George W Sibert

163rd Column

Goto the Pictures at end of column

163d Column. 28 Dec 2008 and the 4^th Day of Christmas. You’ll read this in March, about the time we go back on Daylight Savings Time a couple of weeks before Easter. I intended to start early as in last couple to get in some news before the sad news overwhelms your Scribe and these notes.

NOLA Mini. Rave reviews continued to roll in from all around the country for the work and hospitality of Tom & Barbara Sands. I mentioned this at end of 162d and called the two reunions of Palm Springs (31^st Reunion Sep 1989) and NOLA (49^th Reunion) the bookends for the 16 mini reunions between 30^th and 50^th. Quick list of the others: Bar Harbor (32), South Padre Island (33), Thailand (34), Winter Park (36), Charleston (37), Carmel (38), Hershey (39), In-Barracks (41), Portland (42), Santa Fe (43), Pensacola (44), San Antonio (46), San Francisco (47), and Savannah (48) – every one special – thanks to all the organizers. Hope to see YOU dear reader at the 50^th 24-28 May 2008. And now I must move on to the sad news.

31 Oct. Adrienne DiTomasso, widow of Joe died on Halloween. Info from K-1 files and GCL, finder of lost persons: “Just talked with Joey (Joseph M), Adrienne and Joe's son. Adrienne died of colon cancer on 31 Oct 07 and is buried with Joe at Quantico. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in Nov/Dec 2006, moved down here to be with her son Joey, sold her house in Marlton, NJ in Jul and got an apt in Ashburn, and died on 31 Oct.” George, thanks for contacting Joey for information. Sadly, the DC gang missed Joe’s funeral at Quantico back in 2001 and missed again with Adrienne. Our EC is working on ways to improve death notifications and information about services and burials -- especially deaths among our widows -- so that we can be involved. No doubt any workable solution will involve our trusty CCQs! Adrienne and Joe are the 17^th pair wherein we have lost both classmate and wife.

7 Nov. Report on memorial service for Joan Collins (died 21 Oct – info in 162d) from Nick Carlson: “Joan's memorial service and celebration of her life took place this afternoon in Novato. There was a full memorial service at the funeral home. Sam, Joan's sister, and Sam and Joan's two kids gave the eulogies. At that point, one had a very clear picture of the life and persona of this wonderful woman. I only crossed paths with her a few times, but it was always a joy to be in her presence. Classmates attending: Sam, of course, Terry Connell, Paul Ruud, Bob Julian, Harry Kramp, Jack & Henriette Gordon, Jerry & Barb Lewis, Cary & Marge Martin, Rudi Grimm and myself. I hope I didn't forget anyone. With any luck you'll get words and picture from Paul and/or Bob to back me up. Looking forward to seeing you in May.”

Further details via email from Jerry Lewis: “After the service, (there was a reception) at the Marin Country Club. It was a very elegant arrangement, and Power Point slide show ran continuously depicting Sam and Joan's life together.” Thanks to Nick and Jerry for info. Scribe is looking for a new source of photographs and news to help fill in for loss of Joan.

8 Nov. Call from Stan Cass ’57 informed Scribe and subsequently the class that Loren Reid, known to all as Tank, died of a heart attack that afternoon. Follow-up from Stan provided details of Tank’s Memorial Service. It was held on 16 Nov at Bohlenders Funeral Home in Fort Collins. Military rifle salute and bugler rendered honors outside the funeral home. The pastor was a VN vet. The reception followed at the Elks Hall. Stan, classmates and others provided stories of Tank life. All who knew him join in the familiar lines, “Well Done, Be thou at peace.” Stan was a great help to Glenda, one of our June Ladies. Classmates who attended the service (most had something to say about Tank) were Tom Claffey, Dave Borland, Dick Thomas, Karl Oelke, Neil Mathis, Herb Johnson and Rich Clements.

14 Nov. Palmer’s email notification to the class: “According to an obituary in the ‘Boston Globe’ last Friday, Barry Eveleth died on the 14th of Nov. Services were held for the family only. A memorial mass was held yesterday attended by Lenny McCormack, who had seen the obit, and who notified us of the death. Lenny says that Barry had been suffering from Alzheimer’s for some time and had been doing poorly of late.” The refrain echoes for Barry, “Well Done, Be thou at peace.” Thanks for being there, Lenny.

11 Dec. Joe DeChant wrote to inform us of the death of his wife Thai: “I find it my sad duty to report to you that Thai passed away Tuesday, 9:00 pm, Dec 11, 2007. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last May. She slept away quietly, never really was in pain. There (was) a memorial service on Dec 19, 2007, at 11:00 am in First Baptist Church, New London, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lake Sunapee Region Visiting Nurse Association, PO Box 2209, New London, NH 3257, or New London Hospital, 273 County Rd., New London, NH 03257.”

Email from Garry Roosma: “The weather cooperated and I was able to attend the memorial service for Thai. The service was attended by her two daughters, Debbie and Denise, Debbie's husband, Dale and their three grandchildren. Thai's sister and her family were also there along with Thai's many friends from the New London area. Mary Ann Pointer, Bob's former wife, was also there. She and Thai were very close after being together at Watervielet Arsenal and then Picatinny Arsenal. Mary Ann moved there to be near Thai following her divorce from Bob.

“As I entered the church, I was ushered to a pew fairly close to the front on the church. In front of the center aisle was a small easel with a framed picture of Thai that Joe had as a cadet. I looked at the picture and remembered that Joe had placed the picture in the orderly room when we were voting on all the pictures placed there to see who would be the H-2 sweetheart. As many H-2 files may recall Thai was picked for that honor. She was a beautiful girl.

“During the service, the time came for the family to make remarks about Thai and then those in the congregation were asked to do the same. I could not help but go to the lectern and comment on the picture. When I said that Thai's picture was placed along with the other girl friends of the company-mates and that she and been picked to be the company H-2 sweetheart, Joe who was sitting directly in front of me, immediately raised his hand and held up two fingers and I, of course, added that Thai had been our company sweetheart two years running.

“Following the service I was approached by many, including some of the family, and thanked for letting them know the history of the picture. Joe & Thai came to the 45th Reunion and seeing Thai there, I saw she was still as beautiful as ever. I will always remember her that way. Regards, Garry” Thanks for representing H-2 and the class and for your report.

14 Dec. Email from Norm Gustitis brought more bad news. “Regret to inform you that Frank Brown (K-1) passed away at 2015 hrs 14 Dec at his home in Baton Rouge. The cause of death was colon cancer. His body was donated to the Tulane School of Medicine. A Memorial service (was) held at 1100 hrs Wed, 19 Dec at the St George Catholic Church on Seigar Lane, Baton Rouge. Frank’s wife, Claire, requests any memorials be sent to the class Perpetual Endowment Fund.” (Scribe’s note: Ed Weckel can help you do this).

Follow-up email from Tom Sands: “Today, Bob Barker, Norm & Toni Gustitis and Barb & I represented the Class at a Memorial Mass for Frank Brown in Baton Rouge. The Mass was simple yet elegant, a fitting tribute to Frank. There was no eulogy which is probably a good thing because Frank Brown stories could have ended up making it the longest Mass in history. Bob, Norm and I spent most of last evening and the better part of today telling ‘Brownie’ stories. Frank's sense of humor never changed. Two years ago at a Founders Day Luncheon in New Orleans Frank was ‘waxing eloquently’ and had the table in stitches when one of the young ladies, 40 years our junior, commented: ‘How nice it was to be sitting at the kid's table again.’ FMB III was one of our ‘characters’ who will always be remembered as a friend who always found a way to make us laugh. A number of us at the end of our journey will ‘fade away,’ not Frank, as long as one of us remains, no doubt there will be FMB III fond stories. BE THOU AT PEACE.” Thanks to Norm and Tom for the information. Scribe has always been in awe of Frank for his chosen career -- HS math, chemistry and physics teacher.

16 Dec. An email on 5^th Day of Christmas from June Likins alerted the class to Floyd’s death. GCL located his newspaper obit; portions are quoted here: “Graveside service for Floyd Leo Likins, Jr., 74 of Opelika (was held on) Fri, Dec 21, 2007, at Rosemere Cemetery with full Military Honors. Judge Richard Lane (officiated). Mr. Likins, who died Sun, Dec 16^th in Florida, was born Feb 6, 1933, in Ft. Bragg, NC. Mr. Likins was retired from the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. He was a local attorney, and was currently serving as a law clerk at the Lee County Justice Center. He is survived by his wife, June Likins of Opelika; three daughters, Dabney Chapman of Opelika, Shannon Arnold of Opelika and Angelia Cox of Phenix City; four sons, Lee Likins of Kansas, Duke Likins of Opelika, Michael Doss of Opelika and Brian Likins of Opelika and a host of other relatives. Memorial contributions may be made to The Education Trust Fund for Brian Likins; c/o 1st American Bank of Opelika.” Thanks, George, for the obit. Floyd was a Prepster, a flanker (B-1) and was found in Portuguese at Plebe Christmas 49 years ago.

Time to add a few photos and send this to my Assembly editor. All the sad news should convince everyone who reads this to attend our 50^th – Lord willing, I will see YOU there.

1. Classmates at memorial service for Joan Collins

2. Cruisers before NOLA Mini

3. D-2 at NOLA

4. Palmer McGrew – Triathlon Champion (over 70)

5. Civil War tour group

6. Two M-2 Bob’s and a Ferrari

7. K-2 with TAC Tom McCunniff ’45 at Savannah