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166th Column


            Goto Pictures at end of column

 

            166th Column.  29 June 2008 for Sep-Oct Assembly.  50th Reunion: WOW!  Where to begin?  Classmates galore, some with kids and grandchildren.  Fantastic events.  No rain on our Alumni P-rade.  Do cadets still hang blitz cloths outside their windows adorned with T-pins as they pray for rain? 

            All who attended the memorial service know that our printed Roll Call numbered 199.  Sadly we had two late additions whose names were included by company-mates.  Thanks to Palmer McGrew and our singers for sitting up front in the choir, singing “The Corps” a cappella and leading us in the Alma Mater; to Gene Wentworth for officiating the service; to Bill Miles and Ted Hepner for invocation and benediction; to Cadet Organist Craig Williams for playing the splendid instrument; to SFC Steve Luck (son of Mike), USMA Band and our Bugler for TAPS; and to Bob Shellenberger for chapel chimes before and after the service.

             I was asked frequently during the reunion for stats about the ’58 members of Ghostly Assemblage.  As of the Memorial Service in the Cadet Chapel, the 201 person Roll Call included 152 classmates and 49 wives (have added another wife since the reunion).  The classmates can be categorized in different ways.  First, 127 were from the 573 who graduated in ’58 (22.2%), seven of the 29 graduated in ’59 (24.1%), 17 were former cadets and one Honorary (George Bean).  Another way to portray the 152 classmates is that 27 died on active duty (13 in SEA), one USAFR (Ken Clark), one US Congressman (Sam Benjamin), one Honorary, 81 Retired Army or USAF, and 41 civil life.   Here is further information about our most recent additions, provided for the record and for those who did not receive the email announcements of their deaths.

            Bill McCaffrey died 14 May 2008.  Email from Jack Bradshaw provided the sad news: “I learned in the last hour that Mac passed away on Wednesday afternoon.  He had just arrived in his Canadian lake home, on Lake Huron, ready to resume work on his second novel.  He suffered an aneurism and died a few hours later.  Visitation services will be on Sunday afternoon in Grosse Pointe, MI.   Funeral on Monday, I believe.

            “I will be there to honor the memory of my dear friend and West Point roommate of four years.  Mac and I had a bargain: I kept him pro and he kept me sane.  I'll pass on more details when I get them.  Jack.”

            And from Dale Hruby re class flag: “Friends -- On Sunday, Bob Tredway will be traveling with our Class Flag to Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan to attend the Monday Service for Bill McCaffrey.  Tall regards, Dale.”

            Info from the funeral home: “Retired Lt. Colonel U.S. Army. Bill is survived by his beloved wife Cindy, her sons Kevin and Brian Hock, his four children Bill (Patricia), Mike (Tricia), Celia (Chris) Schmidt, Michelle (Pat) Bresser, and their mother Nancy McCaffrey. He is also survived by his brothers John (Mitzi), Tom (Susan) and Cecile Frederick. Loving grandfather of 14.”

            ID for the photo below, courtesy of Jack Bradshaw:  “Left to right:  Bill McCaffrey, eldest child of Bill and Nancy; executive VP of National City bank.  Bradshaw.  Mitt Romney (Romneys and McCaffreys have had adjoining summer cottages in Canada on Lake Huron for over 50 years.  I was impressed with Mitt when he was 13).  Tredway.  Kevin McCaffrey, Bill's nephew (Kevin is a linguist with a degree from U. of Pennsylvania, a tour already with 3ID in Iraq, and just completed Ranger and Special Forces qualification course.  Bill is his idol).  Tom McCaffrey, Bill's youngest brother and the father of Kevin; insurance executive in LA.  Mike McCaffrey, Bill's second son; creative director of an advertising agency.    John McCaffrey, Bill's younger brother, an insurance executive living in New Canaan CT.

            Arv Doucette died 19 May 2008.  Classmates, I just received the sad news from Stan Bacon that our classmate Arvid Doucette has died.  The notification passed to Stan is below followed by an obituary that appeared in the local paper.  I do not know who ‘Ace’ is (Scribe’s guess: Ace Peck L-2).  Please let me know if anyone can make the memorial service.  I will try to find out about the funeral.  A sad way indeed to begin our reunion.  We will never forget those who are leading the way.  Rest in Peace, Arv, Jack Downing CINC Obits.”

            Message from Ace: “Sadly, Arv passed away day before yesterday (5/19).  We got back from Spokane last night and I read the obit this morning in our local Merced Sun-Star paper.  The obit is at today's Merced Sun web page.  I would greatly appreciate your forwarding this information to the ‘58 moderator (CINC Obits).  Details are sketchy; however, Arv has been fighting some really virulent cancer(s) for the past year or so (Scribe’s info: pancreatic cancer).  He truly amazed me with his straight ahead and up attitude over the past year; he was at times bed-ridden, but most of the time was up and about and onto life at hand.  Ace.”

            Obit info from Merced Sun Star: “Arvid S. Doucette, a retired pilot of the United States Air Force was born on April 21, 1934 to the late Arthur O. and Eva V. (Rogers) Doucette in Riverside, California and passed away on May 19, 2008 in Turlock, California at the age of 74. Arvid graduated from United States Military Academy at West Point in 1958 and on June 21, 1958 he married Ms. Judith Sheridan.  Arvid proudly served his country for 31 years and retired as a Colonel in 1984.  He was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and also the Bronze Star medal.  Arvid was a member of the Dadaelians and also the Military Officers Association.  Arvid was preceded in death by his parents and his son Daniel Doucette.  Arvid is survived by his wife Judith Doucette and their three children: Joseph Doucette, Dana Doucette Wood and Art Doucette. Also surviving are his four grandchildren: Joseph Doucette, Jr. Catherine Doucette, Margaret Wood and Keith Wood.  A memorial service to honor Arvid (was) held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2008 in the Chapel of Ivers & Alcorn Funeral Home in Merced.”

            And since returning from the 50th, sad news continues.  Those on email recently received the following: “Classmates, It is my sad duty to inform you that Fran Schneider passed away today (27 June) at 07:25 AM.  Fran was the wife of our classmate Jack Schneider, who died on 25 March 1975.  Fran died of ALS which she battled for over three years.  I will provide more info later. Burial will be at West Point.  Wally Ward.”  You all know that Fran and Jo Ward were sisters and Wally and Jack were M-1 company-mates.  Fran and Jack are the 19th couple on Roll Call.  By the time you read these notes in Assembly, the Mass of Christian Burial (1 Jul) and interment at West Point Cemetery (14 Jul) will be history.

            Recent burial of wives at West Point included Sylvia Degen on Friday 23 May just before our 50th.  Here is a photo of D-2 files who arrived in time for Syl’s interment and reception at her daughter Cindy’s house following the graveside service.    And Joan Collins was interred on 25 June after the 50th.  Sure I had a photo, but cannot find it.

            Back to 50th.  Kudos to Garry Roosma for his FIFTH Five-Year Reunion at West Point.  Above and beyond the call of duty!  Rumor has it that he is already working on our 55th.   And to Chuck Toftoy, son Eric and Sam Adams for Benny Havens Room.  Our thanks and appreciation for all who worked on the 50th Reunion Book, especially Alan Salisbury and Frank Waskowicz.  Cannot applaud enough for Tom Carpenter and his gang of Five!  They wrote, edited and produced the DVD with technical assistance and production by Bill Parks, son of my roommate, Bill.  And thanks to Jack Downing and many contributors for the ’58-’08 Time Capsule. 

            Upcoming Events: (1) Class lunches in DC on 24 July and 16 Oct – contact Joe Luman or Andy Andreson; (2) another Civil War battle tour by Jack Downing and Herb Puscheck – this time the Lincoln Cottage at Old Soldiers Home on 13 Aug; (3) 43 classmates, wives, friends are signed up for the Tuscany and Amalfi Coast ‘58 Trip on/about 15 Sep organized by Jude Theibert; (4) Skiing with  classmates 1-6 Mar 2009: POC Paul Ruud; (5) Tucson Mini 25-29 Oct 2009 organized by Art Meyer. 

            Congratulations to all classmates and wives celebrating 50th Wedding Anniversaries in 2008!  Out of time and space but not information or photos!

 


 

#1 Mirasols at 50th

 

#2 After Bill McCaffrey’s Memorial Service

 

#3 D-2 at Cindy Degen’s house

 

#4 Brick marking time capsule for ‘58 100th and ’08 50th

 

#5 Art & Sue Meyer 50th Anniversary Cruise to Bermuda

 

#6 Pat Brown, Manager FCC & Bibs Reynard recycling ‘58 brass