Nov/Dec 2016

Harold Mancusi, our AYA delegate, reports: “I had the privilege of attending the 75th AYA assembly last November as your delegate. Forgive the relative tardiness of my report. I cannot figure out how I stay so busy in retirement. When did I have time to do anything when I was working full time? Every year the assembly features a topic that crosses intramural boundaries. This year’s topic was particularly poignant for me: ‘Yale and Public Health in the Twenty-first Century.’ Accordingly, many of the activities and lectures took place across the highway connector within the medical school campus. It was an effort to create a cross-campus bridge of sorts. The keynote speaker was Dr. Peter Singer ’90MPH, chief executive officer of Grand Challenges Canada and secretary of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. His topic, ‘Solving Grand Challenges in Global Health,’ describes the efforts the Canadian government has made solving health problems in Cambodia and Africa. The dean of the Yale School of Public Health, Paul Cleary, followed, describing the innovations that members of his school have made through collaboration across the campus.

“Various presentations by different members of the Yale community followed. There were discussions on Obama care and health spending, the impact of aging on our society, and other discussions with both political and economic implications of public health policy here and abroad. One discussion entitled ‘Up in Smoke: How Marijuana Legalization Affects Us All,’ was relatively provocative. To be sure, today’s is not your father’s marijuana. What is being cultivated today is multiple times more potent. Who eats only one quarter of a brownie? And, how does one determine driving under the influence versus driving while intoxicated? The second day included a session with President Peter Salovey and Yale College dean Jonathan Holloway, who addressed the current issues of sexual harassment and race relations on the Yale campus. The issues are compounded by the university’s desire to preserve free speech amidst the emotional turmoil. In the discussion that followed, it was easy for this Yalie to recall the discussions during our bright college years and the wisdom, demeanor, and leadership of our president, Kingman Brewster. Somehow, we and Yale persevered and survived. Time and change shall not avail . . .”

From Tom Emmons: “We are getting ready for the 50th reunion, and want to make sure we are at full complement for our fund-raising efforts. The core of the effort for YAF annual giving are the class agents. I am looking for volunteers to fill some open slots. The role of a YAF class agent is to annually solicit about 25 residential college classmates. YAF staff prepares the letters (one, plus a second follow-up if necessary, per year), and you add a personal note encouraging a contribution. This is a great way to keep in touch with friends from your residential college, and at the same time support Yale. Volunteers from all colleges are welcome! Please contact me directly at tkemmons@aol.com to discuss.”

Ten years ago, your scribe began listing our classmates who were “lost” according to Yale’s records. Several were later welcomed back into the fold. With the 50th looming on the horizon, I have obtained an updated listing of the “lost,” which commences herewith: John Alter, Rick Arnold, James Barlow, Robert Bearden, Thomas Bermingham, Wayne Butterfield, and David Canine. I fully realize that some classmates are “lost” on purpose, and wish to remain that way. But I will keep a candle burning in the window, just in case. Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

I must close my report with the sad news that Len Hill died on June 7, after a courageous battle with brain cancer. From his obituaries in Variety and the Los Angeles Times: “Len began his career as a writer on Adam-12. After working at Paramount, Universal TV, and MTM, he joined NBC as an executive in the drama series department. He later joined ABC as VP of movies, where he supervised The Jericho Mile and Amber Waves. Throughout his career he produced over 45 television movies, including Freedom starring Mare Winningham; Having It All; Frank Nitti: The Enforcer; and Murder Without Motive: The Edmund Perry Story. He worked on dramatic series including Tucker’s Witch and the two-part mini-series on Jack the Ripper (CBS, 1988). Aside from Leonard Hill Films, he was also the founder of independent television distribution company Allied Communication.”

Len’s second career was as a real estate developer: “Though he had joined the Los Angeles Conservancy in 1986, and became a board member in 1993, he had little experience in construction or real estate development. Yet he started with a project that even experts would consider challenging: he invested in a seven-story bankrupt factory in the arts district, which, at the time, was flanked with tent encampments and hosted a lively open-air prostitution market. . . . Despite difficulties, the Toy Factory Lofts were completed in 2004, and the Biscuit Company Lofts followed a couple years later. Len told his partner, ‘Here is an abandoned part of the city. We have an opportunity to do something about it. It’s a serious responsibility, and it has to be done right and it has to last.’

“Earlier this year, Hill partnered with Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti to create the Leonard Hill arts plaza. Hill served on the board of the California Film Commission, the Los Angeles Conservancy, Common Cause, and the Caucus of Producers, Writers, and Directors. He also created the Leonard Hill Foundation to help underprivileged citizens of Los Angeles.” Len also supported the Yale Art Gallery with several gifts of paintings from his private collection. Besides his wife Patty, he is survived by brothers Andrew Hill and Rick Hill. Those of us who knew Len will miss his humor, intelligence, and commitment to making the world a better place.

“He who kisses the joy as it flies/ Lives in Eternity’s sunrise”—William Blake.