You'll recognize those attending the 65th, they look thusly now.

Joe Fant WO/ Carolyn

Walt Johnson

Walt Klein (nd) W/Joan

Lynn McCrum W/ Kathy

Bob Pazderka W/ Diane

Frank Sisson W/Anne

Joe Fant's Update Joe retired from the United States Army with rank of Major General. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal on retirement. He completed his PhD in English from the University of Pennsylvania in 1984. In 1990 Joe was named President of Marion Institute in Marion, AL and served as such for four years. Joe and his wife Carolyn make their home in Columbus, Mississippi. (Joe and Carolyn will be at the 60th.)

Walt Johnson's Update My work on the project extended for 12 more years in planning the preservation and modernization of the facility capped by a $36 million modernization project completed in 2009. Throughout our lives in St. Louis, Judy and I were very active in the affairs of Christ Church Cathedral. Soon after I lost her in 2007, I was elected to a third, not consecutive three year term on the governing body of this historic church. My continued work with the church has been a blessing.

Wally Klein's Update Wally retired from the United States Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1972 and accepted a position with the Washington Sub Sanitary Commission upon his retirement where he served until 1983 when he went with Wilbur Smith & Associates as Director of Land Development, then in 1987 became Senior Site Evaluator with Versar Inc., a position he held until 1992 when he was named Marketing Director with ATEC in 1992. Wally retired in 1995 for a second time and makes his home in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Joan. They have two sons and two daughters to carry the West point values forward. All served as class officers and in sports; both girls being “top of the pyramid” cheerleaders at UVA and both boys with advanced degrees, one recently running for Virginia Delegate. Walt’s activities included Vestry duties at the local Lutheran church, where Scouting became an important part of life, advancing 51 youth to Eagle Scout.

Lynn McCrum's Update Mac retired from the United States Army in 1971 as a Lieutenant Colonel and became a Consulting Engineer; a position he continues to hold. Mac and his wife Kathy make their home in Briar Cliff Manor, New York. The July 1991 Assembly noted, "Kathy McCrum journeyed westward from NY recently and was a houseguest with the Macklins." And the November 1997 Assembly noted, " Lynn and Cathy McCrum are involved in community activities in Briarcliff Manor, NY, where Lynn progressed from village engineer to city manager. Lynn Jr. '75 is a stock broker in Texas, Michael is an architect, Mark is the purchasing agent for Mamaroneck, NY, schools, Karen is in the audio visual business in Cleveland, and Kevin is a publisher. Six grandchildren round out the McCrum family. Cullum 33365 Class of 1975 is Lynn' son, Lynn M. McCrum, Jr.

Bob Pazderka's Update Bob retired from the United States Army in 1974 as a Colonel. After retirement Bob accepted a position as Assistant Vice President, University of Nebraska and served as such until 1993. Bob and his wife Dianne make their home in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Frank Sisson's Update Since the 50th, Frank has been busy winding down on his business activity and selling the company to his associates. That happened at the end of 2005. Since then, Frank wrote a book about his great grandfather, skipper of the whaleship Milo, and had it published in 2008. The title, “A Ransomed Yankee,” tells about the destruction of Yankee shipping during the Civil War by the Confederate Cruisers, Florida, Alabama and Shenandoah. In addition, Frank plays golf, nine holes at a time, reads a lot, and has all the aches and pains of a normal 83 year old! Both Anne and Frank wish the best for the Class of ’51 and specially Company D-2.”

On 2-14-11 Frank writes, "February 15th, another birthday (84) and consequently, “My Day”! Greetings from Wichita, Kansas! I am still watching golf on TV from time to time, although I did not play all of last year, interfering leg problems although not serious. I am continuing to read a lot to learn much about history and its relationship to events of the day. Anne and I are in pretty good shape for the shape we are in, and we are trying to work out the aches and pains. Our kids are doing fine and our grand kids are also doing fine. Around the first of the year, I put my book, “A Ransomed Yankee”, on the Internet, www.free-ebooks.net, and it has been downloaded over 5100 times to date. You can find it under the history category on the web site. Although we will miss the 60th Reunion, we are very lucky and we wish the best to all of you." Frank Sisson

On February 17, 2012 Frank writes, "Hello all classmates! I am two days late without excuse on this report, but not too late, I hope. All is fairly well in the Sisson household here in Wichita; Anne is under-going Decompression therapy and we hope it will do the job; she is on treatment number four out of twenty-three and beginning to get some relief. I am on a reading kick and have been for the past three or four years. Mostly reading books that add to the knowledge base and must say, I am getting smarter, day-by-day, and also having more fun from gaining a broader knowledge base. My book, A Ransomed Yankee, is doing OK with one web site at over 16,000 downloads. It is also available on Amazon Kindle books with a very competitive price, around six dollars. I have tried to work in the newer social media of Facebook and Twitter, but have not gone very far in either as they get complicated and I hate that. Otherwise, now that I have reached the milestone age of 85, all is well and going strong. Best wishes to all out there." Frank


On Feb 15, 2013 Frank writes, "Hi all – Hear it is, “My Day” again! So soon, as time is flying by so fast! Tine is like the voice from the wilderness in terms of my book, “Wake Up, America!” My thesis is that we can reclaim our country with a National Convention to Propose Amendments to the Constitution, by the States rather than by Congress. From the number of sales and comments, there is apparently little interest in this approach. Sad! Congress has been the only source for proposals so far, never a proposal from a States Convention. A States Convention would be closer to the people! I did have the honor to be a member of Congressman Mike Pompeo’s (Class ’86) Service Academy Selection Board this past November. Lots of very impressive candidates! Believe the Country’s future is in good hands! Finally, wife Anne has had serious nerve problems for the past year or so; she has spent a lot of time lying down to relieve pain. After many visits to many doctors, one finally surfaced and performed magical injections that have greatly improved her situation. We are now hoping for even more recovery and are optimistic. Sadly, we lost our fourteen year old black lab, Shadow, in November. All other issues are positive! Best to all!" Frank

On 2-18-14 Frank writes, "Hello all – I am late reporting by 3 days, sorry and I apologize! I was simply overwhelmed by a visit from two sons, one from CT and one from NE, plus a great Bday dinner party on Feb 15th, at our home in Wichita. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, I am undergoing Chemo treatment for a common disease that I would prefer not to have. So far, so good! My bride, Anne, of about 63 years is in good enough shape to keep us going while I do a little grocery shopping almost every day. We are doing less and less outside home, but more and more reading, and finally getting educated. I am currently finishing up Robert Gates book on his life as Secretary of Defense and getting some insight into the Washington scene. What a mess! We enjoy reading all the “My Day” reports from our classmates and are looking forward to the next to arrive on the computer. Our best wishes to all! Frank Sisson

Gus Villaret

John Ward W/ Peggy

John Ward W/ Peggy & gd Rachel

Update from Gus - My accomplishments are few, and I am spending most of my time trying to remain verticle. You know the route; doctors' appointments, diet regulations and exercise regimes. That last one is no longer a high-priority activity. Come in with a scream and go out with a whimper. It's no fun to grow old, and certainly not for sissies. So, have courage my friends. The laurel wreath is waiting for us at the end of the "good race". Your classmate, Gus.

Update from Johnny- on 10-28-2004 Greetings from the Natural State. Peggy and I are in reasonably good health. My only serious illnesses have come in the past three years - an attack of pancreatitis which hospitalized me for a few days and then prostate cancer. Fortunately, the cancer was discovered early and I received radioactive seed implants and external radiation therapy which, so far, seems to be doing the job. I think I read that about one in every six males will contract prostate cancer in their lives, so I strongly recommend any male over fifty to get a PSA blood test every six to twelve months. If discovered early, the cancer is very treatable. I'm still employed by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and I make no predictions on how long I'll keep it up. I figure that as long as I get the weekends off and ample vacation time - I've got nothing better to do. Peggy and I were looking forward to vacationing in Florida during the latter part of the summer, but needless to say the hurricane season put a crimp in our plans. My heart goes out to the residents who had their homes and businesses damaged or destroyed and lives disrupted by such an unusual chain of events. However, I'm pleased to learn that our classmates residing there made it through with no personal injuries and only minimal property damage. Hopefully, the 'canes have run their course. Other than working, Peggy and I play some golf, take a vacation a couple of times each year, go to Razorback football and basketball games and visit our two daughters and grand kids. One daughter is an attorney in Houston and the other is a nurse practitioner - turned housewife - in Dallas. God bless everyone and Go ARMY! Beat East Carolina, AIR FORCE, Tulane, UA Birmingham and NAVY!

And on 2-26-10 - At the risk of getting into a can-you-top-this contest regarding my ailments I won’t claim to be able to top those I’ve read, but like most others I do have a few. In the last couple of years I’ve had two stint im-plants, a broken wrist and surgery to repair a hernia. Each occurred in either the month of January or February so if I can make it past next February okay, I hope to break the jinx. Peggy also had surgery for an arthritic shoulder last Fall, but aside from that, we’re in reason-ably good health. She walks daily and I still manage to jog (or trot) three times a week and do some light calisthenics each day. We’re still able to play golf, go to most of the Razorback football and basketball games and take vacation trips with our kids and grandkids each year. Somehow, both of our daughters have ended up as Texans; one is an attorney in Houston and the other is a nurse practitioner turned home-schooling housewife in Dallas. We have two grandkids; our granddaughter is a national merit finalist and a freshman at the University of Oklahoma, and our grandson is a junior in high school. Both participate in athletics - Rachel is on the girls’ rugby team at Oklahoma and Ben swims, runs cross-country and plays golf for his high school. Our regards to everyone and God willing we will attend the 60th reunion.

On 12-13-10 Johnny writes; ""I may be the only one in our class to serve in two branches of the armed forces. The first four and one-half were in the army (Infantry) and then another 22 years in the Air Force retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Since retirement from the military, I've resided in Little Rock, Arkansas and have been and remain employed by the Arkansas Department of Environment Quality for 33years - longer than I was in the military. Peggy and I enjoy playing golf and doing some traveling. We regularly spend a one or two week vacation each summer traveling to some place in the U.S. with our two daughters and grankids and also manage to attend just about every Razorback game each football season. We're both in reaonably good health with the usual aches and pains associated with old age and, God willing, we'll be at the 60th reunion and hope to see everyone there." I hope you and Anne are in good health and here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year." John & Peggy (John and Peggy will be at the 60th with two daughters.)