Apr 2002

Greetings, classmates. Not much space for small talk this month, because our classmates have been unusually communicative recently. So here goes.

Larry Weiss wrote from Florida to inform me that I had omitted a Yale offspring from a recent accounting. His daughter Jessica Leigh is in the Class of 2003, he reported, and I can only respond that I hope the registrar is aware of her presence, since they left her off the list I was sent. Are you sure she’s there, Larry? Larry also explained that after a 20-year intensive care practice in Hollywood, Florida, he is doing pharmaceutical research using human patients. He and wife Judy are enjoying work with their synagogue, photography, travel, and lots of reading.

This month’s award for the most remote correspondence goes to Edward “Ned” Seligman, who is “ . . . living and working for my own non-governmental organization, STEP UP, located on the island country of Sao Tome e Principe in the Gulf of Guinea off of West Africa. Probably the only Yalie ever to set foot in the place. Let me know if you’d like to be the second,” he wrote. I might be interested, since the golf courses probably aren’t very crowded. Anyway, his e-mail addresses are (ned_stepup@yahoo.com) and (stepup@ cstome.net).

From New Hampshire, Dr. Albee Budnitz submitted the following: “Son Alex now in second year grad school at Yale School of Art, MFA graphic design candidate. Daughter Hannah finished Columbia and is back to England (Wales, actually) for city planning. Daughter Elena started freshman year at American (University) in Jewish/Israeli studies. Stepson Marty and wife Leslie had Zachary, January 2001, our first grandchild. And daughter Melissa married, October 2000. 2002 will see more administrative and advocacy time as I’ll be president, New Hampshire Medical Society; governor to New Hampshire for American College Chest Physicians; and president, New England states chapter, ACCP.” (I apologize if I have inaccurately transcribed Albee’s physician handwriting.) Another doctor classmate, Robert Riehl, reported that he currently is the chief medical officer at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, a three-facility, integrated hospital system in upstate South Carolina.

From NYC, Terence Benson sent the following message: “A great summer: My 16-year-old daughter Kara and I on tour with the Yale Alumni Chorus in England, Russia, and Wales. I stage-managed (a busman’s holiday for a TV S.M.). A tough fall: 9/11 was my 30th anniversary at WNET/13. Our antenna, transmitter, and a friend and colleague were lost. Kara saw it all from the windows of Stuyvesant H.S., four blocks from ground zero, and evacuated just in front of the cloud from the North Tower. She handled it all very well. A joyous December: Kara was accepted for Yale College ’06. Saybrook, here she comes!”

Finally, John Weber reported that he is in his eighth year of coaching high school wrestling in Bedford, New Hampshire. He started with his eldest son, who’s now a college senior. “My hat’s off to those who are really good at this game,” he commented. He also wrote that he is still water skiing, because the new skis are “just too good to ignore.”

Thanks to all of you for your letters. I hope your efforts inspire others.