Jul/Aug 2014
45th Reunion Class cosecretaries Lang Wheeler and Art Segal, with lots of help from dedicated classmates, put together a superb reunion program. The weather was cooperative, and the Yale staff did a fine job of taking care of us in Timothy Dwight, with mass quantities of food and intoxicating beverages. Our wall-to-wall reunion schedule started on Thursday afternoon, with a session on writing that book in you, organized by John O’Leary and J. P. Jordan, with Barney Brewer, Dennis Drogseth, Thomas Hine, and Mike Medved. This was followed by our first dinner under the tent in the TD courtyard. Your scribe, who retired early after a redeye from California, was reliably informed that the conversation among old and new friends stretched into the wee hours. On Friday morning we were treated to a large selection of all-Yale panels. A number of us, after careful thought, chose the irrationality vs. rationality panel. Turns out monkeys can be as irrational as humans! (Who knew?) After lunch at TD, our 1969 sessions went nonstop in the afternoon: Dr. Robert Waldinger, a surprisingly intelligent Harvard professor, shared research showing that even Harvard men can age well, but it helps to have had a warm childhood. Dan Seiver and Lang Wheeler kicked off another version of the class discussion of Yalies aging well. Turns out Erikson’s Generativity v. Stagnation and Ego Integrity v. Despair are the conflict stages where we’re at. Skip Hobbs led us through the data thicket on climate change, and then Tom Emmons reviewed renewable energy. We then renewed our energy at the inexhaustible bar at TD. After a delightful evening repast, we were treated to the first of two performances of our own Whiffs. The magic of their singing still casts its spell.
After a Saturday morning of more all-Yale panels (Earth-like planet-hunting, Murray Biggs on drama, health care, and much more) we settled into an afternoon of class panels: Ralph Swanson moderated a panel of unusual career paths, with David Roe, Ken Brown, Dick MacKay, and Stewart Palmer (who may have set a record by finally graduating with the class of 2014!) The irrepressible and somewhat opinionated George Chopivsky shared his views with us on the Ukraine crisis, and then our own political gridlock was discussed by the inimitable Reed Hundt, with commentary from Fred Goldberg, John Yarmuth (who seems awfully smart for a Congressman), and the estimable Myron Thompson. Then a banquet, priceless camaraderie, and dancing to Plastic Visitation.
Sunday morning began with a farewell breakfast buffet at University Commons, followed by the all-class meeting. Results: Ken Brown replaces the irreplaceable Lang Wheeler as cosecretary, with the invaluableArt Segal reupping for five more years. 50th reunion cochairs are Doug Colton and Bill Newman. They will be helped by many others who stepped forward in the best Yale tradition of volunteering. Our treasury, guided by Tom Emmons, is strong, and our giving for the reunion is approaching our $8 million-plus goal, with the indefatigable George McNamee leading the charge. Your scribe accepted another five-year term. The class meeting ended with a burst of comity and newfound resolve to work together to make the 50th the greatest reunion ever held in the Elm City. Classmates then gathered for a somber affirmation of all those who have run their life course and passed away since our last reunion.
What is indelibly stamped in my memory: The cries of recognition. The flood of memories. The laughter. The hugs. A sympathetic arm around the friend who has suffered a loss. The promises to stay in touch. Our footsteps echoing once more down the halls of time. “Then we’ll pass and be forgotten with the rest.” See you in five years, my friend.