survive Larry: Reb, Sean and Chris. Reb is a major at Ft Bragg.
Larry was very instrumental in restoring the Old Blanco Court House, and a fund has been established for any of his old friends who care to make a donation in his name: Old Blanco County Court House Preservation Society, PO Box 302, Blanco, TX 78606. Our sympathies along with those of his '59 classmates to Mary and their sons.
And now to reports of health problems so YOU can be in touch with classmates who need to hear from YOU. First, is Jack May. From his CCQ: "He suffered a cerebral aneurysm on Friday, 16 October. Both Jack & Lee appear to be doing well and hopefully of Jack leaving the hospital in a few days, after undergoing surgery. He sounds good and as feisty as we know him, although, apparently, it was a close thing. Regards, Dick Schonberger."
Next, Ed Jasaitis. He has returned to the States on a sabbatical from Lithuania. Unfortunately, the move was required due to Ed's extremely low lung capacity. He is scheduled for lung surgery at Johns Hopkins on 16 Nov (lung reduction or possible transplant). Andrea has set up their house in AZ, but they have an apartment in Baltimore for the duration of treatment. Ed's dedication to his work in Lithuania has taken a serious toll on his health. Our prayers are with Andrea & Ed for successful surgery and recovery.
Next, Joan Collins. Joan had back surgery on 3 Nov after an extremely painful year. According to Sam "the surgery took about four hours. Vertebra L3, L4 and L5 were cleaned up and the disks where they were bulging out (ruptured) were reshaped so they would fit where they belong. No fusing." She rapidly progressed to driving the recovery room staff crazy with requests for food and by the next day was on her feet for short walks. Recovery is expected to take three months.
Meanwhile, the really good news for Joan & Sam was the arrival of grandson Jeffrey Ryan Collins on 30 Sep. Stats: weight about 8 lbs and length 2l 3/4 inches long. Now grandmother Joan must ensure that picking up baby Jeffrey does not aggravate her back!
Additional new grandparents, info via email. "Roger & Laurelei Waddell are pleased to announce the birth of their first grandchild. Katherine Chase Hurford was born 9 October. The parents are Jenny and Jeff Hurford of Duluth, GA. The baby and parents are doing well."
Too much info for space available. Those not on email net should be! Mustl bring this to a close and hope my editor can handle more 40th Reunion photos. Questions about the Space Angel photo should be referred to Patsy Densford. A few reminders:
1999 Ski Trip is 7-12 Feb. Organizers are Bob Moscatelli and Herb Johnson.
1999 Mini is 14-17 Jun in barracks at West Point. Our OIC is Jerry Mitchell.
2000 Mini will be in Portland. OIC is Terry Connell with assistance from OK Hill, John Stone and Paul Vanture.
2001 Mini will be in Santa Fe (not Albuquerque). OIC is Tom Claffey with "classmated" volunteers Mark Sigurski, Bob McCann, John Sutherland, Lou Prime and Jim Chapman.
2002 Mini will be in Pensacola with OIC Ken Phillips.
Company "Micro Reunions." There are a few company micros in the works: nine C1 files plus drags were in Kansas City 9-11 Oct 98. F1 plans a second micro-reunion in Montana in 1999 courtesy of Tim McLean. A2 will have one in Pensacola hosted by Ken Phillips to help him plan the 2002 Mini.
2003 Macro, fifth-year, major reunion will be at West Point for football weekend. Of course, the OIC is Garry Roosma. Provided with this planning information, you have virtually no excuse for being AWOL from these class and company formations.