CLASS NOTES we getting old.” Thanks, John. Barely a “B” BR! John Poffenbarger, Rich McGruder, Andy Neff, Alvarez that I couldn’t attend his medal award. Gleb Taran submits, “For my summer vacation Steve Scaglione, Jack Stevenson, Dave Smith He sent a nice note back and stated what had I took the great Southside Virginia tour, camping and, of course, Doug Doerr. Doug reports, “The already been stated in the e-mail trails about Tom across the state at the state parks. First Landing walk to the gravesite was about a mile away, and it Kovach’s funeral. I stayed in the coop and cut Meade Spotts’ (Virginia Beach), Occoneechee (Clarksville), was a brisk walk on a nice afternoon. The Marine Claytor Lake, Natural Tunnel (Scott County) and Band was providing cadence for us as me moved lawn in prep for the annual picnic. All the Spotts were busy at the bay, so they left me into West Virginia – Pipestem and to my bush hogging serenity. I have Hawks Nest (New River Gorge). I also been talking to Sput Leadbetter also went to freshman orientation at about joining him at the bay for the Old Dominion U. with number one weekend. We can’t jive schedules yet son. I think I enjoyed the orientation but are working toward September.” more than he did. He was suffering In a follow-up e-mail from Bro, from a case of ‘mathadosis’ after bemore in his usual vernacular,“mine ing presented with the math requireis more like a ‘B,’ and yes, I did get ments during the engineering school the Review. And yes, I did turn right orientation.” Uh, that’s a “B-.” to class notes, then to the pictures and Doug Doerr entered the “what I did articles. It is an amazing publication on my summer vacation” essay conif you think about it.” That’s better. test as well and sent the following: Back to normal, Bro! “I visited paternal relatives in South Eddie Semler (yes, that Eddie Dakota in May. I have been fortunate Semler) dropped me an e-mail with this summer to spend time with many Class of 1979: From left, Asa Page, John Arthur, Frank some pretty interesting news. Apof our BRs in the northern Virginia Jester and Mike Ogden met with fellow alumni, cadets, pears he is moving to Lexington this area, specifically Tom Manley, Pete new Rats, and VMI friends and family at the VMI Alumni summer. Eddie took a job with his Underwood and Eric Schwarz, Association Western Tidewater Chapter Rat Send-off, sharing time together, usually over same company (Saint Gobain Tech summer 2013. a meal. I visited VMI with Tom Rep) in the western part of the state. Manley about a month ago. Tom’s Eddie decided to rent the first year nephew, Myles Manley ’16, rooms with John Pof- to area 35. As we walked, it was pretty easy to to recover from the sale of his house in Virginia fenbarger’s nephew. What a coincidence! It was walk in cadence to the beat of the drum, something Beach. Eddie writes, “All four of my children and a pleasure to meet them, and I can tell both these I don’t think I will ever forget from our days at all three grandchildren, who are scattered around lads are the same top caliber as our BRs! While the Institute. The gravesite service was impres- the country, are doing well. My youngest, Jake, at the Institute, we visited with Tom Trumps and sive as the Marines did their very best to provide starts his senior year at Longwood this month, Jeff Curtis, and I visited a third classman, Sean reverence and respect to the family. Each one of us which means my last year of tuition payments. I McVey, who I met at summer camp a few years expressed our condolences to Mary and the family. hope to bump into Jeff Curtis, Tom Trumps and ago. He told me that he traced his dyke lineage Afterwards, most of us gathered for an impromptu others once I relocate. Looks like the class of ’79 back to the class of ’79, and his grand dyke is Dan get together in Arlington.” Thanks to all of those is taking Lexington by storm! I am officiating Sheahan. That made me think a bit. We possibly who were able to attend. Mary and her family cer- women’s D III field hockey this year and will concould provide a mentorship to our grand dykes. tainly appreciated such a strong showing from ’79. tinue to officiate NCAA men’s lacrosse until my Sean told me that he would trace forward my lin- Doug had something very poignant to say, “Don’t legs fall off. Keeps me in shape. We’re not getting eage and tell me who my ‘relative’ is in his class. miss the opportunity to call one another, if even any younger, are we?” Great hearing from you, In September, I am going to organize a northern for a moment, just to remind each other that we BR! Watch out, Lexington! Jeff, you will have Virginia class of ’79 event (breakfast) and ask that are brothers in the spirit of VMI.” (Editor’s Note: your hands full with both Tom and Eddie around! Asa Page checks in advising this has been an our BRs bring photographs that they took at VMI. Tom Kovach’s obituary and a photo appear in the extremely fast summer for the Page family. Son I recently organized my basement and found old Taps section of this Alumni Review.) I actually got a decrypted readable note from number two is about to head out the door for his photographs that I hadn’t seen in 30 years. Tom Manley got a kick out of seeing the two of us Bill Albro! Hey, that rates an “A” in my book! first class year at VMI. Asa again passes along to with his father while we were at OCS. I am certain Bro writes, “Not much to report from the Waldorf everyone to please drop him a note if you’re headthat we all will share similar memories, for those front – all the ‘Waldorfians’ are quiet and working ing back to the Institute for a football game. He that bring their pictures.” Thanks, Doug, from all away. I just got back from two weeks in Scotland and Karen will be tailgating at each home game in of us for your monumental efforts in organizing with family (Brother Bri ’90, Mom and Dad and front of Moody Hall and would love to have you the class’s attendance at the viewing, funeral and lots of aunts/uncles/cousins). Weather was fabu- join them. Asa reports he’s been traveling a lot in Arlington internment ceremonies for our departed lous. I actually came back with a tan, which is his job and really enjoys being retired from the BR, Tom Kovach. something you don’t usually say about a Scotland Navy and in his second career. Asa, Mike “Ghoul” While we are on the subject, Tom Kovach’s trip. I talked with Noel Harris when I got back. Thomas and Jim Leavitt are planning another interment ceremony went exceptionally well. Noel is dealing with the furlough/sequester like Cayman scuba trip in the fall. This will be Asa’s The service was most respectful and lasted for everyone else and we both commiserated about fourth trip down, and he’s looking forward to the about 30 minutes. The class of ’79 formed up Washington buffoonery (Ditto here as well). The numerous swashbuckling tales of adventure that outside and walked behind the caisson that car- one day off a week ain’t good for the pocketbook inevitably result in these annual treks with Jim ried Tom’s casket. We had 10 of our BRs show but does allow chores around the house that you and “The Ghoul,” particularly by the pool with a up. Pedro Alvarez, Hank Chase, Bob Morris, can’t seem to get to very easy. Sent note to Pedro cold one in hand.
102
VMI ALUMNI REVIEW