Return to Archives Page

160th Column

          Goto the pictures at end of this column

            160th Column.  1 May.  Just submitted 159th for July-Aug and am turning to 160th way early for Sep-Oct.  Rationale and motivation for early start is that bad news has been preempting other news lately.  Want to get some regular news which is old news down on paper before the sad news interrupts this effort again.

            Old news.  First Flight of N58WP – airplane built by John Schroeder – was on 9 Oct 06.  His test pilot friend was the first up, but John later flew his plane.  Think “awesome” was the word he used.  John & Libby live in a flying community: they can taxi right to their door!  Think they own two planes: needed a Cessna while waiting for John to complete N58WP (please note the registration number!).

            Buck Griffin Award.  “On Sep 16th the Supe awarded Buck the DA Civilian Commendation Award.  I was not present at the award, arriving later.  However, I visited with Dick Graves and Fred Mayer after the meeting so they may have more info.  The award is in recognition of his 23+ years of managing the Admissions program for South Texas.  I have been associated with Buck for over 20 years and can attest that he has made this his first priority.”  Pop your chest up, Buck and thanks to fellow USMA Admissions worker Jack Tierney for the report!  This info was intended for 157th, only three columns late.

            Authors.  Pretty sure I mentioned Hal Lyon’s most recent book on fishing in an earlier column.  Since then he released a DVD, "A Love Affair with Angling," on 1 Nov 2006.  Told you this was old news: sorry for delay.  Also three columns late.

            More recent info on another class author – fiction, but of course anything about fishing is fiction as well, at least in Scribe’s opinion.   On to intentional fiction: “Tom Claffey has just had his fifth book published. It is titled 8-Ball, Corner Pocket. It is humorous fiction and is the poignant and humorous story of a widower's journey from his home to a retirement community to the great beyond. His previous books are Eleven To One, Dubhe, Ladies And Gentlemen Of The Jury and And The Angels Cried.  John Sutherland, Kappa Dos, Out The Gate In '58.”  My email to John thanking him for sharing this K2 info prompted further info.  “I forgot to mention re Tom Claffey's book.  You know how there is always a picture of the author and a short bio on the back cover. Well, Tom is pictured astride a big old Harley Davidson. Wonder how many of our Classmates are still ‘Bikers’?”  Scribe cannot answer the question, but does know that Rich Gell, famous for riding his Harley Davidson to Pensacola Mini with T-shirt emblazoned “Gell’s Angels” is NOT still riding.  Big wipe out: Rich recovered but his Harley did not.

            Ski 2008.  Skiers are planning ahead.  An email from early Mar has this info: “I have reserved both the weeks of 23 Feb-1 Mar and 1-8 Mar, so could do either week.  Best regards, Tony.” Which week in 2008?  Check with Tony Smith.

            Order of St Maurice.  MG Carter Ham, CG of the 1st Inf Div presented the Infantry’s order of St Maurice to Phil Pryor in the 18th Inf CP just before the annual Officers of the First Division Dinner on 28 Apr 2006.  Your Scribe was privileged to be there.  With luck I will locate a photo.  Pop your chest up, Phil!

            6 May Sad News provided by Joe Schwar: “Here is what I just got from a telecon from Jim Morgan.  Peggy died Thursday, 3 May at home in Arnold. There (were) viewings on Tuesday 8 May from 2-4 and 6-8:30 at the Barranco Funeral Home (in) Severna Park MD, Funeral service (was on) Wed at 9:30 am at St. Mary’s Church in Annapolis.  Immediately following she (was) buried at Lakeside Gardens in Davidsonville, MD.  Jim mentioned that her obituary is online at the Barranco website: www.barrancofuneralhome.com.”  Scribe made the internet trip to read an interesting account of a fascinating life.  Peggy was a full partner and executive in their business ventures.  Our sympathies and prayers are with Jim and their family.  I sent the obit to Jim’s Cullum file at AOG.  Well done, Peggy, be thou at peace.

            19 May Sad News continues.  From CINC Obits email to class: “I just received this very sad notice of the death of our classmate Alex Pensiero (C2).  I will pass on more information as I receive it.  Jack Downing, Class of 1958: ‘This message is from Doyle Perry, class of 1971, member of the Board of Directors of the West Point Society of Phoenix.  It is my sad duty to inform you of the death of your classmate, Alex Pensiero, this morning.  Alex was a true pillar of the community and was dedicated to the betterment of all people.  He headed up our annual West Point Leadership Awards, which we present to deserving middle school  graduates.  He was a past president of our local society and was a great supporter of our mission.  This morning (17 May), he was hiking a local mountain preserve (with his wife Lois) and died of a massive heart attack.  I will provide further information as it is made available.’”  Thanks to both Jack and Doyle Perry ’71 for passing along this sad news.  Those on email received more details – YOU should be on the class net to get the full story in a timely manner!  Our sympathies and prayers are with Lois and their family.  We join in a ringing well done, Alex, be thou at peace.

            20 May.  We held our annual Memorial Service at the VN Wall honoring our 13 classmates who died serving in Southeast Asia.  This year we highlighted Dave Nidever L2 who was the last of our gang to die in VN on 30 Mar 1971.  L2 had a good turnout: Robert Higgins CCQ (from Winter Springs, FL), Church Hutton (DC area), Bob & Margaret Shellenberger (from Atlantic Beach, FL), Stan Snipes, (from Houston, TX) and Dick & Germaine Trabert (from Westfield, NJ).  Ed Nidever ’55, Dave’s brother remembered well by many of us from Beast Barracks, especially 3d NCC, and the rest of Plebe Year, joined us for service and brunch.  Great having Ed with us remembering Dave!  About 60 classmates and wives total for service and ANCC brunch.

            Sad News continues.  The brunch crowd was dispersing; L2 and some hard core DC types were still there when L2 CCQ Higgins received a stunner call on his cell phone from Kyle Rector passing the word from Ron Hudson that Paul Johnson died suddenly that morning.  By the time we all got home further details were provided via email from our faithful CINC Obits.  A number from L2 gathered again in Panama City on 24 May for Paul’s memorial service at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church.  Further word from Ron, Paul’s inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery will be 31 July with a reception at O Club following.  Our sympathies and prayers are with Paula and their family.  All join me in saying, well done, Paul, be thou at peace.

            Sad News continues via email 13 Jun: “The Forster family announced with heavy hearts that Thomas Anthony Forster passed away at 12:39 p.m. today (12 Jun).  The family said Tony was surrounded by family and friends.  He passed away peacefully, as he had remained in the 14 days since suffering a brain aneurysm at his home.  Forster, a member of the Capistrano Valley’s pioneering family, is survived by his wife, Ann Kirby Forster, and his children and grandchildren.”  We all mourn the transition to the Ghostly Assemblage of the Rooster, former mayor of San Juan Capistrano.  We will miss his sense of humor and laughter.  Jack Downing, our CINC Obits, said it well in his notice to the class: “Rooster was one-of-a-kind.  We will not see our favorite Santa again in this life.”  Now you know the reason behind his flowing white beard!

            Glad I began with old news before being overwhelmed with sad new.  It is time to select seven photos and quit.   Barring further sad news between now and end of June 160th is a wrap.

            Sad News theme continues with 18 Jun email.  “I regret to inform you that Bob Huskinson passed away Sunday, June 17, sometime in the afternoon.  He took a bad fall and hit his head and we were told that he passed quickly.  Bob was never the same after he suffered the stroke a few years back and his health had been declining ever since.  We will inform you once arrangements have been made for his service.  Please pass this sad information on to all.  Thank you.  Tracie A. Graham, Office Manager, Huskinson & Brown, LLP.”

            19 June.  Sending this column to my AOG Editor Joyce Jones before any more bad news can arrive at my laptop!

 

  1.     L2 standing tall at the VN Memorial Wall, 20 May 2007

 

  1.     MG Carter Ham and Phil Pryor, 28 Apr 2007

 

  1.     K1 Micro May 2007

 

  1.     K1 men looking much younger at 25th Reunion (Halfway to 50th)

 

  1.     Pensiero family and friends on the mountain where Alex died

 

  1.     Lois Pensiero front center, son Tony, Tom Smith, Ben Franklin and Brad Eliot after service for Alex

 

  1.     Oregon Classmates before “Apple Blossom Special” train ride:

            Virginia Vanture, Harriet & Orlie Hill, Suzanne Miller, Terry & Harriett Connell, Bob     Miller, Wilma & Bruce Hamilton, Paul Vanture, John & D’Ann Stone

 

Return to Scribe Page