Class Notes On Feb. 21, I spoke with Guy Smith. He was headed to the golf course for his birthday. He is well. He and Phillipa were at our 55th Reunion. On return from St. Martin, I found a check waiting from Brad Lampshire for our class flower fund. On Feb. 22, I got a wonderful phone call from Ashby Chamberlain requesting the VMI Foundation phone numbers so he could make a donation to The “Eagle” Bayliss Class of 1960 Scholarship Fund. I hope others in our class will feel the same urge to contribute. There will be more written about the recent award to Cadet Andrew Day ’16, but suffice it to say, our class needs to increase our donations to achieve a balance of $250,000 from the current balance of $185,000. The award is 4.5 percent of principle. There’s not as many of us as there used to be, so we obviously need to individually contribute more. Please join those brother rats who have been so generous thus far. I spoke with Jim and Sue Tumlinson Feb. 28 for his birthday message two days later. Jim and Sue spend some of the winter in Melrose, Florida, away from the Pennsylvania winter. Jim is still teaching at Pennsylvania State University part time, as well as doing some work in Florida. His part time efforts took him to Kenya last year. We would not expect less from our first captain and Cincinnati Medal recipient. As many of our brother rats are doing, he continues to do what he enjoys and is able to do. Like many of us, he also is “bionic,” being the recipient of a porcine aortic valve last year, as well as
Class of 1960: Sam and Lynne Horner at Thanksgiving 2015. 2016-Issue 3
impending bilateral cataract surgery. All in all, he is doing well. It was great to talk with him. A note from Tony Di Caprio said he also spends the winters in Florida away from the Pennsylvania cold. I just got off the phone with “Peanuts” Elliott in Michigan. He called March 1 to tell me that he was still shoveling snow. What a life, as those of us in North Carolina had 65-70 degree weather. Hap Miller forwarded an email that he got from his roommate, Joe Sisler, letting him know that he, Joe and Ella are off to Key West to their granddaughter’s wedding on the beach. Phil Hamric’s daughter posted a note on Phil’s CaringBridge site. Phil is doing well according to his local physician. His daughter said that other than the usual aches and pains we all seem to have at our age, Phil is getting along nicely without discomfort. On Feb. 18, the “Eagle” Bayliss Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Cadet Andrew Day ’16, who was selected for Air Force flight school following his commissioning. It was an impressive occasion, with 60-70 cadets in attendance. Reba Bayliss was present, and the Class of ’60 was well represented by Bob and Lucy Clay, Jim O’Dell, Tom Daniel, Bill Spicuzza, Jim Pittman, Howard and Susan Moss, Jack and Annaliese Willard, Bolling Williamson, Ed Tolley, and Herb Vaughan. Cadet Day compiled an impressive record while at VMI and was named the ranking member of the AFROTC detachment following summer camp last year. At the conclusion of the ceremony, he made some heart-warming remarks about Eagle’s legacy and expressed how humbled he felt to receive the award. Cadet Day’s comments: “First of all, let me say how honored I am to receive this award, which is named for such a great man. Upon receiving the award, I urged the entirety of VMI AFROTC Detachment 880 to research the life and accomplishments of Captain Paul M. Bayliss. However, rather than recounting all of his various achievements and attributes, although exceptional, I thought my time would be better spent conveying to Detachment 880 the scope and impact of Captain Bayliss’ legacy. A legacy which has extended far beyond his own life, impacting more people than he could have possibly imagined. The creation and distribution of this scholarship as well as the attendance of friends, brother rats and family lends further credence to the reality of
his legacy. I am humbled by this presentation and by the clear and remarkable impact of Captain Bayliss’ life. I have also urged the wing to try to live in such a way that they, too, might have such a legacy. Again, I cannot thank you enough for your dedication and generosity. Very respectfully, Cadet Andrew Day.” Jack Willard lets us know the Josten Jewelry Company that made our class rings resized his ring without charge. Hap Miller had the same experience. The blue stone in my ring was replaced at no charge. Anyone with class ring issues should contact Jostens. I received a letter from Jon Parnell dated March 1 responding to my birthday call to him Feb. 21. Jon doesn’t have email and “wears it” proudly, dealing only in “snail mail.” He also is very proud of his 79 years and wrote that he is looking for a 65-year-old lady. It wouldn’t hurt if she were rich. He wrote that life is great. On March 4, I caught up with Sam Horner for his birthday call. Sam said he will enjoy his “71st” year. Be reminded that Sam was born in 1938, like most of us. When I called Sam, Lynn answered the phone to tell me that Sam was either “working out” or playing golf. He’s in great shape for a guy with bad knees, but his golf game hasn’t suffered. On March 7, I spoke with Jimmie Seeley in Orange Park, Florida. He has had a great time with grandchildren and his airplanes. He is planning on many more birthdays. Also March 7, I did not get to speak to Brad Lampshire in Alexandria, Virginia, but did send him email wishes for a happy birthday and the wish for more birthdays to come his way. On March 14, I called Hunter Dovel in Chester, Virginia, but only was able to speak with his son. Hunter’s son related that Hunter’s health is good, and he was “OK.” Hunter please send us an email address so we can stay in touch. March 16 is Kitti Xaivaividhya’s birthday. We have no contact information other than a Thailand address. Kitti, please send us an email address so we can stay in touch. I received a note from Sue Huggins regarding the passing of Brother Rat Bill Huggins, who died Feb. 28 at his home in Henderson, Nevada. Bill and Sue were married 55 years and have two sons and two granddaughters. Bill retired as a lieutenant colonel from the Air Force and worked for Bank of America in Las Vegas. He volunteered at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, Nevada, going there weekly and helping out. Our deepest sympathies go out to Sue and Bill’s family.
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