Classmates and Wives/Widows--

        As is too often the case, I must begin with classmate deaths learned about since the February edition of class notes.  The first to be reported is Brian L Koster, company C-2.  He was known as Lou and died 5 January 2019 in Nellysford VA.  His wife Iantha predecesed Lou on 10 November 2016.  I do not have information on services for Lou.

      Scribe does have an interesting tidbit on Lou worth repeating.  He lost his class ring on/about 1979 and recovered it in a pawn shop in 1983.  Other information about Lou is scant because he preferred little or no contact with classmates.  Sad way to say goodbye to Lou and Iantha.  However, I am sending our thanks to their daughter Jennifer Grover for letting us know that her father died.

      Sadly another classmate death to report is that of William I Murphy, company D-2, who died on 10 February 2019.  Bill is survived by his wife Mary Alice Kelly (she prefers using her maiden name).  I believe they were living in West Seneca, NY.  My notes on them are sparse, but his death generated an email from George Lawton who wrote, "what a shame that he is gone.  Bill was such a nice guy."  What a wonderful way to be remembered!

      Scribe does know that Bill began his military service after graduation in the Infantry and later transferred to Transportation Corps.   Sorry that I do not have information on a memorial service for Bill.  You should be able to contact Alice Mary Kelly at Bill's email address wimurphy@gmail.com or via snail mail at 104 Pinewood Drive, West Seneca NY 14224 or call at 716-674-9255 for more information.

      In the words of the Cadet Prayer, applicable to loved ones of both Lou Koster and Bill Murphy, "soften our hearts with sympathy for those who sorrow or suffer."  Scribe prays that Lou & Iantha Koster and Bill Murphy rest in peace.  And that Alice Mary Kelly finds comfort -- I can tell her, based on my experience since losing Judy, that without Bill she will be lonely.

      Frank Waskowicz recently raised the subject of the Bataan Death March with me.  He asked whose fathers were on the death march.  The only one I know of for sure is Butch Saint's father who died when the US Navy sank the Japanese ship Oryoko Maru.  Frederick Gilman Saint #9031-1931 died on 9 Jan 45.  Butch received the honor of becoming a Distinguished Graduate in 2012.  Are there others whose fathers were on the Bataan Death March?

      This is a good place to list and remember all our classmates and wives who have died since the 60th Reunion at West Point in April 2018, just about a year ago by the time you receive these class notes.  I will include dates of death and cadet companies:

 Crosbie E Saint (Butch), 7 May 2018: his funeral will be on Tuesday 14 May at Ft Myer old chapel. (I-1)

Sue Oelke, 22 May 2018 (husband Karl: Sue is also the mother of our Class Godson Karl III, the first class son born after graduation.  She is also the sister of Dan Brookhart, who died 12 Nov 63) (both Karl and Dan were in B-2)

Donald J Palladino (Don), 27 May 2018 (his wife Martha died 25 March 2009) (F-2)

Betty Donovan, 1 June 2018 (her husband Pat died 4 Oct 2004) (G-2)

Edna Mae Serchak, 22 June 2018 (husband Bill) (K-1)

Harold J Williams (Mac), 25 June 2018 (E-2)

John G Evans, 29 July 2018 (E-1)

John D George Jr, 21 August 2018  (A-1)

John W Loffert (Wes), 31 August 2018 (H-1) 

Judy Moore Schubert, 29 September 2018 (husband Charley Moore was KIA 25 April 1967) (L-2)

Charles W Bond, 6 December 2018 (C-1)

William L Parker, 2 January 2019 (H-1)

and the two mentioned at beginning of these notes: Lou Koster (C-2) and Bill Murphy (D-2).

      Fourteen in less than a year, but that is our lot in life these days, especially now as our years are increasing.  In the words of the Cadet Prayer, applicable to all the loved ones of those named above: "soften our hearts with sympathy for those who sorrow or suffer."

      I am losing track so my numbers are flaky, but we have lost along the order of 241 graduated classmates, 9 more who classmates who graduated in 1959, one who graduated in 1960, plus 24 former cadets (more difficult to track), 101 wives and Chaplain Bean.  Far too many!

      Annual Event at VN Memorial.  This is also a good point to advertise our annual event to honor those classmates KIA in Vietnam.  We will hold the ceremony on Sunday, 19 May followed by Brunch at ANCC.

       Other Social Events.  First is our DC Class Lunch on 7 March.  This is our annual affair we have with our Yearlings from '57 at Ft Myer Officers Club (Patton Hall).  If I get these notes finished and launched before then, consider yourself reminded.  Contact Palmer McGrew to make a reservation.  You can reach Palmer at 703-323-9671 or via email at palmer2mcgrew@gmail.com.  Scribe hopes to see YOU there if you live in DC area.

      Mini Reunion.  Our next Mini will be 26-29 March at the Park MGM Hotel in Lost Wages, actualluy Las Vegas, NV.  You can contact the hotel at 888-529-4828 for room reservations or for further info contact Andy Andreson via email randreson@cox.net or 703-385-2502.

      Founder's Day in DC.  Our Founder's Day in DC area will be on 30 March at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott beginning with a reception at 1730.  You should register with Gabriella Quatse at gquatse@gmail.com or call her at 717-381-7464.  Her cell is from Pennsylvnia, but she lives in DC.  To understand how old we are Gabriella is Class of 2010 -- 52 years ago!

      So much for social events -- now for other news.  Worth repeating is that Butch Saint's funeral will be at 1100 on at Old Post Chapel, Ft Myer on 14 May.  Difficult for me to believe that Butch has died (see above).

          Chuck Toftoy was the subject of an article in the Feb 2019 issue of Northern Virginia Magazine.  This was brought to my attention by Pete Kusek.  The darned magazine cost $4.95 and cheapskate that I am, your Scribe did not buy it and, therefore, cannot report on the article.  Sorry about that.  I will have to ask Chuck or Pete (who told me about the article) to send me a copy.

       TOF'S TIPS.  Most recent ones are 112 "Warding Off a Cold," 113 "Keep from Falling---Think Ahead," 114 "Overcoming Back Pain," and 115 "Stay Hydrated of Else!"  Number 113 "Keep from Falling" generated lots of traffic on our Class Forum with inputs from Bob Dey, Andy Andreson, Jack Crandall, Pete Trainor, John Brinson, Alan Salisbury, Jim Seltzer and Hugh Fisher among others.  Bob Dey recommends walking with carbon fiber trekking poles with tungsten carbide tips.  Apparently, we all are very interested in NOT FALLING.  We are well past Airborne and our PLF days.  You can always contact Chuck Toftoy for more  details.  Chuck's first TOF'S TIP was posted in 1997 or so.

      Here are some recent Class Forum subjects: Army B-Ball, West Point Cemetery (expansion or new), Follow the Red Banners, Federal workers hurt, The Speech, Cadet Life, Navy Football, Trump's accomplishments, Branch Choices, Green Madness, Sampson and Delilah, Socialism or Capitalism, A Mention of Heroes, Next Luncheon, Our National Anthem, Poor Knowledge of US History, George Mendosa (the WW2 sailor famous for "kiss" at Times Square), Kim Getting Serious?  Scribe recommends you get on the Class Forum.  Please keep in mind that it is easy to delete any Class Forum messages you do not find interesting.

      From emails received from Jack Downing and WPAOG today, 28 Feb.  Very sadly we have lost another classmate, Fred W Goodenough Jr.  Fred died 11 February in Warrenton, VA.  I have no other details.  Our sympathy goes to his wife Joan and their three daughters and, no doubt, grandchildren as well.  Fred was in K-2.

 Time to sign off and launch these class notes, March 2019 version..  More next time.  George as in Scribe