CLASS NOTES 38-year-old sailboat race. I hear it was due too often, so I can’t say more. (Hint!) Larry than three days with a Brother Rat or family to crew error not boat age. Maybe Hala Respess provided the information. Moving member. (They say relatives and Brother needs to come to Tidewater and race with to the Florida in the “Villages” are Dude Rats like fish stink after three days.) Bill Maurer remains very active with hisGibbings because Bill’s 36-year-old boat and Kathy Copenhaver. They purchased a and senile crew still win first place trophies. home about a mile from Stu and Lee Crow torical events. You may remember he wrote (Smile.) Speaking of Bill and Joyce Gib- and several other VMI people. Their final a book, Dragoon Diary, which was about the Virginians who served under bings, Joyce’s dad just turned 99 Washington and who were masyears young and her mom, 94, sacred by the Brits in 1778. As part and they are in fair health and of the Memorial Day observance fun to be with. The Gibbings Friday night beer and cookies is in Tappan, NY, Bill presented still going on, and we have had to the town a handsome stone a bunch of local BRs show up (memorial), The Baylor Dragoon including: Don Kern, Charlie Memorial. Bill is still “volunteerFuller, Charlie Stevens, Robert ing” as historian at the Tappan Williamson, Larry Williams, Reformed Church where he is Garland Payne, Kenny Legum, a deacon. Recently Bill learned Rabbit Patrick, Irv Wells, Larry that a paper on the early hospitals Wetsel (chief cookie baker), their was written, and it mentioned that wives or significant others if they in September 1776 Washington have one, and visiting BRs Dude ordered four Hudson River sloops Copenhaver and Larry Respess. to carry the wounded to Tappan. The beer served is Dog Fish Head Class of 1961: Attending the annual Charlotte Folk Having never heard of this, you from Delaware, wine, soft drinks, Society Music Jam at the Phlegar Farm in New River, guessed it, Bill started to research Virginia, on July 27, 2013, were, from left, George Henaspirins and munchies. Activities ning, Sal Vitale, Dan Phlegar ’66 and Tom Phlegar. it. By early May, Bill had a paper start at 4:30 p.m. and end when the written, and it is causing historical last man leaves. (Smile.) waves. Should this interest you, Larry Williams is finally cone-mail Bill. As Bill was sending me his news, his dog, Brandi, took sidering retirement after seeing his rib eye off the grill counter how many of us are enjoying not and ate it. working. Larry traveled to Naples, It is always a pleasure to hear FL, where we have many full-time from Brother Rats who have been and part-time Brother Rats living. missing or just silent. Charles Larry bunked in with Hill and Manly lives in Texas and writes Heather Browning and visited that he is doing well especially with Jack and Nancy Bell, Pete with his new hip. Dick Huneycutt and Carol Roberts and Larry’s called and was surprised that I old high school running coach, recognized his voice immediately. Mr. Walter Galliford ’44. Did Who could forget his voice? Dick you know that Coach Galliford’s is in good shape, but Rita is not 100-yard dash running time was having a good time of it. Dick’s 9.6 seconds the same year that Jessie Owens 100-yard Olympic Class of 1961: At the John Purner Memorial Service at daughter had a stroke and now is VMI on New Market Day 2013 were, from left, front row, time was 10.3 seconds? Jack Bell John Purner III, Lisa Purner and John Purner Jr. Row much better; she is still living with is feeling good, back playing golf 2: Mike Bissell, Harrison Fridley and Sal Vitale. Row 3: Dick and now is strong enough to and, of course, enjoying his boat. Jan Bissell, Mike Pitt ’60, Betty Pitt, Jim Berger, Tom have part-time employment. Tom Dave and Judith Elliott, Hill and Phlegar, Dave Harbach and Jim Oliver. Row 5: Ed Hol- Artman took early retirement Heather Browning, Andy and lowell, Larry Wetsel, Beverly Scott, Ed Fox, Lou Kiger from teaching, and as several and Bill Gibbings. Brother Rats are doing or have Peggy Myruski, and Pete and done, spends full time taking care Carol Roberts enjoyed a day out on the boat with Jack and Nancy Bell. moving date is still pending. Sue and I plan of his wife, Jan. Tom says, “Let’s remember I understand that Pete’s brother, Taylor to be with Copenhaver in the Florida Keys the good times.” I absolutely agree! When Roberts ’67, also lives in Naples. Hershel during Valentine week with a bunch on BRs. Dave Harbach returned for his high school Murray (also in Naples) is recovering from I was thinking, if I play it right, Sue and I reunion, he saw his Rat roommate, Paul his heart surgery and now has a pacemaker. could spend two months in Florida without Scheider. Paul only spent a semester with Unfortunately, I don’t hear from Hershel the need of a hotel, if we do not spend more us. After leaving VMI, he attended Albright 64
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