Alumni
PC Alumni
weekend 2013
alumni award of merit
Herbert S. (Pug) Winokur Jr. OPC ’61 “To a graduate of the William Penn Charter School whose character and outstanding achievement have reflected lasting credit upon this old school.” Herbert S. (Pug) Winokur Jr. OPC ’61 accepted the Alumni Award of Merit, a high honor bestowed on the graduate “whose character and outstanding achievement have reflected lasting credit upon this old school.” In a speech that was a highlight of the alumni’s spring banquet, Winokur remarked on his good fortune in having been “born on third base. Not in the conventional meaning of this term. But, given the year in which I was born, the place in which I grew up, and, most important, the parents to whom I was born, I really believe that I was born on third base.” Winokur said his parents believed Penn Charter’s motto – Good Instruction Is Better than Riches – and stretched to send him to school here. “The 12-to-15 thousand after-tax dollars they spent on my K-12 education at Penn Charter represented a significant portion of my dad’s after-tax discretionary income,” he said. “But they made my education a top priority, and they loved Penn Charter. I owe them much, and am very grateful.” Winokur remembered Penn Charter teachers who exerted important influences on his life: Frank Osgood, his sixth grade teacher and a former Forest Hills tennis player, who suggested that he try playing squash. “I tried it, liked it and still play four times each week. How about that for a powerful influence!” Upper School mathematics teacher Bert Linton helped him understand how much he could enjoy learning about math and its applications – and that led to majoring in math in college and applied math in graduate school. He studied four years of Latin and one year of Greek with foreign language teacher Frederick Kempner, and “Fritz” helped Winokur and his friends explore Greek drama by helping them organize the Greek Society, which met regularly at Kempner’s apartment.
Director of Athletics and Athletic Planning John Thiel, left, accepts a plaque from Richard Gilkeson OPC ’63 honoring former coach Ray Dooney Hon. 1689.
Senior Overseer Roger Hillas OPC ’45 was recognized as the alumnus at the banquet with the most seniority. With him are his wife, Dee, and, at left, Assistant Head of School Beth Glascott Hon. 1689.
Director of Alumni Relations Ted Decker OPC ’78 (center, with tie) takes every opportunity to gather his classmates for a photo opportunity. Happy 35th reunion!
Pug Winokur spoke about his life and life lessons not taught at Penn Charter. The complete transcript of his remarks is available at penncharter.com/speeches2013.
At the top of the Senior Stairs, Quakers Dozen serenaded OPCs and guests arriving at the 121st Annual Alumni Reception.
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