171st Column
171st Column. 18 April for Jul/Aug Assembly. Scribe recently received galley proofs of 170th which you, dear subscribers, will receive in early May. Galley proofs plus some career counseling from George Lawton with suggestions on the class notes have served to launch an email to CCQs requesting poop on company reunions along with photos (digital are preferred) and get me started early. As has been my custom, sad news will be addressed first; but, in response to George-the-elder, I plan to save space for the living. Planning is one thing, execution is another.
10 Mar 2009, Bob Tredway M2. Shortly before he died, Bob wrote a letter of resignation to our EC Chairman Palmer McGrew. Here is Palmer’s reply: “Dear Bob, We received your resignation from the Executive Committee and accept it with regret. You have been a stalwart in the committee since your election, and a great help before that. I recall talking to you many years ago about helping me with a project and you said, ‘Anything you need done, just ask me.’ That is what makes our class so great, guys like you. We'll miss you on the EC.
“Besides being willing to take on any task, you always added dignity and calm to our proceedings. Your thoughtful and well-considered contributions usually ended up shaping our decisions. And perhaps most of all, you have been a superb leader for our very successful Wounded Warrior Program, a program that has made a significant contribution to the well-being and recovery of our most seriously wounded Soldiers. At a time when the Department of Defense with all of its resources was unable to solve the problem, you led a program that did. Because of you, wounded warriors who have left the military facilities in Washington now receive mentoring and help around the country. What an achievement! And what a contribution!
“Thanks Bob, for years of selfless service that has had profound impacts on the Class of '58 and a large number of wounded Soldiers.” It is difficult to add anything to Palmer’s letter. “Well done, be thou at peace” and condolences to Anne Martin, Bob’s widow. Some classmates attended Bob’s memorial service in black tie en route to WPSDC Founder’s Day. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery on 6 July, fifty-five years after entering West Point on 6 July 1954.
16 Mar 2009, Dick Bauchspies F1. Dick & Barbara celebrated their 50th Anniversary on 6 Mar – one of three goals Dick pursued successfully while fighting cancer the past few years. The first chronologically was attending the March Back for his grandson in Aug 2007 (“Operation Bauchspies” – Dick and F1 on the Supe’s porch: photos 161st). The second was attending our class 50th Reunion in May 2008 (photo in 169th of Dick at Cadet Chapel). His third was celebrating with Barbara their 50th anniversary (photo in these notes). The anniversary celebration and exchange of vows took the place of a memorial service. Dick will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 3 June. “Well done, be thou at peace.”
25 Mar 2009, Marti Palladino F2. Marti was another victim of cancer. Many of us knew about her severe arthritis, but did not know she was battling esophageal cancer the last few years. Don & Marti (whose father was a USNA grad) were in HS together; she graduated from Wellesley; they were married in 1960 and have four children. Don, their children, grandchildren, other family members plus close friends from Save the Children and CT celebrated Marti’s life during burial mass at Catholic Chapel and burial in West Point Cemetery on 31 Mar. When Scribe connects the dots from HS to West Point and Wellesley to 1960 wedding the line runs through June Week: think Marti must be one of our June Ladies.
18 Apr 2009, Sue Patterson M1. Message from Walt via CINC Obits: “It is my very sad duty to inform you that my beloved wife Susan passed away this afternoon. There was no pain - she just faded away after 21 years of a very courageous battle against cancer. They said in early December that she couldn't last until Christmas Day, but she showed them that she could. There will be a funeral in Greenwood, probably about the middle of next week. Burial will be later at West Point. May God bless Susan. Love to you all.” There is nothing your Scribe can add. I am overwhelmed with sad news in the year since our 50th. Susan’s West Point burial was 4 May.
There will be another West Point burial before you receive this column: on 22 June Rae Ramsden will have been buried with Jim.
Offspring news: proud parents. “Our daughter Lt Col Janet Kasmer was awarded the honor of being the ‘Outstanding Air Force Program Manager (military) for 2008.’ We are proud. Art & Sue Meyer. (see photo)” They have good reason to be proud. Also proud is Bill Dunning whose son Ray was promoted to LTC below-the-zone on 30 Jan. The younger Dunning is assigned to African Command in Stuttgart, but was going to Djibouti (see photo). Update on grandsons in LGL. Two are ’07 grads: Matthew Brown (Ed & Lynn Hale L2) and Mike Hill (Paul Bons C1). Matt Brown went Aviation, has completed flight school and is now in Apache transition course. Tony Smith presented our class gifts to them in the FCC. Doing similar honors this year is Butch Saint for Rob Grete ’09, (Bob & Trinky M2). Young Rob is branching OD and will be assigned to Ft Wainwright, AK. Cadet grandsons include Tommy Moentmann ’10, son of COL Jim ’81 (retiring this summer) (Bud C1); Colin Graves ’11, son of William ’82 (Dick & Bev M1) and Brandon Bauchspies ’11 (Dick & Barbara F1). Also former cadet Charles Maliska ’10 (Tom). And entering in Jul for ’13 are Sean Coffey, son of LTC David (still waiting for photo of Thailand gathering – Ray & Jerry F2) and Michael Devens (John & Carol H1).
Company Reunions. The following comes via responses from CCQs to my email requesting company reunion info for this column:
F1 CCQ Bob Rhodes. Portland OR - Terry & Harriett Connell; Butte, MT (twice) - Tim & Arleen McLean; Sapphire, NC and Gulf Shores, AL - Jerry & Faye Cook; Bretton Woods, NH near Mt Washington – Dick & Barbara Bauchspies; most recently Williamsburg, VA - Tony & Gay Nadal (17 - 21 May 2009) and next on company agenda will be Reno, NV - Bill & Carol Harry (TBD, probably in 2010). Looks to Scribe like six and one coming up!
H1 CCQ John Devens. “H-1 has not had any company reunions. Thanks for keeping track as you always do! John”
I1 CCQ Tony Bauer. “We have had only two company reunions. I cannot remember the years. One was in Frisco, CO, organized by Bob & Bonnie Moscatelli. Bauer, Hill, LeMere, Orr, Wilson with wives were in attendance. The second was in Las Vegas, hosted by Chuck LeMere. Bauer, Hill, Johnston, Moscatelli, Wilson and wives were present. I believe the second was in 2004.
K1 CCQ Bill Serchak. “We've had three K-1 reunions: San Diego, New Orleans, and Williamsburg. A fourth is planned for this summer in Chicago. First 30 Sep-3 Oct 1999: arranged by Dick & Margaret Groves. Attendees included Ron & Barbara Bellows, John Buchanan, Mel & Jane Drisko, Jim & Judy Emmons, Norm & Toni Gustitis, Pete & Pat Hidalgo, Brad & Carol Johnson, Don & Karen Martin, Tom & Hervette Mason, Tom & Barbara Sands, Bill & Ann Shely, Lynn Shrader, Hugh & Ann Trumbull, and Ron & Sue Turner. Second 20-23 March 2002 arranged by Tom & Barbara Sands. Attendees included Ron & Barbara Bellows, John & Gail Buchanan, Dick & Margaret Groves, Norm & Toni Gustitis, Pete & Pat Hidalgo, Brad & Carol Johnson, Bill & Edna Mae Serchak, Bill & Ann Shely, Lynn & Joan Shrader, Hugh & Ann Trumbull, Ron & Sue Turner, and Frank & Claire Brown. Third 23-26 May 2007 arranged by Ron & Barbara Bellows. Attendees included Bob Barker, Jane Drisko & granddaughter, Norm & Toni Gustitis, Pete & Pat Hidalgo, Brad & Carol Johnson, Tom Mason & Sue Ellen, Tom & Barbara Sands, Bill & Edna Mae Serchak, Lynn & Joan Shrader, Hugh & Ann Trumbull, and Ron & Sue Turner. Fourth planned this summer 23-27 Aug in Chicago, IL and 27-31 Aug in northern Wisconsin near Land O'Lakes.”
Out of space. Second Regiment company reunions must wait for 172d in Sep/Oct Assembly and, perhaps, more First Regiment CCQs will report (expect info A1, B1 and C1). I learned via email taps that Phil Gage, long-term ’36 Scribe, died on 30 April. He was my scribe mentor for many years and encouraged such efforts as mini-reunions. Judy and I attended his first mini at USAFA in July 1972 (the 36th Reunion for ’36).
Dick Bauchspies surrounded by
Mathis, Jahn, Schonberger, Rhodes and McLean
Schonbergers: David (36th
Birthday), Dick (B2), Jennifer, Paul (F1), Sylvia and Rob
Lt Col Janet Kasmer, USAF PM
of the Year (proud parents: Art & Sue Meyer)
MG Jackson USMC and LTC Ray
Dunning just after Ray’s promotion
Men at K1 Williamsburg Reunion
May 07
Ladies at K1 New Orleans
Reunion Mar 02
Jack, Pete, Ben and Sammy in
Bangkok