Cruise before Portland
1 Nov -- All Saints’ Day. We have
two more who have joined the ghostly assemblage with the saints in heaven. Just as we were gathering in Portland, the bad
news arrived that Dick Osborn D-1 died on 5 Sep.
His death resulted from complications following surgery. His company-mates and other classmates attended
his final P-rade at Ft Myer and Arlington National Cemetery. Attendees included two roommates (three years
together with Dick): Curt Stender and John Schaefer. Other D-1 files were Ed Weckel, Tom
Stevens, Lucky & Nancy Jenison, Sandy Stender and Betty Schaefer. Other classmates included Al Chase, Lee
Miller, Jerry Mitchell, Bill Parks, Jim Rossetto, Jack Downing,
Herb Puscheck, Chaz Porciello and Dick Schonberger. CCQ and roommate Schaefer reported that one of the
solos during the service was a composition by Kay Osborn, “Duane’s
favorite.” The USAF provided an F-16
flyover on a beautiful day for Dick’s parade. Our
sympathies to Kay and their children.
Quoting from the email notification sent on the class net by Frank Bowen’s step-daughter, Elisa Mahone:
“I regret to inform you that Col. Frank S. Bowen,
III passed away Sep 27 from complications due to colon cancer. Frank fought this thing for
3 years and traveled across our country to seek treatment. He is survived by his wife,
Patricia A. Bowen. Frank was a great man...
he fought a good battle, and he won! The
cancer didn't win; Frank decided when the battle was over. Frank passed away peacefully
and without pain.” Our condolences are
offered to Patricia and her daughter. And
our thanks to Elisa for the thoughtful notification to the class. It can certainly be
said, “Well done, be thou at peace.”
Snail mail news and as many of nine photos as my boss, the Classnotes Editor can
manage for this issue. From Jim Chapman. “This is not my first, but it has been a long
time. I want to put in a plug for Return
to Glory by Bill McWillians ’55. I
think it is a fascinating read” (rest of Jim’s book report is omitted because of
extensive coverage via West-Point.Org and Assembly). At some point Jim had a DC-9 IP who was younger
brother of a grad killed in Korea and mentioned in the book (Howard Brown ‘50 on pg
148). Seems Brown was an L-2 file. “Small world!” says Jim. He also noted the recent death of Frank Henning
’50, older brother of our Bill Henning an L-2 file who fell victim to
academics in 1956.
Transition to a letter from Bill: “I remember many of the class… hard to
forget all of those at the prep school at Stewart Field.
Following the careers of classmates has been fun and enlightening.” Bill spent 40 years with Sun Trust Banks group,
headquartered in Atlanta and has been married to “the same lovely lady, Betty Ann
Porter from Columbia, SC since 1966.” They
have two sons and a two-year old granddaughter
Back to Chapman’s letter. “I
am still flying as is Lou Prime. (I)
recently flew Sec Energy Richardson around the world in 8 days through Russia and
Khazackstan (sp?). His purpose was to help
them with nuclear demobilization and anti-terrorism.
It was a fascinating trip.”
Next from Bill Stambaugh. “Leo
Smith, since he retired as Vice CINC SAC, has been extremely active in creating and
sustaining the Society of the Strategic Air Command.
He was the guiding force in reunion of SAC 12-16 July. He was also the master of ceremonies for an
impressive gala event at the SAC Museum near Omaha. By
the way, the reunion highlighted a solid fact: ‘the Cold War didn’t just end
– it was won!’”
From Gene Wentworth after he & JoAnne visited West Point for the
Society and Class Leaders affair in July (Gene is new president of WP Society of Killeen
or Ft Hood or something-or-other Texas). While
east they stopped to see MG Jack Stoner, an Econ and Soc Sci “P” as well as
director of the Plebe Glee Club day before yesterday when we were cadets.
Last from John Sutherland with photos from NM State gathering hosted by Gerry
& Bonnie Schurtz and Neil & Carole Mathis. By all accounts this was an outstanding gathering
of classmates who are singing the praises of Schurtz’ and Mathis’ homes,
hospitality and organizational skills (took care of everything except Army victory). Great follow-on to the fabulous Portland Mini. There is not space enough to describe either
event, nor to talk about the cruises to Alaska before and after Portland! Our thanks to the Portland gang of Paul &
Virginia Vanture, Terry & Harriett (two t) Connell, Orlie & Harriet
(one t) Hill and Bob Miller. Also
cruise maestros Dick & Judy Oberg. Special
mention for singers Myers, Bacon and Densford (originally “Gonzo
Campadres” now also known as “Gonzo Garbanzos”). And very thank you to Orlie & Harriet Hill
who made, individually, by hand, company guidons each attendee plus dinner decorations. Talk about above and beyond!
The class memorial service at Oregon
VN Memorial was extraordinary because (1) the Oregon VN Memorial itself is special (Dave
Nidever’s name is engraved thereon) and (2) because Dave’s family attended
the service and both dinners: widow Diana Jordan & husband Charles; son Tim
& wife Sonya.
Closing with a quick review of CY
2000 classmate gatherings: Ski Austria (Gillette), Two-River Cruise (Pryor and
Mitchell), Plebe Hike (Weckel), FCC Turnover (Pointer), Portland Mini,
NM State Game, Golf Outing at Ford’s Colony (Nadal) A-N game with pre &
post-game activities. And, as we move into CY
2001 (the first year of the new millennium) your opportunities abound again: Skiing in
Breckenridge 25 Feb - 2 Mar (Mike Dugan), 2-9 Jun Elba River Cruise (Pryor &
Mitchell), Plebe Hike (Weckel), FCC Turnover (Pointer), 1-4 Nov
“The Reunion Different in the City Different” also known as Santa Fe Mini (Cinco
Amigos OIC Claffey plus Sutherland, Schurtz, McCann and Sigurski) and a number of
company micro gatherings. It is obvious we
like our classmates!
If you missed everything in 2000,
shame on you. There must be something to
attract your participation in 2001-- no one expects any to attend everything -- pick and
choose. As I have said, we are in the primary
zone for the “final” selection, therefore, do not wait for 2003 and our 45th. You need to practice between now and then just in
case you are cut between now and then. And
data show that attending practices makes being cut less likely. Via email we have Stock Pickers and Wine
Aficionados in addition to normal class net, class forum and company lists. If you are reading someone else’s copy of Assembly, sign up for your very own copy.
D-2 Pledge list for 35th
as of 30 Oct 00. Bailey, Byrne, Gillette, Miller BT, Miller WR, Murphy,
Sylvia Degen, Ofgant, Kloskowski, Tilley, Welch, McCann, Ron Olson, Ruud, Hall, Keyes, and
Roxie Yarr. Next time: elected
officials continued (wives), roommates who became generals, high school classmates who
became ’58 classmates, memorial rings and more.
Cruise before Portland
Portland Organizers (L-R): Hill,
Connell, Miller, Vanture
Portland singers: Gonzo Campadres
(Garbanzos)
Oregon Vietnam Memorial (center/bottom:
Dave Nidever)
Oregon Vietnam Memorial: ’58
moving uphill
Stambaughs and Schaffers
NM State Game Organizers and one guest
(L-R): Neil & Carole Mathis, Bonnie Schurtz, Margaret Groves, Gerry Schurtz
Jerry Lewis and Shea Stadium Bricks