Return to Archives Page

159th Column

          Goto Pictures at end of column

 

            159th Column.  30 Apr 07, due tomorrow for Jul-Aug Assembly.  Too many times these efforts have begun this way – behind the power curve.

            Sad News.  Worse than Scribe’s power curve problem is the almost tradition of beginning these notes with sad news.  Much of this will not be news to those wired to class lists and AOG lists, but it is repeated here for the record and for those not yet in the 21st Century.  Burt Miller joined the Ghostly Assemblage on 5 Mar.  Here is D2 CCQ Paul Ruud’s report on the funeral:  “Bob McCann, Bill Gillette, and I attended the services in Fresno, CA.  Bob presented an informative and moving military career portion of the eulogy. Burt was buried in Belmont Memorial Park cemetery with military honors -- the Honor Guard from Travis AFB performed very well.  (1) The Class flag was displayed prominently at the foot of the casket during the service.  (2) The family decided to donate Burt's ring to the Memorial Ring program to be melted and recast with future rings.  (3)[G.S.1]  B[G.S.2] urt's son, Eric, will continue to represent the family in class affairs.  Eric has agreed to write his father's obituary for the Assembly.  He will draft the article; coordinate with Burt's sister, Loretta Bolin, under the supervision of Bill Gillette.  Any credit here goes to Gillette who made these obit arrangements during the reception.  (4) I do have a few pictures of the three of us with Burt's two sons (Eric and Kurt) and his sister.  Well done, Burt!”  Thanks to Paul for report and photos.

            Sad news continues.  Michael Fred Easley transitioned to his Ghostly Assemblage over-watch position on 1 Apr.  His daughter Margaret wrote to Barry Zwick, who passed the word to G2 and thence to class: “It is with my deepest sorrow that I let you all know that Michael Easley -- loving father, devoted friend and fantastic human being -- passed away at 11pm on April 1st.  He spent his final day surrounded by those who love him, and he finally decided it was time to go.”  No doubt Fred’s sense of humor was active to the end given the transition date he selected.  Barry’s email described the memorial event: “Last night, April 12th, Fred Easley’s Memorial was held at Fess Parker’s Wine Country Inn, Los Olivos, CA.  In attendance were Brad & Janet Eliot, Bob & Sally Tierney, Frank & Connie Wright (Frank was Fred’s roommate for 3 years), Wayne Weiss, Ken Herberger, Don DeJardin and I.  Ken drove up to my house in Santa Barbara from Mission Viejo and we then proceeded to the 6:30 dinner at the Inn. The ten of us were seated at the same table and it was very enjoyable.

            “Fred was honored by his family, friends and classmates at the 8:30 p.m. ceremony that included the usual Thursday night sing-along session that he normally participated in.  G-2 was heavily represented: Brad, Wayne, Bob and Frank gave brief and impressive eulogies.   Don DeJardin (A1) added to the evening’s memories of Fred.  There were many songs dedicated to Fred and one of his sons, I believe his youngest, Rick, got up and performed a rousing song/dance routine that was warmly received.  Margaret, his daughter, was instrumental in arranging the entire event.  I acknowledged the happiness that Pam Grattan brought to Fred for the past 5 or so years of his life.  I spoke of the many years that we lunched together,  joked together and watched the Army-Navy games together, in fact, so long ago that we both remembered when Army won.  Ken Herberger (L1) said ‘the activities were up to the standards of ‘58 and celebrated our classmate’s life.  Well done – Be Thou at Peace.’”  Thanks to Barry (L1) for the information.  Fred will be buried in the family plot in Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News, VA tomorrow, 1 May.  May Day fits well with Fred’s Berlin Brigade service years ago.  Pete & Vicki Trainor will be there and he promised a report.

            Scribe closes this entry with another quote from Fred’s daughter, Margaret: "I did manage to make it through some of the entries on the beautiful page you extraordinary gentlemen created.  I was actually wearing my father's class ring while reading (I'm about to send it on to West Point per his wishes), and it was all so overwhelming. Would it be okay if I forwarded the link to family members?  I cannot tell you how much those sentiments would mean."  Scribe could NOT miss the opportunity to advertise two programs: Memorial Ring Program and WP-ORG eulogy page, both referred to by Margaret.  Two paragraphs, two ’58 rings join the meltdown queue.

            Sad news continues.  Charles T Hatcher, of Toledo, Ohio died 9 Mar.  Charlie was found Jan of Yearling Year in Math and Physics.  He was in E2.  He is survived by his three children and their spouses, one daughter, Julie Hatcher (Andy Roth) of Chevy Chase, MD, and two sons, Michael (Laura) Hatcher of Roscoe, IL and Matte (Kathy) Gipson of Alpharetta, GA; seven grandchildren, Goldie, Warren, Benjamin, Kiley, Christopher, Taylor and Lindsey; two brothers and sister-in-law, Ora and Carol Hatcher of Sylvania, OH and Myron Hatcher of Fresno, CA.  Charles was born in Liberty Center, OH and graduated from Fayette High School in 1953 and received an appointment to the USMA and entered Beast with us in July 54.  He completed military service in 1958 and later attended the University of Toledo.  Charlie joined Allied Chemical and retired in 1989 after 30 years.

            According to his newspaper obit, he “will be remembered for his strong patriotism; vast historical knowledge; zest for wilderness conservation; pride in the Hatcher and Drake family roots in the United States dating back to the 1640s; ironic sense of humor; and -- most importantly -- unconditional love for his children.”  Funeral services were held on 17 Mar in Fayette, OH.  Military interment followed at Beaver Creek Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Ohio.  His family suggested contributions to www.woundedwarriorproject.org in recognition of the sacrifices of our troops or to the National Parks Conservation Association at www.npca.org in his memory.
            Scribe thanks E2 CCQ Chuck Toftoy, who, with assistance of company-mates Pete Kusek and others, tracked down the newspaper obit and other details.  However, I find it especially sad that Charlie was located only after he died.  He and we missed reconnecting and sharing cadet stories via email or snail mail or reunions, mini and maxi.

            A plea from your friendly Scribe: in the run-up to 50th on 24-28 May 08, look up roommates and company-mates who were found and try to find them now.  We shared Beast Barracks, Plebe Hike and other cadet experiences with them.  They joined the Long Gray Line at our Acceptance P-rade (transition from New Cadets to Cadets USCC), and like Charlie Hatcher, many have joined the Ghostly Assemblage.  Most grads, including the AOG, screw up “Long Gray Line” by using it to mean only graduates or apply the term to grads who have died.  Grads, former cadets, and those who have moved to Ghostly Assemblage are all components of LGL.   For definitions, check out the words to “The Corps” in your Plebe Bible.  Or, send me an email or give me a call, be happy to explain terms based on “The Corps.”

            In H2 we have located two of our former cadets: Bill Harrison, a Cow Year victim of Social Science in Jan 57, and Ed Linkiewicz, a victim of Juice at the end of Cow Year.  Bill came to the Memorial Service at VN Wall on 22 May 2005 when our focus was on George Hussey.  Ed has attended virtually every home football game for last gazillion years.  Our company goal is to have both Bill and Ed to attend the 50th.  A third from H2, Richard J Walker, a casualty of Plebe English has thus far not been located.  Still trying.  YOU can locate names and year of departure in the Yellow Pages at the back of 30th Reunion Book.  If you don’t have one, send me an email and you will receive one for the price of book mailer and postage.  I have about 20 copies remaining.

            Grandsons graduating.  Two will graduate in May: Mike Hill (grandson of Paul & Elaine Bons C1) and Matthew Brown (Ed & Lynn Hale L2).  You all remember that Ed was killed in UH-1 accident at Ft Benning 8 Jun 66 en route to VN.  Lynn Hale Allen and her daughter and extended family will be there for graduation.  And you all remember that Elaine died 19 Dec 00.  Paul & Kitty are on mission duty for their church and will miss it.  We have three other grandsons remaining at West Point: Robert Grete ’09 (Bob & Trinky M2), Charles Maliska ’10 (Tom E2) and Tommy Moentmann ’10 (Bud C1 and son Jim ’81).  And, another one entering Beast Barracks this Jul, Colin Graves (Dick M1 and son Bill ’82).

            While on class of ’82, a correction/addition to the list of our sons and daughters who are grads: James C Spilman ’82, son of Bob F2.  Bob was found in Math at end of Plebe Christmas; however, he has been since 1983 something many of us wish we were – the father of a grad!

            Out of time, space, energy, but not news.  Much to carryover for next time.  With spell check and selection of seven photos, this one is a wrap.  If you need to reach me by phone in Jul-Aug, call me at 231-845-1546.  Judy & I will be in Crow’s Nest, Ludington, MI from 5 Jul through Labor Day (+/-).  Make your reservations for New Orleans 21-24 Oct.

 

  1.     Burt Miller’s funeral: sons Kurt & Eric, sister Loretta Bolin, classmates McCann, Gillette and Ruud

 

  1.     H2 at Clyde Brown’s West Point funeral 27 Apr 07

 

  1.     M2 Macro before Malone Award

 

  1.     Bob Tallgren presenting Malone Award to ROTC Cadet Mayar

 

  1.     I2 Ski Team: Schwar, TK Smith, Dugan and McGrew

 

  1. Tunnel Rat Bob Moscatelli VN Mar 07

 

  1. John Manos “Highland Fling” VN Mar 07

    Return to Scribe Page