Nov/Dec 2011

Fred “Fearless” London passed away on July 29, at home in Greenwich, Connecticut. I have no details on his death, and only published sources for his life. Fred played varsity tennis at Yale and, after Rutgers Law School, worked at Kirlin, Campbell, and Keating, and then was general counsel at OMI, a shipping firm based in New York and Stamford. Fred was a former president of the Yale Club of New York City. He is survived by his wife, Louise (whom he married at Dwight Chapel), and two children. Classmates are encouraged to write to me with stories and remembrances to complete this memorial.

Bill Bogaty has received a medal from the Japanese government. The Order of the Rising Sun was bestowed on him in early July, followed by an audience with the emperor. Bill now joins other non-Japanese laureates like former US Senator Ben Campbell and Hollywood’s Clint Eastwood. Don Galligan reports, “Will is now retired and living in Australia after a long and clearly distinguished career with ExxonMobil in Japan.”

Wentworth (Earl) Miller reports: “Attended the unveiling of the portrait of our classmate, Hon. Douglas Woodlock, at the federal courthouse in Boston on June 3, and it was a most impressive affair. Over 300 in attendance on a glorious afternoon, including classmates Scott Armstrong, Thad Beal, Dave Benjamin, Peter Cherry, David Feigenbaum, Julian Fisher, Joe Green, Ted Landsmark, and Dick Livingston. (Henry Fuller and Mike Bouscaren were unable to attend the unveiling, but came to a dinner at Doug’s house the next evening.) Doug’s good friend Justice Steven Breyer was among the speakers. Doug has been on the federal bench for 25 years after being a federal prosecutor, then a partner at Goodwin, Proctor & Hoar in Boston. Before attending law school he was a reporter for the Chicago Sun Times, where, while assigned to the court beat, he formed the notion that being a federal district court judge would be the ‘best job in the world.’ Doug seems very highly regarded, and will continue on the bench. Notably, he was the prime mover in designing and building the new (pre-recession) $200 million Boston courthouse. Indeed, he received the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Architecture from the American Institute of Architects for his efforts, and the courthouse is spectacular, boasting an incredible view of the harbor and downtown.

“True to the spirit of our formative years, Doug endeavored to make the building accessible and receptive to the public. That theme was again and again repeated by speakers. A particularly impressive reflection of Doug’s hand, I thought, was the inclusion of a wall across from the first-floor elevators on which is etched the names of everyone—bricklayers, electricians, etc.—who put in ten hours or more of sweat equity into the building’s construction, nearly 1,000 in all. Also impressive and previously unknown to me was Doug’s role as attorney for the Boston Schools Committee in bringing a harmonious resolution to the bitter Boston school busing controversy, and his habit of visiting federal prisons to speak with persons he has sentenced to jail about their lives, if the latter are amenable. Doug has been married over 40 years, and has two children and a granddaughter. Several dozen of his law clerks from over the years were in attendance. The parents of one clerk were sworn in as naturalized US citizens by the good judge, and he presided over the weddings of several. Truly a life well lived.

“The next day I had a delightful lunch with our classmate, Raymond Kosinski, in Guilford, Connecticut. Ray, who retired from the US Army as a major, also retired after 27 years as the juvenile public defender for the city of New Haven. Ray is an excellent cook, and recently became a grandfather. He mentioned Vincent Pitts,whom he sees frequently, who is also retired after a successful career in banking, I believe. Ray mentioned that Vinny lectures at a couple New Haven–area colleges.”

Football: In a few days, the Crimson will invade the Yale Bowl once again. We are overdue for a win. Victory will be sweeter for its rarity. I will publish a full eyewitness report if we do indeed vanquish the foe.

“The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.”—Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, physician, and musician (1875–1965).