Class Notes
Class of 1977: Dr. Yanyong Phataralaoha delivered the commencement address at the 2015 graduation of the Asian Institute of Technology. Dr. Yanyong’s company, Thai Pipe, has sponsored a scholarship at the AIT for VMI graduates. Also in the photo, on the second row, is retired Air Force Col. Thanakorn. what you will; that is what happens. Hunters are allowed to “train” their dogs before the hunt season, and that is called “bear chase season.” It lasts from early August to late September. I have learned that bear hunters typically value their dogs not by how good they are or how old they are but how much they paid the vet to put their dog back together after it was mauled by a bear. Denise and I live next to a Virginia State Forest. It is quiet; very quiet. So quiet that we get up to look if we hear a truck. When a truck does come down our road, they are most likely lost, they are looking for their dog or, very rarely, looking for us. Then there is bear chase season. Pickup trucks, slamming doors, loud talking and dogs barking. It is almost like living in the city. I will suffer on in silence and bring you the
glad tidings of our brother rats! Our progeny continues to expand. More and more, you bring me news of grandchildren. Patricia and Tim Liles are expecting their third grandchild in November. Tim is a captain with the Henrico Division of Fire. He is looking at working for a year more. Tim turned 60 last April and his Naval Reserve retirement checks started showing up in the mail. Ain’t life great! Kip Hamilton reported in. He and Beth will not be able to make it to the mini reunion because Beth’s sorority is having their reunion that weekend. I will coordinate better next time. Sept. 11, Kip and Beth planned to drive up to attend the graduation of his step-son, Mark, from Navy boot camp at Great Lakes. Mark will be a master at arms and is doing well there, Kip reported. One of their other sons is now a nationally registered paramedic. Kip is the only estimator for the company he moved to about a year ago. They build water and wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, etc. Mark Hunt retired May 30, 2015, following 38 years of Federal service with the U.S. Air Force. His service included five years active; 11 years reserve duty; and 33 years in civil service ... all with the Air Force. Mark’s wife, Mary Lou; two children; and seven grandchildren attended the ceremony at Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. He received the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award and the gift of a shadow box with his VMI sabre. Mark has literally “hung up his sabre!” Mark added his roommate, Dan Streett, also retired May 30, 2015, (ironically the same date
Class of 1977: Several members of the class attended the retirement ceremony of Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson’s retirement at Fort Myer. Pictured at the ceremony were, from left, Tim Mitchell, Steve Neas, Mike Dick, Bob Hartzell, Don Browder, Steve Billingsly, John Johnson, Eric Hutchings, Terry Wolfe, Mike Parish, Jim Anderson, Bob Gutjahr, Mark Bryant and Bob Houser. 102
as Mark). Dan worked many years as the chief financial officer for Cobb County, Georgia. On Aug. 8, Newby Muck sent a very informative email: “As of last Friday, I am officially retired.” End of message. Randy Gates and his son recently bought a landscaping company in the Atlanta area. Randy and his son are the entire staff. Randy reported that he enjoys his daily dose of 11 hours in the 98 degree Atlanta heat. He didn’t mention the humidity, but I guess that is implied. Mike Parish’s wife, Kate, ran in to Phil Camper in Buchanan, Virginia, this summer. While I have received no news from Phil, it is nice to know he is still alive! Time to report in, Phil. Mike, Kate and their son, Mark, attended a local venue for a bit of outdoor music. As they arrived, they pulled in right next to Wanda and Scott Snow. Scott and Mike had a chance to catch up on what’s been going on. Scott’s enjoying retirement from the railroad. He recently got back from an 8,500-mile motorcycle trip around the country with friends. Scott reported having played “only” five rounds of golf the week of their meeting, as well as lamenting that his handicap has gone all the way up to 13. Rough life! Speaking of golf, Buzzy Northern sent me a photo from the annual spring COW golf tournament. As you may remember, if anyone reads these notes, (Anyone listening out there?) COW is the College Oriented Workshop that invited minority young men to VMI to help put them on the college track. The program was conceived and is run by Mean Gene Williams ’74. Buzzy, Steve Billingsly, Shelton Rhodes, Chris Nash, Kerry Mullin and Tommy Cole all played in the tourney. Buzzy didn’t indicate how well they played but all are smiling in the photo, so it is your guess. Dan Streett confirmed Mark Hunt’s previous notification of Dan’s retirement. Dan worked for Cobb County (Atlanta area) since December 1991 after getting his Master of Business Administration – Finance degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Dan served on active duty U.S. Army, infantry, for 11 years prior. Dan’s wife, Hildegard, also works for Cobb County but has not yet decided to retire. Dan reported that Dr. Steve Heinrich will continue working in the New Orleans area at Tulane University; at least until his youngest daughter completes school. Rod Lynn is still working for Orange County, Florida, in public works. Dan thinks Steve and Rod are a little jealous that Dan
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