May/Jun 2006
Changing of the Guard: John Yarmuth (JYarmuth@aol.com) has graciously bequeathed his job to me, so that he can pursue full-time his bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky’s 3rd district (Louisville). We all appreciate his service as corresponding secretary. John’s first political test is a primary on May 16. We all wish him the best of luck.
My only real qualification for this job is that I have been training for it since September 1965, when I arrived at Yale and immediately began reading the class notes, starting with the Class of 1896, Ely M. T. Ryder, Secretary. I recommend a perusal of the latest notes section, starting with 2005 and ending with 1928. I think you will find it both edifying and thought-provoking.
On to the rest of the news. Mike Prather (PratherMJ@state.gov until 8/15/06) has “taken one year off from academics at UC-Irvine and am working at the State Department, learning diplomacy and tradecraft.” I found this online definition of tradecraft: “The methods used in clandestine operations such as espionage.” Guess we can’t ask for details.
From Michael Stallcup (stallcup@usc.edu): “I was appointed chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, at the University of Southern California on July 1, 2005.” Kudos, Mike! Extra credit for stating in our class book back in 1969: “Future study: biochemistry. Future occupation: teaching or research in biochemistry.”
Douglas Colton (douglas.colton@gmail.com): “I slipped into unplanned retirement, perfected my house-parenting skills, started a high school debate program, read a lot, took regular afternoon naps: delicious. Then I fell into a job with the Postal Service doing commercial litigation, sans partners, partnership meetings, billing, compensation reviews, support staff, resources, naked ambition, career prospects, or firm retreats. That is, a nearly perfect job for ex-law firm types like me. Son Evan should graduate from Rice in June and, like those before him, come home to live while deciding what to do. Daughter Julia will start college (not Yale) in fall. We are in the D.C. telephone book. Drop in some time.”
Norm Resnicow (njresnicow@foxlex.com) writes: “Barbara (BJ) and I are finally settled, post-renovations, in our Greenwich Village digs, on a quiet block just off Washington Square. Restaurants, plays, and everything else are just a walk or easy subway ride away; life is good here. We chose this duplex and location also for hosting and entertaining, so come visit us (short notice is okay). I am thoroughly enjoying small law firm life at Fox Horan & Camerini; just recruited Yale law school classmate, former Navy general counsel Steve Honigman, to join us. BJ is newly with City University to oversee all work on a heavily damaged (next to Ground Zero) classroom building. Son Daniel is close to completing his PhD in molecular biology at U. of Colorado in Boulder. Son Joel ’03 works on broadcasting standards and practices at ABC TV in New York, and lives nearby in the West Village. I have been doing some published legal writing and legal education appearances (business schools and professional seminars) in recent years. Also am continuing my heavy involvement in international refugee and emigration issues and services through HIAS, the 125-year-old Jewish organization that brought my mother’s fleeing family from Germany to this wonderful country in late 1938, thus saving their lives and making me possible.”
Tom Guterbock (tomg@virginia.edu) writes: “Two pieces of news on the professional side: While continuing as director of the Center for Survey Research at University of Virginia, I’ve been promoted to (full) professor of sociology at long last. And I was elected in May of 2005 to serve as associate standards chair of the American Association for Public Opinion Research. Next year, I move automatically to the standards chair position in AAPOR. Unethical pollsters: beware!”
On a very sad note, we have lost Stephen Mosko. I quote from his obituary on NewMusicBox (www.newmusicbox.org/article.nmbx?id=4452): “Stephen ‘Lucky’ Mosko passed away on December 5, 2005, at the age of 58. Lucky was a unique and innovative composer, a brilliant teacher, and an inspiring conductor. . . . Stephen L. Mosko was born in Denver. As a youth he played percussion in a community orchestra conducted by the legendary Antonia Brico, who took him on as a student and gave him his first conducting opportunities. He then went to Yale, where he studied composition with Donald Martino and conducting with Gustav Meier, receiving his bachelor’s degreemagna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, in 1969. . . . It is very difficult to convey in words what a wonderful spirit Lucky had. He possessed a unique combination of genuine and infectious enthusiasm for a broad range of music, as well as a deep understanding of compositional procedures and extramusical influences. These qualities made it a joy to perform with him and to attend his lectures. . . . He is survived by his wife, flutist Dorothy Stone.”
We have lost a number of classmates in recent years. At least a bit of their lives should be chronicled in this space. To help us start catching up, I would like to hear details of the life of V. J. Nesbit, who died in January 2005. Roommates at Yale: Coddington, Simon, Davis, RG Williams. Can anyone help?
I would also like to start the process of potentially relocating classmates who have been “lost” to Yale. Some may want to stay “lost,” but others may be happy to be brought back into the fold. I will list a bunch every issue, and hope to get some feedback.
“We owe it to ourselves to try to appear in full simplicity in the presence of all, to try to give of ourselves, and to try, without loss to others, to make our own the goods which those others embody. Only thus will we and they become as perfect as humans can be.” — Paul Weiss, Man’s Freedom, quoted in our class book, which was dedicated to him.