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John Adams and Perry Lewis III, both Class of ’55, caught up at a reception at the Addison Gallery.
Doug Fisher and his partner, Joann Buckley, are anticipating publishing their joint effort, 104 African American Physicians in World War I. Starting with the records and papers of Doug’s grandfather, who commanded more than 2,700 men in a black combat division, plus hours at the National Archives, Doug and Joann will soon turn this little-known piece of history into a book. David Steinberg, in attendance with wife and recording artist Joan, is also at the keyboard in Glen Cove, N.Y., penning the first half of the history of Long Island University. Ironically titled A Preface to the Future, it traces the lofty hopes of prexy Admiral Richard L. Conolly, who died in a plane crash in 1962, the subsequent chaos that beset colleges nationwide, and how LIU escaped selling itself and ceasing to exist. Dave’s tentative subtitle: How Did We Survive? Mary and Art Hotchkiss invited me to accompany them to the Gelb Science Center observatory Saturday night to see Saturn after the Paresky Commons dinner, which was shared with two other classes. We finished dessert and then scattered like dead leaves to be possibly raked up in five years. That celestial interlude was just what I needed after a “Why did we come here?” moment. Art is still putting us all to shame with his physical prowess—top ranked in racquetball, 75-plus division. The Hotchkisses romped up scores of stairs to the featured attraction, while I followed and narrowly avoided a 911 call at those heavenly heights. We found the elevator on the way down. Jane and Boxley Cooke, whom we would all have loved to hear entertain as at past reunions, are enjoying travel perks while Boxley serves as the “honorary” chairman of the board of his daughter’s e-mail investment and travel company in Baltimore. Boxley still pilots his Cessna 172 and has promised to play in 2020 if we have a headquarters with a piano. David Haartz and his
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Andover | Fall 2015
Steve Clarkson ’55 and wife Mary Claire wore Andover blue at Saturday morning’s Alumni Parade.
wife, Marilyn Fingerhut, are adding to their world travel record. There likely are natives on remote, undiscovered islands who are plumping up the pillows for their inevitable visit. Don Oasis, there with wife Ellen, still gravitates to racing season in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and is honing his skills as a raconteur. Joanna and Jack Doykos, arguably the earth parents of our class, were there for the major events and have perfected the graceful exit before the anticlimax. Jack, responsible for generations of dental health in northern Massachusetts, is enjoying retirement. John Adams, still working at his investment company, was anticipating a dose of culture shock with son Nick in rural Montana this summer. Geoff Beaumont continues to curate and manage his father’s oeuvre; Arthur Beaumont was commissioned to paint the great ships of the U.S. Navy, and his amazing work as the official naval artist is definitely Google-worthy. Geoff convinced his old Bishop South roomie Tom Fisher to be at reunion. Laura and David Driver retired to their 28-acre farm in Chester, Vt., after he sold Atlantic Alloys, a company he founded in 1972. They keep chickens and bees, volunteer for the local Unitarian Universalist church, and entertain five grandchildren. Walt McLeod made a slightly tardy appearance due to a late impulse and a train trip from South Carolina, where he has become a fixture—amazingly, a Democratic one—in the state legislature. Walt was surprised at the allschool cookout when a campaign sign appeared in our midst on the stately PA vista. Doug Fisher fessed up. Walt Levering and his wife, Carolyn Ruschp, are enjoying retirement and left the reunion for a three-week fishing trip in Idaho. Basha and Perry Lewis traveled from Ridgefield, Conn., where he retains an investment banking office but says he
manages mostly his own affairs. His extensive art collection also keeps him busy. Mary Claire and Steve Clarkson move between New Hampshire, Maryland, and Florida as grandchildren and the climate dictate. Steve claims to be still learning how to swing a golf club. Ellis Levine and wife Rhonda Kirschner traveled from NYC, where he still works full time as an attorney for Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard, primarily representing literary agents. Ellis was for many years the lawyer for publisher Random House, until the firm was sold. Judy and Willis “Whit” Whittlesey quietly celebrated 56 years of wedded bliss during Reunion Weekend. Whit stays busy fishing and researching his family history; he has taken care of the family future and has 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren to prove it. Anne and Bardyl Tirana, Lee and David Page, Kirk and Bob Ferguson, and Elaine and John Guthrie round out the cast of our geriatric follies. A final full-screen credit goes to a pretty lady named Jane Dornbusch, who appeared magically in the night on a white golf cart to offer encouragement and solace. Thank you, Jane…Y.
1956 ABBOT
Anne Woolverton Oswald 7862 East Greythorn Drive Superstition Mountain AZ 85118 480-374-4281 317-502-0339 (cell) Woolvie56@gmail.com
Husband Bob and I had a nice visit from Ellen Welles Linn, who stopped to visit on her way to Tucson. Our only regret was she did not