Margaret & Dick Groves, Connie & Frank Wright, Munge and Judy MoorePictures at end of column
27 Sep. This one begins with bad news. Ron Olson died on the operating table from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. He went to the hospital with pain, but for this silent killer it was too late. His funeral was on 1 Oct at the Augustana Lutheran Church in Minot, ND, followed by burial at Rosehill Cemetery. Sharon requested donations be sent to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in lieu of flowers. Jack Downing, our CINC Obits, arranged for such a donation from the class.
Quoting from Jack’s email: “Nancy McCullough, wife of Sandy McCullough both of whom were on Okinawa with Ron Olson, me (Jack) and several of our classmates in the 1960s. We have all remained close. Ron and Sandy have been hunting friends over the past few years.” Jack provided this report from Nancy McCullough: “Sharon told me that as Ron was in the ER, Ron said to the doc, ‘This is only the 2nd time I have been in a hospital. The other time was when I was 6 years old.’ So, it was shocking to everyone.
“Sharon has a wonderfully supportive family. Her daughter Laura, who lives in St Paul, MN will stay with Sharon for a while. Sharon and Ron have 2 other daughters who live right there in Minot with their families. So many people and relatives turned out for the funeral that it was great to see such support and love for Ron and his family. He will truly be missed.” To which account the Scribe and Class add a heartfelt AMEN.
4 Oct. Bad news continues with Pat Donovan’s death today, a victim of malignant brain tumor. Our class and company email nets allowed many of us to keep up on his condition since many of us saw Pat & Betty at the Santa Fe Mini in Nov 01. Classmates who visited Pat during the past year provided reports. Most should remember that following his distinguished career as a Soldier, Pat was the elected Mayor of Ouray and Betty was the town’s First Lady. Near the end, Pat was receiving hospice care at home. His family and friends took him to the Ouray Octoberfest the weekend before he died.
Jim Link, Pat & Betty’s son-in-law contacted Bob Julian today to let him know that Pat died peacefully in his sleep at home. Bob, of course, relayed this sad news to the class. Pat’s funeral service was on 8 Oct at the Ouray Presbyterian Church. The family requested donations to the Ouray Historical Society in lieu of flowers. Again, Jack Downing, CINC Obits, handled this for the class.
12 Oct. “Charley Glover has taken his place with the Ghostly Assemblage (along side Ron and Pat) this evening. He is now smiling down on us with all the love in his heart that he has had for all of us for so long. With all our love, Charley, be thou at peace! Thanks, Irby (a Marion Institute classmate of Charley’s who passed along the sad news). Please keep us posted as plans develop. Stan Bacon”
Again, email kept many of us in touch on Charley’s battle with cancer, thanks especially to the reports from I-2 CCQ Stan (who assumed these duties when Charley became too sick to continue as CCQ). Charley’s son Allen was there much of the time and was with his father at the end. Many friends and classmates were in touch by phone and visits during the past months.
A report from George Lawton who attended Charley’s memorial service at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. “Just got home from Charley's funeral in Hampton. Dan Brockwell & I rode down and back with Pete & Mary Millspaugh. We had a great turnout from '58: Besides us three, Ron Bellows, Barrie Williams, Phil Pryor, Glenn & Nelle Hall (from TX), Nels Conner, Sue Kernan (from TX), and Tom Carpenter were there for the service. Barrie was driving Sue over to Tony & Billie Nadal's where Sue will spend some time with Billie and helping Tony. Lynn Pryor was at home not only preparing for guests that night, but also making dinner for the Nadal's.
“Charley's brother-in-law, Dr Stephen Rowe and one other person who was a member of Charley's breakfast club, spoke in honor of Charley. Both captured the essence of Charley to the tee. After the service the church sponsored a food feast in their hall where we were able to talk to the family and visit. It was a wonderful send off to a great soldier.” Another AMEN.
Email traffic picked up the theme of persons who attended Charley & Gudrun’s
wedding in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Tom & Grace Morgan, Jack & Lynne
Bradshaw, Tommy & Middie Thompson, TK & Catherine Smith,
Will & Barbara Merrill, Glenn & Nelle Hall and Glenn & Kit Brown.
A common thread throughout the email messages was Charley’s great sense of
humor. One example, Bill Edwards remembered Charley & Gudrun’s
Weimaramer named “Hush Puppy.”
Good lead into a more recent wedding. Frank Wright wrote: “Connie and I were married on July 27, 2002, at Park Meadows Country Club in Park
City, UT. She has attended our Santa Fe mini and the last 2 Navy games. In
fact, we became engaged in Philly the night before the last Navy game, so
naturally her engagement ring is inscribed Beat Navy--which will probably the
only team we beat this year. Connie is a Utah girl.” Frank provided a digital
photo with sufficient pixels to be used here – a first.
Plebe Christmas drags. Initiated this category at Pensacola Mini (129th Column). Additions to the list include: Ceda McGrew, Faith Ofgant, Jill Roosma, Linda Waskowicz, Patsy Densford, Rachel Bujalski, Pat Schwar (died 17 Mar 97) and Lois Deely (reported by Joe Schwar).
Joe Schwar also provided an update on children and grandchildren. He reports that John & Lois Deely have six children (AWOL from Scribe’s source, the 30th Reunion Book). And, Joe & Kathy Schwar’s “combined family boast 11 kids. Her grandkids are dropping out of the sky but I doubt the Gretes need to worry.”
Same subject, report from Paul Ruud D-2 CCQ: “I was talking to Sally Payne today. She is moving from Front Royal to Tucson. She has four children living in Arizona. Sally mentioned having enjoyed your Assembly article regarding children & grandchildren. She & Garth weigh in with eight children and currently have 19 grandchildren. Although not the winners, they are fairly competitive.” You bet competitive on both counts.
Another wedding. Helen Dunn married Robert Krupp. Thanks to finder-of-lost-persons George Lawton and K-2 CCQ Art Meyer for finding Helen and the information. The Krupps are living in San Diego. I have in mind there is another classmate wedding to report, but my memory is slipping and I cannot find the email message.
Company reunions. In addition to D-1 and B-2 reported in 131st, a correction is in order for C-1. The C-1 gathering in South Padre Island, scene of 1991 Class Mini Reunion, was in Oct rather than Sep. Also in Oct I-1 is gathering for its first company reunion. And, not reported last time was the Sep “Macro” for M-2. CCQ Ash Haynes wrote that he could not bring himself to say “Micro” in connection with M-2. Pete Brintnall sent two photos. The final photo for this column is seven hikers last Aug just before the Plebe March-Back. Photographic evidence is lacking, but all seven completed the stroll.
45th Reunion. 10-14 Sep 2003. Garry Roosma is OIC. This is the MAIN EVENT for ’58 in 2003. Other events follow, beginning with Ski 2003. Shortly after receiving this issue the class skiers will be at Copper Mtn, 23 Feb-1Mar (I think). Might still have time to join them – contact Ken Herberger.
Danube River Cruise. Jerry Mitchell and Phil Pryor have organized three annual cruises on European rivers, canals and Adriatic. And now their fourth: down the Danube from Munich (Passau) to Black Sea 21 Jun-1 Jul 03.
Infantry events. Also before the 45th you can join Ed Weckel for Plebe March-Back for ’07. If you prefer golf & Mech Infantry golf carts (“a good walk ruined,” according to Mark Twain & John Feinstein) try Williamsburg golfing with Tony Nadal.
Post 45th Cruise. Departing immediately after 45th cruising to Nova Scotia 14-21 Sep 03. Contact Betty & Herb Puscheck. Believe our cruising began with Betty’s arrangements for Bermuda before the 40th. Dick Oberg organized two Alaskan cruises before and after Portland Mini in Sep 2000. Now Phil & Jerry have made cruising an annual tradition. Out of time and space, but not short of opportunities to see one another. You have no excuse not to do something with ’58 classmates during 2003.
1.
Margaret & Dick Groves, Connie & Frank Wright, Munge and Judy Moore
2.
M-2 :"Macro"
3.
M-2 hijacked the Silverton train
4.
Seven Hiker - August '02