CLASS NOTES will be in the states after this summer, so they may have to look at finding a place on the East Coast. I requested an update from Ann Sofia-Rothschild after seeing her on our class Facebook page. She is doing very well. Most importantly, the boys, Anthony and Joseph, are doing well. (If you follow Ann on Facebook, you will be amazed at the resemblance to Mark Sofia in both of these young men.) They had hoped to attend the last ’82 reunion, but she was being treated for cancer. I’m happy to report that it is in remission, and she is doing well. Anthony got married in April 2013. He graduated from the University of Chicago medical school in June 2012 and is completing his second year of residency at the University of Chicago. Joseph is in his first year of medical school at the University of Florida. Needless to say, Ann is very proud of them. They have grown into wonderful young men. The boys were age 5 and age 8 when Mark died, and this will be the 19th anniversary of Mark’s death. She remarried 12 years ago, and her husband, Allan, has been a wonderful influence in the boys’ lives. They still have a close relationship with Mark’s family, and in fact, they have stayed at her home with the “new” husband and sometimes even call to speak with him. Ann works as an academic adviser and adjunct English professor at a small college in Florida. Thanks, Ann! Fran and Jose Suarez are doing very well. Canada is still home for them. They were preparing to move from Toronto to Montreal at the end of May, because Jose accepted a new position and a promotion to executive vice president reporting to the chief executive officer for SNC-Lavalin. Fran has been busy as a project manager on myriad renovation projects in their home in Toronto, taking care of investments, doing some research and writing on English history, being active in their community, and the local arts scene. She is shifting duties with their relocation and finding a good home for them in Montreal. This whole conversation was initiated after Jose posted a photo on Facebook of a bikini-clad girl reclining in a snow-covered chair. No! It was not Fran. He said he has been cured from complaining about the cold weather after working in Manitoba in 2006 at 40 degrees below zero. I might be going to visit Jose and Fran next summer with my daughter when the FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer tournament is going on. Anyone want to join us? Steve Varga says there will be no marathons this year, but he planned to run the Marine Corps Historic Half in Fredericksburg May 18 with his son. If you have not been keeping up with the Varga household, they have a slew of kids! I am not sure just how many there are, but some have left the nest. One daughter was married last year, and they are expecting a second grandchild
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Class of 1983: In Columbus, North Carolina, March 22, 2014, during a mini reunion at Ivan Marcotte’ s Lake Adger home were, from left, Steve Goddard, Spence Westbrook, Ivan Marcotte, unidentified person, John Geis and Hugh Daughtry. in May. From which one, Steve? Also, Steve is keeping busy with his four younger children doing Tae Kwon Do together. I don’t know how he does it! He is going to start confusing grandkids with his own kids. The VMI Club of Richmond hosted Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the Commonwealth Club in May. There was a very good turnout from our BRs: Jeff and Tara Modisett, John Reese, Bob and Kathy Louthan, Jim and Joelle Cosby, Bill Jennings, Bill Burnette, Dave Koehler, and, of course, Emmitt and Lynn Heltzel. Well, that is all for now, brother rats. Thanks to all who submitted a note and/or picture. We will meet again in two years. Until then, keep in touch with one another; call those old roommates. That’s right, I said pick up the phone and call them. Now. Compare stories again. Then, write me a note to share with the rest of the class, or find us on Facebook: VMI ’82 or my own page, Willis Council. Sincerely, Will Council
’83
Hugh Daughtry
6969 Folger Drive Charlotte, NC 28270-5947 704/365-8634 keydet1983@gmail.com
Brother Rats, As I wrap up this edition of our class notes, the Class of 2014 graduated 317, and VMI has celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Battle of New Market. To observe the sesquicentennial of the battle, a
groundswell movement among alumni emerged to recognize and honor the graves of all participants of the battle that means so much to VMI history. As you would expect, our class responded and was led by Jim Outland. Jim ensured the word got out to the class and several stepped up. Dave Clarke honored the graves of three in West Virginia, and Steve Amato honored one in Haymarket, Virginia. Alan Toler honored a grave in Richmond, Virginia, and Mark Coan and Grey Carter two in Tennessee. Max Rogers led the decoration of a New Market cadet’s grave in Mobile, Alabama, and Bill Cornett and Ivan Marcotte officiated at a ceremony by the Charlotte Chapter at the grave of Cadet Christopher Melville Etheredge ’865. Bob Mednikov and Southall Bowles decorated the grave of Cadet William Henry Cabell ’865 in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, complete with a “rowdy” Old Yell. Rock Donahue participated in a ceremony in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Jim Outland honored the graves of two in Powhatan County, Virginia. Well done, brother rats! It was sad to learn of the passing of Hagen Fischlschweiger April 18, 2014. Since graduation, Fisch had served as an intelligence officer in the Army and married a fellow military intelligence officer, Sherry. Together, they operated a restaurant in Harbinger, North Carolina, just short of the Outer Banks, for many years. Recently, Fisch had been studying for a degree in health management. Breck Gorman and Jim Outland recalled Fisch in German class back in Scott Shipp Hall. I will always remember him as “Alphabet,” the moniker he was given by the non-commissioned officers in our 4th Class year Army ROTC classes.
VMI ALUMNI REVIEW