CLASS NOTES weekend in January for the wrestling and a small ’74 reunion. BRs gathered for the wrestling matches, a basketball game and a late night at Ruby Tuesdays. BR attending: John Valenstein, Mike Andriani, Cliff Biram, Mike Cole, George Van Laethem, Lane Toomey, Donnie Ross, Tommy Anderson, Chip Beaman, Bill Pennypacker, Bruce Pence, Mike Mahoney, and R.C. Thompson. I’m told Cliff Biram got some pics, but I have not seen any evidence to substantiate the claim. Charlie, having missed our 35th, said it was especially great to spend time with everyone. I wish I could have been there! In December, Pat and Sue Flynn met Roland and Karen Lazenby at Hilton Head, SC, for the weekend. Hard to believe no one got arrested – not even a “disturbing the peace” warning? Paul Van Doren told me several months ago about this war-game he has been working on: Battles from the Bulge. Well, PC World has just named Battles from the Bulge as among the top 10 games of 2010. Here is PC World’s review: “Another fascinating, fantastically wrought war-game the mainstream sites and strategy blogs blinked past. You shouldn’t. Not if you’re into exquisitely drawn World War II maps, meticulously crafted scenarios, carefully foldedin historical fidelity, and relentlessly shrewd, frighteningly aware computer opponents. Battles from the Bulge is the most sophisticated real-time strategy game released this year, and you’ve probably never heard of it.” Kudos, Paul. Well done! Received a nice note from Rob (Kid) Fulks. Rob says Vivian and the family are doing great. However his vintage Mercedes 190 convertible is undergoing some restoration work at a body shop in Katy, TX - work that was needed but exceeded his abilities and patience. Rob and I commiserate on old Mercedes convertible restorations. I am nursing a 1966 230 SL I bought from Mike Morrissett’s in-laws in 1978. After 40 years, the work on these cars never ends – a labor of love though! At this point in life, Rob had hoped to be slowing down at work. But fate is not always in agreement with planning. Rob says he is busier than at any time in his 32-year career. Kid’s group is responsible for shale gas/ oil drilling and completion. Rob says the past six years have seen shale drilling and technology expand from the Barnett shale in Texas to Arkansas, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and back into South Texas. And just when things got a little under control in the U.S., things are going crazy internationally. In the past six months, Rob has been to Germany, Poland, UK, France, Italy, Australia, South Africa, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, India and Canada chasing new projects. Hey Rob, I’d rather be busy than bored. Great note – thanks! We will have to have a car rally
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soon! I’d like to see how yours turns out! This past June BR Dr. Ed Blake had the pleasure of having lunch with his dyke Medford G. (Buddy) Ramey Jr. ’71 at the Tides Inn in Irvington, VA, where they spent over three hours catching up on what we had been doing over the past 34+ years! The last conversation they had had was in 1976! Ed thanked Buddy for selecting him as one of his dykes and providing him wisdom and guidance before, during and after the Ratline. They shared many stories related to VMI and discussed many events that had shaped their lives over these many years. Nice note Ed. I’d like to catch up with my dyke – Pete Van Hooser ’71 and thank him for his support my Rat year. Last I heard, he was a legendary Navy Seal still chasing bad guys. Snapper Carlock saw several BRs at one of the opening basketball games: Terrell Williams, Tommy Anderson, Thomas Walton, Ricky Kastelberg, Bruce Jones, Weldon Neal, and Donnie Ross. VMI lost by one but a great venue for a college basketball. Craig and Cathy are now in their new home in Lexington. Their house in Richmond is up for sale. Donnie and Snap did travel to Paramus, NJ, to pay tribute to the LaHowchic family. Snap was lucky enough to go with Donnie to the Stony Brook game in Long Island. Steve, Donnie and Snap, as well as a couple of Steve’s good friends, had dinner and went to the game together. Thanks, Snap. You and Cathy can expect a number of visitors now that you are in Lexington! See you soon! I received a collection to VMI tidbits from Mark Prentice. Enclosed were some pics of Mark and John Davis (now teaches maintenance classes for Boeing all over the world) skiing Keystone Mountain in CO. Nice Pics! Mark’s job requires him to travel around Virginia and allows him to run into a BR here and there: Bob (Blockhead) Benninger (division director for Water in Western Virginia Water Authority) when he is in Roanoke, Jim Sarver (chief of operations, Virginia Beach Department of Public Utilities) when at the beach, and Donnie Ross when in Lexington. At an environmental conference in Hampton, Jim Sarver, Blockhead and Mark got Mike Foley (a chief utility engineer at Yorktown Naval Weapons Station) to join them for a Hooters night out. Mark, sounds like you are having too much fun! Thanks for the note! Just wanted to let you know that the VMI Class of 1974 Tidewater Area Breakfast Club has been revived. They have a fixed schedule allowing folks to plan ahead, especially out of town guests. Consider putting these dates on your calendars, especially those in Richmond who find the drive to Springfield trying. Let the club’s “less than grand” Pooh Baahs know if you plan to attend: Paul Van Doren 757/5352017 or Bill Pennypacker 757/647-8636. They
meet every two months on the third Saturday of the month at 8:30. They rotate through three locations: north side, west side, east side – so be sure to call before you come. The Nov. 20 Breakfast: Another moment of good cheer. Present were Paul Van Doren, Chip Beaman, Dave Sheppard, Gary Trinkle, Chuck Clayton, Bill Pennypacker, John Crawley, Steve Ham, and much to all’s surprise Mike Hogan and Phil Parker. Rumor has it that Mike and Phil were corralled by Chip. Phil happened to be in the area for a family event, and Mike happened to make his semi-annual reading of e-mail. George Van Laethem couldn’t make it because of a new job and urgent tasks. Not sure what happened to Sam Turner. Besides having a good time and good food, the only news t report: Gary Trinkle has ended his generous streak and refused to buy everyone breakfast. Thanks for the Christmas cards received: Ike and Sue Mushall (Columbus, NJ), Bailey and Doree Hurley (Ballwin, MO), Mark Shively (Richmond, VA), Bill and Leslie Minor (Burke, VA), Ed and Jamie Blake (Kilmarnock, VA), Paul and Rose Van Doren (Suffolk, VA), Bert and Cherryl Graham (Berwyn, PA), Rich and Ann Forbes (Nashville, TN), Steve and Pat Orr (Walkersville, MD), John and Suzanne Pate (Virginia Beach, VA), Bruce and Peggy Pence (Salem, VA), Charlie and Tommie Toler (Panama City Beach, FL), Kent and Brenda Wheeless (Rocky Mount, VA), Ted Zajak (Elyria, OH), Chip and Cathy Beamon (Chesapeake, VA), John and Diane McLaren (Virginia Beach, VA), Frank and Jeanee Richardson (Newport News, VA), J.W. and Pam Simms (Midlothian, VA), Bob and Lisa Braren (Marco Island, FL), Lane and Karin Toomey (Southern Pines, NC), Kevin and Cindy Nettrour (Mascoutah, IL), Juice and Sue Jones (Richmond, VA), Ricky and Page Kastelberg (Richmond, VA), Mike and Clay Morrissett (Roanoke, VA), Don and Barb Whitten (Manassas, VA), Tom and Patricia Puskas (Oakton, VA), Snap and Cathy Carlock (Lexington, VA), Andy Eason and Marcie Mitchell (Moore, OK); Walt and Karen Wilson (Seattle, WA), Wilson and Anne Johnson (Fredericksburg, VA), Chuck and Louise Ward (Charlottesville, VA), John and Tracey Crawley (Newport News, VA), George and Anne Van Laethem (Chesapeake, Va), Craig and Debbie MacFarlane (Woodbridge, VA), Jim and Robin Garten (AZ -- who have Gavin (1) now with daughter Kelly on the way), Tom and Patti Mascot (Litchfield, AZ), Ted and Susan Telle (Germany), Clarke and Brenda Peele (Glendale, AZ), Rob and Joan Bacon (Jacksonville, FL), Andy and Pat Young, Mike Ashley (Bothell, WA), Don and Patti Kilcullen (Richmond, VA), Bob and Jeanne Slupik (Canyon Lake, TX), Russ and Cheryl Takata (HI), Pete and Susan Shelley
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