Class Notes: Nov/Dec 2017
Our class website, yale1969.org, is up and running. If you are reading these notes, you owe it to yourself to pay a visit. Much good will come of this. My own contribution: Ed Boyle was one of my roommates. I lost touch with him years ago. After the 1994 Classbook essay, Yale lost him too, and much later he was reported to have died in 1999. I tracked down his son (via a reference in his 25th Reunion essay which is online on the website) and now have the full story of his life and tragic death. A memorial will appear in the next issue of the Class Notes. You can read all the details of what I found on our website right now by simply entering Ed Boyle in the Find Your Classmates search box under Classmates. A truly inspirational story.
Robert M. Struse “died peacefully at home on April 16, 2017, at the age of 69. Bob is survived by wife, Conni and son, Tim. He was preceded in death by parents, Tolbert Bryson Struse and Sarah Patchell (Ford), and brother, William. He is survived by brother, Bryson and sister, Sally. Bob graduated from Yale University, where he played football. He served his country as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. After graduating from Syracuse law school, he moved to Tucson in 1974 to begin his legal career with the DeConcini law firm, where he quickly established preeminence in the field of trusts and estates. With nearly 40 years of practice, his professional accomplishments and contributions to the community were innumerable. His passions included underwater photography, cooking and gardening. He cared deeply for others and was an incredible husband and father.”—from the Arizona Daily Star
From Don Lewis (dmlarch8@gmail.com): “As we hit the big 7-0, it’s been over 40 years since this column referred to my ’40 acres and a dog’ as my “estate in Maine”. The 40 acres and the dog are long gone in favor of a new house on less than 1 acre in Bangor. Grown kids Anya and Gabe have moved on to art, gymnastics and financial careers in NYC. No grandkids yet but we’re still hoping.
After Yale, I got my architecture degree from MIT, married, worked in Boston for a while, then moved to Maine. We thought we’d do a lot of camping and canoeing for a year or two, then move somewhere more sensible. We’re still here 45 years later. Along with work, served on several community boards and 6 years as board member then president of the Maine Humanities Council.
In 2016 I retired and sold my architecture firm to a long time employee. We had designed over 40 schools, churches and public buildings as well as a few homes. Along the way winning a few design and energy-efficiency awards. 25 years ago I retired from skiing and from the no-checking men’s hockey league. Still avidly follow the UMaine hockey team and the San Francisco Giants.
After retirement, some needed body parts were replaced including a new kidney donated by my wife, Terri. This proved that our 47 year marriage is based on more than just psychosexual compatibility. However, all the new parts did not make me 30 years old again, as I’d hoped. Conversations with friends now often resemble organ recitals.
My remaining retirement time has been occupied by writing, managing accumulated financial affairs, and study of Jewish ancient wisdom texts. (The terms “kaballah” and “mysticism” having been so co-opted and corrupted by popular culture as to be useless). Recent remaining time also included visits and reminiscing with long-time friends and relatives in Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. Over the years have been in touch sporadically with Davenporters Joe Mohrman, Bob Horvitz and Reed Hundt. Reed and I recently reminisced about the time we nearly set each other on fire camping in the New Hampshire woods.
Two bedrooms and baths, abandoned by kids, would love to see other itinerant Yalies. July thru September are ideal times in Maine, unless you love snow.”
From Sam Weisman: “I have become obsessed with golf, having started to play only a few years ago. Anyone who wants a game, please look me up. I play regularly with my SOB buddy Jim Bodurtha (’66), and in a couple of weeks, will be playing with other SOB’s: Art Kern (’68), Ollie Transue (’68), John Watts (’67), Scott Drum (’70), and Roger Haile. Constance and I continue to make our home in Newton, but take frequent trips to NY and London to see theatre. I recently made a happy return to directing for the theatre with a play by Lucy Prebble, THE EFFECT. It ran at The Gloucester Stage on the North Shore of Boston with a wonderful cast including Academy Award nominee Lindsay Crouse, and my good friend Brad Hall (making a return to the stage after many years). There is talk of the production reopening for a limited run in Boston in the month of October, so keep an eye out for it. The piece is about a drug trial, and is both provocative and moving.”
50th Notes: “The Reunion Committee wants to remind everyone that the deadline for your personal essay for the 50th Reunion ClassBook is fast approaching — February 1, 2018. See details and upload your essay on our website, at Yale1969.org/50-essays.”
“People are like stained glass windows: they sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light within.”
-Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, psychiatrist and author