I write this with the Harvard-Yale game squarely in my sights, but deadline pressures require these notes be filed earlier, so I will report in the next issue on the Class Council meeting and the preparations therein revealed for our 55th Reunion; on Sandy Wiener’s reunion-related “Reflections” project; on the various sightings of classmates; and on Al and Peggy Atherton’s most generous (and let us hope celebratory) post-game party at their splendid home in New Haven, once the residence of Basil Duke Henning and Allison.
I also write this with the Princeton-Yale game squarely in my rear view mirror. The outcome was a blowout for the wrong guys, a depressing afternoon from which my usual Parking Lot B soulmates (Griffith, Piroumoff, Hallas, KIngsley, Ittner, Atherton, Greenberg, Gertz etc etc) were spared, and in which I found only two comforting factors (1) we were missing key players (2) Peter Salovey, Yale’s new President, jumped up and led the Yale band during the team’s darkest moments. I firmly believe that Yale has winner in that guy, and if you don’t believe me, check out the last Yale Alumni Magazine and the cover photo of Mr. Salovey playing the bass.
For the 5th year in a row, four stalwart members of the ’59 golf team got together, this time in San Francisco, for their now annual celebration of their undefeated season way back when. The hosts this time were Dil and Helga Cannon, who oput everyone up at their home in Sausalito: Charley and Eleanor Nolan, Steve and Mary Claire Clarkson, and Betty and Alex Boyle, who sent me the news if not the scores recorded, consecutively, at the Meadow Club, Cypress Point and the San Francisco Golf Club. The results were generally good but not nearly as good as the camaraderie, which after all is the main point.
And for the umpteenth year, Jim Lineberger, Artie Diedrick, Harry Combs and (this time) Joe Staley got together for some environmentally necessary thinning of the bird population in North Carolina, managing — unlike Dick Cheney– to hit birds and not each other.
In the last notes I asked for more information about the late Dave Driscoll, whose death earlier this year was reported in the last issue, and back came two quick responses. Herb Hallas wrote that he grew up with Dave in Windsor, CT., and went to Loomis with him, where Dave was a wrestler and member of the track team. “Dave’s sense of humor and caring nature made him one of the most popular members of the Loomis Class of 1955.” Jim Pender, meanwhile, reminded me that Dave, a man of “wonderful Irish wit”. was one of seven lifelong friends who roomed together in Davenport — Tad Foote, Bill Ruddy, Alki Scopelitis, Mike Schumann, Jim, Dave, and the late Ted Greensfelder, a group that began together in Bingham Hall and continued through life “very much like a second family.”
Here is this month’s drumroll:
Bruce Morrell, for many years a senior vice president and portfolio manager at Smith Barney, a regular at Ben Gertz’s lunches and a devoted Yale graduate, died of a heart attack on Nov. 13th, leaving his widow, Helene. The memorial service was held after these notes were due.
Richard Lee Tubesing died Oct. 17 in Glenville, WV., where he had lived for many years. Richard received an M.A. degree in anthropology from the University of Chicago and became a professional librarian, serving as director of the Baltimore Public Library and head librarian at the University of Toledo, College of Southwest and Glenville State College. He wrote, tended to his gardens, and made jewelry, but his main interest, according to his obituary, was “inspiring the minds of students.”
Tom Carroll died in East Lansing on July 24, predeceased by his wife Ann and survived by his daughter Amy and sister Abbie. Tom taught at Michigan State University for 44 years and founded the university’s Center for Advanced Study of International Development, retiring as emeritus professor in 2010.
Luis Ramon Santaella died in San Diego on Sept. 5. Luis rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, and, after medical school, became a pathologist and family physician in Southern California, devoted to serving low income patients without charge. He was an avid bird watcher who requested that all donations in his name be made to the Audubon Society. His survivors include four children — John Victor, Luis Eric, Rene and Suzy.