CLASS NOTES In September, Ding and Nobbie Patton had a visit from Joe Spitler who was in Virginia visiting family in a couple of locations. They had a fine time, as former roommates do when they get together. On 24 Sept., a memorial service was held for Mark Casey in Memorial Gardens at VMI. It was a lovely fall day with plenty of sunshine and perfect temperatures for 10:30 in the morning. The service was conducted by the VMI chaplain, Col. Jim Park, who did an excellent job. After the scattering of Mark’s ashes and looking at the plaques on the parapet wall, everyone repaired to Moody Hall for a delicious lunch hosted by Helen Casey and their two sons, Allan and John. Several people shared memories of Mark, and his sons told of their early lives with him. The following were in attendance: Helen, Allan and John Casey; Buddy Bryan ’71; George and Jane Dooley; Nux Enochs; Ben Harmon; Buddy and June Marshall; Greg and Kitty Nelson; Grover and Teancy Outland; Jim Parks; Ding and Nobbie Patton; Dan and Louise Smaw; Bill and Nada Sweeney; Mack and Inge Van Hook; and George Wolfe. The Marshalls, Outlands and Smaws were in Lexington the night before the ceremony, so we got together for a few “adult beverages,” lots of stories and finally dinner. It was a most enjoyable evening. I had an e-mail from Betty Lu Stephens in early October, saying she had made a trip to Albuquerque in late September, as another relative had passed away. She wrote from Opelika, where she had gone to lend her support to Rose Anne and Clint. Greg Nelson wrote after he, Kitty, Ben Harmon and a granddaughter had been to a football game at VMI – they won, and it was homecoming weekend for our grandson, Andrew ’07. George and Jane Dooley hosted a tailgate party with beef tenderloin, shrimp, chips, cake and all kinds of goodies. George Wolfe brought fried chicken, and Nux Enochs stopped in Lovingston and picked up nine bushels of apples, some of which he distributed in paper sacks to one and all. Jane gave everybody an applesauce cake and a jar of Damson preserves. The weather was good, as were their seats. I wish we 48
lived close enough to go to these affairs. Ding and Nobbie Patton left 18 Oct. for an eight-day cruise to New England and Canada. It leaves from and returns to Baltimore. That is a bit easier than some of the ones we went on that left from New York or Miami. Lon and Doris Walter are moving in late October to the Army Community Residences in San Antonio. They had been in their home in Austin for 31 years. Their two daughters came to give them a hand, for which I am sure they are grateful. Their new address is: 2107 Peninsula Dr., San Antonio, TX 78239 Ph. 210/646-5701. Rose Anne Hurd wrote on 17 Oct. that Clint had his eighth chemo treatment on 16 Oct. He was to have blood transfusions on 18 Oct. They hope the “new” blood will help with the overwhelming fatigue, so they can plan a fun trip somewhere. I talked with Izzey and Vaughn Maxwell in mid October. Vaughn is on a walker but wishes he could just use a cane. He goes to the V.A. three times a week for therapy and does exercises to improve his balance. He sounded good throughout our lengthy conversation, which included things from long ago Keydet days. I had forgotten a lot of the things Vaughn brought up. He talks to Nux Enochs from time to time and hopes to have him visit before too long. George Dooley called on 22 Oct. to say that Jack Evans had called to tell him that Pat died on the 20th. Jack called me the next day, and we had a long conversation, during which Jack sounded good. He said Pat’s cancer came back several months ago with a vengeance. She spent time in the hospital, at home and finally in hospice care. They had been married 40 years, and Jack said they had a very special relationship. A memorial service on the 27th had been planned, with internment a week later in the cemetery at Ft. Hood, TX. Our sincere condolences go out to Jack and his family on their great loss. Leo Soucek called in late October and said, since June, he has spent most of his time between Walter Reed and a nursing home, where he was when we were talking. He hopes to go home in a couple
of weeks. He sounded lots stronger than when we talked in August, the day he was being released from Walter Reed. Leo has COPD, atrial fibrillation, and several other major and minor ailments. The day we talked, he had also talked to Bobby Thomason and Tommy Bowers – they had been roommates with Jack Evans at some time. Last week, Louise had the ball pop out of the socket, where she had hip replacement surgery last year. This is the third time it has happened. She had surgery 25 Oct. to put it back in place and hopefully strengthened enough so it does not recur. So far, she is doing well and will be home where she can receive in-home physical therapy. Thanks to all who have supported Annual Giving. God bless America, VMI and ’49B.
’49C
Haywood France
The class of ’49C continues to shrink with the loss of Jean Fleming. We will surely miss her cheer and presence at our infrequent gatherings. I think our number of Brother/Sister Rats is 31. The Institute is working on new class rosters, and I will get you a copy as soon as they are available. If you know of any recent corrections, please let me know so they can be included in the new edition. I had a great note from Lib Hathaway recounting Tom’s problems from years back, when he held the daunting task of class agent. Lib and Tom’s family are dispersed, so Lib says she doesn’t have to babysit the numerous grandchildren too often. However, she does remain busy with her volunteer work at the Scott Center Navy Medical refill pharmacy (over 8000 hours since 1988). Bob Ellett called to say that he and Mary were doing as well as could be expected. He said that Lynchburg had taken a pretty hard economic hit from the storms, which came their way over the past year. They are slowly cleaning up and trying to get back to normal. Bruce Taylor reported that he and Anna May were doing well. They are VMI ALUMNI REVIEW