Class Notes of the caregiving for the memsahib but have recent visitor at Wes Foster’s, and Wes was three children and six grandchildren at their reached a point that it is advisable to check doing fine health-wise. Marshall also visited Stafford home for Bob’s 81st birthday. They into that. I see the orthopedic surgeon in at Jim Brawner’s place in Maine and enjoyed look forward to seeing us at the 60th Reunion. May for consultation. If Medicare does not the lake scene. He has been in touch with the I’ve been trying to work with the new director deem me ineligible because of the cost/ben- family of Stan Okoye ’13, former VMI bas- of reunion activities but for some reason can’t efit analysis (as too old and decrepit), I will ketball star and professional player, whom get much response to my request for informabe looking at one then the other of my knees Marshall provided a scholarship for. He looks tion. I will make my concern known to other sometime after that. I should have done it a forward to seeing him play in the upcoming people on the class agents’ staff to see if I can decade ago, but concern for the bride pre- Summer Olympics. He sent his best to all his get a little help. We had a short meeting in cluded. I do value seeing the news and events BRs. (Editor’s Note: See page 10 of this Re- November with a number of classmates who will help me with the upcoming reunion. An of the ‘active’ brother rats and greatly regret view for an article about Okoye ’13.) information packet went out to the the thinning of the ranks.” Stu, we class around the first of February. are all pulling for you and Norma. We had another meeting Jan. 29, As seems to be the usual closing 2016, of the reunion committee for these class notes, I must report in Richmond with the following on the following losses: BRs and some wives: Les Belsha, John W. Barlow died Jan. 21, Don Heslep, Doug Gottwald, Bill 2016, in Maryville, Maryland. He Nelson and Motsy Foster. Fred is survived by his wife of 57 years, Farthing couldn’t make it. InforJuanita Grindstaff Barlow; sons mation needed to prepare for all and daughters-in-law, Scott and events was discussed and will be Angie Barlow and Gary and Hope Barlow; and grandchildren, Dar- Class of 1956: The Reunion Committee members at Willow Oaks included in the packet to be sent Country Club in Richmond Jan. 29, 2016, were, from left, Melissa out soon by the VMI director of ren, Jessica and Bridget Barlow. and Bill Nelson, Doug Gottwald, Pat and Les Belsha, Motsy Foster, alumni activities. Les and Pat BelAlfred Wright Stuart, of Char- Dick Smith, and Don and Jo Heslep. sha had just returned from a cruise lotte, North Carolina, died Sunday, Pete Jennett got in touch to tell me he and to the Caribbean Islands, which they enjoyed Nov. 1, 2015. He is survived by his four children, Sarah Park Rankin and husband Rich- Sue had visited Tony Waring recently. They with a large group. I had a long chat with one of my favorard, Amy Madison, Julia Martin, and Peter were on their boat and used Tony’s power Stuart and wife Elizabeth. He is also survived outlet to charge their battery. Their generos- ite BRs, Bob Brickner. He is enjoying life by his brother, David Stuart, of Portsmouth, ity allowed them to take Tony out for din- in Tulsa, Oklahoma, since he moved from Virginia. He was preceded in death by his ner at a “hamburger” place! Tony has plans Chicago. None of the storms that frequentwife, Mary Louise Moyers Stuart, and his for a river cruise with two of his sons. Both ly pass through that part of the country Tony and the Jennetts plan on being at the have bothered him. He keeps in shape by sister, Agnes Yore. William “Bill” Hwayu Soong died in Sep- 60th Reunion. On Veterans Day at the VMI tember 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. I don’t Founders Day Institute Society Dinner, our remember Bill, who only stayed at VMI for class was represented by Don and Jo Hesa short time. I’m in possession of an exten- lep, Motsy Foster and Larry Weinerth, Jim sive bio sketch and will forward it to anyone and Betty Mann, Bill and Melissa Nelson, Marsha Abell (Creed Abell’s widow), and interested. I’ll close for now. I hope everyone has myself. It was a most impressive turnout of had a good spring and has interesting plans alumni, and we learned that the campaign had reached the incredible amount of $239 for the future. million. A large crowd witnessed another impressive parade by the Corps earlier that Richard M. Smith afternoon. Only one cadet fell out, and one cannon misfired! I had lots of Christmas cards from BRs and SRs which I enjoyed catching up on. Class of 1956: Dick Smith’s VMI ChristMarshall Mundy got in touch to tell me he Bob Morecock emailed that he and B.J. were mas tree in December 2015. Isabelle and Jennifer Rector, Honey’s granddaughwould be unable to join us ’56ers at the In- spending Christmas Day at their daughter’s in ter and daughter-in-law, decorated the stitute Society Dinner due to a legal case he Richmond and later returning to their Mattatree with over 500 lights and balls. had to be present for in Roanoke. He was a poni, Virginia, home. They had the family of
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VMI Alumni Review