2019-Issue 2 Alumni Review

VMI

2019 - Issue 2

Alumni Review

Contents

Virginia Military Institute Alumni Review 2019-Issue 2

In This Issue . . .

This issue includes class notes and news items covering the time period of Nov. 15, 2018, to Feb. 15, 2019.

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Our Alumni Serving 4 5

Hoopes ’19: No. 1 Army ROTC Cadet in the Nation Gallagher ’90 Promoted

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In Memory 10 11 12

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John O. Marsh (Hon.) Brig. Gen. N. Michael Bissell ’61 Col. Richard B. Minnix

PUBLISHER The Chief Executive Officer of the VMI Alumni Agencies

CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Amy Goetz Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Whitman Associate Editor: Molly Rolon ALUMNI REVIEW ONLINE www.vmialumi.org/alumnireview

PUBLISHING OFFICE The VMI Alumni Agencies Alumni Review Office VMI Moody Hall, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450; 540/464-7224 review@vmiaa.org

PRINTER Progress Printing Co., Inc. Lynchburg, Virginia

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Features 13 15 17

Sharpe ’04: More Than a Rocket Scientist McCarthy ’96: Called to Serve Hankins ’73: Character Skills for Life

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News and Updates

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Volume 96, No. 1

2 19 28 37 44 47 49 162 164 169 170 173 174

Message from the Board Chairman On Post Athletics Events Progress Staff News Class Notes Provisional Appointments Taps After Taps Alumni News Alumni Agencies Directory VMI Alumni Chapter Directory

The VMI Alumni Review (USPS 954-740) is published four times yearly in fall, winter, spring and summer

by The VMI Alumni Agencies, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450. It is sent to alumni and friends of the Institute without subscription.

ATTENTION POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to: VMI Alumni Review, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450 Periodicals postage paid at Lynchburg, VA.

VMI ALUMNI AGENCIES TELEPHONE NUMBERS The VMI Alumni Association: The VMI Foundation:

The VMI Keydet Club:

540/464-7221 540/464-7287 540/464-7328

WEBSITE ADDRESSES Alumni Agencies: www.vmialumni.org VMI: www.vmi.edu

Cover photos by Micalyn Miller, VMI Alumni Agencies.

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Message from the VMI Board of Visitors President

By J. William Boland ’73

VMI is on solid ground with a firm foundation for the future.

Our school has never been better than it is today. The post has never looked better. The academic and undergraduate research programs have never been stronger. Commissioning is higher than it has been in decades.

Cadet-athletes are thriving in the Corps of Cadets, holding leadership positions and excelling in classes on par with the rest of the Corps. History has shown that the commonwealth and our nation are well served by VMI and our graduates. VMI is on a continuous progression in pursuit of excellence.

We all should be very proud. Cadets receive an unparalleled education that challenges them in ways few other colleges do. It is the distinction and value of a VMI diploma. Once graduated, 99 percent are employed or placed in the military or graduate school within four months, and surveys point to the fact that alumni salaries far exceed the national median salaries eight years out.

Boland '73

VMI now is a national school, ranked high among top colleges and universities.

Excellence costs. We are far from done. Higher education is increasingly competitive on all fronts in an ever-shifting landscape. The challenge is – and always will be – the resources necessary in the recruiting and retention of top students, top athletes and top faculty. Colleges and universities across the nation are focused and positioned to offer the financial support necessary to obtain the very best of faculty and students.

In the following pages, you will see to the plans in place in the academic and NCAA athletics programs that will provide our graduates with the tools necessary to become honorable leaders in the decades ahead. Both plans are strongly endorsed by the members of the Board of Visitors.

By resolution in 2017, the Board of Visitors established the General J.H. Binford Peay III 1962 Endowment for Academic Excellence (see the article in the Progress section). Through your support for this endowment, VMI will be able to attract a cadre of exceptionally talented students who demonstrate high academic achievement, a well-rounded portfolio of athletics, clubs and organizational involvement, and who exhibit great potential to develop into true leaders for our country. The plan also includes a program to provide fellowships to VMI graduates, leading to the opportunity to increase the number of alumni on our faculty. Finally, this plan provides support for our faculty through the funding of academic chairs.

In addition, this endowment has the added benefit of honoring our 14th superintendent. We are extremely pleased that Gen. Peay has agreed to lend his name to the endeavor.

The Plan to Enhance NCAA Athletics at VMI was introduced early in Gen. Peay’s tenure as superintendent. Not only is this plan discussed and reviewed daily at the very highest levels of leadership at VMI, it is discussed at virtually every Board of Visitors meeting and is fully endorsed by the board. The plan is being expertly implemented under the leadership of Gen. Peay and Dr. Dave Diles, athletic director. Within the athletics section of this issue, you will learn of the complexities of operating an NCAA Division I athletic program, progress made thus far and the opportunity for VMI alumni and friends to increase the competitiveness of our teams through a cohort of high character cadet-athletes, coaches and staff, all dedicated to the VMI experience. I invite you to review the article in detail in the Athletics section.

In summary, our goal is to increase our competitiveness in all sports without sacrificing honor, integrity and discipline – the hallmark of VMI. Our country needs the type of citizen-soldier that VMI graduates every year. Our country always will. Mindful of the heightened importance of VMI’s mission and the increased complexities on every front, I ask that you support these forward-facing initiatives which, taken together, will ensure that the Institute continues its mission by graduating leaders of character for the military, industry and public service.

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VMI Alumni Review

Our Alumni Serving Recognizing Those Who Serve Others in Their Communities, Country and the World Are you or someone you know serving the community, country or the world? Send in a photo and a description of what you’re doing, where and for whom. See instructions below.

The VMI Alumni Agencies would like to pay tribute to our citizen-soliders, who are, as Col. J.T.L. Preston said and as printed on the parapet, “an honor to our country and our state, objects of honest pride to their instructors ... and ready in every time of deepest peril ... .”

Those alumni whose photos and articles appear in this section of the Review could be members of the armed forces serving anywhere in the world, or they could be members of police and fire departments, legislators, doctors offering their services to those less fortunate, alumni volunteering at food pantries or

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serving as Boy or Girl Scout troop leaders.

If you or someone you know is serving others, please submit a high resolution photo (3 or 4 megapixels, minimum) taken at the location you are serving or with the people whom you serve.

Along with the photo, please submit a caption that explains what your service is, where you perform it and for whom. Send these to the VMI Alumni Review staff at review@vmiaa.org or by mail to VMI Alumni Review, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450, Attention: Associate Editor. We will review your submission and consider it for publication.

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Hoopes ’19 Named No. 1 Army ROTC Cadet Nationally

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing For the second time in three years, a VMI cadet has been ranked No. 1 in the nation by the U.S. Army Cadet Command. Cadet Alec Hoopes ’19 holds the top spot on the Army ROTC’s Order of Merit list, which is a comprehensive numerical ranking of all Army ROTC cadets in their final year of college. The rankings are based on a variety of factors, among them grade-point average, performance on the Army physical fitness test, participation in extracurricular activities, leadership in ROTC and performance at Advanced Camp, which is a required summer training program for commissioning cadets.

This year’s Order of Merit list contains approximately 5,500 names, according to Sean Cook, operations officer with VMI’s Army ROTC. “His performance [in ROTC] has exceeded everything we could expect,” said Cook of Hoopes. “He has a very grounded personality and a great sense of leadership. He brings everyone together.

Cadet Alec Hoopes ’19 was the No. 1 – of more than 5,500 – Army ROTC cadet He’s a tremendous leader.”

The youngest of three children in a non-military family from in 2018-2019. VMI photo by Kelly Nye. Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Hoopes knew from high school that he wanted to attend a military college. As high school graduation loomed, he investigations, responsible for making sure that investigations into possible began touring schools with strong Army ROTC programs. His second stop breaches of VMI’s single-sanction Honor Code are conducted properly.

“It’s a lot of extra work, but I’m honored to have the position,” Hoopes was VMI, and right away he knew that he’d found what he was looking for.

“I saw so many opportunities to get involved in things,” said Hoopes of noted. “The Honor Code really allows this school to be what it is. ... Without his decision to come to the Institute. “There were so many opportunities it, very little would function the way it does.”

Coming in to VMI, Hoopes declared a major in civil and environmental to lead.”

Over the course of the past four years, Hoopes has taken advantage of engineering, and he quickly gravitated toward the environmental engineermany of those opportunities. He’s held rank in the Corps of Cadets, serv- ing aspect of that major, while maintaining a near-perfect grade-point avering as a corporal his 3rd Class year and as an operations sergeant his 2nd age. He’s a member of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society.

Class year. This year, he’s a 1st Class private, but only because he’s serving Once he commissions, Hoopes will serve as an environmental engineer in the highest leadership role possible for ROTC – battalion commander, in the Army’s Medical Service Corps. Down the road, he’d like to earn

“If you work hard at whatever you’re doing in life, you treat people the right way, and live a life of integrity and

honor, there’s nothing you can’t do.” – Cadet Alec Hoopes ’19 in charge of the approximately 900 cadets enrolled there. Hoopes said he’s drawn lessons from all of his leadership experience, both within the Corps and in ROTC. “I’ve never had to lead that many people at once,” said Hoopes, referring to his position as ROTC cadet battalion commander. “You have to give your intent in a certain way that people can understand it and take it and accomplish what needs to be done.”

In the Army, Hoopes noted, a battalion commander would typically be at the lieutenant colonel level. “It’s learning how the actual Army functions,” he commented. But it was within the Corps that Hoopes received the training needed to succeed at a high level of leadership.

“The Corps has taught me a lot about how to read people and work with others,” said Hoopes. “That’s the big part about leadership. You’ve got to understand the people you’re leading. And the Corps has taught me that.

You’ve got to work with different kinds of people every year, and you have to learn how to motivate them.”

During his 2nd Class year, Hoopes was elected to the Honor Court. After serving as an assistant prosecutor last year, this year he’s the vice president for

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his professional engineer certification and work for a technology company.

At VMI, Hoopes said he’s learned the value of consistent effort and treating others with respect. “If you work hard at whatever you’re doing in life, you treat people the right way, and live a life of integrity and honor, there’s nothing you can’t do, essentially,” he stated. “You can accomplish a lot by maintaining that lifestyle.”

Prior to Hoopes, the last VMI cadet to hold the top slot on the Order of Merit list was John Luke Phillips ’17. Before Phillips, the last cadets to hold the No. 1 position were Jason LaCerda ’07, who commissioned in a special ceremony at the White House, and Kyle W. Schriefer ’06.

“It’s the quality of the cadets that VMI is recruiting,” said Cook of the Institute’s success in producing top-ranked cadets. “VMI is definitely pulling in the right future leaders.”

This year, nine other VMI cadets from the Class of 2019 were ranked in the top 10 percent on the Order of Merit list. They are Cadets John O’Donnell, Sarah Dolitsky, Steele Lamade II, Zachary Herring, Andrew Schifalacqua, Colton Curry, Hannah Gillan and Jacob Drake – in addition to Washington and Lee University student, Collins Speed.

VMI Alumni Review

Gallagher ’90 Promoted, Becomes Assistant Adjutant General for Army Strategic Initiatives

Brig. Gen. Weedon Gallagher ’90 surrounded by his family at his promotion ceremony Dec. 1, 2018. Photo courtesy Virginia National Guard Public Affairs.

Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher ’90 assumed the position of Virginia National Guard assistant adjutant general for Army Strategic Initiatives Nov. 1, 2018. Gallagher graduated and was commissioned from VMI in 1991, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. His military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, Senior Transportation Officer Qualification Course and the Theater Sustainment Course. He graduated from the Army War College in 2014, Joint and Combined Warfighting School in 2015 and the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government’s Leadership in Homeland Security program in 2017. He completed U.S. Northern Command training and certification as a dual status commander in 2018.

Gallagher has held command and staff positions in the Maryland and Virginia Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve. He served as a platoon leader in the 330th Engineer Battalion (Heavy) and the 299th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge company). Gallagher then transferred to the 121st Engineer Battalion (Mechanized), serving on the battalion staff as the assistant S3 for both plans and for operations before being selected to command Company B. After company command, he deployed to Afghanistan as the chief of design, Bagram Airfield, with Facility Engineer Team 28, 416th Theater Engineer Command. He then served on division staff as the training officer for Joint Force Headquarters, then returned to the 121st Engineer Battalion as the battalion executive officer and the operations officer. He then served on the brigade staff as the assistant operations officer, 58th Troop Command. Gallagher returned to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Afghanistan Engineer District, as the Kandahar

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area officer in charge. Upon his return, he was selected for battalion command of the 1297th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and deployed his battalion to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Following battalion command, he served in division staff assignments as the chief of the training management assistance team, G3; division engineer; and chief of protection/officer-incharge of the Domestic All-Hazards Response Team-East, 29th Infantry Division (Light). Gallagher then commanded the 329th Regional Support Group. He is currently the assistant adjutant general-Army.

Gallagher’s awards and commendations include: The Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with one Silver Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with one Silver Leaf Cluster and two Oak Leaf Clusters, Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (2), National Defense Service Medal (Bronze Service Stars), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Silver HG, M and 3), Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal (International Support Afghanistan Freedom), Combat Action Badge, Army Parachustist Badge, Bronze Order of the DeFleury Medal, Samuel Sharpe Award, Ancient Order of Saint Christopher Medal and the Honorable Order of Saint Martin Medal.

Gallagher works full time as the owner of a small business specializing in facility management and electrical systems installations. He and his wife, Anne, have three sons: Connor, a U.S. Army second lieutenant; Kirby; and Tynan.

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Wise ’68 Brings Purple Heart Parking to Richmond/Fort Lee Area

Sam Fonzi, Philip Koren and Richard Wise ’68, members of the Richmond Chapter No. 1965 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, pose behind the new combat wounded veteran honorary parking spot at the Fort Lee, Virginia, Commissary. The organization is responsible for getting more than 70 signs installed in the greater Richmond and Fort Lee area. Photo and caption by Amy Perry, Fort Lee Public Affairs.

Franks ’74 Leads Veterans Day Parade Volunteers

For more than 10 years, Robert “Bob” Franks ’74, far left, has led a group of Austin, Texas, volunteers in organizing the 2,000-plus marchers and 200-plus vehicles that comprise the city’s Veterans Day parade.

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VMI Alumni Review

Alumni Assigned to Pacific Fleet

Several VMI alumni are serving on the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet staff at the U.S. Pacific Fleet Headquarters in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Pictured were, from left, Lt. Jason Spencer ’13, Rear Adm. Matt Carter ’85, Rear Adm. John Adametz ’89 and Cmdr. Brian Cummings ’01 in October 2018.

Hansen ’82 Retires

Maj. George Hansen ’82 officially retired as an active duty U.S. Army officer Feb. 28, 2019. A surgical nurse, his last duty station was Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Florio ’86 Awarded National Sheriff ’s Association Medal of Merit

The Hanover County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office honored Rev. Lou Florio ’86 with the Medal of Merit from the National Sheriff’s Association for his service to the Hanover County area. Florio, who is the pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Mechanicsville, Virginia, serves as a chaplain for the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office. Pictured were, from left, Lt. Terry Sullivan, chaplain coordinator; Col. David R. Hines, sheriff; Florio; and Deputy Jim McLaughlin, crime prevention specialist.

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Vincent ’92, Olshove ’20 Conduct Milestone Jumps Together

While attending the U.S. Army Basic Airborne Course in summer 2018, Cadet Tucker Olshove ’20 completed his first jump with his uncle, Col. Douglas Vincent ’92. This was the 100th jump for Vincent, who was then serving as the commander of the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Alumni at Resolute Support Headquarters, Afghanistan

Alumni serving in Afghanistan who linked up at the Resolute Support Headquarters in Kabul Nov. 26, 2018, were, from left, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jon Jeffreys ’92, legal adviser for the commander of Resolute Support; U.S. Army Maj. (promotable) Stephen Ward ’02, reconciliation team leader; U.S. Army Col. John Hale ’91, deputy director for stabilization; and U.S. Army Lt. Col. John McGrady ’01, deputy chief of current plans at the Resolute Support headquarters. Photo by Yeoman 2nd Class Jeremy Langston.

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VMI Alumni Review

Caine ’90, Moder ’98 in Iraq

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dan Caine ’90 and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. John Moder ’98 met up while serving in Iraq Nov. 25, 2018. Caine is the deputy commander of Special Operations Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, while Moder serves as the deputy commander of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Iraq. The photo was taken at the CJSOFTF-Iraq headquarters at Camp Keating, Baghdad, Iraq.

Nguyen ’92 Promoted

Anhtuan Nguyen ’92 was promoted to colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve Nov. 11, 2018. U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Daniel Conley, commander of Bagram Airfield, officiated the ceremony.

Deploying Alumni Meet in Texas

Belenky ’97 Promoted

At the Continental U.S. Replacement Center in Fort Bliss, Texas, were, from left, Capt. Colin A. Sexton ’11, Maj. Cody Grey ’05 and 2nd Lt. Charles Estes ’18. All three were heading to the Middle East on various missions in support of national freedom.

Mike Belenky ’97 was promoted to colonel in the U.S. Army in October 2018. Standing with a bust of Gen. George C. Marshall ’901 following the promotion ceremony are, from left, Dave Hudock ’97, Andy Clark ’97, Belenky and John Bushman ’97.

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In Memory: John O. Marsh Jr. (Hon.)

By VMI Communications & Marketing

at the Institute. He was a frequent speaker to John O. Marsh Jr. (Hon.), former Secretary cadets, including many times when he adof the Army for eight years in the adminisdressed rats as they took their cadet oaths trations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and near the Bushong House.

George H.W. Bush – his tenure ending just He was a recipient of the VMI New Market months before the fall of the Berlin Wall – Medal, presented for exemplary and distindied Feb. 4, 2019, at the age of 92. guished leadership to the nation, as well as the “Secretary Marsh was a true friend of the Harry F. Byrd Jr. ’35 Public Service Award Virginia Military Institute,” said Gen. J.H. presented on behalf of the Byrd family by the Binford Peay III ’62, superintendent. “He Institute. These awards recognized his service became enchanted by the VMI story during in World War II, in the Army National Guard boyhood visits to the Bushong Farm and, after the war, as a U.S. Congressman from in the years after, devoted much of his time 1963-71, and the numerous posts he held for and wisdom to the Institute. He was a grand President Gerald Ford, President Ronald Realeader and will be missed.” gan, and Vice President Dick Cheney. Marsh The Bushong Farm and fields are the cenwas elected as an honorary alumnus of VMI terpiece of the New Market State Historical in 1981, and he received the VMI Foundation Park, the scene of the 1864 Battle of New Marsh Distinguished Service Award in 1991.

Market in which the VMI Corps of Cadets Marsh is survived by his children, Dr. John O. “Rob” turned the tide of battle and marched into history. VMI owns Marsh, Rebecca Whitener and Scot Marsh ’81, and seven and operates the park, which is also the site of the Virginia grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Glenn Museum of the Civil War. Ann Patterson Marsh, in December 2015.

Marsh served on the VMI Board of Visitors from 1976-80, Marsh was buried near the museum building at the New during which time he guided major developments at the battleMarket Battlefield Feb. 15, 2019. field park. From 1998-99, he served as a visiting professor of ethics

John O. Marsh Jr. (Hon.) pauses with Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, superintendent, following the New Market Parade in 2006 during which Marsh received the New Market Medal. VMI photo by Kevin Remington.

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VMI Alumni Review

In Memory: Brig. Gen. N. Michael Bissell ’61

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer

Retired Brig. Gen. Norman M. “Mike” Bissell ’61, former commandant of cadets and deputy superintendent, died Feb. 7, 2019.

He was 80.

As a cadet, Bissell, who matriculated from Marshfield, Massachusetts, was a corporal, sergeant and lieutenant in Band Company. He also participated in intercollegiate and intramural sports and was in the Glee Club during his 1st and 2nd Class years.

After he graduated from VMI with a bachelor’s degree in history, he began a career as an Army officer that would last 26 years. Initially an infantry officer, he later trained as an aviator and served two tours of combat in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot.

On Dec. 28, 1968, Bissell piloted a helicopter on a mission to rescue a severely wounded American adviser to a Vietnamese unit.

For his actions that day, he received a nomination for the Medal of Honor. The Army eventually awarded him with its second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

His DSC citation states that, on his first landing, “[h]e ... was unable to remain because of intense automatic weapons fire which scored three hits on his craft. After instructing the armed helicopters to again strike the communists’ strongholds, he made a second landing and waited until the adviser was located in the tall grass. Major Bissell was wounded in the neck as bullets riddled his aircraft, forcing him to depart without the gunner [a crewman who had been wounded] and adviser.” Despite the still-ferocious enemy fire, the extensive damage to his aircraft and his own wounds, Bissell courageously landed a third time and flew the wounded men to a hospital where doctors saved the adviser’s life. Bissell’s gunner succumbed to his wounds.

Later in this career, he commanded the 17th Aviation Brigade in the Republic of Korea. He also created and commanded the Joint U.S. Army and Republic of Korea Army Aviation Corps. He served as the director of U.S. Army flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and was the 101st Airborne’s acting chief of staff.

Bissell also served as an executive officer to the assistant secretary of the Army, on the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was a senior Army fellow at Harvard University in 1985. He graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. He also earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Missouri.

Bissell’s other awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, three awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with “V” device and the Purple Heart. He received the Gold Order of Saint Michael from the Army Aviation Association of America and was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 2004 and 2007, respectively.

After he retired from the Army in 1987, he became the program manager for a joint Boeing-Sikorsky team competing to develop

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Bissell ’61 the Army’s RAH-66 Comanche helicopter. The team won the competition (although the program was canceled in 2004), after which Bissell returned to VMI as its first full-time commandant of cadets in 1990.

In 1994, he became a special assistant to the Superintendent and a deputy superintendent and would focus on the Institute’s issues associated with the legal challenges to VMI’s single-sex admissions policy and, later, the preparations to assimilate women into the Corps of Cadets. It was during this time that he was instrumental in the establishment of the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership, the world’s only all-female cadet corps, at what was then Mary Baldwin College.

In 1999, Bissell became the full-time commandant of the cadets at VWIL, and he served in that position until June 2013.

In a statement released Feb. 8, Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, superintendent, described Bissell as someone who “devoted his entire life to service in uniform to his country and to the commonwealth: He was distinguished in combat, he demonstrated efficiency of character and service in demanding leadership roles, he was passionate and tireless in his work for his beloved VMI and the Class of 1961, and he was steadfast in forming the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin.”

Bissell is survived by his wife, Janice; children, Gary Bissell ’89, Mark Bissell, Drew Bissell ’95, Brooke Hartwell, Kerri Brock, Collin Bissell and Brandon Bissell ’98; 18 grandchildren, including Joshua M. Bissell ’17; and three great-grandchildren.

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In Memory: Col. Richard B. Minnix

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer Col. Richard B. Minnix, longtime and beloved physics professor, died Nov. 28, 2018. He was 85.

Minnix grew up in Salem, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Roanoke College in 1954. He earned a Master of Science degree in physics and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in experimental physics from the University of Virginia and the University of North Carolina, respectively.

In summer 1956, Minnix joined VMI’s department of physics as an instructor. This began his 40 consecutive years of teaching at the Institute, broken only by postgraduate studies at the University of North Carolina.

Over the next four decades, Minnix would rise to be full professor and lead the department of physics and astronomy twice, as well as serve as the Institute’s first director of science. Throughout his time in the department, he was deeply engaged in its constant efforts to improve the curriculum, expand its course offerings and engage cadets and the wider community. The Institute presented him with its Distinguished Teaching Award in 1983, citing his skills as a teacher and his willingness to be accessible to his students.

Alumni probably also remember him for the popular physics demonstrations that he conducted with his longtime colleague, close friend and fellow Roanoke College alumnus, D. Rae Carpenter. They went on to make the demonstrations available to schools and teachers mainly through the Dick and Rae Physics Demo Notebook, which contains 650 physics demonstrations and remains in print. Minnix and Carpenter were proud of the fact that the book has been purchased on every continent except Antarctica.

Minnix was an enthusiastic promoter of life-long science education, believing that science and mathematics should be more widely understood and appreciated. He and Carpenter conducted summer courses at VMI for high school physics teachers for more than 25 years that were sponsored by the National Science Foundation and traveled to secondary schools around the Southeast presenting a program they called “Phun with Physics.” In 1993, he developed and taught a course for Native American science teachers that was sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

He also presented demonstration courses in Canada and served as a guest lecturer at the Virginia Governor’s School for 17 years.

He also participated in the XXIV International Physics Olympiad for high school students in 1993.

A member of many professional organizations, Minnix served as the treasurer of the Virginia Academy of Science, as well as the chairman and secretary of the organization’s astronomy, mathematics and physics section. He also was involved with the Virginia Junior Academy of Science.

It should be no surprise that his successful academic career and

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Minnix high level of professional citizenship were widely recognized.

For example, Minnix and Carpenter jointly received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Association of Physics Teachers in 1988 and the George B. Pegram Award of the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society for Outstanding Teaching in 1987.

Somehow, Minnix also found the time to serve the Lexington community. As a member of Lexington Presbyterian Church since his arrival in Lexington, he served as an elder and the clerk of the session, as well as a member of several boards and committees. He also was the leader of Cub Scout Pack 29, was involved for 25 years with the Rockbridge County Christmas Basket Program and was a member of the Lexington Rotary Club for 46 years.

Minnix was predeceased by his wife, Marian Montague Chapman Minnix, to whom he was married for 61 years. He is survived by his two sons, Jeffrey B. Minnix ’79 and Wesley T. Minnix ’82; daughter, Leslie Montague Minnix-Wolfe; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Those members of the VMI family who wish to honor Minnix’s legacy at the Institute are asked to donate in his memory to the VMI Foundation. Checks should be mailed to c/o VMI Foundation; P.O. Box 932; Lexington, Virginia, 24450. Credit card gifts can be made at www.vmialumni.org/give.

VMI Alumni Review

Features More Than a Rocket Scientist

By Molly Rolon, Associate Editor

Matt Sharpe ’04 has been working at NASA since 2007 in a field called human-computer interaction. Photos by 23images Photography.

“I’m not a rocket scientist,” said Matt Sharpe ’04 – clarifying, since he has been working at NASA since 2007. “I just happened to get into rockets. I’m not an engineer. ... I have no idea how they’re doing that.” Communication – leveraged through technology – is, however, Sharpe’s area of expertise.

Sharpe’s work for NASA is in a field called human-computer interaction. Sharpe was introduced to the then-emerging field at VMI while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in computer science. In the midst of life at VMI, Sharpe “realized I didn’t like computer science. If I really didn’t like computer science and I’m a computer science graduate, what [could] I do next?”

The HCI field was great match for Sharpe: “The aspect that I really, really like about computers is usability – usability and design.” In HCI, technology – fueled by computers – and people are brought together by experts. The experts design, build and tweak software with the end goal of maximizing the technology’s usability.

While he was pondering future career choices and looking into HCI, Sharpe had another internal debate – whether or not to serve in the military. An Institute Honors full-scholarship cadet who was honored in many ways for his academic achievement at VMI, Sharpe began

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considering if he could better serve his country in a civilian capacity. “To me, the answer became yes,” he said.

With that choice made, he began looking into graduate school options, and – on a scholarship from defense contractor SAIC – completed a compressed master’s degree at Carnegie Mellon University, followed by working at SAIC for a couple of years before going to NASA. Sharpe, who purposefully studied subjects beyond computer science while at VMI and who wryly notes that he “was annoyingly one class short of a double major in English,” is a champion of clear communication. This certainly encompasses computers but also – and perhaps more importantly – means using precise language to communicate to a specific audience.

“I love the English language. I don’t feel like people really see the connection to a broader set of fields. For me, when you talk about usability and design, how language communicates is incredibly important,” Sharpe said.

“The language that you’re using in design is very, very important. I think more broadly than that, what I’ve come to realize is that every single technological change is a culture change. You’re changing the culture in some way, and that means that you have to be able to communicate in a way that resonates with that

culture – whether that’s an engineering team, whether that’s a board of advisers, whether that is a C-suite level executive – it has to resonate with them. And that you can only do through the English language.”

When Sharpe began working at NASA, internal communication – although couched in technical terms – was a huge focus within the agency. NASA was responding to the findings of the investigation into the 2003 Columbia space shuttle explosion. In response to the investigation, a nascent group was initially tasked with writing requirements for a new problem reporting system. The group was HCI and Sharpe’s home at NASA. The space shuttle program had well over 25 separate problem reporting systems, Sharpe explained. The problem with so many systems is “they didn’t integrate well ... you don’t really get a good integrated picture. If you do get a good integrated picture, somebody’s got to go to those ... different systems to see what things are related and manually put all that together – and then it’s stuck in somebody’s head.”

In the case of the Columbia disaster, a weak point in the shuttle’s heat shields caused the shuttle to disintegrate during re-entry. The weak point was caused during launch when foam fell off the fuel tank and struck the shuttle’s heat

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shields – at an impact of 500-plus miles per hour.

Foam falling off the fuel tank – called the orange tank in NASA circles – “was a known thing. It was designed to do that. It was a welldocumented problem on the fuel tank,” Sharpe said. “It wasn’t really completely understood from an integrated perspective how foam falling off could potentially affect the [space shuttle].”

When Sharpe came onboard, the team he joined had just spent several months researching problem reporting systems in other domains and had created a prototype system.

The team looked at everything from Navy vessels, which had many similarities with NASA systems, to nuclear reactors as models. One of Sharpe’s first tasks was to add two new “engineering data sets” – or raw data gathered from specific areas – to the system.

Fast forward a decade-plus, and Sharpe is the assistant chief of the human-machine integration division. His team still works with problem reporting and enterprise software, but what’s most exciting to Sharpe is that within his team, he has “massive autonomy.” His team is able to nurture projects from a whisper of an idea to viable end states: Finished, usable products.

Aside from following the innate constrictions of a government system – inner-agency and federal regulations plus mandated cybersecurity levels – Sharpe is able to run his group “like we’re a little startup within the government.”

“From the moment somebody comes to us and says, ‘Hey, I don’t know how you do what you guys do, but can you do it on this thing?’ We go in and we do user research, we understand what they’re looking at, we design their product, we build that product and then we host and maintain that product for them, we do their training, we do our own help desk, we do every bit of it from beginning to end,” Sharpe explained. “The thing that’s fun about it is that we own the entire thing, which is really not common.”

Much of Sharpe’s time is spent working on “enterprise software for the engineering knowledge of a vehicle. The simplest example of that is problem reporting.” For instance, if a part breaks on the International Space Station, a long chain of actions ensues: Someone has to report the problem, figure out which part broke, how to report that the part broke, how to fix the part – document all the preceding – and then get approval to move forward.

Sharpe’s team builds software specific to each vehicle or system need at NASA – in this case, fixing a part on the ISS. They also work on preflight verification systems and often add capabilities – like linking vehicle parts supply

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Sharpe working on a project at NASA. Sharpe was an Institute Scholar on full scholarship at VMI and also the kicker for the Keydets on the gridiron. He majored in computer science, and minored in writing, French and math. to a problem reporting system – to pre-existing systems.

Daily, Sharpe deals in industry-specific terms – enterprise software, R&D, artificial intelligence, human-in-the-loop and machine learning. Industry-speak aside, the real challenge, Sharpe said, is not actually gathering data. It is “to get that data in a usable format.”

“When you talk about integrating – putting the engineering data together, it’s about getting the right data to the right people at the right time,” he continued. “For them to be able to make the decisions they need to without having to wait weeks for people to pass around information and email each other. ... to be able to spend time doing analysis without spending all your time trying to find the information.”

Everything Sharpe’s division does is the “real-deal, in operation supporting [NASA] missions.” His specific role involves “forward looking research and design,” including “internet of things, augmented reality [and] cross system search machine learning ... wherever we think we’re going next. ... Those are the kind of areas where we do forward-looking research and development so we can plow

that back into our operations.”

Aside from his work at NASA, Sharpe also keeps current by serving on the boards of startups and recently earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Naval Postgraduate School. His experience at VMI, Sharpe said, has been helpful to him in his professional life. “I think VMI challenges you in such a way that you know what you are capable of. It gives you this perspective of, ‘Yeah, I’ve been through the worst. I’ve done worse; just dig in and get it done.’”

His team – though they don’t build rockets in an agency synonymous with rockets – has become known for that “get-it-done” mentality: “That is why we have the autonomy that we do. We’ve proven that we deliver. We’ve proven that we know what we’re doing. We’ve proven that when we say we’re going to do something, we actually do it. You go back to those simple things.”

Simple things, values even, which – although not rocket science – may have sprung from a foundation built in imposing tan buildings, circled around a Parade Ground, topping a hill in Virginia’s great valley.

VMI Alumni Review

McCarthy ’96: Called to Serve

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer

Ryan McCarthy ’96 was formally sworn in as the undersecretary of the Army by then-Secretary of Defense James Mattis Sept. 5, 2017.

McCarthy’s wife, Jennifer, also participated in the ceremony. Department of Defense photo/released.

Service has long been important to Ryan D. McCarthy ’96. He chose VMI mainly because it offered an education that would prepare him to be an Army officer. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, McCarthy worked a year at VMI and then began infantry officer training. After a short time serving with the 3rd Infantry Division, he became a rifle platoon leader with the 75th Ranger Regiment in 1999. As part of the national response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the regiment participated in the invasion of Afghanistan and was in combat for 85 consecutive days.

In 2002, he began work for the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation. Although immersed in a demanding and rewarding job, he was well aware of the continuing fighting in Afghanistan and the increasing violence in Iraq. The situation hit home for McCarthy at the funeral of his brother rat, Marine Corps Capt. James Edge ’96, who was killed in action in April 2005. That event propelled him back toward service. As he recalls, “Jamie’s funeral told me that it wasn’t done for me.”

He soon embarked on a career of public service in the realm of national security. Later that year, McCarthy, who hails from the Chicago area, went to work for Illinois congressman Henry Hyde as a member of the professional staff of the House of Representatives’ Committee on International Relations. The next year, he moved from Capitol Hill to the Pentagon. Initially hired as a special assistant to the 2019-Issue 2

undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, he was diverted to the transition team for new Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and later became one of Gates’ special assistants.

McCarthy describes the next five years, when he acted as the secretary’s representative to the White House, Congress and other national security agencies and foreign governments, as “hard but satisfying.”

He learned a lot from working closely with Gates. “He was an amazing role model for anyone who served with him,” said McCarthy.

“Someone once described him as ‘a plain vanilla revolutionary’ in that, although he was never flashy, he was very much a reformer.”

To McCarthy, what made Gates successful as a public servant who served eight presidents was his gift for “forming and maintaining relationships” which “allowed him to bring the best people together for the benefit of the country.” It was these relationships, McCarthy asserts, that allowed Gates to achieve extensive and positive change within the Defense Department.

In 2011, McCarthy joined the Lockheed Martin Corp. There, as a vice president, he was involved with the company’s F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program. One of his responsibilities was restructuring and redesigning the organization related to the F-35’s sustainment program. During this time, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

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performance. Every quarter, for example, they scrutinize costs and The call to serve in the government came again in the late spring of 2017, when, on the advice of then-Defense Secretary James Mattis, whom revenues, and they evaluate manufacturing processes continually to McCarthy had first met in Afghanistan in 2001, President Trump nomi- see how they can be made more efficient.” McCarthy summed up nated McCarthy to be the 33rd undersecretary of the Army. The Senate what the military can offer business in one word: Values. “Those in confirmed him unanimously Aug. 1, 2017, and McCarthy started work uniform are taught to maintain core leadership values, such as integrity, respect and courage. This sustains trust up and down the chain immediately thereafter. But, there was a bit of twist. With the secretary of of command. When companies adopt those same values, they make the Army post vacant at the time, he served as the acting secretary of themselves better in so many ways.” the Army until mid-November 2017.

Undoubtedly, McCarthy’s roles in the management of the Army In his current position, which McCarthy describes as, “the Army’s chief management officer,” he is responsible for the service’s manage- and the shaping of its future are consequential, but he has another duty that he considers to be critically important. He is responsible for ment and operation of the Army, including the development and integration of new programs and initiatives to transform the Army’s business representing the service’s civilian leadership at the Dignified Transfer model. As such, he has been intimately involved with the Army’s new ceremonies at Dover Air Force Base, at which the remains of serviceFutures Command. Asked the reason behind the command’s creation, men and servicewomen are repatriated. He admits that “it is hard to McCarthy explained, “We looked at ourselves and saw that we had talk about it because of the extraordinary sacrifice that these soldiers have a lot of Industrial Age processes. That’s unsatisfactory because we made and the profound changes that their deaths will bring to their families. need to move as fast as information does today in order to maintain Yet, it is important to show that the Army recognizes the enormity of their our technological edge. Futures Command will ensure that the Army loved ones’ sacrifices and to assure these grieving families that they are – and always will be – an important makes the right choices in part of the Army family. It is the Information Age.” the most sacred thing I do.”

While Futures ComAsked what he got from his mand’s mission made VMI education, he said, “It is sense to many people, the the foundational experience decision to establish it in of my life. It builds in you Austin, Texas – and not on the resilience and toughness an already-established miliyou’ll need to persevere and tary post – surprised more succeed. If you go there with than a few. Considering strong values, it will add a its free-wheeling high-tech certain conviction to them.” entrepreneurs and the statHe continued, “The life I ed determination of many have lived after barracks has residents to “keep Austin often been a lot harder than weird,” they questioned if the life I had in barracks. the city was a good fit for What VMI did was to prepare the Army. According to me to face those hardships McCarthy, however, “The and overcome them, whether command is meant to build McCarthy with Mattis following the swearing-in ceremony. Service is important they be at Ranger School, in and maintain a bridge to the to McCarthy, who began serving his country as an Army infantry officer. combat or in business. It took more dynamic parts of the a cocky kid from Chicago and private sector, and Austin is one of the hubs of entrepreneurial spirit in the United States.” Thus, prepared him to be a man and a leader.”

He also credited VMI with introducing him to three men who helped him he asserts, it made perfect sense to locate Futures Command in Austin.

While McCarthy is mindful of the benefits that technology has had – develop as a cadet and a leader. “I had the privilege of knowing Brigadier and will have – on the Army, as someone with “boots-on-the-ground” General Mike Bozeman, my track coach; Colonel Mike Bissell ’61, the commandant of cadets; and Colonel Walt Chalkley ’72, who was experience, he is aware that, no matter what technology promises, the Army must always adhere to some tried and true basics. “You can the professor of military science. All of them introduced me to the never dismiss them. An example is the power of repetition. Before I teacher-coach-mentor leadership model. They were sincerely interested was deployed to Afghanistan, I had fired my personal weapon and in me. They were patient with me, but they never stopped pushing me my unit had used particular systems and executed certain maneuvers to be a better athlete, student and cadet.”

When McCarthy graduated in 1996, the earliest slot available for thousands of times. As individuals and as units, therefore, we were well-trained in the fundamentals of the battlefield: How to move, Infantry Officer Basic Course was in the summer of 1997. Bissell how to communicate and how to fight.” He continued, “My job is to brought McCarthy into the commandant’s office to help plan for the ensure that individuals and units can execute these fundamentals and assimilation of women into the Corps. “It gave me a chance to work to get them the improved systems that will allow them to continue to closely with Colonel Bissell, and he taught me a lot about what it is to be an officer. It also allowed me to take part in an important event dominate the battlefield.”

His experiences as a soldier, business executive and public servant in the Institute’s history. Bringing women into the Corps was not easy, also give him an appreciation of what each “side” in the business- and it was not without its challenges. However, all in all, VMI managed military relationship can give the other. From business, he says, the the transition well, and the presence of women has made the Institute a military can learn the value of metrics. “Businesses constantly measure better school. And I am proud to have been in a small way a part of that.”

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VMI Alumni Review

Hankins ’73: Character Skills for Life

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer Gary Hankins ’73, M.D., can look back at a career in medicine that stretches over more than four decades with no little satisfaction. He served 22 years in the Air Force as a doctor, service that included deployment during Operation Desert Shield on the advance team that established a 1,000-bed surgical hospital. For the past two decades, he has been in academic medicine, training physicians in his specialty of obstetrics and gynecology as well as critical care. He has received many honors, including being named as one of America’s Top Doctors for eight years. He now is the chairman of the obstetrics and gynecology department at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

It is most interesting to note, therefore, that, well into his 1st Class year at VMI and when he was the highest standing cadet in the biology department, Hankins had no plans to be a physician.

“That all changed at a meeting with my academic adviser, the legendary Colonel Jack Reeves, in the spring of 1972,” recalled Hankins. “He handed me application forms for various medical schools, including the University of Virginia and the Medical College of Virginia, and told me to fill them out.

I protested and told him that I wanted to be a forest ranger.

He replied, ‘It’s not your call. Every first-ranking biology major goes to medical school, and you’re not breaking that tradition.’”

Hankins applied to the schools and then took the required Medical College Admission Test. “I had not prepared at all for the MCAT; therefore, my score was not so high,” he said.

“In fact, the professor who interviewed me at MCV described it as ‘lower than snake’s belly in the dirt.’”

MCV accepted Hankins but required him to take a six-week preparatory course. “Considering that I was my class’ top biology major with a 3.84 GPA and stood No. 3 in my class academically, that struck me as odd. I guess those test scores Dr. Gary Hankins ’73, left, with his wife, Barbara, after hiking the Grand put me in ‘The Most Likely to Fail Club.’”

Canyon. Hankins, who recently made a $1 million commitment to endow a scholarship at VMI, has been practicing medicine for over four decades.

Despite the somewhat unconventional way he entered the Well into his 1st Class year, he had no intentions of going into medicine. He profession, medicine became Hankins’ passion, and he counts was soon informed of a tradition: Every first-ranking biology major at VMI himself fortunate. “I tell people that if you can make a career went to medical school. The tradition, he was told, was not his to break. out of something you’re passionate about, you’ll have a proPhoto courtesy Hankins. ductive and fulfilling life indeed.”

“I count myself lucky that Colonel Reeves pressed me to go to medical school because I stumbled into a profession that has been Bell ’67 Military Award which is given to a third-class cadet who has fun and rewarding.” The most satisfying aspect of his career has been shown great potential as a leader. “I was extremely honored to receive that he has delivered about 10,000 babies, each of which he describes as that award. What intensified its impact on me was that, when I received “something of a miracle,” and he relishes the fact that, for each of them, it, the Vietnam War was in full swing. There were few days that the flag he has been “the first person they ever saw and who ever touched them.” in front of barracks was not at half-staff. The award made me resolve to As passionate as he is about his profession, he is just as passionate about be the best officer I could be, and that set the tone for my military career.”

VMI. Although, he admits, in the early weeks of his rat year, he questioned Asked what else he had learned at VMI that stuck with him, he replied, his decision to attend. “One of my high school coaches, Donny White “First, proper time management and solid organizational skills. I’ll give ’65, essentially talked me into going to VMI, and I arrived sight unseen. you an example. When I was a resident, I was expected to put in about It was the last time I did anything without due diligence. It was a very 100 hours a week. While it was demanding, my VMI experience taught valuable lesson.” me how to deal with it.”

He credits VMI with giving him the tools he needed to succeed as an He also credits VMI with teaching him a proper command presence. “I officer and as a physician. As a cadet, he received the William Brent never commanded a unit in combat; however, I have led surgical teams

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in situations in which we can save or lose a life literally within minutes.

VMI taught me that in such situations a leader must be calm and maintain his composure.”

Barbara Hankins, Hankins’ wife, believes that VMI gave him “character skills that he took into his work life.” According to her, one of them is loyalty. “Gary is always looking to help people below and above him look good.” Another is integrity. “At VMI, the Honor Code is not just a bunch of words. It means something. It stays with you. Gary has carried that into his work.”

Summing up the value of his VMI experience, Hankins said, “VMI made all the difference to me. Nothing that I have experienced since barracks has come close to VMI’s challenge. It made all the rest of it look rosy.”

And it wasn’t just Dr. and Mrs. Hankins who understand VMI’s value.

His mother did, too. But, it took some time. “She tried to talk me out of going to VMI,” Hankins recalls. But, over time, she too came to love the school. “I gave her a miniature of my class ring after graduation. She rarely took it off. In fact, by the time she died, you could barely make out any of its detail.”

With such attitudes about the value of a VMI education, it is hardly surprising then that Dr. and Mrs. Hankins recently made a $1 million commitment to endow a scholarship at the Institute.

They had initially planned to make a substantial gift as a bequest. That changed when their financial adviser assured them that their resources were such that they could make an immediate donation. “He told us,” recalls Mrs. Hankins, “‘Do it now and enjoy it.’”

As an avid gardener, Hankins immediately took to the idea. “When I plant a fruit tree, I want to see it bear fruit. With an immediate gift, we’d see our philanthropy in action and that added to our enjoyment of the idea.”

Their personal experiences prompted them to establish a scholarship. “I

was fortunate to have parents who helped pay for my education as a civil engineer,” said Mrs. Hankins.

Hankins said, “I certainly have gotten way more than I deserved, and I did so because people invested their time and talent in me. This scholarship is a way to make an investment in cadets just like people did in me.”

With Dr. and Mrs. Hankins ready to help VMI, an unsolicited phone call from the VMI Alumni Agencies Call Center proved quite timely. “Gary was at the hospital,” remembered Mrs. Hankins, “and I took the call.

The cadet asked if we were interested in donating to VMI. I told him we were, and he politely suggested a gift of $100. I told him we’d be happy to do that, but that we were thinking of something more substantial. When he asked what I meant, I told him, ‘We’re talking about a million dollar endowment.’ The cadet took our information, and we heard from Steve Maconi [CEO of the VMI Alumni Agencies] the next day.”

In the development of the gift, Dr. and Mrs. Hankins worked with Steve Maconi and J. Addison Hagan IV ’97, one of the VMI Foundation’s major gift officers. “It was an excellent experience,” said Mrs. Hankins. “Working with them was a lot of fun.”

Dr. and Mrs. Hankins are doing a lot with this scholarship. In large part, they are honoring Hankins’ mother. “I can imagine her looking down and being proud of what we’re doing,” he said. They also consider it as helping VMI accomplish its mission of providing the country with the sound leaders it will always need. Most of all, however, they are, according to Hankins, “giving young people the same education and head start in life that VMI gave me.”

In the future, Dr. and Mrs. Hankins want the scholarship to help VMI in another way. “I hope it instills in the recipients,” said Hankins, “the idea that people helped them and that it is up to them to help those who follow them into barracks. I’d love it to act as a multiplier with every scholarship recipient going on to establish a scholarship that helps three other people and so on.”

Reflections on a Gift

By J. Addison Hagan IV ’97, Major Gift Officer When Gary Hankins ’73, M.D., discussed what receiving the William Brent Bell ’67 Military Award meant to him, it was obvious its effects were not limited to his military career.

It has inspired him in everything he has done throughout his career, throughout his life. In fact, his deep appreciation for that award – and the people who established it – was so obvious that I made it a point to learn more about Bell as a cadet and a soldier. I was so moved by what I learned that, when traveling in late 2018 with my son, Tyler, from New Jersey to Richmond, I made a special stop at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. There, I told Tyler his story, and together we found his name.

Before I began working as one of the VMI Foundation’s major gift officers, I vaguely understood that VMI couldn’t do what it does without private money. Now, after working with donors and learning what inspires their generosity, I fully realize how profound and enduring the impact of philanthropy at VMI truly is. Each gift, no matter the size, is important; not only because it enriches the experience of every cadet, but also because it forges an unbreakable bond between the person who gives the gift and those who benefit from it – be it current cadets or those in future generations.

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J. Addison Hagan ’97, a major gift officer at the VMI Foundation, recently worked on an endowment with Dr. Gary Hankins ’73.

VMI Alumni Review

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New Dean, One Year In: Unexpected, Enjoyable Adventure

By Molly Rolon, Associate Editor When he began teaching in VMI’s economics and business department 16 years ago, Brig. Gen. Bob Moreschi, dean of the faculty, was content to spend his professional years teaching finance and working closely with cadets.

“In 2002 – after spending 14 years in the private sector and having managed people – I would have been perfectly content to be a faculty member for the rest of my career,” he recalled.

Moreschi did spend several years on the faculty – but when the time came for a new head in VMI’s economics and business department, his colleagues turned to Moreschi to take ECBU’s helm. There was some doubt in his mind, Moreschi joked, whether he was encouraged to become department head because his fellow faculty thought he was the best person for the position – or because they didn’t want the job.

He was appointed department head and – parallel to his thoughts in 2002 – thought he could happily spend the remainder of his working years as department head.

“As I grew into the role of department head, I did come to enjoy it. I had a wonderful group of colleagues. They were very professional and did the work they were supposed to do, and then some.”

Life as department head, while busy, was a near-perfect balance for Moreschi: He still had time in the classroom, teaching cadets while using his business management experience more fully at the reins of the ECBU department.

Last year, when then-dean Brig. Gen. Jeffrey

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Smith Jr. ’79 announced he would step down as the dean, several people mentioned to Moreschi that he ought to consider applying for the position. Moreschi was happily in his fifth year heading the ECBU department and initially unsure if he should give those suggestions consideration.

“Would I be effective at the job? Would I enjoy the job?” were some of his considerations before applying for his current position, Moreschi said.

“Because it really does get you a step removed from cadets. That, to me, is the one drawback to the position. I hate to use the word drawback – because I’m enjoying what I do – but that’s the one thing I truly miss.”

Teaching was a major factor in drawing Moreschi to VMI, and time with cadets remains valuable to him. In the spring 2019 semester, he was able to fit cadet interaction back into his schedule when he began teaching an honors forum for Institute Honors cadets. Moreschi serves as a moderator and facilitator for the course, a weekly cadet-led discussion group.

A definite upside to being the dean is schedule management, Moreschi noted. As a department head, he taught two courses per semester, managed human and financial resources and had a steady stream of both faculty and cadets popping into his office. As dean, his schedule is significantly more structured, and he has the ability to make uninterrupted appointments on his calendar.

After assuming the role of dean, Moreschi had two main learning curves: Understanding

all the Institute’s academic departments, along with their associated capabilities and needs, and “getting up to speed about the responsibilities of the dean’s office.”

He has gotten to meet faculty whom he did not already know and learned more about other departments. Last summer, he began by visiting departments to learn about and see facilities firsthand and continues to make an intentional effort to leave Smith Hall to visit departments regularly. He’s also become familiar with the schedule of meetings the dean attends and briefs at throughout the year – including the Board of Visitors and the Jackson-Hope board.

“The team here [has] been really supportive.

We’ve got a nice team environment ... and help each other to do our work and to do it well,” Moreschi said about the staff in the dean’s office.

“Like everything else here at VMI, we’re very lean. There are not a lot of layers of people to do things. We have responsibilities to make decisions but also to do the work. Actually, I enjoy doing some of the work as opposed to just reading someone else’s ... reports.”

Moreschi continued or initiated several key priorities during the 2018-19 academic year: Reviewing the faculty handbook, the tenure and promotion process, VMI’s core curriculum, the Quality Enhancement Plan and managing academic resources.

The faculty handbook is the “the guiding academic book for how we run an academic program,” Moreschi said, and the “holistic”

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On Post review – currently being undertaken by a faculty committee – has the goal of making the handbook “clear, concise and internally consistent.”

The final draft is on track for distribution to faculty for feedback in early fall 2019. A review of the faculty evaluation and tenure and promotion process is on the horizon for next year, he said.

The core curriculum – which was put into place about 12 years ago – was due for review.

“Over time, course material will evolve, there are changes in faculty, changes in leadership, and additional subject knowledge and understanding.

We’ve had some evolution in the core curriculum, and I felt it was time to step back and do some analysis: What did we set out to do? Are we doing what we said we would do? Has course content drifted? Was that drift for the better?” he said, explaining the need for a systematic review.

Data regarding the core curriculum is being reviewed and – along with developing the new curriculum – will continue through the summer.

One possible change is adding civics – not just U.S. history, but teaching cadets about their rights and duties as citizens. “We’re looking at something we call the American Civic Experience,” Moreschi said. The curriculum would address what it means to “be an informed citizen” in a highly integrated global environment. This is particularly significant at VMI, where over 50 percent of graduates serve in the military. The course structure and hours are being finalized, and a course will tentatively be submitted to the academic board next spring.

While reviewing curriculum, Moreschi will also keep up with the ongoing Quality Enhancement Plan, which includes the new “Math that Matters” courses, and continue the always necessary planning for the best use of VMI’s most important academic resource: The men and women who comprise the faculty.

Moreschi’s pre-academia professional experience as an equity analyst and in senior management was spent working on policies, strategy and how to best use human and financial resources – which is very similar to his current position as dean. He was doing the same things, “except that it was in a private business as opposed to an organization of higher education,” Moreschi said, continuing, “I have come full circle.”

“If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change any of the decisions about throwing my hat in the ring for the dean’s position,” he said. “I was enjoying what I did and I wasn’t stuck in a rut, but this has been a nice unexpected change in life for my family and me. It’s been an adventure ... an unexpected and enjoyable adventure.”

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Army ROTC Earns MacArthur Award

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing

Army ROTC cadets prepare for the 2018 fall FTX. VMI photo by Kelly Nye. For the third time in the past four years, the Army ROTC unit at Virginia Military Institute has been named as one of eight winners of the prestigious MacArthur Award.

The awards have been presented annually since 1989 by the U.S. Army Cadet Command and the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Foundation. They recognize the ideals of duty, honor and country, as advocated by MacArthur, one of only five men in modern times to rise to the rank of General of the Army.

The MacArthur Award is based on a combination of the achievement of the school’s commissioning mission, its cadets’ performance and standing on the Command’s national Order of Merit List and its cadet retention rate. “[The MacArthur Award] is meant to recognize excellence,” commented Col. Michael Wawrzyniak, professor of military science for Army ROTC. “We’ve been recognized as the top program in our brigade.”

The VMI unit represents the U.S. Army Cadet Command’s 1st Brigade, which consists of the

nation’s six senior military colleges and five of the junior military colleges.

During the 2017-18 academic year, VMI Army ROTC had an exceptional achievement: Becoming the top-producing ROTC unit in the nation. The 2018 cohort produced 140 second lieutenants, “which is by far the highest in the country,” Wawrzyniak said. He explained that there are a total of 274 schools across the nation offering Army ROTC, making the competition for the highest number of commissions especially fierce.

What’s more, the 2018 cohort also produced 47 Distinguished Military Graduates. “That was as high as we’ve ever had,” said Wawrzyniak.

ROTC cadets from across the nation ranking in the top 20 percent on the Order of Merit list are named Distinguished Military Graduates.

Army ROTC is the largest ROTC program at VMI, providing military instruction to about two-thirds of the Corps of Cadets.

Prior to this, VMI’s Army ROTC won the MacArthur Award in 2015 and 2016.

VMI Alumni Review

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Around the World in 16 Days Institute Brass Adds New Zealand to Nations Visited

By Mary Price, VMI Communications & Marketing Long known as one of the Institute’s most welltraveled groups, the Institute Brass recently made a trip that brings to mind the title of a Jules Verne novel: “Around the World in 80 Days.”

The VMI group, though, circumnavigated the globe by airplane in two weeks – and took their music to verdant, sun-soaked New Zealand, a nation that the ensemble had never before visited. For the Institute Brass, the trip was another chance to bond as a group, because all six of the cadets traveling to New Zealand had been to Morocco with the ensemble in April 2018.

The cadets and Col. John Brodie (Hon.), director of music, began their long journey Dec. 28, leaving from Washington, D.C., and flying to Dubai before continuing on to Auckland, New Zealand, for a total of 28 hours airborne. Once in Auckland, the group had a few days to recuperate from jet lag before heading out to explore.

“The people made it a great experience, and they really helped us out,” said Cadet Abby Dimirack ’20, who plays the trumpet. In contrast to Morocco, where the native language is French and the food is sometimes unfamiliar, New Zealanders speak English and eat many dishes popular in the United States, Dimirack noted.

While most Institute Brass trips involve multiple concerts, the trip to New Zealand was a bit unusual because the group only performed twice.

Members of the Institute Brass pause in the city of Palmerston North in front of the World War I memorial to New Zealanders killed at Gallipoli.

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Cadets enjoy a whitewater rafting excursion down the Kaituna River that included a plunge over the river’s famed 23-foot falls. Photos courtesy John Brodie (Hon.).

That, Brodie and the cadets explained, had to do with the season and the schedule: Since the endof-year holidays coincide with warm weather in New Zealand, nearly everyone takes a vacation.

Instead of performing in schools and at the U.S. Embassy, as they had in Morocco, the group played for the general public instead at two outdoor concerts: One in Wellington, the nation’s capital, and the other in Palmerston North, the home city of Wayne Howe, VMI rugby coach. Proving that the VMI family is truly global, the group spent two nights at the home of Howe’s sister.

At the concerts, attendance would often start out quite small but the numbers would grow quickly as the music drew people in, with many listeners staying to talk to the cadets afterward.

At one of those concerts, Dimirack found herself talking to an elderly lady who shared a piece of history that she’d never learned in school – that U.S. Marines had used New Zealand’s beaches to practice amphibious landings during World War II. “Since I’m in Marine Corps ROTC, I thought that was really cool to get some insight from some of the locals about the training,” said Dimirack.

“That was just something I never expected to learn about at a concert.”

Outside of rehearsals and performances, the group had plenty of time to explore the countryside. It wasn’t an agenda item when they arrived, but the group wound up visiting Kaituna Waterfall, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in

the world, where they went over the 23-foot drop in a whitewater raft. They didn’t have swimsuits with them, so they took the plunge in their clothes – and came up soaked but smiling. It didn’t hurt that it’s summer in the southern hemisphere.

“For me, besides playing for the people, that was the coolest thing,” said Brodie.

“That was a very cool experience,” agreed Cadet Andrew Wang ’20, a tuba player.

Trips such as the ones to Morocco and New Zealand, Dimirack noted, have helped her learn to work with others in a way that family trips have not.

“Traveling with a group of people who [are] not your family is definitely difficult because they get on your nerves after a while,” she stated.

“But we’ve gotten to kind of see that everyone’s experiencing this differently.”

The group has to negotiate where to go next and what to play at the next concert, plus who will introduce the band at the next gig, she explained. “You really get to know what people in the group are good at and what interests them,” she said.

The Institute Brass’s next international destination is still undecided, but Brodie is leaning toward a trip to Paris, where the group might perform at the L’ecole Polytechnique over the 2019-20 winter furlough.

In addition to Wang and Dimirack, cadets making the trip to New Zealand were John Dickenson ’20, MacGregor Baxter ’20, MacKenzie Haley ’20 and Tim Stallings ’20.

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Breakout 2019

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Photos by Micalyn Miller, VMI Alumni Agencies.

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2019-Issue 2

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Courageous Leadership Series Brings Black Hawk Down Veteran to Post

By Molly Rolon, Associate Editor

“Loyalty is the currency that allows a leader to lead with courage on the battlefield,” said Jeff Struecker, speaking to a packed house of cadets and area residents Jan. 30 at VMI’s Center for Leadership and Ethics. Struecker was speaking as part of the CLE’s Courageous Leadership series. The CLE selects an annual leadership theme, explained Col. Pat Looney, CLE deputy director, and further selects speakers whose message fit the yearly theme. “[Struecker] is a former military guy with combat action, and we thought that would resonate with the Corps of Cadets,” said Looney, who also noted the CLE’s funding comes from “very generous” alumni gifts.

From his on-the-ground experience in Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993 – more commonly referred to by the movie and book titled “Black Hawk Down” – Struecker has the experience and the authority to talk about

courageous leadership. The title refers to the UH60 Black Hawk helicopters that were shot down during the Oct. 3, 1993, Battle of Mogadishu.

The task force, comprised of elite forces from across the U.S. armed forces, arrived in Somalia in August 1993 with the aim of capturing clan leader and warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. On Oct. 3, the task force began their most dangerous mission yet: In broad daylight, dropping Rangers and Delta Force troops into Aidid-held territory to capture some of the warlord’s top leaders. “We knew this was a really, really dangerous scenario,” Struecker said.

The operation was a multipronged coordination: Delta Force operators were dropped from MH-6 Little Bird helicopters directly onto a building in Mogadishu to apprehend Aidid’s men, Rangers fast-roped down from UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to provide security around

the building and a 12-vehicle convoy of Rangers drove in to pick up those captured and the forces who had been inserted by helicopter. Above all this, helicopters provided intelligence via radio.

Shortly after the mission began a young ranger, Todd Blackburn, missed the rope and – instead of sliding down the rope and landing on the street below – fell 70 feet, sustaining serious head and neck injuries. Struecker, who was part of the convoy, was ordered to return to the compound with Blackburn. Struecker’s small convoy consisted of three HMMWVs: Struecker’s, in the lead with a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on the top; the middle HMMWV – lacking any heavy weapons – carrying Blackburn; and bringing up the rear, another light-skinned HMMWV equipped with a Mark 19 automatic grenade launcher.

Minutes after departing the attack site with Blackburn, Struecker’s convoy began taking

Former Army Ranger Jeff Struecker spoke in Marshall Hall, VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics, Jan. 30, 2019. VMI photo by John Robertson IV.

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On Post intense fire “from about 200 different directions.”

The fire ranged from RPGs and grenades, some from rooftops, to small-arms fire “on full auto.”

En route back to their compound, Struecker’s gunner, Dominick Pilla, was shot and killed.

Struecker, trying to give an accurate picture of what those moments were like, said the movie “Black Hawk Down” actually “downplays some of the violence.”

“I’m not ashamed to admit at this moment, I started to get terrified for my own life. And started to think about my men: Uh-oh, we’re all going to die in the next few seconds,” Struecker said.

He had to tell himself, “You better get yourself under control if you want to get your men under control.”

When Struecker’s convoy arrived back at the task force compound, the “scene was total chaos.” People were running to and fro, helicopters getting ready to fly out and a loudspeaker was squawking. In the midst of this was a man who was an oasis of calm, Struecker remembered, and asked if the man was present. The man, Dr. Rob Marsh, was in the audience. When he stood, Struecker credited him for saving the lives of not only Blackburn but countless others, and the audience burst into applause.

The small convoy had made it back to the base but a more difficult task still lay ahead for Struecker and his men. At this point, two Black Hawk helicopters had been shot down, and someone needed to go back into the city to secure the sites and rescue the personnel who had been onboard. Someone was Struecker, and his men.

As he was cleaning Pilla’s blood out of the back of his HMMWV, he remembered thinking, “Jeff, if you go back out there, you will die tonight ... If you drive your men through what you just went through, every one of your men will die tonight.

If we go back out into those city streets, all of us are going to die.”

One of Struecker’s soldiers, Spec. Brad Thomas, came to Struecker and voiced exactly what Struecker had been thinking, telling Struecker, “I can’t go back out there. I have a wife at home.

And if I go back out there, I know I’m going to die.”

This was a “leadership challenge,” Struecker said. “Because I [had] all of the authority with my position and with my rank to order this man to get back on the HMMWVs and to drive back out into those city streets. But I knew ordering him to do it might be counterproductive.”

Struecker paused, looked at the cadets in the room and asked, “Those of you who are about to become combat leaders, those cadets in this

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room – What moves a man to get back on those HMMWVs? Is it raw power? Is that going to move a guy to get on those HMMWVs and to give his life if necessary?”

The answer is not the flag or patriotism. Thomas voluntarily joined the Army and voluntarily entered one of the Army’s most difficult career paths when he became a Ranger. Unquestionably, Thomas “is a patriot,” Struecker said.

Glory and awards are also not enough motivation, Struecker said. “Awards and glory don’t move a man or a woman to do some selfless act that will probably cost them their life,” he said.

“The part that I don’t think that a lot of leaders in America understand is that the thing that will move a man or a woman to do something like this is love. ... It’s love for your buddies.”

After a short conversation with Thomas, Struecker got into his HMMWV and prepared to re-enter Mogadishu, unsure if he would return alive. In the rearview mirror, Struecker saw Thomas pick up his weapon and get in the last HMMWV. “Not once but multiple times – and spent all night long doing it, expecting at any minute that he would get killed for going back out there but was willing to do it. Because he loved those men,” Struecker said. “[He was] willing to exchange his life for theirs.”

From that love, Struecker said, comes loyalty.

It’s not just on the battlefield, or related to physical feats of valor.

“The thing that is much more powerful than leading people out of fear … is leading people out of love. Love buys loyalty and loyalty is the currency that allows you to make bold, courageous decisions,” he said. “Love will move people farther than fear will ever move them.”

Struecker illustrated his point by describing a confrontation between two powerful men in 1933. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had proposed large cuts in the military. Gen. Douglas MacArthur felt what he described as “paralyzing nausea” when facing the president – but still knew he needed to say something. Even knowing he would likely need to tender his resignation after speaking, MacArthur still defended the military.

FDR soon stopped the direction the Army was going, and also did not accept MacArthur’s resignation. Following the conversation with FDR, MacArthur exited the White House and promptly vomited – the aftereffect of the “emotional fear” he felt confronting the president.

What Struecker meant for the audience to grasp was the difficulty – for MacArthur and anyone else – to be a courageous leader.

“When I talk about leadership courage, it’s not

just your willingness to stand up and to face the bombs and the bullets on a battlefield. Sometimes the greatest courage is to stand up and confront somebody,” Struecker said. “This is the essence of leadership courage. And my challenge to all of you, no matter what walk of life you come from, is: Be the kind of man or woman that the folks that who are following you say, ‘I will follow that man. I will follow that woman, even to my death, because I believe in them.’”

The day following the battle, Struecker started down the path toward a different sort of leadership and service. He was well-known among his peers for his faith. Following the battle, he was barraged with questions from fellow Rangers about that faith. Soon after, he began serving as an Army chaplain. “I really felt God tugging me toward the ministry,” Struecker said.

Struecker finished his Army career as a chaplain, deploying nearly every year for the decade following the Battle of Mogadishu and serving men in some of the Army’s toughest units – including the 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment. From his personal experience, Struecker brought a unique point of view for soldiers: “The ability to say, ‘I know exactly what you’re going through, because I’ve been there.’”

Cadets Adam Josephson ’19 and Karl Skerry ’20 were among the many cadets listening to Struecker. Both will commission in the military following graduation: Josephson as an Army infantry officer, and Skerry in the Marine Corps. They wanted to attend the talk to hear Struecker’s perspective as a veteran of a highprofile combat engagement.

“I really wanted to get into more of the aftermath about how he dealt with his troops.

His whole company got torn apart. They were left with nothing, and as a leader that’s a really tough task,” Josephson said.

Skerry and Josephson were both struck by Struecker’s humility. He opened the night by saying that he was a “huge fan” of VMI and had been hoping to speak at the Institute for two years. Struecker brought a wealth of experiences and accomplishments – Ranger, Best Ranger, combat experience and a doctorate – but was “extremely humble,” Skerry noted.

Both cadets also expressed their thankfulness to be attending an institution like VMI. “To be part of a school that would attract people like [Struecker]. He said he was excited to come and talk to us. To be a part of something like that is pretty special,” Josephson said.

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Schroepfer: “You Never Know Who You’re Going to Talk To”

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer

Twelve years ago, Jason Schroepfer, Ph.D., had no plan to be a college professor. In fact, he admitted, he didn’t even want to go to college.

However, in August 2018, he joined the VMI faculty thanks to a grant from the Jackson-Hope Fund which funded a position for a professor of Arabic in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures.

How did this come to pass? As with most intriguing stories, it’s best to start at the beginning.

Schroepfer grew up in Ramona, California, a small town in the eastern foothills of the Laguna Mountains. “When I tell people it is in San Diego County, they picture beaches,” he said, “but it’s in the high desert.”

In 2000, some friends enlisted in the Marine Corps after they graduated from high school.

After their training, they were stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in eastern San Diego County. Schroepfer recalls, “I visited them in their barracks and got an idea of what life was like for them. As they told me about what they had experienced in boot camp and beyond, I became even more interested in what the Marines offered.” In his senior year in high school, “9/11 happened, and that played an additional role in my decision to enlist in 2002.”

As to becoming an Arabic military linguist, he admits, “I sort of fell into the job.” Like all enlistees, he took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. His recruiter informed him that his score allowed him to pursue “the most intellectually rigorous jobs that the Marine Corps had to offer,” to include being a linguist.

Schroepfer took the required the Defense Language Aptitude Battery that he describes as “a test that provides you with a little information about made-up languages and you have to decipher what it means.” His performance set him further apart, qualifying him to study “the most typologically different languages for English speakers such as Arabic, Chinese and Korean.”

At the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, he joined one of the two platoons of students then learning Arabic and embarked on 60 weeks of intensive training.

After that, he was chosen to study the version of Arabic spoken in Egypt for another four months.

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He was deployed to Iraq in 2006 and 2007.

During his first deployment, he split his time “evenly between people and documents.” His second deployment with 1st Radio Battalion concentrated on signals intelligence.

In 2007, then-Sgt. Schroepfer decided to leave the Marines. He planned to go directly into contracting, using his expertise and experience with Arabic. However, that would have meant continuing to spend long stretches of time away from home. “I had been married for three years, but only one year total at home. So, I figured I would do something that would keep me home, and I settled on getting a bachelor’s degree.”

After a year of ensuring he had all the required courses and with an associate degree he had earned at the DLI in hand, he applied to a number of universities in his home state. Accepted at all of them, he decided to go to the University of California, Berkley. There, he majored in Near East languages and literature, focusing on Arabic and Persian. After graduating with highest distinction in December 2009, he was faced with another choice. “I asked myself, ‘Now what?’”

Schroepfer decided to continue his studies in Arabic. “I got interested in the systems behind language in college and decided that was what I wanted to do for a job whether that was working for a private company like YouTube or working for the government. Many of those positions required a master’s degree, and I pursued mine at the University of Texas.” After three years of study – including a year at the American University in Cairo – during which he applied his military language training to investigating the dialect spoken in southern Egypt. “I made it my mission to document the dialect. So, I would sit in kiosks, shops and people’s homes and record stories they would tell about life in southern Egypt. I used these recordings to write a thumbnail grammar of an undocumented dialect and study the linguistic variation in their accents.”

He then applied for the Ph.D. program in Arabic linguistics. “I thought more education could not hurt my résumé, but it wasn’t until I started writing my dissertation that I seriously considered becoming a professor.”

In August 2018, Schroepfer came to VMI as

an assistant professor. While some faculty might need a period of adjustment when they come to VMI to get to know the culture, he didn’t. “In a sense, it’s almost like coming home. The feeling of being part of a team with my colleagues and with the cadets is palpable and harkens back to my Marine Corps days. You can’t readily find many places like this.”

Asked what his early impressions of the cadets have been, he replied, “I was struck immediately by the fact that the cadets work very hard. They are not afraid of taking on demanding tasks.”

“What I found most impressive, however, is how they embrace the Honor Code,” Schroepfer continued. “It is central to the culture – the mission – of VMI, and the cadets take it seriously.”

He has high hopes for the study of Arabic at the Institute. “In the department, we have 18 cadets majoring in Arabic. While that’s good for a school this size, we certainly want it to grow,” he said. “Also, we want to expose more cadets to the language.” To that end, realizing that so many cadets will spend time in Arabic-speaking countries, the MLC department received a grant to support a summer program in which three professors, including Schroepfer who will direct the program, will teach 20 cadets.

Although cadets certainly learn to speak, read and write Arabic, Schroepfer is pleased that, at VMI, culture is integral to what cadets learn.

“The cadets are introduced to Arabic culture – drawn from throughout the Arabic-speaking world – and they are encouraged to study the ancient and modern history of countries of that world. It is very beneficial to this effort that we have professors from Morocco, Algeria and Iraq in the department.”

Having Washington and Lee University next door provides cadets with more opportunities to learn. “An Egyptian artist who addresses the problems in Egyptian society through his art came to Washington and Lee this year. We were able to bring cadets to his talk. That helped broaden their knowledge and deepen their appreciation of what’s going on in Egypt.”

Looking ahead, Schroepfer wants to introduce more linguistics to the curriculum. “Our cadets will find themselves in many countries in which Arabic is spoken. But, there is no generic Arabic. Just like English, it varies from place to place, often based on things like class and ethnicity. An understanding of linguistics will help them kind of pull themselves up by the bootstraps and adjust to the dialects they’ll encounter. And, that’s important because you never know who you’re going to talk to.”

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Jason Schroepfer, Ph.D., professor of Arabic in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, standing, lectures to a small group of students in fall 2018. Photo by Micalyn Miller, VMI Alumni Agencies.

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Athletics Toeing the Line: Everything Matters

By Molly Rolon, Associate Editor

Dan Earl, head Keydet basketball coach, understands the dedication and focus grown on a basketball court. A former guard at Penn State, Earl spent six seasons with the Nittany Lions. Six – because knee and back injuries necessitated two redshirt seasons.

He followed his college career by playing in European leagues and stateside. “I love the game of basketball,” Earl said, laughing that he might still “be trying to play at [age] 44” had a knee injury not caught up with him.

The fact that injuries can be mentally devastating for young athletes is something Earl appreciates firsthand. He remembers – pre-injury – dreading a tough college practice. After an injury sidelined him for a season, Earl said he would have given almost anything to just “practice again. You realize how much you love it. [Being injured] gives you perspective.”

He uses the perspective gained through his personal experience – as a player, plus coaching at both Penn State and for the Naval Academy – in coaching and mentoring his team. With empathy, he helps his athletes, both the healthy and the injured – and the Keydets had more than their fair share of the latter this past season – realize that the scores are important but life continues after the final buzzer.

Building a winning team “is a process,” said Earl, which is not always easy to remember “because there’s a score at the end of the game each time, and it’s hard to come out on the losing end.” He also has to “keep in mind that there’s a greater cause here. We want to compete the right way – the VMI way. We’re not cutting corners to take kids with low grades, or taking kids with bad character.”

In doing things the right way, Earl teaches his team that “everything matters.” When running sprints, players start with their toes behind the line – not on it, or in front of it. For drill work, it means dribbling hard and snapping passes. Discipline in these small things can equal last-second success during games. And while practice obviously translates to game performances, Earl doesn’t stop there. “If we’re going into a restaurant and someone’s behind you, hold the door for that person. That’s the way we want to operate across the board.”

The basics for an “everything matters” team begin with recruiting what he calls “high character” players. He and his coaching staff target hundreds of players and cull those leads down to two or three future Keydets. Figuring out if grades and basketball skills are up to VMI’s standards is the easy part. To assess a possible recruit’s character, Earl often asks coaches and teachers directly. “No one’s going to badmouth their kid,” he noted, but if the response is along the lines of, “‘He’s still growing in that department,’ that’s all you need to hear.”

The recruiting process involves hours on the road, the phone and social media scouting and keeping in touch with coaches, parents and the recruits themselves – all conducted within the bounds set by the NCAA each year. “Who you surround yourself with” is tremendously important, Earl said. In this case, he is referring to his staff, who “do everything under the sun,” from recruiting to watching 28

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Athletics hours of game films to building relationships with players.

Assistant coach Kevin Carroll – who came to VMI from the head coaching position at Maryville University-St. Louis, is in his second year with the Keydets. Carroll has a “great basketball mind. He sees the game really well,” Earl said. “He’s been a head coach before, so he’s someone I can lean on to look for advice.” Carroll is also impactful to the players – getting to know them and helping them to “improve as individuals.”

Former Keydet guard Austin Kenon ’11 – who still holds the all-time VMI record for most three-pointers – is also in his second season as an assistant coach. Aside from building “tremendous relationships” with players, he can give parents and recruits an insider perspective on cadet life, Earl said, and is able to support current players “when they’re going through some tough days.”

Steve Enright, previously an assistant coach at Bridgewater College, is the newest addition to the hoops coaching staff. He has worked very well with players, Earl said, and is a “tireless recruiter.” Enright puts in lots of time on the phone and with social media “in order to target the right guys.

He’s done a really good job.”

Not every recruit is the right fit for VMI, but for those who choose to take advantage of the opportunities, “there are a million positives to VMI.” The Institute truly prepares his players – whom he calls “the guys” – for their futures off the hardwood. “The life lessons and leadership skills that you learn at a place like VMI are phenomenal for your future,” Earl said.

A big difference between other colleges and VMI is that players are “balancing a third big item.” At most universities student-athletes balance “books and athletics,” Earl said. “Both take quite some time. Obviously you want to get a great education, and basketball is a full-time job sometimes.

When you’re at a military school, you have the books, the basketball – and then you have all the military requirements.”

VMI’s most notable difference, however, may actually come from off post: The Institute’s unparalleled alumni base. When Earl says he’s “never seen anything like VMI alumni,” it is worth noting that Earl himself is a “bleeding blue and white” Penn State alumnus – and he coached at the Naval Academy, a school also possessing an extremely dedicated alumni body.

His players receive fantastic support from the alumni, much of it through the Alumni Agencies’ Keydet Club. The Keydet Club raises money for

Patrick Chambers, Penn State men’s basketball coach, above left, with Dan Earl at Earl’s first game as VMI’s head coach versus Penn State Nov. 14, 2015. Photo by Mark Selders, Penn State Athletics.

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Earl, left, playing for Penn State’s Nittany Lions. He spent six years at Penn State, red-shirting two different years due to knee and back injuries. Photo courtesy Penn State Athletics. athletic scholarships at VMI. Many alumni donate financially to support VMI athletics, but they often take the extra step of getting involved with the players by not only attending games but getting to know players personally.

“We’re very appreciative of all the support they give,” Earl said about the Keydet Club. “They are phenomenal people, who believe in our players and who are passionate about VMI.” The alumni base is built through common experiences at VMI. The small numbers help cadets to grow closer during their time in barracks, but there’s more than just the Institute’s size. “You really bond” through the adversity, Earl said. “There’s a brotherhood that you form here at VMI – going through that – with your classmates.” That bond eventually transcends class years, and Earl often speaks with basketball alumni who got a foot in the door – career-wise – because they attended VMI. Alumni do a “really do a good job of taking care of one another,” Earl said. VMI’s preparation added to the alumni network equals being “set ... up for the next 40 years of your life.”

Athletics add to VMI’s groundwork. “You can’t go through life” doing well at everything, Earl pointed out. Tough times will come to everyone, and athletes “find that out real quickly. You take some on the chin,” Earl said. “[Basketball] is synonymous with other walks of life.” The winning and losing inherent in sports teaches athletes how to cope with and rebound from adversity in all walks of life. The foundation Earl’s “guys” build in Cameron Hall will go on to help them in their careers and personal lives going forward.

Someday, every basketball player takes a final walk off the court, and Earl hopes he is impacting the somedays of his athletes. “The job of being a basketball coach is certainly winning games and building a successful program,” Earl said, but it is also “molding young men, so that when they’re a husband or a father or an employee you had a little bit of an effect on what kind of person they turned out to be.”

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Athletics

Embracing the Plan to Enhance VMI Athletics

By CDR Steve Maconi, VMI Alumni Agencies CEO When I arrived at VMI over two years ago, I was inspired to learn about initiatives supporting the comprehensive plan for excellence across VMI: Academics, undergraduate research, admissions, the military experience, leadership training, staff development, faculty recruitment and NCAA athletics. I was struck by the breadth and depth of focus for each plan.

In recent months, the question of whether or not there is a plan for VMI NCAA athletics has come to my attention regularly. There is a plan led by accomplished leaders and coaches that is worthy of our endorsement, attention and support.

Early in General Peay’s tenure, he established a “Plan for the Enhancement of VMI Athletics.” I will take this opportunity to summarize the plan’s five pillars, highlight key milestones and our next steps forward to achieve a competitive edge in recruiting high-priority athletes who are all in: In competition, the classroom and barracks.

The plan is based on five pillars: Successful cadet-athletes, modern facilities, experienced leaders, appropriate scheduling and fiscal responsibility. These are set against the backdrop of pursuing greater competitiveness without sacrificing the VMI experience – honor, integrity and discipline.

Successful Cadet-Athletes The mission of VMI to develop educated and honorable leaders is measured by the quality of our graduates. The bonds among cadet-athletes are strengthened in barracks and on the playing field. VMI coaches search the country for exceptional candidates who come to compete, learn from VMI’s extraordinary education and then leave as leaders. The following objectives ensure cadet-athletes become successful graduates: 1. Attract and retain athletes who want what VMI wants: Discipline, honor, character.

2. Improve grade point averages and graduation rates comparable to Corps overall.

3. Enhance the culture – One Corps: Mutual respect, wellness and fitness considerations for all cadets.

4. Expect the highest degree of sportsmanship from the Corps.

5. Establish a viable program for a ninth semester for athletes.

Progress has been strong on many levels. In every aspect, cadet-athlete achievement is on-par

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with the Corps of Cadets: Grade-point average, graduation rate, commissioning rate and rank in the Corps. This achievement is truly uncommon in NCAA athletics. This was accomplished by a well-established plan and a concerted focus by the coaches and staff to support numerous academic achievements in the midst of an already full VMI schedule. Cadet-athletes know a bright future awaits them beyond their competitive years, and they take their education seriously.

Cadet-athletes are all in on the field and in barracks. They are recognized as leaders among their peers. In the past three years, an NCAA athlete has been elected as class president twice, as honor court president, and athletes have been promoted to regimental commander, the most senior ranking cadet. Of the three incoming seniors on the basketball team, two hold rank.

Enhancements in nutrition for the Corps have benefited athletes. Dining services contractor Parkhurst concentrates on from-scratch cooking with fresh ingredients and local sourcing, resulting in healthy food.

Modern Facilities Thanks to generous state and private support in the last 15 years, VMI has experienced more than $500 million in capital improvements, many that have benefited the athletic program.

Dramatic improvements have been made to nearly every competition and training venue on post: Foster Stadium, Gray-Minor Stadium, the Luck Family Football Weight Room and Paulette Hall. An increased number of practice fields allow coaches greater flexibility when scheduling practice and competitions.

Work will begin soon on a new aquatic center, giving our swimming, diving and water polo teams the home they deserve while they continue to improve personal best times and scores.

The aquatic center use will span across the cocurricular program, including ROTC training opportunities. The recently-opened Corps Physical Training Facility provides a venue for practice and indoor track events, even the SoCon championship. Other improvements and comprehensive renovations included Fiorini Field, Cocke Hall, Cormack Hall and Saunders Fields.

Admissions statistics across the nation tell us that modern athletics facilities are one of the highest influencers in college decisions for

athletes and non-athletes, as well as coaches.

New facilities also improve the fan experience and potential funding sources, like ticket sales and sponsorships. It truly is a source of pride to all.

Experienced Leaders Facilities are only one ingredient in the formula of athletic success. It is essential that we retain administrators and coaches with solid professional experience and strong character who are committed to improving the academic performance and graduation rates of cadet-athletes.

Our athletic director, Dr. Dave Diles, fills his role as a seasoned administrator committed to the mission of VMI and a fiscally sound program.

His management has been instrumental in attracting head coaches of character. Our coaches have infused their teams with a determination to compete at the highest level with a will to win.

Diles has successfully secured partnerships with uniform sponsors like Under Armour and he has re-established brand identity standards and logo guidelines, ensuring a professional approach to team uniforms.

A more robust ninth semester opportunity gives coaches flexibility in recruiting and training. A ninth semester is a personal decision between an athlete and a coach. Because VMI cadets have their sights squarely focused on their futures beyond VMI, many are ready to serve the world after eight semesters. VMI cadet-athletes are driven in all aspects of the VMI program, not solely athletics.

An additional influencer when recruiting coaches is the funding available to build their teams. VMI is not the ordinary college experience and our ability to cast a wide net for athletes who will thrive in this environment is significant to their success.

Appropriate Scheduling Most VMI teams compete in the Southern Conference, a solid academic conference with intensely competitive sports teams. SoCon football and basketball teams are ranked in both the FBS and FCS top 25 standings. We need and want to maintain our rivalry with the Citadel, plus VMI identifies with many of the schools that compete from a “whole student” perspective, like Wofford and Furman.

Approximately 17 years ago while considering

VMI Alumni Review

Athletics the appropriate peer group for competition, VMI left SoCon for the Big South Conference.

This move was not a strong fit for VMI’s teams, and in 2014, we returned to SoCon. As with all NCAA Division I programs, there is an ongoing discussion and assessment of the peer group. The NCAA landscape is fluid and VMI monitors this from a strategic perspective.

The big money games, or game guarantees, on our schedule point to the complexities of NCAA athletics today. These games generate large revenue for the annual budget. This practice is not unique to VMI. Last year, every member of SoCon played at least one big money game.

These types of competitions and scheduling can lighten significantly as financial support allows.

Fiscal Responsibility An early objective was putting VMI’s athletic budget on a firm footing. Under Gen. Peay’s direction and Dr. Diles’ leadership, athletics financial operations are in the green for the first time in many years. Diles spearheaded a five-year plan, endorsed by the BOV. The plan – which Diles accomplished in three years – resulted in a debt-free athletics program which generates enough cash flow annually to pay for operations without going back into debt. This was a particularly herculean effort due to costs associated with changing conferences.

A second focus and commitment by the Institute is enhancing coaches’ compensation. Each year, VMI loses coaches to colleges with larger payrolls. The athlete-coach relationship directly

influences the stability of the team, team loyalty and trust. Continuity in coaching is also a critical component of a successful recruiting program.

The VMI athletic program operates at a smaller financial capacity than peer institutions. With the lowest operations budget in the SoCon, it is difficult to pay competitive salaries.

Finally, we must continue to provide our coaches with recruiting support by raising scholarships to the maximum limit allowed by the NCAA, a distinctively important component of the plan to build competitiveness. The NCAA caps the number of scholarship equivalencies for VMI at 203.8 across all sports.

It is important that we enable our coaches to compete at the highest level of scholarship support allowed, not simply what we can afford.

Thanks to truly outstanding private support, VMI provides 144 scholarship equivalencies with a minimum goal set at 50 percent out-of-state tuition values. We are competing for talented students who would thrive in the VMI system, but their decision is largely based on finances.

To best understand the major funding streams available to VMI athletics, see the box following this article.

Summary The future is bright for VMI athletics. Facilities have been created and renovated and cadet success in the classroom and barracks has never been better. With amazing private support, we have improved scholarship capacity by 64 percent since 2013, and we continue to pursue the maximum

allowable of 203.8 scholarship equivalencies.

Each year begins with a fiscally sound budget, accomplishing goals with a limited income.

By making an investment in the Keydet Club, members are investing in high-character cadet athletes – many of whom would otherwise be unable to attend VMI. Scholarships provide coaches the ability to compete against other schools for top talent both in state and out-of-state.

The Alumni Agencies continues to aspire to a fully funded, level playing field. Our inspiration is based on one motivator: Cadets. It is all about the cadets. Cadet-athletes are disciplined, dedicated and they know they can be competitive with the best – and they can win. They are putting in hours of training both in season and out, they sacrifice social opportunities to keep their grades up, they think about the big picture and they excel in barracks. They simply ask that you believe in them.

The Institute has a strong, well-thought plan that is assessed and considered daily. Bill Boland ’73 shared with us in his letter that the Board of Visitors supports this plan. I will state this clearly: The VMI Alumni Agencies endorse the plan. We, at the Agencies, are not in the business to make operational decisions on how to best run an athletic program. We will stay in the business of providing opportunity and improving competitiveness by securing resources in support of scholarships, 203.8 scholarship equivalencies, to be exact. We are counting on loyal VMI alumni, families and friends to help us fill the gap.

The Current Landscape: A Case for Support In addition to a portion of funding that comes from the NCAA, Division I athletic programs have several income streams available that support the operations and scholarship capacity annually. No funding for NCAA athletics comes from the Commonwealth of Virginia. There are four athletics funding streams described below. For VMI, three of the four are limited by student enrollment and location.

1.

Ticket Sales and Licensing: At full capacity, VMI has one of the smallest student populations in all of NCAA Division I athletics and one of the smallest alumni networks. The proximity to larger schools decreases the general public’s attendance of VMI sporting events.

3.

Private Funding: Thanks to passionate support from 11 percent of the VMI alumni base, VMI holds the highest level of unrestricted annual dollars raised in support of NCAA athletics in the SoCon – at $2.46 million – and the highest number of annual donors: 2,551. This is an astounding achievement and one of which we can all be proud.

Although we are highly regarded for this outstanding show of support, it does not yet level the playing field in other areas.

2.

Student Athletic Fees: These fees, charged to every enrolled student, enhance available operations dollars and the number of available scholarships. Universities with larger student enrollments bring in millions of dollars annually simply based on student population. A secondary – but very real – pressure for VMI is to limit athletic fees to a reasonable level while balancing revenue requirements.

4.

Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsors can significantly enhance funding for NCAA athletic programs. Large schools with venues that host thousands of people, along with significant national television exposure, are of interest to sponsors due to the audience they reach.

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We are their future.

We are their future.

203.8 WHOLE DAMN TEAM WHOLE DAMN TEAM

Compete. Learn. Lead.

Compete.

Learn. Lead. vmialumni.org/203-8 vmialumni.org/203-8

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Athletics

2019 Football: Opener Versus Marshall Six Home Games on the Slate Matchups against Football Bowl Subdivision foes Marshall University and West Point highlight the 2019 VMI football schedule announced in January.

The Keydets will open the season Aug. 31 at Marshall in the first meeting between the schools since 1996, when both institutions were in the Southern Conference.

VMI will also travel to West Point Nov. 16 to face the Black Knights for the first time since the 2010 season. Army posted an 11-2 mark in 2018 – the most victories in a season in academy history, and captured the Armed Forces Bowl.

A six-game home slate, the first since 2014, will be played at Foster Stadium this fall beginning with the home opener Sept. 7,

featuring the first game ever between VMI and Mars Hill University. Other home dates include Robert Morris (Sept. 21), Wofford (Sept. 28), Samford (Oct. 12), Western Carolina (Nov. 2) and Chattanooga (Nov. 23).

Southern Conference play for the Keydets begins Sept. 14 in Johnson City, Tennessee, against defending co-champion East Tennessee State University.

VMI will face The Citadel Oct. 5 in Charleston, South Carolina, in the annual renewal of the series known as The Military Classic of the South.

Season tickets will go on sale in early summer. Go to www.vmitickets.com for updates and further information. Kickoff times will be listed at a later date.

2019 VMI FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 Nov. 23

at Marshall Mars Hill* at ETSU Robert Morris* Wofford* at The Citadel Samford* at Mercer Western Carolina* at Furman at Army Chattanooga* *Denotes home game

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Athletics

Indoor Track Wraps Up Season The 2019 indoor track and field season was an exciting one for the program as both the men’s and women’s teams showed gradual improvement every week and saw multiple athletes qualify for the Eastern College Athletic Conference championships. The VMI women placed sixth in the recent Southern Conference championships hosted by VMI Feb. 23-24, while the VMI men came in seventh place in the final results.

The men’s distance medley relay of Cadets Gavin Jenkins ’22, Rafael Mas ’22, Adam Waite ’22 and Jahanzib Shahbaz ’21 qualified for the ECAC event by way of their performance at the VMI Team Challenge Jan. 26.

Cadets Eliza Brooks ’22 and Ariana Ruffin ’21, women’s sprinters, had breakout seasons on the track. At this year’s SoCon Championships, Brooks set a new school record time in the 400-meter race in 56.62, beating Ruffin’s time of 56.70 that was set during the heat directly before Brooks’ heat. The women’s team scored the third most points in school history for an indoor championship.

Cadet Sarah Leckman ’21 was named the SoCon Women’s Field Athlete of the Week Jan. 30 for her shot put performance the weekend before. She competed at the ECAC Championships in early March, placing 26th overall in the shot put with a best throw of 12.74 meters (41’9.75”). On the men’s side, Cadet Blaine Ashton ’22 also qualified for the ECAC championships in the triple jump to represent the VMI men’s field corps following his second-place performance at the SoCon event. Ashton finished 16th in the triple jump with a distance of 14.32 meters (46’11.75”).

The outdoor season began at the March 29 Raleigh Relays, hosted by North Carolina State.

Cadet Eliza Brooks ’22, above, at the SoCon championships, held in the Corps Physical Training Facility Feb. 23-24.

Brooks set a new school record at the meet with a 56.62 in the 400-meter race.

Cadet Blaine Ashton ’22, right, placed second in the triple jump at the SoCon championships Feb. 23-24, 2019, earning a trip to the Eastern College Athletic Conference championships. He placed 16th in the event at the ECAC championships.

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Athletics

Parham ’21 Tops 1,000-Point Mark

Cadet Bubba Parham ’21, sophomore guard, shoots for three of his career-high 38 points during VMI’s 83-78 win at Western Carolina Feb. 23, 2019. Those 38 points propelled Parham into VMI record books, as he became the 41st player in Institute basketball history to score 1,000 points in a career. With another career-best of 41 points, Parham led the Keydets to a 96-83 win over WCU in the first round of the SoCon Championships. Photo by Jason Hall.

VMI Swim/Dive Teams Break 18 Program Records The VMI men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams finished the 2019 America East Championships by breaking 18 program records over the course of the four-day championship meet.

The future is bright for the program, as a pair of freshmen had outstanding seasons. Richmond, Virginia, native Cadet Sophie Svoboda ’22 set seven individual top marks this winter and is now a part of two record-holding relay teams. Cadet Stephen Hopta ’22, from McMurray, Pennsylvania, already holds four school top individual times and was a member of three relay teams that set all-time records this season.

At the championships, the men finished seventh in a field of 21 teams, and the women were 15 out of 20.

Both squads were named Scholar All-America teams in late January, announced by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association. The VMI women’s team boasted a team

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GPA of 3.16 this fall under head coach Andrew Bretscher, and was one of just three Division I women’s squads debuting on the list. The Keydet men’s team had a GPA of 3.04.

“We had a lot of fun at this meet and throughout the entire season,” said head coach Andrew Bretscher. “We were able to set more records this weekend and see more improvements in many of our athletes, so I couldn’t be happier. Bringing such a large group to this meet brought out a great team atmosphere that certainly contributed to our success both individually and as a team. Our seniors finished off their careers in style, and I’m proud of what they were able to achieve during their time on the team, and how much they have contributed to successes we saw this year. Setting 25 new varsity records and 22 new rat [freshman] records in just one season is a major milestone for the program, so this will be a season to remember.”

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Athletics

Richards ’19 Takes Individual SoCon Title, Advances to NCAA Grapplers Finish Fourth in SoCon Cadet Neal Richards ’19, red shirt junior, won the 174-pound individual championship and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the March 10 Southern Conference Wrestling Championships. His individual win automatically qualified Richards for a berth at the NCAA Division I Tournament, where he had the chance to earn All-American honors.

VMI finished the 2018-19 regular season in fourth place in the SoCon standings with a 3-3 record, the program’s best league mark since the 2006-07 campaign. The Keydets defeated Davidson, Gardner-Webb and The Citadel in dual-meet action under Jim Gibson, first-year head coach.

Richards had one of the best seasons in program history. Wrestling at 174 pounds, he earned the SoCon Wrestler of the Week honor a league-record five times. The South Chesterfield, Cadet Neal Richards ’19, red-shirt junior, was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Southern Virginia, native was also named the SoCon’s Conference Championship. He was also named SoCon Wrestler of the Week five times, and Wrestler Wrestler of the Month for January and again of the Month twice. Richards, whose education is supported by the Bryan Family Scholarship, will return to VMI next year to use his final year of eligibility. Photo courtesy VMI Keydets. for February.

At the SoCon Championships, Richards, the top seed in his weight bracket, earned a firstround bye. He defeated Kyle Homet of GardnerWebb in the second round by technical fall (23-8) to reach the finals. Richards won by a major decision in the finals, besting second-seeded Andrew Morgan of Campbell 16-6 to win his first SoCon title. Entering NCAA Championship competition, Richards had won 21 straight matches. He had a 28-3 record with 10 pins, six technical falls and six major decisions.

Chris Beck ’20 reached the consolation semifinals at 197 pounds. Coming in as the sixthseed, he fell just 2-1 to No. 3 Anthony Perrine (Gardner-Webb). In the consolation bracket, Beck outlasted Davidson’s Finlay Holston 7-3 before again losing just 2-1, this time to Rod Jones (Chattanooga).

The last Keydet to win his weight class at the Richards capped off a stellar season with a trip to the NCAA Division I Championships. Above, SoCon Championships was Josh Wine ’11 at Richards defeats University of Virginia’s Drew Peck via technical fall 19-4 in 5:44. Photo by 285 pounds in 2011. Adam Britt ’03 was the Chuck Steenburgh ’86. last VMI grappler to be named the SoCon’s Tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.

Richards also qualified for the NCAA Championships during his freshRichards competed March 21-23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for the man season after earning a true second-place finish at the SoCon Chamchance to become VMI’s first All-American since 1999, when Leslie pionships. In his sophomore season, Richards fell to The Citadel’s Aaron Apedoe ’99 placed sixth in the heavyweight bracket at the NCAA Walker at the SoCon Championships. Richards came to VMI from Matoaca Championships in State College, Pennsylvania.

High School, where he had a career record of 190-7.

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VMI Alumni Review

Events Alaska Chapter Honors Founders Day

The Alaska Chapter spent time together honoring Founders Day and reminiscing about their days at VMI at the 49th State Brewhouse in Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 10, 2018. Present were, from left, Brian Duffy ’89, chapter president; Edwin Higginbotham ’14; Alexander Reitzig ’17; and John White ’63.

Arizona Chapter Holds Holiday Gathering

The Arizona Chapter held a holiday happy hour between Christmas and the beginning of the new year. Several alumni and guests were present.

Pentagon Alumni Remember Founders Day

Alumni working in the Pentagon gathered for the annual Founders Day remembrance. Photo by Patrick Grieco, U.S. Navy.

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Events

Arkansas Chapter Remembers Founders Day

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Beale ’64, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Goodloe ’65, Mr. and Mrs. James Dittrich ’76, Mr. and Mrs. David Robinson ’77 and Mr. Dave Walsh ’90, members of the Arkansas Chapter, gathered to remember Founders Day.

Central North Carolina-Raleigh Chapter Gathers for Founders Day

The Central North Carolina-Raleigh Chapter gathered for Founders Day Nov. 2, 2018. Meade King ’85, Keydet Club chief operating officer, was the program speaker. Present were, from left, seated, Linda Schafer, Dorris Gibson, Shirley McCreedy and Taylor Holt ’92. Standing: Allie Roney, Ed Roney ’60, Jay Lucas ’85, Paul Johnston ’61, Henry Shirley ’60, John Kuchnia ’57, Ginny Shirley, Parky Parkman ’66, Kim Shirley, Graham Shirley ’85, Bill Gibson ’65, Bruce McCreedy ’56, Ron Wall ’69, John Schafer ’65, Betsy Wall, King, Betsy Wilson and Larry Wilson ’62.

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VMI Alumni Review

Events

Central North Carolina-Raleigh Senior Alumni Breakfasts

The Central North Carolina – Raleigh Chapter holds a senior alumni breakfast each month. Present in November, above photo, were, from left, Bob Frank ’74; Snookie Parker ’74; Roger Rosenfield ’47; Larry Wilson ’62, chapter president; Paul Johnston ’61; Rick Hening ’75; Bruce McCreedy ’56; Dixie Walker ’70; Henry Shirley ’60; Bill Gibson ’65; and Pete Shelley ’74. Present at December’s breakfast, above right, were, from left, front row, Shelley, Gibson, Ed Roney ’60, Johnston, John Kuchnia ’57 and McCreedy. Back row: Frank, Walker, Rosenfield, Wilson and Hening. At the January breakfast, right photo, were, from left, front row, Walker, Shirley, McCreedy, Bill Murchison ’70 and Kuchnia. Back row: Mike Kelly ’73, Carolinas regional director; Rosenfield; Johnston; Wilson; and Hening.

Graduate School Partnerships

Jonathan M. Daniels 1961 Seminary Scholarship

Virginia Military Institute has forged relationships with some of the best graduate and professional schools in Virginia and across the United States. These agreements offer a range of opportunities, including admissions concessions, internships, guaranteed interviews and, in some cases, guaranteed admissions.

Partnership institutions include Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, College of William & Mary, Florida State University, Norwich University, Arizona State and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. Programs vary but include law, medicine, business, engineering, communications and other fields.

If interested in learning more about the available partnerships, please contact Lt. Col. Jessica Libertini at libtertinijm@vmi.edu.

Dr. G. Lee Southard ’59 and his family established the Jonathan M. Daniels 1961 Seminary Scholarship in 1985. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist VMI graduates pursuing an advanced degree leading to Protestant Christian ministry. The scholarship is named in honor of Jonathan M. Daniels ’61, who, after graduating from VMI, followed a call to ministry and entered seminary.

For more information, applications and instructions, please contact Mary Cannon, administrative assistant in the VMI Chaplains’ Office, at cannonml@vmi.edu. The degree pursued must lead to service as a pastor or military chaplain in Protestant ministry. The deadline for submitting the application is July 15 of each year. Scholarships are awarded in August.

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Events

Chattanooga Alumni Gather, Support Gridiron Keydets

Chattanooga-area alumni held their biennial meeting at the VMI versus the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football game Oct. 27, 2018.

Korea Chapter Gathers for Founders Day

The Korea Chapter hosted a Founders Day gathering at Braai Republic South African restaurant in Pyongtaek, Republic of Korea, Nov. 17, 2018. This was the first event for the newly-established chapter. Additionally, VMI was also well-represented by many of the attendees earlier in the day at the Camp Humphreys High School College Fair. Present at the dinner were Chris Noe ’96, Will Moeller ’07, Rich Garcia ’12, Rhett Hutaff ’07, Logan Barnhill ’10, Zach Heard ’16, Gabe Hammock ’17, Frank Dolberry ’06, Ned Wilkinson ’16, John Dante ’16 and Colin Mahle ’00.

Myrtle Beach Chapter Gathers The Myrtle Beach Chapter held a gathering at the Gordon Biersch Brewery in the Market Commons area of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Jan. 11, 2019. Present were, from left, Mike Kelly ’73, Carolinas regional director; Mike Smith ’73, chapter president; Dick Jeter ’69; Frank Pinizzotto ’68; Mike Mahoney ’74; and George Tisdale ’73.

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Pacific Northwest Chapter Holds Social Members of the Pacific Northwest Chapter attended a social at the Portland, Oregon, home of Herb Brasington ’68 and Sarah Bohnenkamp. Attending were 16 alumni plus guests, including four sets of BRs from the Classes of 1960, 1968, 1988 and 2007. Present were, from left, front row, Allen de Steiguer ’67; Tom Ustach ’88; Nate Wahlgren ’02; Wes Thomas ’07; Tony Lash ’58; Karen Bill Thomas ’07; Jay Smaaladen ’88; Randy St. Clair ’90; and Pete Farmer ’68, chapter president. Back row: Walter Witschard ’60, Jeff Kuehne ’01, Karl Renne ’96, Christian Tujo ’94, Joe Derie ’72, Brasington and George Coulbourn ’60.

Southern Florida Chapter Celebrates Founders Day

The Southern Florida Chapter celebrated Founders Day at the home of Pirooz Borojerdi ’79 Nov. 17, 2018.

Pictured were, from left, Tom Myers ’63; Scott Houser ’98, chapter president; Borojerdi; Bob Sparks ’69; Kelly Jones ’12; and Matt Jones ’11.

Tampa Chapter Celebrates Founders Day, Veterans Day The “Tampa Krewe” celebrated the founding fathers and honored veterans with a brunch at the Seasons 52 Restaurant in November 2018. Trivia and factoids about the day challenged the Krewe. Present were, from left, front row, Ann and Cal Lloyd ’62, Jim Neale ’71, and Phil Valenti ’66. Back row: Grace and Bob Bailey ’72, Derek Raymond ’04, George Dancigers ’71, Walt Tatum ’56, Susan and Jim Zepko ’96, and Gib Gay ’51 with son-in-law Tom and daughter Paula Geier.

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Events

Taiwan Alumni Reunite for Founders Day

The Taiwan Chapter reunited alumni from around the country during a Founders Day gathering in November 2018.

Club of the Triad Hosts Pregame Gathering

The Club of the Triad Chapter hosted a pregame event before the VMI versus the University of North Carolina - Greensboro basketball game in Greensboro, North Carolina, Jan. 31, 2019. Pictured were, from left, Andrew Deal ’12, Keydet Club vice president; Charlie Ramsburg ’66; Phil Shu ’65; Ray Brooks ’76; John Macrae ’63; Janet Macrae; Pat Kelly; and Mike Kelly ’73, Carolinas regional director. Mike Schlosser ’67 was present but is not pictured.

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Events

Upstate/Pisgah Chapter Welcomes Future Keydet The Upstate South Carolina/Pisgah, North Carolina chapter hosted a lunch in Greenville, South Carolina, Jan. 30, 2019. At the lunch, new VMI soccer recruit Leo White, and his parents, Mike and Diana White, were introduced. Leo will report to soccer training in late summer. Pictured were, from left, Mike and Diana White; Leo White; Caroline English; “P.X.” English ’73, chapter president; Nancy Sprinkle; “Buzz” Sprinkle ’68; and Matt Neely ’00. Ted Kinsler, member of the VMI Parents Council and father of Cadet Grayson Kinsler ’21, attended the gathering and updated the group was not pictured.

Upstate/Pisgah Chapter Holds Planning Session The Upstate South Carolina/Pisgah, North Carolina Chapter gathered for a barbecue lunch and planning session in Asheville, North Carolina, Jan. 31, 2019. Pictured were, from left, Colin Walker ’10; Joakim Kip ’12; Caroline English; “P.X.” English ’73, chapter president; Dan Wells ’67; Tom Harmon ’91; Michele Davenport; “Davy” Davenport ’70; “E.D.” Woomer ’73, chapter representative; and Janet Woomer.

Wilmington Chapter Old Corps Breakfast

Despite cold weather, the Wilmington Chapter Old Corps met for breakfast and fellowship at the Boathouse Restaurant Jan. 22, 2019.

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Progress The Peay Endowment for Academic Excellence: A Transformational Opportunity

By Molly Rolon, Associate Editor

The Institute, long known for its pursuit of excellence, currently enjoys a national reputation for an academic and leadership program that best prepares leaders of character. This success is due to the dedication of the Institute leaders, faculty and staff as well as the vision and generosity of VMI alumni and friends.

Maintaining that reputation in an ever-changing world, where competition for top faculty and students is fierce, requires a long-term plan. Such a plan is embodied in the January 2017 resolution by VMI’s Board of Visitors initiating The General J.H. Binford Peay III 1962 Endowment for Academic Excellence.

First-rate academics stem primarily from two sources: Students, and the professors who teach them. The Peay Endowment addresses attracting, maintaining and retaining outstanding faculty and cadets through three components: Merit Scholars, Chairs and Fellowships.

The Merit Scholars component builds on the already-excellent Institute Scholars program – which is normally able to provide only partial scholarships for academically high-performing cadets. Each year, VMI loses academically gifted applicants to other top colleges, including the service academies, said Col. Rob McDonald, Ph.D., associate dean for

academic affairs. “Often, the decision comes down to the economics, and they frequently decide to go to the place where their education is fully underwritten.” VMI must be able to compete for these students on a level playing field.

The Merit Scholars Fund will have the ability to offer full scholarships to these top prospects who – beyond stellar academic achievement and future potential – demonstrate qualities intrinsic to VMI: Exceptional leadership, commitment to personal physical fitness and interest in national service. The Institute also has the flexibility to designate worthy rising 2nd and 1st Class cadets as Peay Merit Scholars. Immersing this level of cadets in VMI’s academic programs has the potential to bring top-flight academic recognition to VMI – including the possibility of Rhodes, Marshall, Truman and Goldwater scholar winners.

On the faculty side, the Chairs component not only gives recognition to distinguished faculty members, but adds a practical, financial aspect. Each Peay Chair recipient receives a full salary, plus an additional bonus as a nod to excellence in scholarship. Thanks to the generous support – nearly $18 million – already committed by alumni and friends, the first two Peay Chairs have been awarded to deserving

Peay Endowment Funds Peay Merit Scholars

Peay Fellows

This is a national scholarship program designed to attract the very best young men and women nationally who possess qualities of character associated with the Institute’s 14th superintendent and have demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic excellence, athletic commitment and interest in national service. Additionally, the Institute may also designate certain rising 2nd and 1st Class cadets as Peay Scholars.

This program promotes a career in academia for VMI graduates by providing a funding path for those who have demonstrated the ability, passion and potential for successful careers as faculty in higher education. The fellowship program seeks to encourage VMI graduates to return to the Institute and compete for positions on the faculty. For each Fellow, the endowment will fund two years of graduate-level education and two-year terms on VMI’s renowned faculty as “Instructors-in-Residence.” The program reinforces the foundational importance and influence of “professor-leaders” on the professional and personal lives of cadets and graduates.

Peay Chairs The Peay Endowment will recognize faculty for their transformational influence on VMI’s Academic Program and the lives of cadets. Over time, Peay-endowed chairs will ensure VMI’s ability to attract, retain and reward a faculty renowned for its teaching excellence, intellectual rigor, mentorship and academic relevance.

Peay Chairs will recognize teaching and research faculty whose accomplishments in the domains of teaching, cadet development, scholarship and citizenship are of the highest order and whose influence on the lives of cadets is profound and lifelong.

Peay Chairs will also recognize and reward academic department heads who have distinguished themselves by their wise stewardship and evolution of the Academic Program for which they are responsible.

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Peay Academic Excellence Fund This Fund will provide the Institute with financial resources that may be applied to any one or all of the above programs.

This general fund is available to all donors who wish to pay tribute to General Peay and support the program as a whole, enabling the Institute to determine the most pressing need within the program.

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recipients among VMI’s faculty: Col. Troy Siemers, Ph.D., head of the applied math department, and Col. Gregory Topasna, Ph.D., physics and astronomy professor.

“VMI faculty are dedicated to teaching and mentorship of cadets.

All of them are serious and prolific scholars, often with national and international reputations,” said Brig. Gen. Bob Moreschi, dean of the faculty. “VMI faculty embrace – for the Institute and the cadets – the qualities that the BOV stated in its resolution about the Peay Endowment and General Peay: ‘Character, leadership and service.’”

Donald Wilkinson ’61, former member of the Board of Visitors, is the Peay Endowment cabinet chair and, along with an outstanding group of talented alumni, is spearheading the new endowment aimed at keeping VMI at the forefront of academic excellence. Wilkinson said, “It is imperative that we be competitive for all our faculty positons and give special recognition to our most distinguished professors.”

The Peay Endowment’s third component also addresses VMI’s culture by looking to the future from a grass-roots home-grown perspective. Peay Fellowships promote careers in academia for graduating cadets and alumni by providing funding for graduate education.

Specifically, Peay Fellows will receive funding for two years of graduate education, followed by two years of service on VMI’s faculty as “Instructors in Residence.” These fellowships – awarded to cadets and alumni who have demonstrated the ability, passion and potential for successful careers in higher education – will encourage alumni to seek positions within VMI’s renowned faculty. Having academically qualified alumni on the faculty adds an intangible benefit to VMI’s unique education system: It puts professors who understand the cadet experience firsthand in close proximity with the Corps, allowing for robust support and mentorship.

The BOV resolution of Jan. 28, 2017, stated that the endowment honors the Institute’s 14th superintendent for the “exemplary qualities

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of character and leadership he demonstrated through a lifetime of selfless service, beginning as a VMI cadet.” The resolution goes on to note General Peay’s all-around “devotion to excellence” as a cadet: In Corps military activities, in service on the Honor Court, as football team quarterback and academically as a civil engineering major.

“Who better to exemplify the traits of well-rounded, high-achieving cadets?” said Bill Boland ’73, president of VMI’s Board of Visitors.

The Peay Endowment will be transformational for VMI’s ongoing academic program – transformational for cadets, faculty and VMI’s reputation as a national treasure. The Endowment’s immediate goals are to endow 20 scholars, four fellows and 16 chairs.

Supporters can choose from four avenues for investment: • The Peay Academic Excellence Fund: Provides Institute leadership with the greatest amount of flexibility and discretion in determining priorities for each of the three initiatives.

• Peay Merit Scholars: Dedicated to awarding full-ride scholarships to high priority cadets.

• Peay Chairs: Provides opportunity for supporters to combine funding and endow chairs that support top-performing faculty dedicated to the education of cadets.

• Peay Fellows: Supports gifted cadets and alumni in the pursuit of graduate degrees and places them on career paths in higher education.

Peay Fellows will spend two years on post as adjunct faculty while building experience and expertise to position them well as faculty at VMI or elsewhere.

“This is a noble endeavor: A long-term effort to build a sizable endowment to ensure VMI’s academic competitiveness in perpetuity,” Wilkinson said. “The end game is producing young men and women – committed to lives of honor, integrity and responsibility to others – who are going to lead this country in the future. That’s VMI’s mission.

Ethical leaders; leaders with a moral compass.”

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Progress

Giving Sets Strong Pace in FY 2019

By Scott Belliveau ’83, Communications Officer At the midpoint of Fiscal Year 2019, all indications were that the members of the VMI family are as generous this year as they have been in the past. As of Dec. 31, alumni, parents and friends had provided a total of $16.2 million in gifts and commitments.

Most of this money – $12.3 million, to be precise – has come in the form of restricted gifts. Some of the gifts have been directed to existing endowments that support such things as need-based, athletic and merit scholarships, to professorships, and to those that generate unrestricted funds, as well. A good number of these gifts are in the form of commitments that, when realized, will support all aspects of the VMI education and ensure an ever brighter future for VMI. “Many of the donors who made these generous commitments did so knowing that they will not see the effects their support has on VMI,” said Warren J. Bryan ’71, VMI Foundation chief operating officer.

“It is a testimony, therefore, to their confidence

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in the Institute and their shared conviction of the importance to VMI to the country that they make such gifts.”

Of course, most members of the VMI family who participate in the ongoing effort to provide VMI with the private financial support necessary to keep it strong and keep it on track for the future do so by making gifts to the components of VMI Annual Giving: The Foundation Fund, the Keydet Club Scholarship Fund and the Athletic Operations Fund. Since the beginning of FY 2019, July 1, 2018, 1,914 alumni, parents and friends have supported the Corps of Cadets through Annual Giving with gifts to all three funds totaling $2.6 million. “I am always grateful for the significant support that the VMI family provides through these funds,” said Steve Maconi, VMI Alumni Agencies chief executive officer, “because they enrich every aspect of the VMI education and provide financial support to our athletic program and the hundreds of cadets – more than a quarter

of the Corps – who represent the Institute at the highest level of college sports.”

Reunion campaigns always figure prominently in any year’s fundraising totals, and FY 19 is no exception. During the first half of FY 19, together, the Class of 1993’s 25th Reunion Campaign and the Class of 2008’s 10th Reunion Campaign raised $1.2 million in gifts and commitments. The Class of 1969 also presented the initial proceeds of its 50th Reunion Campaign in April 2019.

As to the rest of the year, Maconi said, “Undoubtedly, we are off to a strong start in terms of support for VMI, and I thank all those alumni and friends whose generosity made it possible. Now, the rest of the VMI family has the responsibility to ensure that the year finishes as strong as it began and VMI has the private money it needs to continue to provide our cadets with an extraordinary and extraordinarily effective education that transforms them into citizen-soldiers of the type our country needs.”

VMI Alumni Review

Staff News New VMI Alumni Agencies Staff Meghan Kelly joined the Alumni Agencies as communications specialist in December 2018. She holds an associate degree in Business Administration from Virginia Western Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in strategic advertising from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Amy Goetz, Alumni Agencies chief communications officer, said of Kelly, “Meghan is perfect for the role of communications specialist. She has experiKelly ence and certifications on a variety of social media platforms and is also well-versed in marketing strategy. Most importantly, her can-do attitude enhances all areas of the department and the Alumni Agencies as a whole. Meghan will soon be leading the email platform training and troubleshooting for the Agencies, and she will do a great job.”

Kelly worked in communications focusing on strategy for a variety of companies in the Roanoke area before joining the Alumni Agencies. She resides in Lexington with her bunny, Browne.

Christian Heilman joined the Alumni Agencies communications team as digital content manager in January 2019. Heilman brings nearly five years of experience as a television journalist, most recently as a weekend anchor and reporter at WDBJ7 in Roanoke.

Goetz stated, “How fortunate we are Heilman

to welcome Christian to the communications team. His broad skill set, his talent and experience in the area of digital content and his positive personality make him a valued member of our staff. Christian’s top priority is the design and development of a new website for the VMI Alumni Agencies.”

Heilman is originally from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area and graduated from Pennsylvania State University with degrees in broadcast journalism and management information systems. Heilman lives in Roanoke with his fiancée, Carly.

Corri Sensabaugh joined the VMI Alumni Association in February 2019 as assistant director of reunions.

Upon graduating from Roanoke College, Corri served nearly 10 years with The Kroger Company in a variety of roles, including human resources and operations.

Most recently, she served as the talent and development manager responsible for recruiting, training, Sensabaugh successor planning and leading talent throughout the Mid-Atlantic Division. Sensabaugh resides in Rockbridge County with her husband, Chad, and son, Hutson.

Thom Brashears ’95, Alumni Association chief operating officer, stated, “Corri brings a wealth of professional experience to our staff with a heavy focus on customer service. She will be a tremendous value-add to our reunion team under Patti Cook’s guidance and direction.”

VMI Alumni Job Board The VMI alumni job board is up and running!

Do you have an open position you would like posted to our job board?

Please email the full job description to Meghan Kelly at mkelly@vmiaa.org.

The board can be viewed at www.vmialumni.org after login is complete.

2019-Issue 2

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48

VMI Alumni Review

CLASS NOTES

1941

1944

Greetings from the VMI Class of 1941. As of the writing of these class notes, I’m happy to report that the three surviving members of the VMI Class of 1941 are each doing well and staying strong.

Chuck Abbitt still lives in Richardson, Texas, which is a suburb of Dallas. At 98 years of age, he claims to be an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

Col. Abbitt continues to organize the vesper services where he lives which keeps him busy and on his toes. Col. Abbitt is VMI’s second oldest alumnus.

Bob Maling ’73 recently contacted me regarding his father, Robert Maling, and reported the passing of Col. Maling’s wife, Mila, Jan. 15, 2019. My sincere sympathy goes out to Col. Maling, who at 98 years of age, is VMI’s most senior alumnus.

Jack Williams, who lives in Hot Springs, Virginia, says he is in “low gear” as he is dealing with the colder months of winter in the Virginia mountains. Mr. Williams continues to help with Meals on Wheels and enjoys catching up on his reading during the slower winter months.

At the beginning of February, I had the privilege of calling and speaking with Mrs. Marilyn Louthan, wife of Frank G. Louthan. Mrs. Louthan lives at Cedarfield in Richmond, Virginia, and enjoys living close to two of her sons, Chip Louthan ’75 and Bob Louthan ’82. Mrs. Louthan is doing well and always enjoys talking about VMI. I wish the three senior alumni and Mrs. Louthan the best for 2019.

Respectfully submitted, Stuart M. Seaton Jr. ’73

Editor’s Note: The Class of 1944 is no longer submitting notes. Tom Peyton remains the point of contact for the class.

Stuart Seaton Jr. ’73

1943

Jeffrey G. Smith

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1943.

2019-Issue 2

Tom L. Peyton Jr.

1945

William Quarles

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1945.

1946

William A. Eliason

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1946.

1948B

Lionel T. Wolford

George Ramsey and I exchanged Christmas greetings. George, Harriet and the entire Ramsey family are doing well. Other than Doug Hamner, George had no contact with other brother rats. He has tried to contact Sonny Laine and others without success.

Rod Kallgren from Dearborn, Michigan, and I also exchanged Christmas greetings. Rod had health problems in early 2018. Initial treatment caused more harm than good, but he was eventually diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (welcome to the club, Rod). After receiving proper medication, Rod was much better at the

year’s end. Rod reported that he played no golf in 2018, but he expects to be on the course in 2019. Best of luck, Rod. Rod also sent me a clipping from the Detroit Free Press. It seems that the Detroit Tigers signed a new relief pitcher, Reed Garrett ’15. The Tigers expect great things from this young man.

The Alumni Agencies reported the passing of Charles M. Andrews from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Dec. 7, 2018. Charles was at VMI for one year and left for military service (Navy). I have only a vague memory of him. He graduated from Penn State in 1950. Charles was an avid Penn State football fan and personal friend of Penn State head football coach, Joe Paterno. Charles was city engineer for the city of Beaver Falls and later manager of Beaver Falls Municipal Authority. He played 18 holes of golf several times a week for most of his life.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Joann Stewart Andrews, and his son, Charles Mark Andrews. Farewell to another great ’48B. Doug Hamner reported the passing of Savannah Tunnell Walker, widow of Julius Walker, Dec. 26, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Savannah was a native of Tahoka, Texas, and a 1950 graduate of Texas Tech (journalism). She joined the staff of George H. Mahon, Texas congressman, in Washington, D.C., in 1956.

Savannah met another Texan, Julius (Jay Hoss) Walker, who had recently joined the State Department as a press officer. They were soon married. Jay moved up the ladder rapidly in the State Department. As most know, he was a Foreign Service officer who served as ambassador to several African nations and was the ranking U.S. diplomat during the 1980 coup in Liberia. The revolution resulted in widespread looting and killings which included the Liberian president. Jay intervened and was almost shot himself. Most Americans left the country, but Jay and the embassy staff stayed and negotiated with the revolutionaries until stability was re-established. Later, Jay was awarded the State Department’s Superior Honor Award.

I don’t know for sure, but I expect Savannah shared many of these experiences with Jay. I first met Savannah at the ’48B 40th Reunion in 1988. When I saw Jay and Savannah together at that time, it seemed to me a perfect marriage.

Jay Walker and John Boyd came to VMI together from Plainview, Texas, by train. I recently had another great talk with Judge Boyd

49

Class Notes from Amarillo, Texas. He and Jay had been together since the first grade. Their families, especially their mothers, were very close friends.

After arriving at VMI (John thought it looked like a prison) they roomed together, first with J.R. Brown then with Phil Richardson and “Hap” Finney in room 211. Charles Brown and I roomed next door to Jay and John in room 209.

I had quite a bit of contact with Jay our rat year. He and I, five other brother rats, and an upperclassman were assigned to the same mess hall table. Jay’s dyke, Bill Adams ’47, and my dyke, Jorge Sarmiento ’47, roomed together.

Even though we couldn’t say a word, Jay and I were together in their room every morning. Bill was an immaculately dressed, brilliant electrical engineering student known as the “Crease.”

Bill owned three or four uniform blouses, and the pressing shop attendant would deliver a freshly pressed blouse to his room every day.

Later, Bill became a Rhodes scholar.

One day in early fall 1944, there was a vacancy at our mess hall table. A visiting upperclassman took a seat in the vacant chair. He ordered one of our brother rats to provide a hog calling demonstration. Whomever he called upon did a poor job. The upperclassman called on a second brother rat who also did a poor job. The third brother rat he called upon was Jay Walker. Jay’s effort was just as poor as the other two.

The upperclassman left in disgust but said he would be back in a few days and expected much better results. At the ’48B 55th Reunion, I learned from Jay how he improved his hog calling ability. He asked Bill Adams ’47 for advice. On the surface, the “Crease” did not seem to be a good place to obtain useful hog calling information. But, Bill was from Arkansas, a state known for its wild razorback hogs. Bill taught Jay the “Souwe pig, pig, pig” routine and coached him. Jay’s deep, hoarse and gravelly baritone voice did the rest. A few days later in the mess hall, the upperclassman returned to our table. He called upon the first and second brother rats to give hog calls. No improvement.

Then he called upon Jay Walker. “Souwe pig, pig, pig” resounded over the entire mess hall.

There was a brief moment of silence and then loud applause from all except rats who were at attention. The upperclassman gave a smile of approval and left.

A ’48B legend was born. Jay was called upon

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many more times to demonstrate his hog calling expertise (before leaving to join the Marines). Jay and I both attended the 40th, 50th and 55th Reunions. He may have attended many more. He was always asked to give a hog call at the class dinner. I witnessed the demonstrations at the 40th and 50th. Jay had not lost a step. At the 55th, Jay declined, saying he had retired from hog calling.

At the end of our rat year, two of Jay’s roommates, John Boyd (Navy) and Hap Finney (U.S. Air Force) left for military service, as did my roommate, Charles Brown (Navy). I incorrectly reported in the previous newsletter that John Boyd was in the Army. While serving in the Navy, John Boyd was stationed in the Aleutian Islands on the island closest to Russia.

I joined Phil Richardson, Jay and Billy Guin as roommates in room 156 at the beginning of our 3rd Class year. My study habits were poor our rat year. They were even worse my 3rd Class year. My study period started when I fell out of breakfast formation each morning. It ended when morning classes started one hour later.

Without my asking, Jay would bring me food (biscuits or toast stuffed up his blouse sleeve) from the mess hall every morning. I appreciated Jay’s thoughtfulness and at least partially repaid him by sharing with him my mother’s weekly food packages.

In 1998, shortly before the ’48B 50th Reunion, Bob Scaralato asked each of the ’48B 50th Reunion attendees to list their fond memories of VMI. At the top of Jay Walker’s list of fond memories was my mother’s weekly packages.

Jay was a great roommate. Jay died in 2003.

Recently, the Alumni Agencies informed me of the passing of William Dave Linkenhoker of Roanoke, Virginia, Aug. 23, 2018. Link came to VMI from Front Royal, Virginia. I remember him as a tall, lanky, dark haired young man. He roomed with Lionel Lieberman and M. Reed.

During Christmas leave 1944, all three left to join the Marines. Link was too tall, so he joined the Navy instead and served on a landing ship as a radar man. After leaving the Navy, he went to VPI. Link worked mostly for Dow and Hercules. He and his wife, Reatha, attended the ’48B 50th Reunion. He is survived by Reatha, four children and three grandchildren. Again, farewell to another great ’48B. Brother rats, have a great spring and summer season. Let me hear from you.

1949A

James Harrington

I called the roll just to make sure all three of us were still around. Harrison Whitten responded: “I am still above ground enjoying life at Marco Island. I can’t think of anything of importance.”

As with Harrison, Ann and I are still up and around, if slowly. Our recreation mainly consists of weekly travel to the doctors.

Allen Penniman, as usual, took advantage of his splendid assistant and sent the following: “I will begin the fourth quarter class notes with a word about our Thanksgiving celebration. We celebrated the holiday in Covington, Louisiana, at my daughter-in-law’s family home. Everyone who lives in the immediate area and others who lived far away celebrated individually. Again, we have much to be thankful for, and I am sure that each family gathering recognized this and was thankful and appreciative. Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce aplenty in the Penniman-Atkins celebration.

“The Christmas season followed, and this time, Margaret Penniman Boudreaux held our celebration. Her house was beautiful, and the Christmas meal was splendid. There were gifts and notes for everyone, each expressing love for the family members. It was a wonderful event, and I am glad to see my children taking over these large celebrations.

“Since Christmas, I have had an influx of visits by the children who live out of town and were not in at Christmastime. All are doing well, and it is a thrill to me to see them develop and become active members of their communities. As the senior member of the family, I have much to be proud of.

“I am now making plans to attend William Penniman’s graduation from Stanford University, which will come in June. He has a wonderful record there, and I certainly intend to celebrate the completion of his studies. ‘He is a smart one, that one.’

“If you are one of those who is a college baseball fan, I now realize that the season will begin this month. Although I follow all of the

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes LSU sports, I am particularly fond of baseball and look forward to their first game Feb. 15.

All of the grading services have them ranked first in the nation, and I can tell you from experience that they are ‘loaded.’

“Also in the fourth quarter of 2018, I celebrated my 91st birthday. Many of you, who are fortunate to still be on this earth, celebrated along with me. So, congratulations to you and a pat on the back to all of us. My birthday was not a major one, and we had a small family gathering at home. Happy birthday to all.

“Once again, I am happy to say both Joanie and I are in good health. We are very fortunate and are blessed. I wish this to extend to all of you. Best regards to all.”

And that’s all that’s left of us. I appreciate Allen’s copy, which helps show that we’re still “above ground.” We hope the new crop of Keydets will continue to carry the torch.

1949B Dan Smaw

The Pattons went on a 21-day cruise to the Caribbean. It’s really two different cruises that are combined to make up the 21 days. They wanted to be gone as long as they could from Virginia to be somewhere warmer!

I’m doing OK. I had a long talk with Tommy Bowers recently. He’s doing OK. I’m looking forward to the reunion. There are some people coming who haven’t been to a reunion in a long a time or ever. They are looking forward to the reunion.

God Bless America, VMI and ’49B.

1949C

Haywood France

Editor’s Note: The Class of 1949C is no longer submitting notes. Haywood France remains the point of contact for the class.

2019-Issue 2

1950A Bill Moore

Kenny Stagg died of his long fight with cancer. I did get to his funeral and the class’ red, white and yellow roses were the centerpiece. Recently we also lost Joanne (Ed) Miller who had been bedridden for a long time. I got completely jammed in Washington traffic and missed Joanne’s service.

After three hours, I managed to turn around and head back to Lynchburg. 1950A is now down to four BRs and eight widows. I have Dick Mandt’s poem from our 45th Reunion in 1995. Let’s enjoy it while there are a few of us left.

Forty-five Hoorays for ’50A “In a hundred years, the most minute/The smallest class at the Institute but a few good men are here today/To give an old yell for ’50A By ’49B we were mangled and mauled/“109day wonders” we were called They made us hurt and they made us ache/But old ’50A they couldn’t break Bloody Sunday was pretty cruel/And comparing buns next day at the pool We were red and yellow and black and blue/ There were derrieres of every hue The 3rds said look at that Logsdon fin out/He’s a model rat; there is no doubt But they checked him one day – their suspicions aroused/and found rubber bands rigged in the back of his blouse A step-off like barracks has never seen/With 40 gallons of gasoline Smuggled into the Bastille, who knows what way/But the flaming steps kept the 1sts at bay One of our BRs had to report/To the commandant in his undershorts ‘Your dress on the stoop is a little lax/So your penalty tours will be the max’ We gave them a song and a mascot, too/The tribute and a kangaroo Our legacy to VMI/Was a tiny class that wouldn’t say die But remembering is what reunions are/Jap, Danny, Bob and Tommy Barr They’re marching now in our warmest love/On

the big Parade Ground up above So here’s a salute to ’50A/The few who mattered in such a big way May the brother in brother rat never cease/And the Shannon Faulkners rest in peace I’m so glad you 26 arrived/For reunion No. 45 In the year 2000, please do show/When ’50A has its big five-O.” The good news is that Mary (Joe) Ripley wrote me a letter telling me of her new quarters at 6653 Roundabout Way Apt 114 Chesterfield, VA 23832-6753.

In the last edition of the news, I put out an all-points bulletin for Mary because I’d lost track of her. Thanks, Mary. Now Charlotte Logsdon, please do the same.

Mary is in an independent living facility that lets her keep her dog and she likes it very much. Nan (Elliott) Hudgins is recovering satisfactorily from their disastrous North Carolina floods of last year, but there is still much local damage that is having to be completely rebuilt and/or replaced. She is doing well and can do more as time goes along.

Barbara (Hugh) Barnes is in her cozy independent living quarters and as snug as the proverbial bug in her rug. I had the opportunity to visit her the day of Kenny Stagg’s funeral. I thought her accommodations were very impressive.

Gene Witcher sounds good over the phone, but he confesses that his energy level has declined in the last few years. However, people don’t believe he’s 93 from his appearance and the things he can still do. We’re not going to get that Key West trip in this winter/spring that we’ve been planning for these many years. I’ve finally got that mitral valve procedure scheduled for April 2.

I’m looking forward to that, as it should restore most of the stamina I’ve lost over the last year.

My strength has held up well, but the leaking valve has caused my aerobic stamina to lessen.

Perhaps after I get that valve repaired, my son, David Moore ’86, will fly me down to Houston, pick up Gene and go to Key West. Hope springs eternal.

I talked with Judy (Ralph) Mooney recently.

Ralph still does amazingly well thanks to his determination and Judy’s loving care. They are relatively isolated way up on the top of the Blue Ridge. If there is a saint left in this world, Judy is one of them. She now has some help taking care of Ralph and knows how to survive and thrive in what most people would call a wilderness.

Of course, Judy is more than 22 years younger

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Class Notes than me, but we share the same determination regarding her staying on her mountain and me on my hill until the end of our days.

1950B

Joseph B. Kohen Jr.

The notes on birthday cards happily brought some good communications.

Jane Smallwood sent a card with herself in an outlandish costume. Lola Shepherd as usual sent the poignant remark, “Present and accounted for.” She is happy to be living in Richmond with two daughters nearby and sees Connie and Jones Felvey, who live in Kilmarnock and maintain an apartment in Richmond.

Jim Flippen attended the Foundation dinner in Lexington where he and John Taylor represented our class. Jim had two sons, two granddaughters and now two grandsons in school in Lexington at Washington and Lee University.

Bob Lynd sent a long email explaining how he delights in doing nothing. He must have done some creative writing.

The Christmas season brought notes from distant brother rats. Mitch Lawrence from Waynesboro, Virginia, thanked me for my class agent work; Bill Lewis from Crawfordville, Florida, states he has joined the ranks of the 90-year-olds and how he enjoyed his

birthday card with Stonewall statue, House Mountain, Parade Ground, etc.; and Tommy Kirk with Ann in Anthem, Arizona, states he is enjoying life to the fullest. Fitness activities, golf, Veterans Affairs, prisoner of war reunion, 90th birthday party, and travels to Vail, Hawaii, Palm Springs, Cabo and Wichita keep him on the move. I wonder if Tommy, a former ski instructor, is still skiing?

Just as I submitted my note to you, I received a phone call from Lee Chegin’s widow in San Antonio wanting the address of Bob Lynd, who introduced them. We had a delightful talk, and fortunately, I was able to help her.

Randolph Trappey sent a note looking forward to our 70th Reunion. Let’s make it happen. He was happy to see Stonewall Jackson’s statue on his birthday card. He also deplores the removal of many confederate statues.

John Taylor writes that he and Jim Flippen were the only ’50Bs at the Institute Society Dinner Nov. 11 dinner. He feels it would be neat to have a few more there. Watching the parade that afternoon a few facts struck him: a) the Corps is so much bigger than in 1946-50, b) There are three barracks now, c) the Corps has men and women and both are super, and the honor system still persists. Sixty-eight years of growth since we left. In these times of decaying decency, VMI stands as a bright light.

John is looking forward to our 70th Reunion in 2020. Fred Kniesler is also looking forward to the 70th. He wonders how many of us are left.

I will try to have it in the class notes.

1951

Jacob H. Wamsley II

Class of 1950B: Joseph Kohen met Abe Lincoln at a Civil War re-enactment.

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This covers the period from Nov. 15, 2018, to Feb. 15, 2019.

Shortly after submitting the last class notes, I got a most welcome phone call from Sam Bass, who was looking out over the Rappahannock River from his home there. He was just checking in – something that I wish more of you would do.

As reported earlier, his daughter has moved to the same area. He continues to be the primary caregiver for his wife, Dew, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Also in early November, the Alumni Agencies

Class of 1951: Bob Nolley celebrated his 90th birthday Jan. 6, 2019. notified us of the death of William B. Dawson, a brother rat who left the Institute after our rat year.

Our ranks continue to dwindle. These notes would not be complete without mentioning our record of giving back to the Institute – only four of us made contributions in the first quarter of the current fiscal year – not up to our usual level. There are some interesting, current facts about the Institute: 519 rats matriculated this fall (roughly twice as many as in 1947), bringing the size of the Corps up to 1,722. Also, 98 percent of the current faculty have a Ph.D. degree, and the cadet to faculty ratio is currently 11:1. These figures are truly amazing for an undergraduate college with no graduate classes.

My first Christmas card of the year arrived in late November from Jim Close, who enclosed a picture of himself, Steed Evans and Joe Tom Howard, along with their spouses, taken a few years ago. The three of them look good as octogenarians – of course, only Jim and Steed remain with us.

We were notified of the death of our Brother Rat Henry L. “Jigger” Baxley Jr., by his wife, Ursula.

Jigger was a native of Hume, Virginia, and lived in Marshall, Virginia. His death was Nov. 26, 2018.

Jigger and Ursula have been faithful attendees at our various reunions over the years. He was the last of his VMI roommates to leave us.

An email from Hob Richey in Allison Park, Pennsylvania, notified us of the death of his wife, Joanne, in late November 2018. He plans to attend the 70th – here’s hoping all the rest of us can be there.

A note from Dick Cole and Louise provided both good news and not-so-good. They were

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes visiting Louise’s folks when Louise fell and broke an arm. Other than that accident, all is well with them and their families. Dick reports his golf game has gone south, but he still plays despite a rising handicap.

Fred and Marilyn Watson checked in from Fort Worth. While Fred is dependent upon a cane to get around, they still take long auto trips – most recently to Hershey, Pennsylvania, to visit family.

Bounce Carstens, like so many of us, has had to relearn how to take care of himself as a single.

But, unlike so many of us, he still goes to work every day and still plays golf – though he failed to report what has happened to his game.

Included in a Christmas card was a note from Paul Robinson. He and Jean have had a miserable 2018, health wise. Jean’s memory problems continue and were exacerbated by an otherwise successful operation, while Paul managed to break a leg is two places. Both have been in rehabilitation programs. They have moved into an assisted living facility in Neenah, Wisconsin. All in all, we’re not doing too badly for advanced octogenarians and 90-year-olds.

Bob Nolley celebrated his 90th birthday back in January. Bob has lost his class ring and is trying desperately to replace it. If anyone has been successful in replacing a lost ring, give him a call. If you don’t have his phone number, call me at 678684-3521, and I will provide it. Any help would be appreciated.

1952

James M. Mecredy

It is Nov. 13 as I begin these notes. I have turned in my class notes, so I am starting to write class notes to send to VMI Feb. 15, 2019.

Henry Nanninga called to thank me for his birthday card. As we age, a successful birthday is a hallmark. Henry’s call prompted me to start this round of notes.

I also heard from Red Austermann: “A belated thank you for the birthday greeting is very thoughtful and appreciated. You may have noticed that these birthdays roll around faster and faster as the years roll by. And now we are once again on the road to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Where does the time go?”

2019-Issue 2

I got a call from Joe Hutt, whose son, Jay Hutt ’78, was in the VMI Class of ’78. Joe was reading Jay’s Alumni Review. Joe had gone to high school with a number from our class, so he was reading class notes for ’52 and saw that I had lost track of Betty Lambert. Joe knew that Betty has dementia and is in the Richmond nursing home, so he called me. More recently, Cecil Welsh sent me an obituary from the Richmond paper that Betty passed away Dec. 10, 2018.

Jack Roche has been trying to reach me since August with a wrong number. He saw my number in the Review and wanted to thank me for his birthday card. Incidentally, I have a new phone which blocks robo calls, and when you call me you may get a message to state your name and tap the # key for me to answer. Once I get your name on my phone list, future calls will go straight through. It is somewhat inconvenient, but I no longer get robo calls four to five times a day.

Langhorne McCarthy wrote to thank me for her birthday card and said she would have sworn she just had a birthday a few months ago. She attended the Institute Society Dinner with her daughter and son-in-law, Wade Stinnette ’80. In the past, she was seated with the Class of ’52, but this time, she was seated in the balcony with the Class of ’80. She searched the crowd below and may have spotted Gary Pittman.

I received a message that Al Marchand died last March after a long illness. His daughter, Michele, called while I was away and left a message of Al’s death. I have called her back but have yet to talk to her.

Jim Martin died Dec. 9 from complications of Parkinson’s. His wife, Kathleen, wrote that Jim’s family would like to share this information with his brother rats. He was well cared for to the end and was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first great-granddaughter, whose mother is a Marine. Jim was interred at Washington Crossing Veterans Cemetery.

Charlie Piper’s Christmas letter reported Charlie’s and Sharon’s adventures for 2018. Charlie continues to volunteer at the Railroad Museum in Hill City, where he was honored as “Volunteer of the Year.” Their travels included a sailboat cruise from Lisbon to Cannes with many tours of the Mediterranean countries. It ended with the air traffic controllers in France going on

strike, making them very late in returning home.

In October, they went to Michigan and Ontario.

On the way home, they were involved in an accident which put their car in the shop. Fortunately, they were not hurt. They planned to go to Myrtle Beach for Christmas. They also sent me a small booklet with all the elements of Christmas and the birth of our Lord Jesus.

George Hutter reported that he is continuing to walk every day. Mary uses a walking aid. They are living in assisted living quarters at Westminster Abbey along with a number of other VMI people.

I received Christmas cards from Henry Nanninga, Ed Wilbarger, Chris Holland, Jane Wright, Eva Tuck, Zeke Finney, Jim Miller, Neal Petree, Charlie Hogge, Mary Shoaf, Cecil Welsh, Gary Colonna, Sally Birge, Red Austermann, Mary Lane, Charlie Piper, Nancy Bookman, Dick Valack, Bob Yore, Martha Allen, John Taylor, and Army and Barbara Wellford. Thank you all.

Ed Wilbarger writes that 2018 has been quite a year with lots of volatility. He was in an accident and saw the inside of the Colorado court system. It turned out well. Lila came to view the proceedings. Lila plays golf three times a week and is on course to beating Ed. His play is down to once a week.

Zeke Finney’s Christmas card included a photo of his entire family. I counted 17 people.

Gary and Sandra Pittman wrote that it has been a good year for the Pittman clan. Gary and Sandra are not moving as swiftly but still enjoy bridge and cruising. They had two repeat trips this year to Alaska and through the Panama Canal with travel to the West Coast.

Lou and Elle Delisio moved into an over55 community and are settling in. Lou is still undergoing treatment for the MDS and getting units of blood about every four weeks. So far life remains good.

Mary Shoaf has moved into a retirement community in Vero Beach, Florida. She had lots of help, and the same mover who has moved her in the past took charge of the move.

This was all under directions from Mary’s girls, who had put stickers here and there for directions to the movers. Mary continues to participate in community activities.

John Taylor sent a photo of his family for a Christmas card and says that both he and Betty are in good health.

Army Wellford has completely recovered

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Class Notes college classmates with whom he had been a of us, and now I am the only one left in this world. from Lymphoma and sun damage from years ago. They have given management of their Flor- lifeguard on the beach back in the 1940s. To top I must be getting old! Bud and Joyce were marida timeshare to Lou Anne and Landon Well- this, Patricia now owns six miniature horses. ried for 66 years and raised four children, who in ford ’80. Barbara says they are continuing to en- She says that is it, but Russ will see what hap- turn raised eight grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren. Bud was employed for 39 years at joy their mountain place, but they have retired pens next year. from backing boats onto trailers after struggling Bill Kearney called to tell me he has been try- Armstrong World Industries and served in the Air to back the trailer into a carport. ing to call me and getting busy signals to find Force during the Korean War. I received a call from Shep Shepard ’59 asking I got a call from Henry Nanninga asking if I that he was dialing the wrong number. Once he had heard from Mitch Mays recently. Henry is got the correct number (706-863-3565) he was about Bob Gerdetz. I had to tell him that Bob died going to call him and bring both of us up to date. answered by my new phone system which re- last June. Shep and Bob were friends who tried to I call Stillman Chesson, and Paul Chesson an- quired him to state his name and tap the # sign. keep in touch with each other. Shep is class agent for ’59 and looking forward to their 60th swered the phone to say Stillman is in a Reunion, hoping to have a turnout of 100 nursing home and is doing all right. Paul including wives. I wonder how many of will ask Stillman to call me. us will be able to make our 70th?

I called Alice Magee Jan. 10, and her Ernestine Bridgforth (Austin’s wife) phone was out of service. Maybe I will sent a photo of a wedding that Austin hear from her. I received a note from attended with the six younger VMI men.

Alice as I was about to turn in my class I haven’t reached Austin or Ernestine yet notes Feb. 15. Like the rest of us, she is to have any more details. finding it hard to believe she has reached Chuck Haley tells me that he is able to the age of 85 until times when she is rewalk again after a year of physical theraminded with aches and pains plus the frustration of taking twice as long to py even though the doctor did not think do anything. Her children are well and Class of 1952: The Mecredy clan gathered for Christmas in he could. Also his shoulder is healed so come to see her often (check on Mama). Minnesota. he can reach over his head again. Chuck Her oldest grandchild spent a week with is quite happy with his progress even if her after spending six months in Indonehe, like the rest of us, is slowing down. I asked about his weather in Texas, which sia “saving the turtles” and sightseeing. was good. His daughter in Cedar Rapids They had fun sharing the experience. is currently experiencing -10 degrees.

Bill Ruffin called to update his actives.

Our highlight for this season was a trip He and Andy Dickinson joined a group to Minnesota to visit our great-grandof 25-30 couples for new year’s eve. Bill keeps in touch with Army Wellford, Jim children. Lucette and I flew to MinneWiley and Zeke Finney. Bill and Andy apolis in December to be with our son, still play golf, but Zeke has dropped out Dave Mecredy ’78, and his family. The of the golf group. trip went very smoothly, partly because Russ McCarthy sent me a nice ChristLucette uses a cane allowing us early boarding and wheelchair transportation mas letter expanding on his fishing trip Class of 1952: Pictured at the wedding of Reed Womack to to Minnesota. He sent me a large photo Michael Bowman ’09 were, from left, Kelly Sweppenhiser ’06, between planes both in Charlotte and of the 25-inch northern pike he caught. Daniel Wood ’09, A.J. Yoder ’09, Austin Bridgforth ’52, Wom- Minneapolis. We had snow and cold weather, so we kept warm in their big He had sent me the original photo ear- ack, Bowman, Matt Edwards ’09 and Brian Sandridge ’09. farm house. We shared Christmas with lier, which I included in the last Alumni Review. Russ said the northern is possible to I answered by clearing his call to come straight the whole family: Dave and Susan, plus grandcatch but illegal to keep. Russ and Patricia through in the future. Bill and Shirley now have children and great-grandchildren. A photo of stayed with friends who have a nice home on three great-grandkids, and he says his son and the Minnesota Mecredys is included here. one of the 11,842 named lakes in Minnesota. daughter are both are just getting started. Bill Returning to Augusta, we shared another They also have a large pontoon boat on which recently got a pacemaker installed and is func- Christmas with Tim Mecredy ’80 and his wife, they had dinner most evenings. Russ caught a tioning much better than before. It was snowing Becky, along with their children and two greatwalleye pike and several bass and trout. They in Wisconsin north and south of where he lives grandchildren born last summer. released all fish except the ones they ate; espe- in Nekoosa when we spoke.

Keep praying for our country. I have not seen Bud Becker passed away Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, such division in my life. cially the walleye. Russ and Patricia follow this With prayers and blessings, with a trip to Daytona Beach, Florida, where after a lengthy illness. Bud and I were among the Jim he had a chance to visit some high school and first graduating class in physics. There were eight

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Class Notes church. She also noted that Jim left a planned gift to the 1953 Endowment Fund, as the Institute meant very much to him. Jim and Marilyn have William C. Noell Jr. visited us in Lexington in the past when they were in the area, other than for reunions. I was very glad to have been at the services and to have quality visit time with Marilyn.

Webb Maddux lost his wife, Helen, in October after a long period of medical problems which Brother Rats, prevented them from coming to our 65th and to Once again, it is necessary to start off these the last few Richmond ’53 lunches. I well rememclass notes with the loss of one of ours – James ber being at the pregame VMI versus The Citadel W. Meek. You will find Jim’s Taps entry in the game lunch in Charleston a few years ago with back of this issue. However, other info is that Jim Webb and Helen. It was a very messy, wet, soggy roomed with Jim Holly, Carl Weidenthal and affair in a supposedly grassy field under tents; Jesse Bickmore in rooms 160 and 256 the last however, both corps had mud stains up about 6 two years at the Institute, according to Mickey inches on their white ducks, and of course there Woodward’s records. Jim must have been anxClass of 1953: Ted Mariani, Reed Johnson was no shine on their shoes, only mud. Helen and ious to get to the Institute, as he was No. 11 on and Jim Meek at Johnson’s home on the Webb met while Webb was at the Institute and the matriculation list. Warren Koontz, Reed northern neck in Springhill, Lancaster County, in April 2016. married a month after graduation, finally retiring Johnson and I met Ted Mariani on Capitol Hill in Danville, Virginia, to be near family. for the services at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church According to Frank Spencer’s daughacross the street from the Library of Conter, Sandy Morgan, Frank is doing great gress. I drove to Richmond that Sunday – on the go a lot these days from his reevening and had dinner at a local restautirement living place in Staunton. Sandy rant with Warren and Win Koontz and said that he had some heart surgery at her sister and husband from Maine, along the end of last year and now has been with Reed Johnson and Vivien. I spent a revitalized and re-energized. Frank is in very enjoyable Sunday night with Reed our oldest BR group, becoming 90 in Auand Vivian, and Warren was our very gust, along with Norris Kantor (August), agreeable driver Monday. Parker Cross Chief Gornto (September) and John wanted to go with us but had to cancel Speth (March). due to a conflict. Whip Wilson wanted to After Jim Meek’s services, I tried to locome to the services from northern Vircate Jesse Bickmore, as he is not listed on ginia, but his daughter would have had to our mailing list nor on the deceased list. drive him and she had a conflict due to a doctor’s appointment. During the days Class of 1953: Judy and Bill Noell getting ready to leave Turns out, he requested to be left off the winter in Lexington for an April visit to Florida for No. 88 contact list back in 1990 for some reason. that Jim and Marilyn lived in the Capitol at the house of John Lee Noell ’84.

I did obtain a mail address, wrote to him Hill area, Jim was a very active member in Texas and sent the notice of his roomof St. Mark’s, and they were able to walk mate’s passing. However, I have not yet to church from their home. It was a fairly had any response. large gathering for Jim’s service, and his An email from Bob Cheatham with ashes were deposited in the church’s cophotos of his great-grandchildren noted lumbarium by Marilyn with a short serthey belonged to his oldest daughter’s vice after the main service in the church son, Jim, who graduated from The Citaproper itself – a service “in the round” del and then UNC law school. Bob has performed at St. Mark’s. The current kept us posted about his great-grandstructure was completed in 1864, with daughter, Stella, who has had retinoseveral revisions/modifications since blastoma. She had to have her right eye then. I had a note from Marilyn along removed at a very early age to save her with some photos saying that she really appreciated Jim’s BRs attending the ser- Class of 1953: Ted Mariani, Bill Noell, Warren Koontz and life, which has been a difficult time for the Reed Johnson at Jim Meek’s services at St. Mark’s Episcofamily. Bob says he is doing well, with a vices, especially in such cold weather, pal Church, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., Jan. 21, 2019. few minor medical problems. He did not as well as the reception afterward at the

1953

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Class Notes yet know if he would make it to the Richmond such things in his shop in his spare time, and I visitors if you come through Williamsburg.

I also talked to Jim Morris recently, who talked about it once in my class notes. However, I April lunch.

An email from Warren Koontz noted that “Win have not yet been able to find this article to verify sounded pretty good. Regretfully, he had to give gave me a nasty virus and then was well enough his hobby. During halftime of a VMI basketball up golf a good while ago and now stays close to herself to spend last weekend in New York. Her game this month, in talking to Thom Brashears, home due to Marilyn’s long-term illness. She is high school best friend lives on the west side and he noted that he had met Ed Brown in Williams- still holding her own; they just do not go much overlooks Broadway. They had a grand time with burg at the senior alumni gathering there. He said these days. Jim did say he would be interested shows, ballet, Julliard concerts, museums and dif- he had a nice, long and interesting conversation in once again attending the Richmond first ferent restaurants. I was hunkered down in Rich- with Ed, and that Ed was the senior alumnus at Wednesday lunch.

I also talked with Paul LaForce from his home mond, coughing and sneezing.” (Life is “rough the gathering. Those at the 65th know that Ed all over” Warren; way to go, Win.) Warren also was not able to make it to Lexington. I talked overlooking the Blue Ridge in Bevard, North noted that Webb Maddux was in Richmond vis- to Ed recently, and he sounded great. He has a Carolina. He says he is doing well and sounded iting for two days recently and had dinner with problem with stability, so he needs a walker to pretty good, but he does have a caregiver these them in the dining room at Cedarfield. Warren get around but otherwise is good; his back is no days. However, he says he does still play golf once in a while. Regretfully, his wife, Jean, died commented that Webb looked great and seemed longer a problem. He did use a wheelchair to go to to enjoy the visit. The second night, Webb had the Williamsburg gathering with his wife, Ingrid, a year or so ago. Years ago, Paul and Jean came due to the distance. However, he does not do much from North Carolina periodically to Jim Morris’ dinner with the Atwills and Evans.

Those of you at the 65th were able to enjoy traveling these days, but he would be glad to have Friday night pre-football game gathering at his place overlooking the football field. a lunch and tour at the national Sigma When you read these class notes, the Nu Fraternity headquarters here in Lex’53 Richmond and Beyond April lunch ington. Since Sigma Nu was founded at will have passed, and hopefully some VMI, I arranged for Sigma Nu to hold of you who would not normally attend their 150th anniversary at Moody Hall on made it to join your BRs for the spring new year’s eve. At midnight, the gatherget together. As it stands now, Jack ing toasted the founding from the upstairs Trigg and Elizabeth are coming – first to balcony, looking over the Parade Ground Lynchburg, then the lunch, then to D.C., and the rock denoting the founding of and are staying with us the night on their Sigma Nu. It was a very festive affair, return trip to Birmingham. There is also with most of us in black tie, with a soa monthly alumni gathering for lunch cial hour, dinner and dance music. Our in Richmond on the first Wednesday of daughter’s husband, the CEO of Sigma Class of 1953: Roommates from rooms 256 and 160: Russ each month for any alumni choosing to Nu, invited Sigma Nu board members Horne, Carl Weidenthal, Jim Meek and Jesse Bickmore. attend, and there is not a program for this and special guests for the event. There event. Reed Johnson is now heading it up, so if were about 60 in attendance. Of course, Moody interested, contact him. Warren Koontz and Ken Hall is normally closed at this time of year, but Perry say that they never have been able to make thanks to Thom Brashears ’95, VMI Alumni it, as it is always the same day of their Rotary Association chief operating officer, Moody Hall meeting. was opened for this particular event. VMI’s Keith On another subject, it would be great if some Gibson ’77 and his wife, Pat, sat with Judy and of you who have not sent any news of yourself me and Bob Phillips ’87, chaplain, up front, or family – or any pictures – would do so! Also, I along with one board member who came all the have been retired from the U.S. Air Force for 30 way from California for the occasion. Of course, years and one month, and now I have been your you on the class email list received a more declass agent for 31 years this month, thus I will be tailed report on this event. starting on my 32nd year in March, and for some Recently when I was at Moody Hall after a basreason, none of you have tried to wrestle this task ketball game, I met an alumnus who had recently away from me, which Ed Brown willingly gave moved back to Lexington, but I cannot at this up after 10 years when I moved back to Lexingtime remember his name or class. However, his story was that his daughter had bought a handton. So, at the age of 88 in April, I guess I will still Class of 1953: Bob Cheatham’s greatbe filling our section of the Alumni Review with made wooden table lamp on e-bay and given it grandchildren, Jay, Mack and Stella words for a few more years. (However roommate to him. The lamp happened to have a VMI 1953 Senter, visited Santa in Albemarle, Bill Atwill has said that this is not like a chemplaque on it, and he asked if I knew anything North Carolina. about it. If I recall correctly, Russ Horne made istry major’s writings.) Regardless, I sure would

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Class Notes appreciate more of you contributing news, pictures or whatever so I do not have to keep filling some of the space with words about Judy and me and our family.

Lastly, I hope all had a great Valentine’s Day. We went over the mountain to Clifton Forge where Café Michel is now located – our 60th Sunday night dinner restaurant in Lexington.

Institute trivia: The hops. The Corps has just finished their winter formal hop, which has changed somewhat since our day at the Institute. One big change is due to the size of the Corps (1,500plus), so Friday night, the dance is for the 1st and 2nd Classes only, and Saturday night, it is for the 3rd and 4th Classes. In our day, with only about 700 in the Corps, we could attend both dances – and usually did – to stay off guard duty. For our mid-winter hop our 1st Class year, the hours were 10-2 Friday and 9-12 Saturday night; we had to be up Sunday morning to march to church. We, of course, were in coatees and straight pants. I do not remember how long we had out after the dance, but I think it was in the range of an hour, and the college dates had to stay in approved Lexington homes – no motels allowed. The cost of the hop to us was $2 Friday night and $3 Saturday night, and we either had a band come in for the dances or used the VMI Commanders, all being held in a well-decorated Cocke Hall. I paid $3 for a corsage for my date from the Forget-MeNot Flower Shop. For the mid-winter hop now, the cadets wore the white ducks with coatees. As you remember, our white ducks were retired for the winter, once we were in straight pants, until the spring. It is no longer the custom to buy flowers for the dates for the dance, and cadets and gals can stay in motels after the dance, while some groups of cadets and dates even rent a house for the weekend. I hear they have great parties after the dance.

Quite a change from our days, but sure better.

1954

J.M. Perry Archer

Greeting and Salutations: I received a good letter from Bob and Mari MacGregor recently. Bob has published a book titled, “Leadership, a Team Sport – Reaching the World for Useful Results.” He is, as usual,

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trotting the globe for the Caux Round Table, supporting moral and ethical capitalism. Bob also helped to lead the development of the U.N. Global Compact. They write that we who remember the Great Depression, World War II and the rebuilding of Europe are a bridge, the last generation who does remember. Our voices, he and Mari say, are needed today to help the young deal with today’s relativism and moral ambiguity. One hopes that Bob has the opportunity to speak to VMI’s cadets regarding these concerns someday. They are the personification of the ideals and ideas of what VMI traditionally means concerning civic duty and salutary effort.

Jack Tiller called. When I returned his call, he said I had saved him temporarily from doing something that he did not, at that moment, want to do – retrieving a tree-pruning device from a tree in his yard. It had hung up in the tree when Jack sought to remove a tree limb.

The offending limb was blocking the view of a lovely lake behind his house. Jack related that he had been given a railroad clock by a relative.

Jack’s Uncle Russell, who died in 1951, was the chief telephone inspector for the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, and he had become the possessor of the clock during World War II. It is a Seth Thomas standard RR clock that is about 2 feet, 8 inches tall, with a weighted pendulum. Russell’s granddaughter had the clock and asked Jack if he wanted it. It is now in Jack’s living room after having been cleaned and repaired.

Wendle Snapp sent another of those beautiful Christmas cards he creates. This one depicted a snowy mountain scene at dusk. In the painting, you see old St. Nick and a gift bearing an angel girl skating toward a decorated Christmas tree. What a talent. (If there are any of you who are creating works of art and would like to see them in the Alumni Review, please send photos with any comments you would like to make). Don Howard, you will recall, was prolific in producing his artwork.

Charles F. Bryan ’69 has produced a series of interesting essays called, “Imperfect Past – History in a New Light.” In one entitled, “Those Distinctive VMI Types,” he brings to mind many memorable things and makes some interesting comments. Without quoting here, he makes statements that fascinate. Principally, he asks, “What is the VMI type?” He discusses the

successes of VMI graduates, mentions Bruce Gottwald (among others) and speaks of the unique VMI experience from the educational perspective. He speaks of ours being no ordinary institution (no kidding) and strict regulation, with its being overwhelming at times.

We can all relate. One of the most amusing remarks deals with punctuality compulsion.

Oh, yes. This drives my wife, Shirley, crazy at times. Good stories, and some may wish to obtain a copy.

Without comment, as none is needed, take a look back at the 2019-1 Alumni Review and please see the picture of Tommy Williamson being “greeted” at his Wintergreen retirement home.

Bill Kingery wrote, and he included some nice comments about those who needed and still need recovery from the Harvey debacle of 2017. His home’s refurbishment is pretty much complete. The United States Tennis Association rankings have been published recently. For men older than 85 years, Billy is ranked 16th in singles and 10th in doubles in the nation. These are no mean feats. He refers to himself as one of the “old goats.” Well, he may be older but he is an amazing “goat.” Clint Eastwood, who is 88, has made a video with a song entitled, “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” The song is written and performed by a well-known country singer, Toby Keith. If you Google it, I think you will enjoy and be encouraged. I was.

Class of 1954: Jack Tiller’s railroad clock.

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Class Notes

Class of 1954: John Botjer’s license plate.

Sadly, Len “Honus” Wagner passed on in Williamsburg. Honus, whom I never knew well at VMI, and I had many long conversations over the past few years. Getting to know him was special. We discussed his history in the last issue of the Alumni Review. His death was Dec. 9 of last year. He had been having physical problems with mobility for a while.

His mind was sharp, and his memory was exceeded by no one I know. Honus was a Mason.

You can see a complete obituary by contacting/logging on to Bucktrout Funeral Home and Cemetery, Williamsburg.

With equal sadness, we notify you of the death of Bob Hanson. Bob had fallen, was taken to the emergency room and developed pneumonia. He died Jan. 18 of this year. Bob was a native of Ohio. He was married for 40 years to his wife, Cynthia, who wrote a loving tribute to Bob. Bob served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. During that time, he mostly flew in fighters. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star after service in Vietnam. After leaving the Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel, he worked at Beechcraft, then later at KC Piper after moving to Overland Park, Kansas. Then he was employed at KC Radio (Bendix King), and finally at Continental Airlines as a ground instructor for 10 years. Bob left us, his friends and family, with great memories.

One ongoing question: Is there anyone out there who is a brother rat who was rescued by Bob after having been stranded on a beach in Alaska? Bob and I spoke about this a few times because I was stationed there in 1956 and Bob said he thought it was me. Anyway, Bob’s commanding officer had called him away from the

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Class of 1954: The views of Jack Tiller’s lake.

Class of 1954: A Christmas card drawn

by Wendle Snapp.

Officers’ Club one day to go rescue this guy.

Bob landed on the beach where the brother rat was stranded and got him. We tried to find out who the brother rat was but never could. I hope whoever it is will contact me.

John and Dorothy Botjer moved into an assisted living home in Raleigh, North Carolina, and are happy there. He sent a photo of their North Carolina license plate. Looks good. John was my long-suffering roommate at school.

Ray Helmer and wife June recently went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip/cruise, taking them to Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa – nine ports in 15 days. As in other countries, there is not much of a middle class – most folks are either well off or quite poor. One of their drivers lives in a 12 foot by 12 foot structure without electricity or running water, with a toilet outdoors. The “house” is occupied by the driver’s wife, three daughters, three sons and two grandchildren. Apartheid is still a problem.

One of their excursions was to a Zulu cultural village, the scene of the 1986 movie, “Shaka Zulu.” They were treated to costume-clad residents singing, dancing and drumming rhythmically. The currency is cattle. For instance, when a man wants to marry, his father and uncle visit the woman’s family and measure her worth, using cattle as currency. A man can have as many wives as he can afford to buy, and each wife lives in her own hut with her children. The huts are round and composed of mud and intertwined branches with thatched roofs. Women do most of the work. (No comment.)

Another excursion was in an open game vehicle that took them to the Tala Game Reserve, where they saw much game, large and small, including lions, elephants, zebra, monkeys, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, antelope and cape buffalo.

The reserve has more than 300 species of birds.

Spectacular.

I am looking forward to our 55th Reunion (yeah, the one I called the 64th), and I hope you can make it.

1955

Read Hanmer

These class notes are necessarily short, due to numerous factors, including lack of input from y’all and my monthlong stay in the rehab unit here at the Carriage Club where we are now living. My health has improved, and I hope to resume normal activities soon.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes By the time you read this, spring will have sprung and flowers will abound. The baseball season will be underway and graduation of the Class of 2019 will be near to hand.

Yours in the bonds, Read

1956

Richard M. Smith

It was such a surprise and pleasure to have Scott Boland, along with wife Ardis and daughter Stacy, join me for a night after their visit to VMI. They had met a relative’s family from Pennsylvania whose son wants to go there. It was their first visit since the 40th Reunion 20 years ago. They couldn’t believe the changes that had taken place.

I received from John “Rocky” Stone a copy of the program for dedicating a Wall to Veterans at Bassett Historical Center in Bassett, Virginia, to the men who served in Vietnam.

There were about 350 names listed, and one was John’s older brother, Reed Lewis Stone ’54, who was awarded Silver Star with Valor.

Rocky gave the benediction prayer.

I received a nice year-end call from BR Bob Brickner. As usual, we discussed any of the people we commonly know and were pleased not to have to talk about any who recently died. He is cutting down on the number of marathons to participate in the coming year.

He is still actively working on the areas of placing funds from his estate. VMI is one of his main targets. We have the good fortune to have been in close touch with one another for many years and feel we are truly as close as brothers.

I only wish he had acquiesced to coming back to one of our reunions. He passes on to all the BRs his best wishes for the new year.

I received a call from Fred Farthing to inform me of the contacts he has had with BRs. He talked with Ed Pendleton, Jerry Hale and Chuck Jundt recently. They are all in fairly good health. He continues to play nine holes of golf when the weather allows it.

I talked with Bill Alexander in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and learned he and his daughter were heading for San Francisco, California, to

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see the sights in the area, particularly the great trees of the forest. They have started a VMI chapter near him and plan on working with candidates interested in going to college. He still plays 18 holes of golf when the weather allows but uses a motorized cart instead of walking with the bag.

I talked with Hop Graham who lives near Poquoson, Virginia. He has sold their motor home they enjoyed for so many years. He felt with concerns about their health they needed to stay closer to home. He recently saw Dick Justice and enjoyed chatting with his old VMI roommate. They are enjoying family get-togethers and plan to go to the grandson’s graduation in South Carolina. His son is planning a skiing trip to Breckinridge, Colorado.

I talked with Bill Menefee in Luray, Virginia.

He enjoys living near VMI in the valley of Virginia, even though they don’t get down there very often.

I talked with Jim Brawner, whom his wife says has “flunked” retirement three times now, and they hope this last assignment is it. They have 11 grandchildren and are looking forward to attending a marriage of one soon in Savannah, Georgia. They aren’t sure where they decided to live since one is now in Ashville and the other works in Raleigh, North Carolina.

I next talked with Jack Prizzi, who lives upstate New York. Although retired, he has been busy for the last year as administrator of an estate for a friend who was a genealogist. It was contested since the beneficiary was a lawyer. He had to sell off some of the property to get the case settled. He says it was one of the most complicated projects he had ever had. He has dealt in real estate since he retired but has time to get involved in other projects such as working on an exhibition hall for his American Legion club. He also is involved in photography. Jack attended a VMI chapter event in New York recently.

Bill Nelson answered my call from JohnsonWillis Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, while lying on his back recovering from a fall which caused a replacement of his hip and ball joint.

He will start rehab treatment at home as soon as his son finishes the adjustment needed at his home in order to get around easier.

I got to talk with Wally Schutt in Clinton, Mississippi, recently. He informed me he was born in Washington, D.C., and moved all over

the country since his father was in construction. Wally also took up the construction trade and worked in utilities for 33 years until the company went out of business. He applied for a superintendent’s position with another firm and, after landing the job, worked another 17 years before retiring. His wife passed away recently, but his children live close by and he enjoys being with them and the six grandchildren. He has always enjoyed playing golf but is limited these days. He was interested in finding out something about his old roommate, Russ Stewart. I told him Russ passed away just in the last few months.

I got in touch with Walt Tatum in Tampa, Florida, and learned he had just stopped giving flying lessons last year. One of his sons was a pilot also in the Air Force and is retired living in Oklahoma. Like his father, he is an excellent golfer. I told Walt I planned on coming to Florida soon, and he wanted me to get up with him and play a few holes. Since their daughters lived in Florida, his wife and he decided after retirement in ’87 they would go there. He lost his wife and one son a few years ago.

Jim Dillard has a knack to call me when I’m fixing dinner or eating. He has joined the web listed program called Match Making to meet eligible women. He says they aren’t like he remembered them! His back keeps him from playing much golf.

Bill Stokes returned my call regarding info on what’s happening in his life to add to my next class report. He still lives in Lynchburg and sees some alumni occasionally. He talks with Tony Waring and Dave Blair, his old roommates, monthly. He has had some contact with people involved with functions pertaining to how the Institute is being run and is not completely satisfied with their ideas. He is in relatively good health.

After a call to Walt Donovan, I received a letter, which I am including. “Walt has had a good recovery from his stroke of Dec. 29, 2016.

He is very independent and self-sufficient. His only disability is he gets his words wrong at times. After the stroke he needed two stents and a defibrillator. Oh! What doctors can do these days! Walt likes to spend time with his three great-grandchildren when they are out of school – one great-granddaughter and two great-grandsons. He said hopefully they will become future Keydets. Their dad was Class of

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Class Notes 2009. Walt is an avid VMI collector and gives much of his attention and time to it. His wife says it keeps him out of her way. Walt feels very fortunate to have many Keydet friends that have kept in touch with him. Thank you to Bob Brickner, Dick Justice, Jim Mann and wife Betty, John Roach and wife Jane and many other Keydets for their notes, calls, cards and phone calls. Go Keydets.”

I called Spider Allison to let him know when I planned to come to his place this month. He gave me an OK and filled me in on their family activities. One of his grandsons has graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and is going into Navy pilot’s training. Another grandson is a Marine and doing parachute jumps. His daughter is head buyer for Universal Studios in Orlando. He says he and Anne are doing just fine as long as she keeps pouring the right amount of scotch in each of his drinks.

Russ Wiltshire reports that he and Margarete are well and still living in Sarasota. They are physically active; they both walk a mile every morning and exercise in a gym twice a week, where Russ swims 1,000 meters and she enjoys warm water stretches. Last June, they traveled in Iceland including the great falls in the north where Christians threw over images of the Old Norse gods. Yes, it was cold.

Following Iceland, they traveled up the Elbe River on a cruise from Berlin through the old East Zone of Germany by boat and up to Warsaw by bus. It was Russ’ first trip through the area, as he was barred while in the Army.

The countryside was lovely, and the many cities they visited have been beautifully restored since German Reunification and the fall of the Soviet empire. In the fall, they took a twomonth cruise through much of the Orient and report that there are too many people and the cities are too big. Only in Vietnam, where they visited Hanoi, Da Nang, Hue and Saigon/Can Tho, did they feel a sense of the people and the place. Amazingly, the Vietnamese show no animosity toward the U.S. and were friendly and hospitable throughout. This trip completed their bucket list, and having been around the world and seen all they wish, they have no other travel plans – right now.

This about does it for my report, folks. Best of everything to all of you old fogies.

Yours in the spirit, Dick

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1957

George Sydnor Jr. Howard Lawrence

Remember: “All the news that is fit to print.”

Our news depends on your input. We value your news, photos, suggestions and constructive criticisms. Let us hear from you; we count on everyone to be a Class of ’57 reporter correspondent.

And now we return to the arduous task of writing the ’57 class notes that you will read about the time when yet another class graduates, this time the Class of 2019 is about to enter the world to seek to seek its manifest destiny. Just think back 62 years, a mere flick of an eyelash to June 1957.

The mere thought is enough to drive one to drink.

And so, your class agents decided it was time for them to properly fortify themselves to step up to the task at hand. So here we are, getting ready to buckle down and get to work with our copy editors at the Shenandoah Club in Roanoke. Ah, the sacrifices one must make for his brother rats.

A few months ago, a “bluebird” fell from the sky in the form of a package from Harrison Fridley ’61. “Now, what could this possibly be?” George asked himself as he carefully opened the package.

A book, “Barrack-Room Ballads,” by Rudyard

Class of 1957: George Sydnor and Howard Lawrence working hard for the class.

Kipling. As George opened the front cover, he couldn’t believe his eyes. There was his father’s signature, George Sydnor ’923, showing the rooms he lived in barracks while a cadet: 4th Class, Room 12; 3rd Class, Room 40-C; 2nd Class, Room 35; 1st Class.

Your class agent can recall straining in front of a radiator our rat year in a room on the second stoop near Washington Arch and, when looking up, there he saw, carved in the molding, “George Sydnor.”

I could almost envision my father laughing and saying, “Now it’s your turn, rat.” That room must have been room 35. Now, someone decipher for us what the various numbering systems were for rooms back in that period – Huffcut, Collier, Woodward? Jay, you must know, as our fathers were brother rats, maybe they even roomed together? Come on gang, help us out; certainly someone must know.

Continuing the story: In the contents was added in my father’s writing was, “Corn whiskey ... 160.”

And, turning to page 160 was, “The Recipe: Ye Ole Corn,” and it went thusly: 1. Scald 5 pounds Graham flour and 7 quarts of H2O at 150 Fahrenheit. Let stand for one hour.

2. Meanwhile, dissolve 5 pounds of sugar in warm H2O. Now bring the Graham flour mash to 100 F by adding hot water if necessary, but mash is above 100 F. Let stand until it cools sufficiently; do not add cold water. Now, having dissolved sugar at temperature of 100 F, mix the two. Dissolve four yeast cakes in a quart of lukewarm water and mix with the two former mixtures, stirring well. Let stand for 72 hours or longer if in cold.

Last: Distill. Drink distillate. If not drunk, money refunded.

And so, brother rats, as promised in the February issue of class notes, you now have the recipe as used in 1923. Chemistry lab, anyone?

On to news of more import. We regret having had to inform you recently of the loss of Jay Long, Dick Moore and Phil Peters. All lived long, worthy lives. They were a credit to their families, our class and to VMI. Their obituaries will be published in the Taps section of the next issue of the Alumni Review. As is the class custom, a contribution in their honor and memory has been made to the VMI Foundation.

Phil passed away just before these notes were submitted in mid-February. Upon learning of Phil’s passing, his roommate, Lew Diuguid, emailed: “Thank you, Howard, for the sad

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes message. I wish I could be there in Lexington for his memorial service. I owe it to Phil. My absence relates in a trivial way to a couple of stories I cherish about my late roommate – late for the first time, you might think, knowing Phil. But not quite.

“I met Phil on the day we reported in. My father had driven us to Lexington in his aging Kaiser, along with a couple of upperclassmen also from Baltimore. I think we all knew before we reached the Shenandoah that Phil was going to be one bright, taciturn Keydet, given to spit and polish.

We two fell in line behind Van Sessoms, thus comprising a roomful for four years.

“By the 2nd Class year, Dad had given up on the Kaiser. I’d worn it out, so he perversely gave it to me. On return following the Christmas break, Phil and I had a carful, including a lot of bags, but the Kaiser’s trunk was big. This may have been the trip in which J.T. Parks was wedged in there, too, with a case of beer.

“We did fine until that big mountain west of Charlottesville (Class agent note: That was Afton Mountain, Lew, and the highway was US250). The Kaiser started making noises I’d never heard, although I considered myself something of a mechanic. The higher up the hill, the slower, and soon I was in a clanking first gear. It died of a thrown piston at the very crest. We pushed it a bit to the downhill side and, now silent, coasted all the way through Waynesboro below and into a car shop on the way to Lexington. I assured the owner I’d be back soon, but old blue would rust there, a monument through our cadetships. At the time, we took up our sole recourse, hitchhiking in thin traffic. Phil wasn’t laughing. He could feel the tailor ripping off his stripes. He was late.”

And on the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, let us remember Brother Rats Joe Mixson and Cliff Heathcote, who died while serving valiantly in Vietnam and gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Interesting and good news from VMI: In the graduating Class of 2018, VMI had the highest percentage (60 percent) of the graduates commissioned in the U.S. Armed Forces – the highest percentage since mandatory commissioning became a relic of the past.

Looking at the latest Alumni Review 2019-Issue 1 received in February, pages 12 through 20 revealed some interesting statistics about the Institute’s performance. From our perspective, it would seem VMI may be better than ever! The

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key emphasis today is leadership training held up by the three-legged-stool-concept: Academics, athletics and military.

Gen. Peay ’62 and his dedicated staff still rely on founding father J.T.L. Preston’s inscription on the Parapet to guide their daily direction of the Institute. Preston and the founders designed VMI to be a special place, with unique training objectives.

Those objectives remain in place to this day. Take time to read “The Father of Virginia Military Institute,” a biography of Col. J.T.L. Preston, CSA. It may be ordered from the VMI Museum at (800) 444-1839.

Again, we want to give a special thanks to Ben Elmore and his Class of ’57 telephone team “reach out” endeavor last fall to all of our classmates to check in with them and let everyone know we are interested in their well-being and get the latest news within the Class of ’57 band of brothers. The next round of calls is scheduled for April, just a few weeks away from this writing, and we anticipate an enthusiastic participation by all.

K.K. Dickinson checked in with an interesting card with pictures of a December visit to Merritt Island by John Poffenbarger. As always, J.T. was his usual, droll self, whereas the ever politically incorrect K.K. recalled stories of his infamous cadetship using a form of the English language spoken only – and understood only – by K.K. One such story had it that for recreational purposes following Wednesday and Saturday penalty tours, K.K. and others went out to help Ben Clark ’931, surveying instructor in the civil engineering department (all civils likely recall the shako shield wired to Clark’s Ford coupe of late ’30s vintage) haul rocks out of the Maury River up the hillside to the site of Clark’s house, then under construction. Ben had an interesting name for the rocks, a name from the culture of the time yet remembered by a few. The highest course grade received by K.K. at the time was in surveying, hauling rocks.

K.K. said he actually got pretty good at it – hauling rocks, that is.

K.K. went on to say that he and Poff went over to Orange City to visit with Dawn and Dixie Thomas and Dot and Bob Wood at John Knox Village, where they all reminisced over lunch about “the good old days.”

We received a Christmas card from Chris, widow of Brother Rat Nat Pendleton, and new husband Rich Starostecki, U.S. Navy retired and graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Chris has retired from her career at Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort

Meyers. We will always remember Nat and Chris fondly and are pleased that Chris is happy and doing well. Their address: 4791 Hanging Moss Lane, Sarasota, FL 34238 chrisnat@comcast.net 941922-2244.

Ann Gilmore with son Paul, daughter Kristin and family enjoyed a white Christmas in their new ranch house that Frank constructed in Wise River, Montana, with a reported winter low temperature of minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Needless to say, such temperatures have enticed Ann to otherwise spend most of the winter at their home in Oxford, Mississippi, where she keeps an eye on their tree farm, some 350 acres all in the city limits of Oxford.

Patti Hammond sent her Christmas card to the Class of ’57, wishing it well. She wrote that the highlight of the year was a trip to Colorado where she enjoyed a special 10-day Thanksgiving adventure with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to include participation in everything from an archeological dig to high tea at the Castle of Glen Eyrie.

Skip Richardson checked in during the holiday season with his annual gift of Virginia peanuts to your class agents – such sustenance for the weary being always appreciated.

Also, at that time, we received a card from the Sullivans, Garland and Sally, along with a family picture of Garland and Sally Sullivan with grown children Lynn and Buddy and the grandchildren.

The picture was taken in the garden of their “new” home in Hattiesburg, the home having to be completely rebuilt following hurricane storm damage sustained in 2015. (Class agent note: Garland and Sally survived the storm crouched in the center hallway of their house).

We often receive emails from Milton Hargrave, mihargrave@aol.com. Milt always provides interesting facts on subjects of significant interest. Get onboard and join his list, not to mention those lists of Brother Rats Paul Phillips, vmipd@bellsouth.net; Ben Elmore, benelmore@yahoo.com; Garland Sullivan, garlandsullivan@comcast.net; and Nick Kallelis, nickvmi57@yahoo.com, all of whom keep us informed on a regular basis of worldly affairs for our edification and interest.

Wiley Clapp, field editor for the National Rifle Association’s American Rifleman Magazine, had another interesting article in the December 2018 issue, which featured the famous Remington line of R1 M1911 pistols. Why not check it out? Wiley writes well and with clarity about

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Class Notes these oftentimes complicated firearm subjects.

Howard talked with Bob Christopher recently. Bob and Ginny live in Wicomico in the eastern Virginia Northern Neck area near the sister of Dick Moore, Nancy, and husband Danny Kiser ’62. They had all kept us apprised of Dick’s health’s decline. Bob advises he has “sold his boats, guns and golf clubs” but still talks with the same quiet pace and assured enthusiasm as he did in our barracks days.

It is always a pleasure to talk with Paul “P.D.” Phillips. Because of chaotic life in “these United States” today, P.D. can find reasons to be upbeat and is always funny.

Nothing has changed from our cadet days when Paul and Garland were constant visitors during Howard’s No. 1 penalty (15/4/60) confinement days. They were, as always, upbeat and cheerful with a bright outlook on life. They made us believe a good life has a lot to do with a good attitude. Whatever happens, keep your sense of humor.

Speaking of keeping one’s sense of humor, your class agent just received a call from Brother Rat Phil Miller, who as most of us know has faced numerous medical issues over the past few years.

Phil says he feels better now than he has in years with daughter Betsy in the role of his expert caregiver. Phil sends his best wishes to all members of the class and would like to reach out to those BRs in South Carolina: Bill Batten, Carter Fox, Sam Barker and Mark Doty.

Howard Lawrence and wife Pat are finally making the move to downsize after 44 years at their “1510 city estate.” Now, here is a BR who is so optimistic that, at 84, he is signing a 30-year mortgage on a new house. “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread,” so says Howard.

Their “new” near-by neighbors will be Lynn and Suzanne Avis; coincidently, the Lawrences’ first house was across the street from them.

Lynn’s sage advice about the move was to have movers handle it all, but to get rid of the “downsize stuff ” before the move. Good advice, if there ever was any.

Conversely, and going against the wind and tide of life, George Sydnor and wife Shirley have just “upsized,” having just completed a move to their son George’s house, built back in the 1860s by

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Class of 1957: The notations in this book are called “keeper of the recipe,” said Class Agent George Sydnor.

James Spiller, chief construction engineer for the James River and Kanawha Canal Company, whose two sons, George and Holis, were cadets in Company A at the May 15, 1864, battle of New Market (Class agent note: See mention of them on page 69 of the recent 2019-Issue 1 of the Alumni Review).

As a note of reference, the new physical address for George and Shirley is 1088 Poor Farm Road, P.O. Box 108, Fincastle, VA 24090.

An interesting note here on the family of our late brother rat Wade Douthat: Howard and Pat Lawrence had the occasion to have dinner, during a Super Bowl party, with Wade’s widow, Sis, who is doing well. Their sons, Andy Douthat ’82 and John, now head up and run the operations of Allegheny Construction and have just completed the replacement of a major bridge complex over the Roanoke River and the Norfolk Southern rail yard, the complex near the now demolished Victory Stadium and site of all four of our Thanksgiving Day battles against VPI. Wade would, and should, be proud of his boys and the company he started.

We had a nice note from Don Coombs before Christmas. He is still dedicated to getting some current health issues “in the past.” We are still counting on Don and Judy to add to our Roanoke ranks – maybe next fall. Don dryly remarked, “Remember that night in early spring, just after white ducks season came in, when the Corps had potato salad at SRC?” Surely, most of you will recall the mass stampede to the sinks that followed shortly thereafter.

We acknowledge that Bill Gay is keeping a watchful eye on our communications. Sometimes, but rarely, our executive editor George Sydnor will miss one of Howard’s many grammatical or spelling mistakes, but Bill is kind to pick them up in George’s absence. Howard readily admits that English was never one of his strong subjects.

Thanks to Randy Pendleton for correcting our mistaken facts on a picture we attached to his birthday card of the Pendleton-Coles House at Limits Gate. George Marshall ’901 dated and later married the love of his life, Lily Coles, there Feb. 11, 1902. Lily (Mrs. George Marshall), was

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Randy’s cousin. The house had been named in honor of Randy’s great-grandfather, Edmund Pendleton ’842, who lived there from 1881 until his death in 1899. Lily was “the local belle,” four years older than Marshall, quite beautiful and an accomplished piano player. Sadly, she died early, childless, of a heart ailment.

Now, let’s think about the future! It is time to plan a trip to Lexington in April 2022 for our 65th Reunion. Jim Piggott, with wife Toni, will be chairing this one, to plan and lead the reunion in the usual high standard set by past chairmen.

It will be another joyful and unforgettable class event. Reunions are a great time to share wonderful old memories, war stories and to renew long friendships.

Now, as you read these notes, it is springtime again. Time to remember the beauty of springtime in Lexington with the brilliant colors surrounding the Parade Ground, with the never to forget back-drop of House Mountain and finals fast approaching.

So as we begin 2019, let us congratulate one another on “standing in ranks” for the coming year, and may it be a good one for all.

And if you have not heard, the Class of 1957 had the highest percentage participation of any Class, after 1945, in last year’s 2017-18 Annual Fund – an amazing 70 percent that was remarkable and much appreciated. Our thanks and congratulations for your record participation. Remember, it’s all about helping the cadets. June 30 is just around the corner, so please continue your steadfast support.

Beat Catawba, hey. Stand tall (“relatively”) brother rats – proud to be your class agents.

George and Howard

from the gim. Otherwise, our young team has talent and should have more success the rest of the season and next year. And despite the frustrations with our football team, we have to remember that they, too, are doing better than they have in many years. As mentioned in the

Class of 1958: This Napoleon inkwell was Jan Woodman’s posthumous gift to Lee McCown.

1958

Lee McCown

It’s the dead of winter as I write these notes, and I just got back from VMI’s home basketball game against Samford, which we lost in overtime. We have lost four other SoCon games by three points or less, shades of the football season. The team has been without the services of two starters from last season due to injury, and our 6’10” center has just returned

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Class of 1958: Drew Troxler is recovering from a cracked hip, and we wish him well.

most recent Alumni Review, VMI had the most representatives of any SoCon school on the allfreshman squads.

I took my grandson, Jack McCown, age 16 and the son of my son, Derek McCown ’89, to this game. He is seriously considering VMI and the Marine Corps and is doing an Institute overnight in March. Our grandson, Jefferson Miles, also 16 and the son of Laura’s daughter, the Rev. Alane Cameron Ford, is doing an overnight in February. VMI’s open house opportunities take place all day Friday, with an overnight in barracks and activities Saturday morning. The Institute has found these experiences to be instrumental in cadet recruitment.

We decline to predict the outcomes of our grandsons’ visits!

In emails, I have described my sorrow at the death of BR Jan Woodman, who was a great friend and always a help in gathering news for this column. As he declined, he moved from Lewes, Delaware, to Alexandria, where most of his daughters and their families, plus his former wife, Jean, live. He and Jean re-established a good connection before his death, and I believe he was at peace.

Jan’s sobriety in later years may have escaped the notice of some BRs, but I was a witness to the change, and as you can see by these tributes that I recited at his memorial service in Delaware, so were many others. (There will be another service for Jan at Arlington National Cemetery, but the date has not been set. His parents are buried in a beautiful spot there.)

Bob Beale: “I am so sorry to learn of Jan’s passing. Over the last five or six years, Jan and I had periodic lengthy phone conversations which I greatly enjoyed. He will be missed.”

Hunter Clarke: “I shed a lot of tears, which is unusual for me. Doing it now. He was a good friend.”

Don Cuttrell: “One of my regrets from the years at VMI is that I never got to know Jan Woodman very well. I think of him as one of our true ‘personalities,’ along with Earl Bennett and a few others. To have known him well must have been a real joy, and I can understand the measure of your loss.”

Ernie Edgar: “Thanks so much for sharing the great pictures – brought tears to my eyes.

And the hats – so Jan. I wonder what happened to his old brown one. Miss him. Loved him, too.” (Class agent note: No one seems to know

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Class Notes what happened to the last hat. The first one was burned in celebration on Frank Hancock’s lawn after the victory over Tech in 1957.)

Joe Gray: “Jan was a great BR and friend.”

Gene Grayson: “I hated to hear about Jan. Way back in the Dark Ages, when I was class agent and had no emails, computers and stuff, most of my info came by mail and phone calls.

It was always a joy to call Jan. Lots of information on him and family and whomever he had been in touch with from the class. We solved all of the world’s problems in every call – a special guy.”

Tony Lash: “My earliest memories of Jan were knowing that he and his roomies during our rat year slept with their windows open no matter what. Whoa!”

Frank Norvell: “I appreciated Jan’s spirit and the fact that he often called to check on me.”

Jack Payne: “Jan was one of my best friends.

We communicated often. Jan was with me in Daytona, Florida, (1956 spring break) when we got pulled into the police station for chasing girls in my Ford with a loud speaker and a bongo bell.

You could always find Jan at a party by his famous hat. He even wore it at Louise’s and my wedding.

Jan had so many physical problems, but he was always in great spirits.”

Robby Robertson: “Jan was one of my favorite brother rats. I loved him greatly. He always provided us a reminder that life did not always have to be so serious. I managed to help him at the 50th Reunion. I had some very pleasant conversations before and at the 60th.”

Paul Royer: “Jan wanted me to play taps at his funeral, but I haven’t touched the trumpet in weeks, so I’m out of shape. I expect taps will be played by the U.S. Army at the Arlington service, in proper form! I hope to be there.”

Stirling Williamson: “He was a tough guy and a loving guy to the end. I will miss him dearly. This news makes me very sad. A loyal brother rat, he loved VMI and he loved our class.”

Gary Won ’81, a family friend of Korean descent from Alexandria, spoke at the reception about how much Jan’s friendship meant to him as a young cadet with English as a second language.

Jan would have so appreciated these tributes.

Thanks, BRs and Gary.

Jan’s daughter, Courtnay Weitekamp, presented me with a gift Jan had designated for me, an antique French inkwell with the image of what looks like Napoleon standing on it. Laura thinks it’s a reference to my class agent, ink-stained wretch

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role and the fact that Jan was ’58’s first class agent.

This Napoleon does not have his hand on his chest under his uniform but instead is holding a bottle of some kind. I’m thinking cognac. Thanks, old friend, and rest in peace. We missed the fresh pears and the Smithsonian magazine renewal at Christmas. Miss you, too.

I spoke with Drew Troxler, who said Jan had called him a short time before he died. They knew each other at the Hill School and lived on the same block in Alexandria at one point. Drew is in an assisted living facility, having fallen and cracked his hip. He is in a wheelchair but working on getting back on his feet. Drew was his usual upbeat self, and it was great to talk with him.

Our latest Richmond barbecue lunch drew 13 of us: Dave Camper, Jack Cunningham, Brooke Doggett, Charlie Hayes, Onza Hyatt, Dave Martin, Lee McCown, Moon Menefee, John Peters, Paul Royer, Stuart Whitehurst, Stirling Williamson and Sam Witt. Great to see all.

Laura and I had the pleasure of being treated by Don Cuthrell to a great lunch in his hometown of Williamsburg, Virginia. Unfortunately, Don’s wife, Carolyn, was preparing for knee surgery and could not join us, but she has made a good recovery. It would appear that Don is involved with every worthwhile effort in the city in addition to helping Carolyn with her successful pet sitting business.

He is a patient volunteer at Hospice House of Williamsburg, gives tours at Colonial Williamsburg’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum and also volunteers at the Liberty Lounge, a place for active duty and retired military and their families to relax, have some refreshments and use bathroom facilities, as most of them are travelers. He says all of the volunteers have had military service, so they relate to their guests. “Since its opening two years ago, we have had more than 150,000 guests and family members and are open eight hours a day, every day of the year,” Don says. A salute, Don, for all you do for your community.

BR Hans Meinig died in January in Reading, Pennsylvania, and is survived by his wife, Rusty, a grandson and five half-sisters. As a fellow civil engineering major and frequent section mate of Hans, I remember him as a really nice guy and a very serious engineering student. I just re-read his entry in the 50th Reunion booklet (reprinted in the 60th) which begins: “I was always interested in the different ways one could run the block.” I suggest everyone read it in full and enjoy. Hans was a well-rounded BR, and his obituary lists a

variety of interests including camping and model trains. Rest in peace, Hans.

This from Stirling Williamson: “Jane and I continue to spend time and effort raising money for the ongoing legal battle to preserve the statues of Generals R.E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson that the Charlottesville city council would like to remove.

It has been an expensive legal battle, and it appears that we are holding our ground. However, the city has a large law firm, Jones Day, working against us pro bono, so we need additional financial support. Several of our BRs have made generous contributions, and we would very much appreciate tax deductible contributions (we are a 501c3 organization), which can be made to: The Monument Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 483, Charlottesville, VA 22902 or online at www.themonumentfund.org.”

The peripatetic Sandy Yon is great about staying in touch and sent this news: “I’m just checking in to say that I am on my way this coming week to once again visit the Holy Land, including Palestine and Israel, along with return trips to Jordan and Egypt. And I am looking forward to a transit of the Suez Canal. In the spirit, Sandy.” Sandy’s travels in 2018 included Brittany, Normandy, a Seine River cruise, Paris and Burma. If not for two trips being canceled, not by Sandy, she would have done more! She is still volunteering at the Virginia Aquarium and a hospital and is working on a book. She says she now has 600 pages and is only up to year 2010. Her sons are doing well, and her cat, Nikko, is still the ideal pet, on his original batteries. “He continues to amaze everyone who meets him,” she says.

This latest report from Carolyn and Bill Harshaw is a full and exciting one. Bill says, “I am now a volunteer working at Eastern Virginia

Class of 1958: Don Cuthrell treated Lee and Laura McCown to a great lunch and great conversation.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Medical School. I have an academic appointment in the department of radiology as an assistant professor on the community faculty. As such, I am a one of the physician-interviewers of the medical school applicants with some additional teaching – very stimulating for my aging brain. Also, we have downsized and moved to an apartment in Virginia Beach near the oceanfront, placing us nearer to our son, Chip. He is the director of husbandry in the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. Our daughter, Melissa (singer/songwriter), released her Christmas album, ‘Winter Blessing – The Gift,’ winning fifth place in the top 10 Christmas Albums of 2018 in her contemporary music category. Her artist name is ‘Seay,’ pronounced ‘Say,’ after her mother’s maiden name.”

Bill also sent this extraordinary tribute to Staff Balderson, sent to Shelby from cellist YoYo Ma, certainly one of the greatest musicians of our time.

“Dear Shelby, I just heard the sad news. Please know how much knowing Staff and your whole family and friends has meant to me over the decades. There’s no substitute for passion. And that, Staff had in spades. But by turning it into action, into a concert series and then traveling by bus many hundreds of miles to hear a concert, to stay at the Algonquin Hotel or to share the memories of his beloved VMI with musician friends, this passion became family lore, the collective memory of which will flow through many generations.

“Yes, he has affected me greatly, too. In his steadfast support of this young cellist starting out, befriending him, sharing with him family and friends, passing on his deep love of Richter, he showed me what having character meant, what loyalty meant, what deep friendship meant. All of this he showed me, modeled it, so much so that Jill [Ma’s wife] instinctively knew how important he has been to me. She wanted to know more and asked me to be in contact with you.

“I am sorry I am too late in thanking Staff and acknowledging his friendship, but I can tell you his influence remains strong, and in so many ways will be passed on, because I know that an individual, by being passionate, through his love, by living his values, creates memories that will live on forever. With my deepest condolences and love to you and your family. – YoYo.” Wow. When Sam Witt and I had lunch with Paul Royer, our class car guy, he regaled us with stories of the cars he has owned “so far,” as he puts it. The number is 33, with seven or eight in high school.

When he was 13, he drove to deliver papers with

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his father in the passenger seat reading the paper.

The car that he had when he started at VMI was a Ford Model A that he eventually traded for the Trumpet he still has.

Sam and I visited Frank Norvell in the hospital, where he was getting more wiring to his pacemaker. He is now in skilled nursing at the community he had moved to before the hospitalization. On the way out of the hospital with Sam, an AfricanAmerican woman admired the VMI logo on my jacket, and we struck up a conversation. She said her daughter is a 2nd Class cadet and an older daughter graduated in 2011 in civil engineering.

We talked about the integration of women at VMI and agreed it had gone well. I regret that I failed to tell her that my companion, Sam Witt, was president of the Board of Visitors when it voted to stay public and admit women.

I had to call Frank Boeggeman (Boeggie) to tell him that everything I send him via email is bouncing back. He said he knew he was having trouble with his service, but as of this date, he still hasn’t had it fixed. He sounds happy and healthy, and maybe the rest of us should consider the benefits of extracting ourselves from computers. Boeggie reported that his granddaughter is a second lieutenant in the Army in the military police. She graduated from American University.

Jerry Paull reports that he and Dave Camper, Brooke Doggett and Moon Menefee participated in “The Vietnam War at 50: Critical Reappraisals” symposium organized by VMI’s Center for Leadership and Ethics. Moon and Jerry both served in Vietnam. “I thought the symposium was interesting,” Jerry said. “The presentations I found most interesting were given by Doctor Pierre Asselin, who talked about why the North Vietnamese won the war, and Doctor Hal Kushner, who was a prisoner of the Viet Cong.” The symposium presentations can be found at https://youtu.be/EcAjhdS7R4. Moon told us about his very dangerous service at the 60th Reunion. Thanks, Jerry, for your service in the Marine Corps and for sending this.

Joe Gray had lunch with Agnes and Bill Kump and says, “They seemed happy and were looking good.” Keep it up, Bill and Agnes.

Finally, we said farewell to Roland Tharp, who died Dec. 29, 2018. His funeral was Jan. 4, 2019, in Winchester, Virginia, where he grew up. I went, and so did these BRs and their wives: Betty and Joe Gray (thanks for the ride, Grays), Becky and Onza Hyatt (Onza grew up with Roland in

Winchester), Kay and Jim Stillwell, and Janice and Gates Sykes. Onza represented us by asking BRs to stand and told a story about a childhood trip with Roland bicycling up a mountain. He said their trip down was way easier.

Roland spent 30 years in the Air Force and was a colonel when he retired. He spent 20 of those years as a pilot and served a tour in Vietnam as pilot of an 02, an unarmed fixed wing observation aircraft. It was said that Roland could see missiles coming at him and could maneuver the aircraft to keep it from being hit. His wife, Nancy, died several years ago. They raised three sons, Brian, David (also in the Air Force) and Kevin. His grandson, Air Force Lt. D.J. Tharp, gave the eulogy. Roland pinned D.J.’s wings on him last fall. Rest in peace, BR. Our numbers are decreasing, brother rats. As Jan said in our 60th Reunion booklet, “Stay close and support one another.”

In the bonds, Lee

1959

Shep Shepard

Unfortunately, we lost another stalwart from the Stonewall Class. Baldy Fall passed away in December after suffering with Alzheimer’s disease for some time. His funeral was held at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church in Virginia Beach and the church was packed with friends of all ages; Baldy was much involved in his community. Jim and Bet Vermillion were there, as were Harlee Pate, Vern and Brenda Keefer, Danny Coogan, and Ned and Bunny Addison. Following the funeral, I received a nice note from Jo Anne thanking all of Baldy’s BRs for their kind thoughtfulness. Jo Anne said that she was blessed to be part of Baldy’s life and VMI for more than 60 years.

Baldy loved VMI and it was part of his character, as their daughter said during the “reflections” at his funeral mass. VMI instilled so many great values in his life, and he looked so forward to all the reunions – especially the upcoming one. Jo Anne will be thinking of all of us during that time, and just maybe Baldy and Donnie Dreelin will give an Old Yell for all of us. Our kindest thoughts and prayers are with the family.

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Class Notes Not long ago, Billy Traylor was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Yvonne and Bill have decided it is time to let you know about his condition.

She says that they are on a journey that changes day to day, but Bill is still funny, healthy and loves to reminisce about VMI. His blood still runs red, white and yellow! Bill wants to attend the reunion, and Yvonne plans to do everything she can to get him there, but time will tell. Bill can no longer use his computer, but he loves to receive cards and letters and the Review. When he receives them, he reads them over and over again. Please keep Bill and Yvonne in your prayers and send a card or letter to 150 Chelton Circle, Winter Park, FL 32789.

Ralph and Janice Rae Lawson’s latest trip was a National Geographic trip to Scotland where they visited the magnificent Highlands and the islands.

The highlight of the trip was the spectacular, like no other military tattoo in Edinburgh. It was a kaleidoscope of music, dance and entertainment set against the iconic backdrop of the Edinburgh Castle.

Eddie and Carolyn Barnes enjoyed celebrating Christmas in their new digs. They look back on the class trip two years ago on the French waterways when we traveled through Burgundy, Beaujolais and Provence with fond recollection and suggest we do it again.

Rusty Loth is also enjoying his new home in Trezevant Manor in Memphis, Tennessee. He not only gets to kibitz with Noland and Mary Pipes, also Memphis residents, but more important, he gets to spend quality time with his lovely daughter, Laura. Laura is an associate professor of French and chairman of the French department at Rhodes College in Memphis. She has been there nine years and has received tenure since arriving in 2010. Rusty takes no credit for any of her smarts, which undoubtedly came from her dear mother.

He is, of course, extremely proud of Laura and all of her accomplishments. By the way, Sonny Eskridge’s great niece graduated from Rhodes a few years ago. Laura was her French professor, as well as her thesis adviser. From Rhodes, she went to graduate school at UVa, then law school at Alabama and is now practicing law in one of her father’s law offices back in Prattville. It’s a small, small world after all.

Margo Cotton is doing well although she is fighting recurring problems with cancer. All the family, with the exception of Alan, came to celebrate Thanksgiving with her in Frankfurt. It was great to be with them and talk about old

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times with Chuck at the beach.

I received a note from Steve Riethmiller ’63.

Steve was on the VMI chemistry faculty for 41 years and has been retired for 10 years, but this fall he is teaching rat chemistry. One of the chemistry faculty members is Hannah Johnston. During a recent discussion with Hannah, she said her father had gone to VMI as well as her grandfather. Come to find out she is Duke Johnston’s granddaughter.

Also, Alicia Wheeler, who is in the psychology department, is Bobby Ross’ granddaughter. So VMI has the granddaughters of two of VMI’s best quarterbacks, Duke Johnston and his successor, Bobby Ross.

Jo Anne Dreelin Anstett is enjoying life in her new home in Ashland, Virginia. She is renting a small condo one block off the main road, downtown where she can walk to most of her wants.

The neighbors are great and have taken her under their wing and are helping with the heavy lifting.

For Thanksgiving, Jo Anne got together with all of her families in Virginia Beach and had a wonderful time. As much as Ann and I have tried, we cannot talk her into coming to the reunion. Although not attending, she looks forward to hearing all the latest news and gossip.

Bud and Denyse Kramer checked in from Sanford, Florida, where all seems to be well, as did John and Chris Patane who checked in from Moneta, Virginia. Billy and Sue Kornegay took some time off from setting up our 60th Reunion to wish us all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Harry and Terry MacGregor began their Christmas letter with statistics; they birthed four children and adopted two Korean kids for a total of six. All are married, and they have 20 grandchildren, six of whom are married, and they now have seven great-grandchildren with another on the way. That’s quite a legacy, and one that they can be very proud of. John, Anne and Jack Reed are sorry they will miss the 60th Reunion, but Jack is taking a mission to Haiti at that time. They wish everyone well. Bill and Jenny Lee checked in from Destin, Florida, and report that all is well. Max Guggenheimer hopes everyone had a happy and peaceful Christmas and is looking forward to the 60th Reunion as much as he is. Harry and Anne Ray checked in from the Charlotte, North Carolina, area and report that all is well. George and Marie O’Neill write from Kingsport, Tennessee, that they are well and looking forward to seeing everyone at our 60th Reunion, as are Buzz and Virginia Nowlin who send greetings from Hot

Springs, Virginia. Kenny Bradford has promised to try his best to get to our 60th Reunion Sunday; he is still teaching classes every day and Sunday will be the only day he will have off. Hope you make it, Kenny; it would not be the same without you there. Bonnie Pomponio hopes everyone had a blessed Christmas and hopes that blessing remains with us throughout the new year. Bonnie said she will attend the reunion and is looking forward to seeing all of Art’s BRs. Howard Sprinkle hopes everyone had a blessed Christmas and a happy new year, as does Joe Simpson and his daughter, Milissa, and son-in-law, Tim, who all checked in from Washington, D.C. John and Betty Ann Tompson won’t be able to attend the class reunion because Betty Ann suffered two major medical setbacks this past summer. John thinks that their traveling days are over as time marches inexorably onward. Ron and Mary Alice Marley are chomping at the bit to get to the 60th Reunion. They can’t wait to see everyone and enjoy the company and conversation with BRs. Sonny and Skippy Bishop checked in from Knoxville, and all is well. Both are looking forward to seeing everyone in April. Cec and Gordon MacArthur proclaim all is well in Conroe, Texas. They enjoy the emails and Alumni Review class notes to keep up with what is going on in the Stonewall Class.

Ned and Bunny Addison are so proud of their grandson, Addison Lagarde ’20, who is currently attending VMI as a member of the Class of 2020.

Addison is a sergeant this year; the first in a long line of Addisons to ever hold rank at VMI. He has apologized profusely to the entire family. Addison is a brother rat of Lee Wilkinson’s grandson.

Brad Willard checked in from the great Pacific Northwest. He sent several pictures taken from his front porch on Puget Sound. They are pictures of orcas breaching and getting cozy with a boat and its crew. Brad says this is an occasion that gets rarer each year due to the diminishing salmon population. He hopes to see everyone at the reunion.

Bill and Connie Nebraska have once again dispensed with Christmas cards this year in favor of supporting their favorite charity, the Citrus Family Resource Center. The center helps families, homeless and others in need. This past Christmas they gave gifts, 10 wrapped, to 2,250 children. Yes, you read the number correctly. Bill and Connie spent almost every day at the center for the month of November helping to wrap gifts. Bill and Connie say that it is such a great feeling to know the Citrus Family Resource Center is helping so many

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes long ago and found it to be larger than the children have a merry Christmas which Astrodome in Houston; it wore them out they otherwise would not have. just walking around the facility.

I received a nice note from Jeff Strunk, Bill and Mary Kessler are doing well one of Jud Strunk’s sons. As I’ve menin Long Beach, California, and grateful tioned previously, Jeff co-owns a resthat their “age related medical irregularitaurant and bar, The Rack, with Seth Wescott, two-time Olympic champion ties” are thus far treatable. Bill has been in in the snowboard cross. Their restaurant touch with his old roommates, Bill Fravel and bar is located at the foot of Sugarloaf and Dick Tuck, and enjoys conversing Mountain in Maine and sports a VMI with them. Dick and Vi are planning to flag that Ann and I gave him years ago, attend our class reunion, as are Bill and prominently displayed. Jeff is back on the Mary. Both are looking forward to seeslopes again with some new mogul skis afing old friends. Bill has been spending his Class of 1959: Rusty Loth and his daughter, Laura Jane, durretirement time writing. He and a retired ter three years recovering from a massive broken leg. Jeff wants us to join him on ing Christmas dinner at Loth’s new home, Trezevant Manor Air Force colleague submitted an article, in Memphis, Tennessee.

“The Beginning of AWACS (Airborne the slopes next year. Little does he know Warning and Control System),” to Air that we have trouble just getting up in the Force Magazine and the Air Force Hismorning. Jeff’s family, including wife Sarah, son Mason (19) and daughter Cassidy torical Research Agency to document (14), are all doing well. the effort required to get AWACS started.

Max and Lee Ann Blanchard were A few years ago Bill, Bill Jr. and Mary shocked, as we all were, by the death of submitted an article to Wikipedia. The their dear friends Hal and Barbara Dayarticle was accepted and can be found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_ huff. Lee Ann had known Hal since Kessler_(naval_historian). Recently, they she was 4 years old. Their fathers were have submitted a second article to Wikibrother rats, and it was Hal who arranged a blind date for her and Max at finals of pedia and are waiting for a response. Bill our rat year. A granddaughter’s graduakeeps in touch with Bill Wray ’63 and Leland Caldwell ’63 to get updates on tion, weddings, celebrating Lee Ann’s their blind BR who is currently getting 80th birthday and the birth of their first in physical shape to undergo eye surgergrandchild highlighted their year. Max Class of 1959: Rogers and Susan McCall, Taylor and John is doing pretty good, and when he does Moore, and Laura McCall at a summer wedding in Blow- ies. We are hoping that eventually his not want to entrust his power chair to the ing Rock, North Carolina. eyesight will be partially or completely airlines, he stays in a respite care facilrestored.

Lloyd and Bette Thacker are doing well. Lloyd ity while Lee Ann goes gallivanting all over the is on the mend after having some back surgery country. in October but he expects to be back on the golf In the last class notes, I mentioned Don and course by the first of the year. Both are looking Carol Messner took a Canadian Rockies train forward to our 60th Reunion and hope we have tour from Vancouver to Lake Louise and then on a great turnout. to Banff and Calgary. What I failed to do was to Peggy (Smith) and Al Colville do not think they include the great picture of Don on a gondola, will be able to make it for the entire 60th Reunion which I have done in this issue. this year, but they plan to attend the special memoCarl and Phyllis Kasko are adjusting nicely to living in Reading, Pennsylvania, although Phyllis rial service for our deceased Brother Rats. I think does not like the cold weather. Phyllis has asked once we get Al and Peggy to the memorial service her friends in Florida to send up some warm we can convince them to stick around for the lunweather. Overall things are going well; they are cheon at Charlie and Karen Orrison’s home. getting a lot of help settling in from Carl’s daughRogers and Susan McCall are doing great in Bristol, Virginia. Susan has finally retired from ter and son but miss going to the annual Florida teaching and is now devoting her new found time group mini reunions.

Class of 1959: Ann and Shep Shepard to her artwork while Rogers is soldiering on as Jimmy and Linda Johnson report from Georgewith one of the famed Weeki Wachee long as his clients will tolerate him. Their No. 1 town, Texas, that they are alive and doing well. mermaids. daughter, Taylor, recently married Lt. John Moore They went to the Fort Hood Post Exchange not

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Class Notes at the same church in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, and same Gideon Ridge Inn for the reception as Rogers and Susan did some 32 years ago.

Got a nice surprise from Dick and Linda Phillippi – a box of candy made by their beautiful granddaughter, Regan, the family “candy maker.”

Thanks for thinking of us.

John and Teddi Martin are looking forward to our 60th Reunion and the excitement of seeing everyone at last; it’s been too long. John retired as a hospital chaplain a few months ago, but all the spare time will be taken up with the planning for their move to a beautiful retirement center called Lakewood in Richmond next year. They want to move now so will not be a burden to their children later on. Best of luck, John and Teddi.

Judy MacWillie sends greetings from Central Texas where the weather is unpredictable but friendships are treasured and lasting. Recently, Judy purchased a new home. She and her beloved Maxie are comfortable in their new surroundings.

This year, Judy became a great-grandmother to four little people, and what fun they are. Christmas was a blast.

John and Pat Van Kesteren feel blessed to have had another year together and be able to share times and make memories with their children and grandchildren. When you reach our age, the greatest gift is to be able to watch with pride as our grandchildren reach maturity and achieve successes that we only dreamed of. During the year, John and Pat divide their time between Virginia and New Mexico, so they get to see their kids and grandkids on an equal basis. Getting to visit their granddaughter, Chelsea, is a bit difficult since she has just received her Australian citizenship and is firmly implanted on that great continent.

Spence and Beverly Tucker brighten up Lexington with their community service work. Spence just completed what will probably be his most cherished book, “The History of the VMI Class of 1959,” which he wrote for our 60th Reunion.

Spence and Beverly are immensely proud of their family and their many talents and accomplishments from a museum curator in Tacoma to a restorer of plantations in Beaufort to college graduates in Texas and Washington to planet saver in New York to a professional hypnotist in Dallas.

Penn and Betty Whitescarver find it hard to deal with the fact that our kids are in their 50s and our grandchildren are in or graduated from college or married and raising families. Penn is still running his environmental business full

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time, playing tennis and serving on three community boards. Betty is golfing twice a week with their son, J.P., who recently gave her a new driver that promises to be magic. Penn reported an interesting experience while teaching a stormwater compliance class to the Navy’s NAVFAC. One of the female students, Molly Bergren ’08, observed Penn’s class ring and ask him what class?

Penn responded VMI ’59. Penn then asked Molly to tell the class about women at VMI and in the Air Force. Molly related that she matriculated in 2004 with about 40 other women. The women came from all sorts of backgrounds, ROTC scholarship, NCAA athletes and, like Molly, just because it sounded like a good idea. By the time they graduated, there were only 16 of the 40 left.

Class of 1959: Ned Addison and his grandson, Cadet Addison Lagarde ’20.

Class of 1959: Don Messner on a gondola in the Canadian Rockies.

Her class had 12 women commission into every branch of the military, and the remaining four joining the civilian workforce.

As I mentioned in our last class notes, Tex Carr and Emily Hanzok were married Aug. 25, 2018, in Pennsylvania with all her family and friends attending. Needless to say, it was an occasion they will never forget. When they got their marriage license, Tex joked about the license having an expiration date. In Pennsylvania, you must use the license within three weeks or it expires and you need a new one. Tex thought it gave him a chance to change his mind if he wanted to. They had a good laugh about that expiration date, until Emily had to apply for a new passport with her married name on it. Ten days after submitting the paperwork for the passport, they got a letter from the government stating their marriage date was incorrect. Sure enough, the date on their marriage license was Aug. 25, 2019. Looks like they did have an expiration date. Since being married, Emily was not able to use her married name. Their plane flights had to be booked under her former name, and her license had to reflect that former name when she went through TSA. The church made the mistake, and it was fixed quickly. Emily is once again a married woman. Now, all that’s left to do is change all those other documents, not the least being Facebook account.

Judging from their latest adventure, you might think that Lee and Nancy Southard have lost their minds. They have just put their home on the market. After months of nothing but agonizing remodeling problems, they have decided to scuttle the whole thing. They love the house, but they have been influenced by a confluence of two events. First, Lee had a slight scare with some angina symptoms a few months ago and, given his heart history, he was concerned. Also Nancy continues to have some health issues. The second was the opening of a second development in a place they have been looking at for years. They passed on the first development because they did not think they were ready. The timing of the opening of a third development as nice as these are uncertain, so they decided they had better get there while the getting was good. With heart issues the future always has a degree of uncertainty. Lee continues teaching his class and continues research on the evidence for the Christian faith and the convergence of science and the Bible. He also made an online video concerning the book, “To Know with Certainty.” Lee appreciates the

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes tremendous amount of interest BRs have shown in his book. Nancy spends a lot of time with her mother and our dear friend, Alice Burks. At age 92, Alice is now comfortably settled in assisted care. After dealing with the bureaucracies involved with assistant living, Nancy has become an expert in the field and is available for consulting services.

Mel and Jean Anderson just returned from a cruise to the eastern coast of Central America.

They were supposed to leave Tampa Sunday afternoon but the U.S. Coast Guard shut down all ship traffic in Tampa Bay due to fog and they did not get underway until Monday afternoon. Due to the late start, the captain decided to skip Key West, which crushed them since it would have been their 212th visit there. While dining the last evening, Jean heard people at the next table mention Jud Strunk. With Mel’s keen sense of hearing he said, “No way.” Mel went to their table and asked if they had mentioned Jud’s name. Yes, they had. For some reason, they were debating over who sang, “A Daisy a Day.” Mel assured them that it was in fact Jud, told them about VMI and told them that Jud had another great song, “She’s Got the Biggest Parakeets in Town,” which they had not heard.

Ann and I continue to deal with the inevitable aches and pains of octogenarians. Ann recently had some serious surgery to get rid of cancer that unexpectedly showed up, but she is recovering nicely. She is an amazing woman, and I feel extremely lucky to have spent the past 60 years with such a remarkable lady. Kids and grandkids are doing great. We have two getting married this year, so we are looking forward to great-grandchildren.

1960

James A. Smith III

Greetings from St. James Plantation in North Carolina. On Nov. 16, I had a phone call from Jim Schaaf in Huntsville, Alabama. He was following up his birthday call. Jim will move to an adult extended living facility in Hoover, Alabama, in spring 2019. He is well. I also tried to call Jim Gibson but was only able to leave a voicemail birthday wish.

On Nov. 19, I spoke with Herb Vaughan and gave him birthday wishes. Herb and Terry were

2019-Issue 2

headed to Richmond for Thanksgiving. Herb and Terry also sent a notice regarding their children’s and grandchildren’s field hockey accomplishments. They wrote: “Our daughter, Coach Margie Snead, is in The William & Mary Athletic Hall of Fame. Granddaughters Cate Monaco and Sally Snead play on the team. Trinity now has four alumni playing for the College of William & Mary, four players for the University of Richmond and two for Georgetown. Five from this team will play Division I field hockey.” Great accomplishments!

On Nov. 27, I spoke with Henry Brown on his birthday. He was up and about early. He planned to have some friends over for a birthday dinner.

On Dec. 1, I spoke with George Miller in Nevada and wished him a happy birthday. George said, all things being equal, he was well. In a later note George wrote, “Jimbo, hope you all have the best Christmas ever! Been a great fall for us in Mesquite; we are in a river valley with mountains in the background, so we get fall colors and can see snow on the mountains, plus beautiful sky! Appreciate your birthday calls – great way to touch base and at the same time reach out. Thank you! We are well – minds are still willing bodies in protest.

God bless, George and Judy Miller.”

I tried to speak to Jim French but no answer. He got birthday wishes via his voicemail. Jim later sent me an email. He wrote: “Thanks for you acknowledgment of my 81st. I was out with my daughter and two grandchildren. I have some positive news: Both of my Model A Fords are both running aOK. Have faith now in taking them for a short spin even in some chilly weather. Not the fun they used to be but still something that keeps me on my toes figuring out what the heck is wrong as there is little help I can call on. The mind is willing to get on my back and service the transmission and grease some 21 grease points, but the body rebels. So now I take them to the Ford dealer for oil change and grease job. When is the last time you had to take your car for a grease job?” Roll on, James!

On Dec. 9, Howard Moss called to let me know that his roommate and our Brother Rat Tom Daniel died earlier that day. Rarely did the roommates Howard, Herb, Jim and Tom come back to VMI for any occasion when they weren’t together.

Tom will be missed not only by those roommates but by all of us as well. Tom’s obituary is as follows: “Thomas Nance ‘Tom’ Daniel Jr., age 80, died Sunday, Dec. 9, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Tom was a longtime resident of Bristol,

Class of 1960: Jim O’Dell, Herb Vaughan and Howard Moss at the funeral of their roommate, Tom Daniel.

Class of 1960: Henry Shirley with his newly-issued North Carolina VMI license plate.

Class of 1960: Jimbo and Ruth Smith with Bishop Michael Curry, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.

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Class Notes Tennessee, and born in Durham, North Carolina. Frances were enjoying a day without new snow, He was the son of the late Thomas and Mary V. having just received 12 inches. We all appreciate Daniel. Tom was a graduate of Bristol Tennes- what G.G. does and has done for VMI over the see High School and was co-captain of the 1955 years.

On Dec. 18, I got a phone call from Brother Rat Viking football team. He graduated in 1960 from the Virginia Military Institute, where he was a Warner Cole, who now lives in Pawley’s Island, proud member of the 1957 undefeated, nationally South Carolina. Warner left VMI after his 3rd ranked Southern Conference champion football Class year and graduated from the University of team. Tom served in the U.S. Air Force and re- Georgia. Warner roomed with John Moore his rat tired as a lieutenant colonel in 1981. After retire- year and wanted to catch up with John. It was nice ment, he operated his own small business for sev- to catch up with Warner.

I got a nice note from George Ax, who wrote: eral years. He was a former member of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, the Service Corps of Re- “We’re still enjoying living in the Clifton, Virginia, tired Executives, the Bristol Morning Rotary Club area of northern Virginia. Slowing down but still going! We spent a week in New Orleans the week where he received the Paul Harris award and was a current member of the Twin City Photo Club. leading up to Halloween. Had a lot of relaxing fun. Little did we realize that the week before HalHe served as an elected member of the Sullivan County Commission from 1994-98. loween is Voodoo Fest, almost a mini Mardi Gras, “Tom received a Master of Science degree in with costumes everywhere and lots of partying.” physiology from the University of California in Sounds good, George. Stay young!

1970. In fall 2008, he joined the adjunct faculty A long note from Ed and Sheila Davis let me at Northeast State Community College, where know that they are active and have active and wellhe taught classes in human anatomy and physiol- educated grandchildren, but most importantly, ogy. Mr. Daniel was a longtime member and rul- Rev. Ed’s health is good having received good ing Elder of First Presbyterian Church. Survivors reports from his oncologist. He continues to funcinclude his wife, Barbara Ann Carmody Daniel; tion as a deacon and to work with Boy Scouts as three step-children, Laura Leigh Demo-Stephens a unit commissioner. He and Sheila planned to go and husband Jeff of Canton, Georgia; Maria Ann to Israel in February 2019. He is also planning on Demo-Hungate and husband Rob of Bluff City, coming to the 60th Reunion in 2020. Ed sent an Tennessee, and James Andrew Demo and wife email with the following: “I am not certain exactly Tracie of Ringold, Georgia; six step-grandchil- what I sent in my email. I think I repeated some dren, Emily Clark Dillow and husband Michael, of the info in my Christmas letter. I continue to function as an Anglican deacon at a church in AlAaron Clark, Jack Anderson, Coleman Demo and wife Shelbi, Zach Demo and Ethan Demo; exandria, Virginia, on Sundays. I continue to work and twin step-great-granddaughters, Emma and with the Boy Scouts as a unit commissioner. (Did Ella Dillow. The celebration of life will be con- I tell you earlier that I received the Silver Beaver ducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, at First years ago and the Vigil Honor of the Order of the Presbyterian Church with Revs. Sam Weddington and David Welch officiating.

The family will receive friends after the service until 4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 701 Florida Ave., Bristol, TN 37620; the Virginia Military Institute, P.O. Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450 or any charity of choice.”

On Dec. 12, I tried to speak with Bill Toker to send him wishes but the phone number we have is not in service. He got email wishes.

On Dec. 14, I caught up with G.G. Phillips at his home in Millboro Springs, VirClass of 1960: Howard Moss and Herb Vaughan. ginia, to give him birthday wishes. He and

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Arrow?) I was chair of the Vinson Hall Chapel board this past year. I am the coordinator for our Great Decisions discussion groups (Foreign Policy Association readings). We have four groups which I coordinate. I sing in the Vinson Voices. And we are getting ready to go to Israel Feb. 4 with a clergy tour until Feb. 16. You know that my cancer seems to be under control with the Yervoy, which I took in 2015. So life is going well. By the way, Vinson Hall was first built for Navy officer widows in 1969 when widows received no pension after their husbands died. It now takes all services and couples which is how we got here (I was a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve and did two years, 196365, but did not get 20 year letter so no benefits).

Hope this repeats my earlier email.”

John Olsen wrote that his skeet shooting scores are “not too bad for a veteran!”

A note from Kathleen Robertson, wife of Ed “Robbie” Robertson, reported: “Just a note to tell you we are well. Started celebrating Ed’s 80th birthday with parts of the family at our annual gathering at Pipestone State Park, West Virginia.

“The children put on a shrimp boil in our cabin.

We had fun. Now for the rest of the family, we are celebrating Dec. 22. You are welcome to join us. His (Ed’s) real birthday is the 29th. Our local grandchildren (12) keep us entertained with their activities and pop-ins. We are happy they still like to come by. The first question is usually, ‘What’s for dinner?’ We don’t get lonely. Trust you and yours will have a blessed holiday season.”

On Dec. 21, I spoke with Bo Bowles to wish him a happy birthday. Bo was still at work. No telling how long he will continue, but more power to him.

Christmas has come and gone with too many gifts and many blessings. I appreciate the many wonderful Christmas cards we received.

They were too numerous to list but know that Ruth and I are so grateful to remembered at this special time of year by so many of you. We hope your Christmas was a blessed one. I hope 2019 is a healthy and safe year for you all.

On Dec. 30, I spoke with Art Grafton, who was celebrating his 81st birthday. He was well. He got the wish for many more birthdays.

On Jan. 2, emailed Hap Miller for his birthday. Hap and Mary are on an “around the world” cruise, so I got an email from Perth, Australia. He is glad to be in the company of other “middle agers.”

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes On Jan. 3, I spoke with Bill Giles to give him birthday wishes. Bill’s wife, Eileen, took him to lunch, and his children are taking him to dinner.

It’s nice to be spoiled.

I was in the Dominican Republic with a surgical project Jan. 5-18. We gratefully accomplished our mission but it is nice to be back home. While away, I either spoke with or emailed the following brother rats on their birthdays: Jan. 5, Tom Kurkoski, Jim Bagby; Jan. 6, Ed Davis, Nick Hester; Jan. 9, Chris Fleet; Jan. 12, Ashby Chamberlin, Jerry Lawson; Jan. 14, Pete McGue, Dave Bissett; Jan. 16, Ray Crickenberger, Bob Gianella; Jan. 17, Ed Tolley; and Jan. 19, Troy Williams.

On a very sad note, while away, I got a call from Bob Clay’s son letting me know that Bob died Jan. 15. Bob’s obituary is as follows: “Robert Edward Clay Jr., a native and lifelong resident of Smithfield, Virginia, died Jan. 15, 2019. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lucy Langhorne Gwaltney Clay, who was his kindergarten sweetheart. He was born July 8, 1938, and was the son of the late Robert Edward Clay and Rosa Lee Johnson Clay.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons, Robert Edward Clay III and wife Laurie, and Howard Gwaltney Clay and wife Leigh Anne; daughter, Katherine Langhorne Clay Willis and husband Ros; sister, Claire Clay Amott; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews. An honor graduate of Smithfield High School in 1956, Mr. Clay entered Virginia Military Institute and graduated in 1960 with a degree in civil engineering. In 1962 he received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Darden Graduate Business School at the University of Virginia. After school, he served two years with the United States Army. Returning to Smithfield, Mr. Clay joined his father as owner of Clay Insurance Agency, from which he retired after 42 years.

He was also active until his death as president of Gwaltney Realty Corporation. During his years in Smithfield, he enjoyed and felt privileged to serve on various boards, both public and private.

A lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church, he served as a member and past Chairman of its Board. Mr. Clay was a charter member of the Smithfield Kiwanis Club, a member of George F. Dashiell Post 49 American Legion, past member of the Smithfield Rotary Club, past president and member of Smithfield Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the boards of the Bank of Smithfield, Isle of Wight Academy and Historic Ivy Hill Cemetery. He was a longtime member of

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the James River Country Club. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019, at 11 a.m. at the Ivy Hill Cemetery. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Smithfield Volunteer Fire Department or Ivy Hill Cemetery.” The following brother rats were in attendance at Bob’s funeral: Jack Horgan, G.G. Phillips, Bolling Williamson, Bo Bowles, Bill Elliott, Jim O’Dell, Howard Moss, Herb Vaughan, Jack Willard, Henry Brown, Bill Knowles, Mike Shoemaker, Mike Pitt, Nick Hester, Roy McLeod, John McLeod and me. It was a celebration of Bob’s life.

On Jan. 22, I spoke with Dave Lennon’s wife and gave birthday wishes.

On Jan. 24, I spoke with George Ax wishing him happy birthday wishes with hope for many more.

On Jan. 28, Al Denny Zay had a birthday. Email wishes to Denny did not go through. Denny, we wish you many more birthdays.

I received an email from Ed Tolley Jan. 30. He wrote: “I spent Christmas and new year’s day in Texas with son Andy and his family. (Eight greatgrandchildren!) I had attended the marriage of Tyler Tolley ’14, Andy’s youngest son, in October. Had a great time. While in Texas I called my roomie, Darryl Markland who is in Georgetown, Texas, for a lengthy conversation. He and Louise are doing great.” It’s always good to hear from and about brother rats.

On Feb. 2, Al Smith had a birthday. I got his email address later and have sent him best wishes.

On Feb. 3, Howard Moss celebrated his birthday. I didn’t speak with him, but he did get email birthday wishes.

On Feb. 10, I spoke with Joe Morabit and wished him a happy birthday and many more, as well.

On Feb. 12, I spoke with “senior citizen” Jon Parnell in Georgetown, Texas. Jon was celebrating his 82nd birthday and is doing well. I also spoke with Ed Martin, giving him birthday wishes. He was well.

On Feb. 13, I got the following email from Joe Stewart: “Hi, Jimbo. It’s a voice from your past.

I’ve been more than negligent in keeping up with everyone, and I’m not proud of that. So I’m finally getting around to dropping you a note. Yvonne and I are in Brentwood, Tennessee, about 6 miles south of Nashville. It’s a great place to live. Both our daughters are close by and doing very well, and we are blessed with two great sons-in-law as

well as two great-grandsons. After 24 Air Force years, I tell folks I’ve retired twice, quit once and fired once, not necessarily in that order. I’m still a partner in a pre-cast concrete business here in middle Tennessee, but I’m going to exit that hopefully in the near future. Health wise things are doing as good as could be expected. With the Lord’s help, I’ve beat two bouts of cancer from Melanoma and currently working against a recurring issue with prostate cancer, but that is under control. That’s thanks to being around a lot of Agent Orange down in the Mekong Delta back in the day.

“I’m still riding my motorcycles a lot and do anywhere from 4,000-6,000 miles each summer with my riding buddy who is out in Colorado. So far, I’ve ridden a motorcycle in 49 of the 50 states.

Alaska is still on my list. Going to keep doing it for as long as I can.

“Any BRs who happen to find themselves in middle Tennessee, I’d be really happy to see them.

Best wishes to everyone. Cheers! Joe.” It’s time to bring this edition of our class notes to a close. As I close these notes, it is Jeep Goodwillie’s and Bill Keen’s birthday, so I will call them later. Thank you to all who have sent me emails to stay in touch. Remember that 2020 is our 60th Reunion year, so make plans. More about that later.

G.G. Phillips, Peanuts Elliott and Henry Brown are chairmen. It will be a good one. Dates to follow. Remember VMI in your charitable donations.

Also remember our Eagle Bayliss Scholarship.

You have all been wonderful with your contributions thus far. It’s a privilege to be your class agent. I look forward to hearing from you all. As we begin our 80th decade in our lives, some of you have been there for a year, I’m reminded of the latest Toby Keith song, “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” Stay young, my brother rats! Until next time.

In the spirit, Jimbo

1961

Sal Vitale Jr.

Happy New Year! In the last Review, I did not receive the picture of Institute Society Dinner attendees in time for printing. The picture is in these notes. For the last three months, Sue

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Class Notes and I have been busy and fortunately have had a lot of opportunities to be with the brother rats and widows. The ODU football weekend was very pleasant, and we had a wonderful time at Robert Williamson’s house before the game. Everyone brought a dish to share, and we had enough food to feed a small army. The featured dish was prepared on-site by Ashby Taylor which consisted of oysters and clams steamed to perfection using an old secret family recipe. Robert was able to stream the game on his TV, and several folks took advantage of it. Needless to say, the game was very disappointing, but the gathering of friends was very rewarding. Those in attendance are listed in the picture except Dorsey Pender who missed the picture. The next week, I, along with J.C. Tharrington, Ray Hanlein and Spike Callander, attended Jim DiBella’s funeral at Arlington Cemetery which was very early in the morning. We met his wife, JoAnn, and daughter at the chapel at Fort Myer, and they said the flower arrangement delivered for his service in New Jersey was very beautiful. After the service, the four of us went for breakfast at one of Hanlein’s favorite Silver Diners. Sue and I spent Thanksgiving with our kids in Maryland and while there celebrated daughter Barbara’s 50th birthday. Time is flying! As November came to close, we attended Garland Payne’s 80th birthday. I never realized how involved Garland, aka George or G.G., is in Norfolk and Virginia Beach political and community activities.

Class of 1961: The class held a Christmas lunch at the Waypoint Restaurant in Williamsburg, Virginia, Dec. 7, 2018. Present were, from left, on the floor, Joanne Respess, Sylvia Woodcock, Gaylia Hudgins, Sue Vitale and Nancy Whitehouse. Seated: Beth Legum, Blair Bickford, Hannelore Garrison, Joyce Gibbings, Pat Hoskins, Kim Wise, Jan Clarkson, Judy Youngblood, Frankie Ring, Geraldine Nicholas Moore and Sal Vitale. Standing: Jerri Curtis, Dennis Curtis, Willard Hoskins, Garland Payne, Bill Nelms, Jim Bickford, Oscar Mabry, Ione Garrison, Stu Woodcock, Rhett Clarkson, Russell Stone, Bev Scott, Alison Drescher, Larry Wetsel, Larry Respess, Bill Daniels, Wyatt Durrette, Bill Gibbings, Kenny Legum, Larry Williams, Roy Whitehouse and Dick Youngblood.

It was suggested that the brother rats get together for a Christmas lunch at the Waypoint restaurant in Williamsburg, and again we had a great time with wonderful service and food. Those who attended are listed with the picture. It was nice to visit with Hannelore Garrison, and her daughter, Ione Garrison. Sylvia Woodcock created beautiful Christmas centerpieces for the tables, and some lucky people went home with them. The VMI

Class of 1961: Attending the Institute Society Dinner in Marshall Hall Nov. 9, 2018, were, from left, front row, Hollowell, Gibbings, Fridley, Keech, Richards and Hoskins. Second row: Gouldthorpe, Wilkinson, Vitale, Haslam, Hirsch and Lynch. Back row: Hanlein, Woodcock, Miller, Henning and Wetsel.

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Tidewater Christmas party was poorly attended by 1961. Bill and Joyce Gibbings, Jim Bickford and Sue and I attended. David Gibbings ’88 drove us so we could drink (smile). Christmas was in Maryland with the family. New year’s was in Virginia Beach, and Joyce Gibbings hosted a new year’s eve dinner. Larry and Joanne Respess, Dave and Charlotte Harbach, Larry Williams, Larry and Jerri Wetsel, Gaylia Hudgins, Irv Wells, Sue and I, and even Bill Gibbings managed to stay up until midnight to see the ball drop. New year’s day, Sue hosted a brunch for those who could remember to show up. (Smile.) Agent Orange has taken a toll on many of our brother rats, including Mike Bissell who is currently blind and needs assistance moving around. Every quarter, the brother rats in northern Virginia try to have lunch with Mike.

This time “J.C.” Tharrington suggested we piggyback our lunch for Bissell with the lunch event that Randy Williams ’66 arranged at his club for VMI alumni who have passed their 40th Reunion. Trying to make early activities in northern Virginia or at Arlington requires that I go in the night before and stay in the area. John “J.C.” Tharrington is a great host and a very generous person, and I have stayed with John for several events. The luncheon was at Heritage Hunt Club in Gainesville, and there was a nice turnout. Our brother rats who attended were Tharrington, Hanlein, Callendar, Harbach, Hirsch, Holmes Smith, Raine Gilbert and Mike. Others there were John Cummings

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes ’62, Sam Samuels ’62, Bob Neely ’64, Randy Williams ’66 and Paul Bernard ’75. Sam lost lots of weight, and I did not recognize him. As I heard from Holmes Smith, his roommate, Kenner Rice, and Sam “S.R.” Samuels got to know each other real well. (Smile.) Mike Vargosko ’59 lives in the community but was on the gim and missed lunch. John Cummings’ son is a two star.

Wow! A special thanks to Randy Williams ’66 for arranging the lunch. Our new dining room floor buckled and had to be removed and replaced. Our daughter, Barbara, came to help us pack up the dining room again so we could clear out the furniture. What a pain. Sue and I unpacked everything again, washed it and put it back. Sue and I have been in relatively good health and looking forward to March, my 80th birthday and celebrating it in St. Martin. This trip to St. Martin was canceled three times, and this time, we are determined to go.

Now for other class news. Tom and Annette Jones’ 2018 activities were a continuation of prior years. Annette still teaches challenged children swimming, and as mentioned before, Annette became a U.S. citizen. The only sad note was their lab mix rescue dog died. Our other Jones, “L.T.,” and his wife, June, are doing well, and Troy said June is resisting aging better than he is. Their granddaughter, Ellos, is an ice skater and competes locally and throughout the state of Texas.

Congratulations to Clayton Smith on his marriage to a lovely lady, Jan Bryant Smith. Jan is a friend of Jeff and Diane Barg, so I guess she has been exposed to VMI types. Clayton also often sees Charlie Finnigan and his wife, Margie, who live in the area. Bill and Danya Redd are still kicking but just not very high. Bill said they were spared from the wrath of Florence and still hear about all the damage to the surrounding areas. Leave it up to Dave and Edwina Thomas to not let any grass grow under their feet. This year, they traveled to Italy and visited the southern portion of the boot heel along the Adriatic Sea. They both continue to support the University of Maryland’s men’s and women’s swimming team and attend all dual meets around the country. Leola King sent a family picture, and I had to look twice because the boys look just like Graham. Mary Jane Roberts, wife of my roommate, Floyd Roberts, takes it a day at a time. Her health is good and cataract surgery has made life a lot clearer. The life now centers on kids’ families and the church. The December snowstorm played havoc on Connie Nelms who was trying to return home from a cruise. She made it as far as Atlanta

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where she learned that all flights to Richmond were canceled. After spending the night in the airport, she took a hop to Dulles where her daughter met her and drove her home. The airline delivered her luggage, which Bill Nelms considers a miracle.

Len and Judy Christie celebrated their 50 years of marriage in Paris and southern France. Len said Cape Cod living is great, and their house is finally done. However, his old Porsche was eaten by mice, so it’s in the shop. John and Irene Gangemi survived Hurricane Florence. Unfortunately, their dock didn’t, and it will be months before they can get a contractor to take care of it. Irene’s RA is under control with medication and John’s Parkinson’s is ongoing but he’s learning to live with it.

Charlene “Cricket” Witt said her hip is so-so. She can do anything but swim with her oxygen. Jim and Renate Mowery are doing OK and enjoying life in North Carolina close to two of their daughters. One of the children is at Duke University doing cancer research and specializing in oncology, and one is a professor at VCU. John and Linda Moore are doing fine, and John says with exercise, a good wife and the good Lord, he plans to be around for a while. They were able to make it to Virginia Beach for a few days to see their grandson graduate from Norfolk Academy. He will attend Hampden-Sydney. Fred and Sheila Kressierer feel blessed that they still have the ability and health to be active and involved. They are enjoying their adult grandchildren, and the oldest even treated them to dinner! One of the grandchildren received a full scholarship to attend Notre Dame University. Larry and Joanne Respess enjoyed the lovely traditions of a colonial Christmas in Williamsburg

and celebrated Christmas at home for the first time in many years. Bob and Suellen Reitz had a very exciting year. Their son, Rusty, proposed to his girlfriend of seven years, and they will be married in April. Bob Reitz chaired a fundraising campaign to purchase a handicap van for a local veteran. Bob’s daughter, Nancy, earned her doctorate degree in physical therapy and with straight As. (Not like her father.) Bob, along with two other veterans, was selected to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., and Bob was notified that he was nominated as a candidate for the Ranger Hall of Fame. Finally, as veterans, both Bob and Suellen each received a huge honor with the presentation of a Quilt of Honor made by the quilters in the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Rudibaughs’ Christmas picture of children and grandchildren totaled 15. What a beautiful family. Dick Hartman is still feeling the effects of two bouts with Lyme disease but managed to take a cruise to the Panama Canal.

In Costa Rica, he did a zip line excursion and said it was very disconcerting when the operator tells you the bracelet they put around your wrist is a GPS tracking device so they can find you in the jungle if you fall off. This is the one and only time Dick will zip line. Paul Johnston closed his cabin in the mountains early since Deb is having a shoulder replaced and will be in therapy until spring.

Paul, the former football manager, has been in contact with Dude Copenhaver, Lee Badgett and Marty Caples. It’s nice to know that somebody’s watching out for these guys. Harvey and Joanne Curlee have not been doing as much traveling as they are used to – you guessed it, arthritis and age.

Class of 1961: Robert Williamson hosted a pregame gathering at his home in Norfolk, Virginia, Nov. 17, 2018. Present were, from left, seated, Sandra Taylor, Joyce Gibbings, Alison Drescher, Randy Williamson ’88, Kim Wise, Sue Vitale and Bill Gibbings. Standing: Ashby Taylor, Larry Williams, Jerri Wetsel, Larry Wetsel, Pat Hoskins, Willard Hoskins, Jim Ring, Tracy Meeks, Brad Wells, Irv Wells, Frankie Wells, Robert Williamson and Jim and Blair Bickford. Sal Vitale was the photographer.

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Class Notes Kim has been pronounced cancer free by a PET Grandchildren are big part of their lives, and be close to her daughter. Fred and Carolyn one is attending Texas A&M. Tim and Sandy Ayers moved to their new house in Wilmington, scan, she had two hospitalizations for different North Carolina, and are working hard to get rid damages caused by the radiation therapy. Both Bryant are doing OK. Tim included a photo of his sons, Mike ’88 and Chris ’91, but I ran out of boxes. Fred’s high altitude medical problem were life threatening, but she has pulled through and is now fine. The scare caused them to reconhas totally disappeared at sea level. E. Randolph of picture space. Joe and MaryAnn Lisiecki are enjoying their 11 grandchildren. Retirement is and Marlene Aylor relocated to a nursing home sider their living arrangements, so they sold still great, and except for a foot operation which near their son in Springfield, Missouri. Dick their house and bought a condo on the ocean at left Joe immobile for about two months, all is Parker is living the good life these days and en- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida. Ken Ayala is in well. Gaylia Hudgins is more energetic than the joying his eight grandchildren and three great- good health, and enjoys living in The Villages.

Energizer bunny. In January, she was in the Ba- grandchildren. Dick follows the activities of One of his major tasks is trying to keep Copenhamas at the Atlantis resort, and in March, she Voyager 1 and 2 which he worked on as the pay- haver, Crow, Burks and Henning in line. Ken is will be in Jackson Hole (cold and snow) as a vol- load radiation lead, and enjoys playing chess playing bridge and competing in chair (a hoot), unteer picking up elk antlers. Normally Gaylia online and reading. Dick is toying with the idea water volleyball and hiking. Ken plans to visit volunteers in the summer and fall so this is a of downsizing, but he sees it as a daunting. Dick the Kennedy Space Center where two of Ken’s new challenge for her. Geraldine Nicholas and Kim Lindquist had a tough year. Although digital telephone line test systems were once emMoore returned to Hawaii after 50 years. ployed. Ken was both surprised and She enjoyed the cruise to each island, pleased that he is still getting royalties and it was as beautiful as she rememfrom the last edition of his college textbered it. Geraldine will be with us for the book, “8051 Microcontroller,” that is class New England cruise, along with popular in India! Too bad they pay in her roommate, Gaylia Hudgins. Bud rupees. Hugh Gouldthorpe sent me a and Peggy Alligood have been very quipicture of Hugh and Larry Wetsel taken at the Domaine Les Crayeres Hotel in et. I did receive a copy of a page from his Reims, France. They attended activities high school yearbook. He was named celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the best all-around student, which inthe end of World War I. Sorry, ran out cluded “the most likely to” and “the of picture space. Lou and Pris Shuba most popular.” On the same page there traveled to Europe for a river trip on the was Brother Rat Roy Whitehouse who Class of 1961: Bill and Joyce Gibbings hosted a new year’s dinwas named the most studious. They ner at their home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Dec. 31, 2018-Jan. Danube (Munich to Austria-Hungary, both haven’t changed much in appear- 1, 2019. Present were: Larry and Jerri Wetsel, Irv Wells, Sue Slovakia, the Czech Republic and back ance from those early years. Hampton Vitale, Larry and Joanne Respess, Larry Williams, Joyce Gib- to Munich) and a visit with their daughbings, Dave and Charlotte Harbach, Sal Vitale, Bill Gibbings, produced nine students who matriculatter. They spent the holidays in Colorado, and Gaylia Hudgins. and Lou visited with Lee Badgett. Lee ed with 1961, and Bob Coltrane reminded me that only four are still alive: Bob, Buddy Alligood, Roy Whitehouse and Harvey Curlee.

Coltrane is doing his best to be with us a little longer and finished four months of rehab therapy for his left shoulder and is in the gym three days a week to exercise and rebuild his stamina.

After three years of hard work, Skip McDannald completed his assignment of salvaging his hospital. They are now on a stable course, profitable on a monthly basis and prepared for future governmental benefits that should keep them operational in the future. Skip is now retired, and in December, Skip and Harriotte were in Virginia to purchase crab and oysters. Jack and Nancy Bell are doing well. Jack is participating in a cardio rehab program and is back to Class of 1961: The class held an “old timers’ lunch” with Mike Bissell at the Heritage Hunt Club in Gainesville, Virginia, Jan. 23, 2019. Present were, from left, seated, Bissell, John Tharplaying golf twice a week and morning walks on rington, Holmes Smith, Spike Callendar and Carl Hirsch. Standing: Sal Vitale, Bob Neely ’64, non-rehab days. Don and Ann Rishell moved to Randy Williams ’66, John Cummings ’62, Dave Harbach and Raine Gilbert. Not pictured a new home in Coral Gables, Florida. Anne were Sam Samuels ’62 and Paul Bernard ’75.

Stokes moved to Hope Valley, Rhode Island, to

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes has difficulty standing and difficulty hearing and speaking. Lee relocated to the next level of care at his retirement facility. Back in Gettysburg, Pris had foot surgery and it went well. Lou said 10-12 weeks of not putting any weight on her foot was very challenging. Dick and Judy Youngblood had 11 to 12 inches of snow at their house in Richmond. Dick and his tractor moved the snow, and they were able to get out of the driveway. Bill Hala loves snow, and in early November, he got 7 inches. In January, a ton more fell and the windchill made it feel like 9 degrees.

The landscape pictures Bill took were beautiful.

Bill was scheduled to go to The Villages if he can get out. Mitch and Jennifer Kot flew to Munich in January to ski, but Mitch picked up the stomach flu and had a fever and was too sick to ski.

When he finally made it out on the slopes, he twisted his knee and was barely able to walk.

Mitch said there was so much snow that 70 percent of ski areas were closed, as were the roads, because of avalanches. Mitch and Jennifer are now in Vietnam and should be back in April.

Gerry Eubank loves to play golf, and after years of hoping, he got a hole-in-one Dec. 5 at his club in North Carolina. Yeah! Clayton Smith arranged for the second annual brother rat golf outing in early April at Amelia Island, Florida. I am sure it will be even more fabulous than last time.

Bob Polk, Rhett Clarkson, Don Wilkinson and John Miller played golf at the Pasadena Golf and Yacht Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, Bob Polk’s home base. They also played at John Miller’s golf course in Sarasota and plan to be at Amelia Island in April. Earline Thompson celebrated Christmas with her daughter and two granddaughters in the UAE and then was back in South Africa in January for Christmas with her son and family with all the decorations and the tree. Van Orden got a belated Christmas present!

The appeal to reduce jail time for the driver who killed George was denied. Judd McLester and his friend, Susie, are doing very well and remain attached to their respective communities, so no permanent joining is in the near future.

The following is an update on medical conditions of a few: Hershel Murray is doing great.

Edna Henning is doing wonderfully well.

Charlotte Harbach is in cardiac rehab and doing well. John Butler is getting weaker and is in hospice care. Linda Butler is taking chemo for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Ken Legum is cancer free thanks to the Hampton University proton

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therapy. Garland Payne is undergoing chemo for a tumor on his neck and is doing OK. Dick Weede is evaluating procedures for his issues.

Bill Gibbings is in lots of pain and evaluating options. Irv Wells is looking younger every day.

Jim Miner’s sight is gradually diminishing, but he is still able to drive around town. He quit driving at night (like a lot of us). Jim still can see the ball on the tee, but he has no idea after that where it goes. And so life goes on. Deborah Johnston is recovering from shoulder replacement surgery and doing OK. Bill Keech is doing well, and Marcia is making sure he stays that way. Sue Vitale is coping with her foot pain issues and walking has been a problem. Beverly Austin Hanlin is ready to take on the world after shoulder replacement and shingles.

Brother Rat Harry St. George Tucker Carmichael III departed this life Nov. 30, 2018, after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease. At VMI, he was editor of the Bomb, and “stoop poop” has it that the orange cannon ball, the Shamrocks, and boom in sentinel box may be linked to Mike. After graduating from VMI and the University of Kentucky’s College of Law, he received a Master of Laws degree with highest honors from George Washington University Law School and volunteered to serve in Vietnam. Mike left the Army in 1989 to become senior staff attorney and later counsel for the newly created Court of Veterans Appeals, which provided judicial review for veterans whose disability claims, had been denied by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Upon retiring from the court, Mike was the first recipient of its Outstanding Achievement Award. Mike served on the vestry of R.E. Lee Memorial and was a charter member of the George C. Marshall Chapter of MOAA in Lexington. A memorial service and Christian burial at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery in Lexington will be sometime in the spring 2019.

Brother Rat Dave A. Magee passed Dec. 2, 2018, at home. Dave was a private person says his wife, Carole, except on email where he sent me and others lots of wonderful sites suitable for viewing by his seven grandchildren and mine. Dave received his master’s degree from Lehigh University, served in the military and retired as a lieutenant colonel. Dave was a sales engineer for U.S. Steel, a national steel manufacturing company, and I would see him at engineer conferences. Charlie and Margie

Finnigan attended Dave’s memorial service.

Brother Rat Frank Emmett Deaner died peacefully at home surrounded by his wife, Missy, and family Feb. 5, 2019, after a long and courageous bout with cancer. Frank left VMI after his rat year and went on to Lynchburg College and was a member of the Virginia Army National Guard. Several years ago Frank’s rat paddle came into my possession. I called Frank, and he said some young lady (early in his life) didn’t return it. The paddle eventually found its way to a yard sale and then to me. I returned it! During the past several months, Alison Drescher visited Frank in Washington and said Frank was suffering. Alison attended the funeral.

Brother Rat Michael Norman Bissell met his creator Feb. 7, 2019. I know Mike is the most highly-decorated U.S. soldier God has in heaven.

Mike will be buried in Arlington in the near future and I am sure many of us will be there to honor him. There is not enough space to tell Mike’s story except to say he was a great God-loving unselfish person who did good for everyone.

I want to thank all of the brother rats, widows and VMI friends who took the time to remember Sue and me at Christmas: Alligood, Ayala, Bell, Bella, Bradshaw, Bryant, Burks, Callander, Christie, Coen, Coltrane, Copenhaver, Curlee, Curtis, Daniels, Drescher, Durrette, Elliott, Bill Eubank, Gerry Eubank, Fridley, Gabbert, Gangemi, Gibbings, Goldman, Gouldthorpe, Hanlein, Harbach, Hala, Dick Hartman, Hartford, Henning, Hirsch, Ed Hollowell, Rod Hudgins, Jarvis, Paul Johnston, Tom Jones, Troy “L.T.” Jones, Kiger, Kot, Kressierer, Lisiecki, Maurer, David Martin, Miner, Moore, H. Murray, Myruski, Nelms, Orndorff, Parker, Bill Phillips, Phlegar, Polk, Popp, Redd, Reitz, Rice, Ring, Pete Roberts, Beverley Scott, Stephenson, Thomas, Wash, Weede, Wetsel, Whalen, Whitehouse, Williamson, Youngblood, Marina Van Orden, Rudibaugh, Haslam, Oliver, Dot Templeton, Dick Stone, Maria Anjier, Rutledge, Barbara Jean LeFon, Gaylia Hudgins, Kim Wise, Shuba, Geraldine Nicholas Moore, Mary Martin, Clayton Smith, Keech, Tarrall, Fox, Nancy Phillips, Respess, Wilkinson, Mowery, Charlene Witt, Leola King and Elfriede Winiker.

From VMI friends: Ancher Madison ’64, Tori Lewane ’50B and Pat Webb.

That is all the class news through Feb. 10. Stay well, in touch and enjoy the spring and summer.

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Class Notes American Protestants, were President Trump’s Middle East peace envoy, Jason Greenblatt, a priest and a rabbi. In mid-October, John was the Monty Williams keynote closing speaker at American University’s Kogod School of Business’ Fifth Annual Conference on Sovereign Wealth Funds. In addition, Jerry Burnett only five days after he was with Jamal Khashoggi, his friend for more than a quarter of a century, and who was murdered Oct. 2 at the Saudi Arabian Consulate-General in Istanbul, John addressed the Gulf International Forum’s Second Annual Conference at the National Press Club. Throughout Oct. 31-Nov. 1, John served as the principal context provider and moderator at the Ronald Reagan I want to thank all who sent Christmas greetings.

Building in the center of the nation’s capital for They are a big help in helping me do these notes. I the 27th annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conferalso hope all survived the 2019 Arctic Vortex with ence. Gen. David Petraeus, previous CIA director, no problems.

CENTCOM commanding general, and a member In December 2018, we lost two brother rats to Class of 1962: Dennis Easley with his son, of John’s International Advisory Board, delivered cancer. Fred Consolvo died Dec. 7, 2018, and Mark. one of the three keynote addresses. The other two Gerald Connors died Dec. 21, 2018. Bill Mizell, were delivered, respectively, by HRH Prince Turki Rosser and Kate Bobbit, and I attended the service Al Faisal, previously Saudi Arabia’s ambassador for Fred Dec. 13, 2018. to the United Kingdom and the United States as After a lengthy sojourn occasioned by seven well as formerly, for more than two and a half desurgeries on his spine, John Anthony is active cades, director-general of the Kingdom’s foreign again with the Department of Defense, for which intelligence service; and, also, the Gulf Cooperahe has been a consultant and academic adviser tion Council’s secretary-general, HE Dr. Abdul since 1974. Since the last set of class notes, John Latif Bin Rashid Al Zayani, for whom the occahas served two times in succession as the keynote sion was his first appearance before a major Amerspeaker for the final graduating session of U.S. ican audience. Despite the midterm CongressioCentral Command officers posted to Afghanistan, nal elections being only five days away, C-SPAN Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United filmed the entire conference, thereby enabling milArab Emirates. In October-November, John was lions to view the proceedings. John delivered, to a the featured keynote speaker at four other intercapacity audience in the House of Representatives national public affairs events. One was in New Rayburn Office Building on Capitol Hill, the keyYork City at the Ziegfeld Auditorium (of “Ziegnote opening address at the National Council on feld Follies” fame) at a first-of-its-kind ecumenical U.S.-Libya Relations’ Second Annual Conference. conference featuring Christian and Jewish leaders Class of 1962: Bill Mizell and Jerry Burnett.

Finally, Nov. 13, two days after, he and a dozen together with the presidents and secretaries-genof our brother rats attended VMI’s annual eral of the 1.8 billion Muslims’ two most Institute Society Dinner, parade, superinimportant international organizations: tendent’s reception and the football game.

The Muslim World League and the OrNorm Halberstadt and Sharon still live ganization of Islamic Cooperation. John in Buffalo, New York, and are doing just did so alongside the presiding Shaikh of great. He says it is easy to do well when the Cairo-based Al-Azhar University, Ismarried to such a wonderful woman as lam’s centuries-old institution of higher Sharon. He has been returning to VMI learning, renowned for its tradition of for the past 20-25 years for opening baseducating, training and developing the ketball games in November, Hall of Fame leadership skills of moderate Muslims dinners and to visit with brother rats and worldwide. Joining John, formerly a felfriends. This past November, he and his low VMI cadet vestryman with Jonathan son, Howard, drove to VMI for the openMyrick Daniels ’61 at Robert E. Lee MeClass of 1962: Niels Madsen ’08, Bruce Seiling and Per ing basketball game against Washington morial Episcopal Church in Lexington, Madsen. Per is Niels’ father.

College. (VMI won.) Also joining them as the sole speaker selected to represent

1962

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes was his older brother, Gary, who now lives in Ocean Isle, North Carolina. Gary was a very good basketball player in his own right having played at Erasmus High School in Brooklyn. Each time he visits Lexington, he has dinner with Lewis Graybill and Irene.

They were fortunate this time that Colombus and Phyllis Cartwright joined, and they had a wonderful time together. He always takes time to meet with Betsey Nicely, the secretary for basketball operations, as well as Coach Dan Earl and his staff. He was also fortunate to meet with other friends in Lexington, Lois and Paul Bouis ’67. Lois is the sister of Bobby Watson ’64, so it is always special to see her. As long as he can travel, he will return to VMI annually, but he must confess there are times he believes his son, Howard, is more excited about coming to VMI for a basketball game and to meet everyone there than he is – if that is possible. He and Sharon experienced a wonderful cruise this past summer to Bermuda.

They usually spend Thanksgiving in Rochester, New York, with their son, Howard, and their grandchildren (one boy, one girl) as they did this year. He decided about 30 years ago that he no longer wished to fly and everywhere he wanted to go, they would drive. They have driven cross country numerous times to California to visit with Sharon’s son, Paul, as well as south to Florida many times. They have driven from Buffalo to Alaska as well taking 34 days to enjoy Canada, the Yukon, Alaska (where the fishing was phenomenal) the Canadian Rockies, etc. The above is just a snapshot, of course, of the traveling they have experienced. However, the most consistent travels have been to Lexington and VMI. Naturally, to travel from Buffalo in November is dependent upon the weather cooperating.

Bruce Seiling celebrated his birthday in November at the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Joining him were Niels Madsen ’08 and Per Madsen. Bruce and Sheila were in Strasbourg, France, in August for the wedding of their youngest son, Trevor, to a lovely girl from Pittsburgh, Jessica Shearer. He says it was a wonderful city and setting for a great weekend event.

Stinson Jones reports that over the past year, he and Julie have been involved in helping their daughter’s recovery from a hemorrhagic stroke.

She has made a lot of progress and is back working. She can’t drive yet, so rides an electric tricycle. They are hopeful she will eventually be able to drive but she lost a lot of her vision. She

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lives in Santa Barbara, so most of their travel has been there. He is a certified master gardener and spends most of his free time doing volunteer work at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens when he is not working in his own garden. Julie is well and plays a lot of tennis. They hope to start traveling again in 2019.

Gary Kaylor is still traveling and playing basketball. He had a couple of teammates injured during the Huntsman World Games, and they came in second with the silver medal rather than the normal Gold. They also won the North Carolina State Championships. He spends lots time going all over the state of Virginia with his girlfriend hiking and looking at the historical sites.

He also spent several weeks viewing and hiking in the National Parks in Utah. His grandson recently graduated as the valedictorian of his high school class and has joined his older sister as a student at the University of North Carolina. His health is still good, but he has lost too many high school classmates and friends during this past year.

Don Kane says he saw Jeff Davis and Warren Reed at his high school reunion in October.

Cal and Roxanna Seybold visited the West Coast over new years to visit the eldest daughter and saw the Rose Parade. They always enjoy seeing this parade – the floats are incredible! After the parade, they position the floats so people can inspect them from only a few feet away. They are possibly more impressive up close than they are in the parade. He has renewed activities of his little service disabled, veteran owned, small business company, CCS Consultants. The company is now a subcontractor on a couple military support contracts. They do not have a firm Army or Navy supporting subcontract task order yet, but things are looking favorable for 2019. Their son (the warrior) was promoted to full colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, and his just relinquished battalion command has been selected to receive the Reserve Officer Association as the Outstanding U.S. Army Reserve Unit Award (Small Size) as being the best Small Battalion Unit in the entire United States Army Reserve for 2017. Their youngest daughter (the author) is working on her seventh book in her “Keys to Adventure” series.

Mike Lilge is in an assisted living complex in High Point, North Carolina. During his work years, he worked as a RAD PRO tech in nuclear power plants for 10 years and then worked in

radiation protection at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago until retirement. After retirement, he was in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and his daughter insisted that he move closer to the family in North Carolina. He has quit driving and is “Ubering” around town. When taps blows, it will be time for the heavenly roll call. He has a couple medical issues, congenital polycystic kidney disease and Parkinson’s disease. Both require medication and special allowances in life.

Orlando Severo and Joan are doing well.

Travel is somewhat limited with his touch of Parkinson’s. He is in a Parkinson’s support group, physical therapy and neuroboxing.

These programs keep him moving, improve his flexibility and increase his strength. Joan is good and a top-notch caregiver. She keeps him moving, and she is very caring partner.

They traveled in August to their granddaughter’s wedding in Huntsville, Utah. Their son, Mike, flew from Boston to Santa Barbara and drove to their home in Lompoc, California, They then drove to Huntsville and stopped in Las Vegas inbound and on the way back. They stayed at the Bellagio as a rest stop and came back with $500 in winnings. The wedding was great, the entire family attended. They spent a week with our family. Going forward, he and Joan will continue to support their family, church and community. If their health stays good, you may see them at the 60th Reunion!

They have many blessings.

Tom Meler went skiing at Gunstock Ski Area in Gilford, New Hampshire, Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. He met a friend, Jerry Morin, from South Berwick, Maine. The day was clear and crisp with the temperature hovering around 25 degrees.

In the spring, Bob and Nancy Miller took a cruise along the Norwegian coast and fjords.

They were supposed to go to the northernmost town in Norway but shortly after crossing the Arctic Circle, a storm hit with 40-foot seas. The ship changed course and headed south where they saw additional small towns within the fjords. They have started looking for places to move with one floor living. They visited The Villages in Florida for four days staying in one of their 1,600-plus square foot bungalows.

They played golf and drove all over the area in the provided golf cart and went to a few shows. Bob is sold on The Villages, but Nancy

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Class Notes the winter months in Florida and the spring, is more ambivalent. In December, they headed 2017 to the Baltics and St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia. At home, he and Mona play golf to Germany for a one-week river cruise visiting summer and fall in North Carolina. He hasn’t Christmas markets between Nuremberg and two to three times a week. Professionally, he returned to VMI since our 20th Reunion and Frankfurt with their son, daughter and grandhas only seen a few brother rats since graduserves on two boards and the finance commitation. He met Jim Cox in Honolulu while in son. tee of his golf club.

Butch Armistead and Mona still live in Los Brother rats attending the 2018 Institute So- the Air Force (’65) and Jay Scully and Bob Altos Hills, California, and have been happily ciety Dinner were Ware Smith, Chris Cart- Bookhammer in Dallas, Texas, shortly after married for 53 years. They have three sons and wright, Gene Bane, Carolyn Worrell, Bobby been hired by Continental Airlines. He had eight grandchildren which range in age from Mitchell, Mott Robertson, Larry Wilson, Bin- lunch with Bob Yearout a couple of years ago one to 18 years old. He could not persuade nie Peay, Howard Cobb, John Anthony, Doug in Asheville, North Carolina, while Bob was their sons to go to VMI, but they each went Marechal, Paul Rhodes and Buck Bradley. teaching at UNC Asheville. to schools on the East Coast (Duke, VanderBill Mizell attended his 60th high school reBill Lewis makes his primary home in Stuart, Florida, but they also have a mountain home union in Martinsville, Virginia, in November bilt and Yale). They all are married and have good jobs; two live in this area and one in near Waynesville, North Carolina. They spend 2018. Paul Ross was also in attendance. MissNashville, Tennessee. After VMI, he ing at the reunion were Allen Gustin, earned a Ph.D. in nuclear science from Bob Shropshire and Bob Fagg. He Carnegie Mellon University and, later, stopped in South Boston on the way a Master of Business Administration back to Virginia Beach and had lunch degree from Santa Clara University. He with roommate Jerry Burnett. worked for SRI International for seven Mott Roberson and Bowles Pender years, then started ARACOR, a techattended the Williamsburg Chapter of the Alumni Association Old Corps nology company. Their specialty was luncheon Feb. 5, 2019. Fred Lanier X-ray imaging. ’63 was also there. He says there were After the 9/11 terrorist attack, their about 50 alumni in attendance. Ollie technology came into high demand Creekmore ’66 says that there were six for security inspections at airports, seamembers of ’66 also present. ports and border crossings. In 2004, the Larry Wilson reports that Denis Eacompany merged with OSI Systems, sley and his son, Mark, were at a VMI Inc. and he stayed on to run a division rugby match against North Carolina of the successor firm. He retired in 2013. He and Mona have been traveling State University in Raleigh, North CarClass of 1962: Fred Lanier ’63, Bowles Pender and Mott Robquite a bit. Overall, they have visited 58 ertson at the Williamsburg Old Corps lunch Feb. 5, 2019. olina, in September 2018. There were countries with their most recent trip in about 30 VMI supporters present. VMI lost 49-7 to NCSU. VMI repeated its previous year with a loss to NCSU and then winning the Conference Championship, and the Nationals, finishing second overall in the country.

Thanks again for the input you guys provide.

These are your notes, so keep the info coming.

1963

Michael J. Curley

Class of 1962: Several class members attending the Institute Society Dinner at VMI Nov. 9, 2018, were, from left, front row, Ware Smith, Columbus Cartwright, Gene Bane, Carolyn Worrell, Bobby Mitchell and Mott Robertson. Second row: Larry Wilson, Binnie Peay, Howard Cobb, John Anthony, Doug Marechal, Paul Rhodes and Buck Bradley. Photo by Steve Shires.

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Class agent’s corner: Wondering just how to start this column – here are the sad facts. We lost three dear friends over the holidays; how else does one say that? John James “J.J.” White, valedictorian of VMI’s Class of 1963, passed away of cancer Dec.1, 2018, in Bozeman, Montana. J.J. loved

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes his wife, Marsha; his children, Kevin and Allison; running; and The Museum of the Rockies. J.J. was a holder of two master’s degrees, science chemistry and business; he retired from Cummins Engine Company after 30 years and was instrumental in the development of the Dodge Ram. Mike Smither responded to the news of J.J.’s passing saying, “If memory serves me correctly, his valedictory address was the shortest in history.” I had forgotten that, Michael! God rest his soul!

Bromby Luck Earle, wife of Bob Earle and mother to Bob Jr. (Robbie), Gibby, Corrie and Carrie, died Dec. 18, 2018, after 13 years of battling cancer. Bromby was a graduate of St. Catherine’s School in Richmond and attended Briarcliff College, where she graduated cum laude. She lived in New York City and worked as a municipal bonds trader for several years. In the 1980s, she was also a bond trader in Richmond and then, most recently, worked as a real estate agent for Long & Foster.

Following her cancer diagnosis in 2005, Bromby was dedicated to volunteering at the Massey Cancer Center and later, serving on their advisory board. I have many memories of Bromby to hold dear among which was her genuine Southern hospitality; treating all to her wonderful cooking skills at the drop of a hat was her forte. In addition to a grand party in 2012 at their Hanover County home celebrating Bromby’s seven-year mark free of cancer, she surrendered her house to 150 people for a mega party in tribute to Chuck Weddington during his waning months in 2015. My favorite memory of Bromby is of my Peg rubbing her feet for hours at a time in tribute to their loving friendship. Bromby, my wish for you: “May you soar into heaven and be joyously reunited with your beloved Robbie!”

Retired U.S. Army Reserve Col. Robert Renton “Bob” Baldwin, my 2nd Class roomie, died January 11, 2019, of Lewy Body Dementia in Randolph, New Jersey, after a long illness. Surviving are his wife, Carol, and children, Catheryn, Bob Jr. and Elizabeth. Bob was a mathematics major who was recognized as an academically distinguished cadet at VMI and also a graduate of the Washington & Lee University School of Law. He litigated worldwide for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in New York City for 34 years before his retirement. Two of my most pleasant memories of Bob was a midwinter weekend during our 2nd Class year at his parents’ home in New Jersey during which Bob introduced me not only to Manhattan nightlife and Sardi’s but also to his sister, Petey.

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Now, there was a double date; Bob drove the entire evening in the heaviest traffic with his eyes glued to the rearview mirror – terrifying! After law school, Bob clerked for Mr. Chief Justice Harry Carrico of the Virginia Supreme Court and, much to my pleasure, included me in several dinners with the gentleman in exchange for an overnight on my couch! Specifically and purposefully excluded from this conversation are events involving Bob’s year with Beaver Bevins, Mell Lacy and I during our 2nd Class year, because I’m sure the statute of limitations for our sins against Bob still applies.

Thank God he was a good sport! Later, Bobby!

Scribe’s corner: The Richmond Virginia Rats (RVA) gathered in November for good eats at Wegman’s Short Pump. Managed to scare up seven

Class of 1963: Hobbs Goodwin reconciled with Santa while at a Christmas party with his son at a new friend’s home in Wilmington, North Carolina.

people: Mike Curley, Artie Phaup, W.O. Jones, Buddy Cato (drove from Emporia), Bill Moore (drove from Staunton), and Doug Rowe and Jack Harris (drove from Fredericksburg).

Anne Modarelli called Judy and me over Thanksgiving, and we talked for a long time. She’s doing well but admitted it’s been a tough transition to a life without Bob Modarelli. She intends to remain in their home in Tacoma, but the bright spot on the horizon is her daughter, Lisa, and family will soon move from Washington, D.C., to join Anne. We gave her an open-ended invitation to visit Tucson anytime, and I’ve no doubt we will see her in Tacoma.

He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere: I, of course, refer to Pete Brunel, who surfaced in November in northern New Mexico hunting the elusive elk on the 900,000-acre Jicarilla Apache Reservation. Too bad for the antlered giant which proved not to be elusive enough for Hawkeye Pete.

He did have help from two Apache guides he identified as Tonto and Kemosabe. Guide is code word for trackers. Pete has the meat!

I received an email Christmas card from Jan Gray, my missing in action four-year roomie. It was a welcome relief. The last time we spoke soon after the reunion which he did not attend, he didn’t sound very good and was monosyllabic why he missed the gathering. Subsequent phone calls and emails were not returned, causing many BRs and I to worry. I’m pleased to report he sounded great, although he complained of the usual maladies plaguing all of us. After a long hiatus, he also managed to make it to the Swamp Rat monthly luncheon in December. Now that you’re back from beyond, Jan, how about staying in the loop!

Class of 1963: Attending the February “Swamp Rats” lunch at the Hampton Yacht Club were, from left, front row, Kenny Reams, Charlie Amory, Kent McCraney, Beau Walker and Billy Bell. Back row: Fred Lanier, Johnny Mills, Taz Hubard, Bob Walton, Tony Holtry, Randy Williams, Ed Patnesky, Bob Powell, Mike Curley and Bill Wray.

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Class Notes Mike Curley passed Christmas greetings to me “No cruises or overseas trips, but that doesn’t every afternoon.)” Gary, glad you have your from various and sundry sources. Dennis and mean we haven’t been doing anything. Sharon priority well in mind! “For 2019, we do have Linda Crowley still seem to always be on the keeps busy with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a short cruise to Key West and Cuba on the books and hope also to do a riverboat cruise move, following up their New Caledonia and Master Gardeners, Garden Club, YMCA board Australian travels last year with trips visiting famand now she’s on the board of Leading Lights, in the Western U.S. One unfortunate event ily in Florida (Disney, of course), again in Rhode an organization that honors volunteers in the this year: Sharon was driving home and a deer Island, and again Portland, Oregon, to celebrate area. Sharon’s biggest project is organizing and jumped on her hood. So the song has come son Brad’s 50th birthday. Are we really that old!? teaching boating safety to all second-graders true, ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer!’

But they weren’t done traveling, because it was in Pulaski County. Gary goofs off and only Sharon is fine – car not so!”

Walt and Karen Kleine spent Christmas and volunteers for the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Egypt in May followed by visits to other family members in North Carolina and Maryland. The Ratcliffe Transportation Museum and the new year on a cruise through the Panama Canal. “We drove to Houston and spent the They finished off the year by spending Christmas Leading Lights. (He also takes time for a nap night with one of our grandchildren, in Hawaii with Brad and family. So when and they took us to the airport on the they aren’t traveling, both continue to cruise day. We flew to Ft. Lauderdale stay busy at the local hospital with Denand sailed on the Princess Coral for nis in the Cardiology Outpatient Clinic 14 days through the Panama Canal, and Linda in the Ronald McDonald docked at Los Angeles and then flew Family Room in the children’s hospital back to Houston and drove home the and as a “cuddler” in the NICU. Dennis next day. It was a marvelous cruise; we continues volunteering at the AARP’s tax had a lot of fun. We went with anothcenter, and Linda is still quilting. Whew!

Don and Karin Hargy were not the er couple here on North Padre Island stay-at-home types either, as they trav(just over a causeway and bridge from Corpus Christi). We had stops in Cartaeled with five other people to England gena, Colombia; Fuerte Amador, Panaon the Queen Mary II. “It is now our ma; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Huatulco, preferred method of travel to Europe. It Class of 1963: Pat Kelly, Pres “The Scribe” Holtry and Jim Mexico; and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. took a week, but it was a very relaxing McMahon in Tucson, Arizona. and entertaining week. If you have the We were supposed to stop at San Juan time, we highly recommend this mode of del Sur, Nicaragua, but the winds were travel. In England, we visited Bath and 35-45 mph and the crews could not then took the Chunnel train to see Paris tender us into port. It was a fabulous for the third time, and then flew home.” It cruise!” Well, I knew my holiday seaappears the Hargys will continue to whet son was pretty boring, and Walt just their travel appetite in 2019 with a visit confirmed it. to Machu Picchu in Peru and Ecuador to Billy Wray called me to chat about tour the Galapagos, even as they consider his current health affairs, which pretty a monthlong travel excursion stateside. much resembled the rest of us gim ridJohn White said his year was great in ers. He reported seeing Ed White Jr. Alaska, but it’s time to downsize a rather and two other BRs, Fitz Clarke and Carl large house for “one old man” and WilColonna, who left after our rat year.

Artie Phaup wrote to say, “Ann and lie, the 21-year-old cat. He claims to be I are doing well. It’s been a cold damp in good health but “increasingly gimpy.” winter in Richmond, but spring is on (BR, you are not alone!) It seems the exthe way. I recently spoke with Phil citing highlight of the year was the early Vaughan and Charlie Talbott. Phil December 7.0 earthquake causing minor and Donna continue the clock business damage, but “the shaker terrified Willie. with new offerings on the way. Charlie He stuck to me like glue for a week.” He and Suzanne are enjoying the North sent in a photo of the newly activated Carolina beach life. The VMI ’63 RVA Alaska VMI Chapter that in addition to Rats semimonthly luncheon draws a him included Brian Duffy ’89, Edwin nice group with Buddy Cato coming Higginbotham ’14 and Alexander ReClass of 1963: Pete Brunel took this this 12-pointer on the from Emporia and Bill Shaner from itzig ’17.

900,000-acre Jicarilla Reservation.

Salem in addition to the regular locals.”

Gary and Sharon Eifried wrote to say,

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Randy Williams reported, “Our Swamp Rat luncheon group is still strong after seven years of gatherings. In fact, our next luncheon Feb. 13 will be our 41st. We have 21 regular invitees and usually have about a dozen attend. All BRs and alumnae are welcome. Mike Curley has almost become a regular, and we are fortunate to have Logan Jennings join us on occasion from North Carolina. Lee Spessard joins us frequently from northern Virginia.” He then commented, “Maurine and I celebrated 50 years of marriage in December. We did not have a major celebration, just immediate family. We did enjoy several days in Charleston, one of our favorite places. We’re in the planning phase for a trip Down Under in early 2020. Like everyone else our age, we have our health issues but are very thankful we’re still mobile and generally able to do whatever we want to do.” Randy, at this point, the latter doesn’t get any better than that!

Mike Smither emailed, “It’s been a crazy winter with 4 degrees one day and 44 the next – heavy snowfall one day then heavy rain the next! As the saying goes around here, if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute. At least there are no mosquitoes. Betty and I had dinner with Mary Fran and Parky Parkman ’66. They have a timeshare nearby and visit yearly. It was good to see him and get into the VMI mode to compare notes. Lots of stories, mostly true, as our memories allowed. I met a more recent graduate in the parking lot of the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Manchester, New Hampshire. He is Ben Kaler (VMI Ranks website says he is Class of ’00). He works for the

Class of 1963: Walt and Karen Kleine transited the Panama Canal over Christmas break.

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Veterans Affairs and was pulling out as I was pulling in. He noticed the VMI decal on my car – always a dead give-away.”

Gwen and Pat Kelly spent five days with Judy and me in early February. Pat is dealing with kidney and diabetes issues, but he has an amazing and positive attitude, which, for an Irishman now restricted on what he can drink, is a phenomenal thing! Pat and I went to Tubac, an artist’s colony south of Tucson, where we met Jim McMahon for lunch. Three BRs at one time in Arizona is as rare as snow in Tucson. The four of us also visited the annual Tucson gem and mineral show. The pensioners found little that was affordable.

I received a call from George Delk Feb. 5, which happens to be the birthday of Tucker Oliver. George was calling from Bedford, Virginia, where Tucker is buried. He was killed in action in Vietnam Feb. 7, 1968. Tucker is our only BR to have been killed during the Vietnam War. George was in Bedford last year during the dedication of the local armory in Tucker’s name. To honor Tucker this year, George presented both the American flag and the VMI colors at Tucker’s grave and vowed to continue doing so every year until he’s no longer able.

Way to go, George, for representing the class and honoring our hero!

Now for the lighter side of post-barracks life, and a little “gray” humor from yesteryear. Being an identical twin was often humorous, challenging and occasionally onerous. Such was the case during the first few weeks of our rat year when I heard the dreaded “Whoa, rat.” I was on the third stoop between Old and New Barracks – the shortest distance to the rat PX above. An angry 3rd Class cadet demanded to know where his candy bar was. What followed was an altercation that immediately attracted a squad of 3rds. He was so steamed I didn’t have a chance to answer until he ran out of breath and language a sailor would be proud of. I innocently asked, “What candy bar?”

He responded, “The one I gave you the money to get me.” I perceived what the situation was and volunteered the possibility he was confusing me with my twin brother, Tony. The reaction was immediate and visceral. “Rat, that’s the (expletives redacted) dumbest excuse I ever heard! You’re lying to me!” Fortunately, Tony came down the steps with a candy bar in his hand. I wish I could have had a photo of his expression. “I’ll be (expletives redacted), you weren’t lying.” Tony and I

stood there for 10 minutes like zoo animals while the 3rd Class cadet assembled more classmates to observe and compare while I considered the possibility of transferring to The Citadel.

Stay well, safe and in the bonds, Pres

1964

John R. Cavedo

Thes notes will be the shortest of my tenure; virtually no input from the class except as noted below. Also, even though several photos have been posted to our private Facebook page, they can’t be copied in high enough resolution to be submitted to the Alumni Review. I’ve also received several photos in emails. Again, various changes to individual email servers result in not a single one was high enough resolution. Please, before sending email photos, make sure your server doesn’t reduce them automatically.

Jan Rudinoff: “We arrived back on Kauai Dec. 23 just in time to celebrate the holidays with our Kauai ohana (Josh, Holly, Chloe, Sabryn, Jeff, Sara Jo, Orion who all live on Kauai; Chris visiting from Stockholm; Paula’s sister, Eve, visiting from Sacramento; and the Bill Allen family) after spending four days in Seattle with Sarah and Elizabeth and their families. But wait, there’s more! Seattle came after a 14 day transatlantic cruise from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale following three months in Venice, Italy!

“Our year started out with the birth of our fourth grandchild, Orion Harry Irons, to Jeff and Sara Jo Jan. 7. February found us in Seattle to see daughter Sarah play Rosie in ‘Mamma Mia’ at the 5th Avenue Theater. March, April and May were spent in Venice, which has become our second home. We love it! We spent June and July on Kauai with a weekend in Kona to celebrate a cousin’s marriage and see friends.

“In August, we saw granddaughter Sabryn perform as Little Red Riding Hood in ‘Into the Woods’ on Kauai before leaving for London for a week (where we saw Bill and Rebecca for 36 hours!) and headed back to Venice for the Film Festival, which Jan loves! He saw 25 movies in 10 days! Colette and Rebecca were in Vienna in October, so we flew there for a weekend

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Class Notes with them. Granddaughter Chloe and her friend, Halia, visited us in Venice for nine days in November. We left Venice Dec. 4 to start our journey back to Kauai.”

Bill Crone sent in some information he had received from his son, Dusty ’90. Lots of detail about things going on at the Institute. Most of it not related to Dusty’s class can be found in your copy of the Institute Report.

Mary Jo Jordan: “Hope you and Sherrel are doing well and staying warm. It is not quite so cold here right now, so we are happy about that. Still, we are looking forward to some time in Grand Cayman to thaw out and enjoy some sunshine in February.

“We’re looking forward to seeing you in April. Sam would be so pleased that I’m still a part of the reunion and so welcomed by all his BRs. I’ve told you before and I will say it again: It means so much to me, and I appreciate always being included in the Class of ’64. And I especially appreciate your including Bill so warmly.”

Chuck Beale sent a request for contact information for all ’64 football players.

If each of you could provide it to him at cbeale@fca.org, that would be helpful.

Cliff Crittsinger: “Denver continues to be paradise compared to the winter vortex that struck the Midwest and East Coast in late January/early February! Looking forward to the 55th in April and seeing BRs and friends during my two-week stay at VMI.” Bill Grubb and I have had a couple of phone conversations recently. He’s having a tough time with a variety of medical issues but hopes to find a way to get to the 55th Reunion. But he has had some good news lately concerning his grandson, Steven Whitner Litton, who goes by his middle name, Whitner. He was quarterback for Weddington High School football team that won the North Carolina 3A State Championship this year. He was also the face-off specialist for the Weddington lacrosse team, a position that he has held for the last four years. And Weddington has won three North Carolina state championships in lacrosse.

Whitner looked at The Citadel because that is the school his father attended, but

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Class of 1964: Sherrel and John Cavedo on the island of Curacao in January 2019.

Class of 1964: Mary Jo Jordan, Lauranne Kitchen and Sherrel Cavedo in Scotland in July 2018.

Class of 1964: Jake Kleinschuster, John Cavedo and Bill Welsh at VMI’s Institute Society Dinner Nov. 9, 2018.

they do not offer lacrosse as a full time sport. He decided that he wanted to play lacrosse at a good school. He picked VMI because of its academic reputation and because they had a lacrosse team. He had a lot of attention from a lot of smaller “lacrosse” schools, but they did not measure up to what VMI can offer. So Whitner will enter VMI this fall. In addition to lacrosse, Whitner is hoping to also play football if the seasons don’t collide.

Joe Chompaisal sent several photos in to our private Facebook page depicting a festival in Bangkok. Additionally, Joe and Pongsri visited Croatia this past fall.

I also had a nice phone conversation with Walt Sykes. He reports that he hopes to attend the 55th, but his Parkinson’s may prevent attendance. He sold his home and now lives in an assisted living facility in Annapolis. He seems to be enjoying the place and the opportunities it offers. He’s in regular contact with John Thorton and Mary Jo Jordan. He also has a cousin who lives in Springfield and visits him occasionally.

Sherrel and I had the opportunity to visit the Biltmore in North Carolina just before Christmas. If you haven’t visited, Christmas is a wonderful time to try it. Though, admittedly, prices soar during that season.

We also took our second cruise to the Panama Canal in January. We did visit two new places for us: Curacao and Limón, Costa Rica. The former was very modern and beautiful. The latter, not so much.

I’ll have a write up for our 55th Reunion for the next Alumni Review. Unfortunately, it won’t be mailed until August. So, in the meantime, let’s give thanks to all those BRs and SRs who have worked so hard on the details of this three day event: Buzz and Jane Birzenieks, Penny Sebrell, Marion Garber, Dyan Crone, Dan and Sandy DeForrest, Bill McVey, John Thornton, Dick Atkinson, Wally Hawkins, Nelson Trinkle, Parker Duncan, George Warren, Kerry Hines and Tony Munera. Honorable mention to Mike Murphy, who put in dozens of hours attempting to provide a handgun shooting event/instruction.

Nelson Trinkle: “Karen has had a right

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes simple mastectomy and is recovering nicely. The big question is whether radiation is needed and then have a consult upcoming with an oncologist.

So for now, it’s doing a lot of research and trying to get on top of this diagnosis. The best thing I have learned about cancer so far is the only thing predictable about cancer is that it’s unpredictable. It’s OK to tell the BRs about this, as it’s early yet and we are praying for a good outcome.”

I did receive three Christmas letters which provided some information worth sharing.

Phil and Sissy Tucker have moved to Alabama, really enjoying the weather. They also have learned to appreciate the rivalry between University of Alabama and Auburn. Plus, they’re enjoying the Mardi Gras atmosphere and all the critters unique to that part of the world. Finally, they’re closer to family.

Jerry and Sandra Reid sent a really upbeat letter, despite Sandra’s near decade-long fight with cancer. They take a great deal of pride in their family’s successes.

Richard and Mickey Beatty, recently married, seem to really enjoy their new lives together in the state of Washington. With family in Montana, they get lots of opportunities to drive in the great northwest.

I did hear that the Kitchens and Mary Jo Jordan spent a week in the Caribbean just recently. No details, but the timing with this terrible winter we’ve been having is perfect.

In closing, please find an opportunity to send notes and photos so the next issue will be back to our regular form.

1965

Class of 1965: The brothers Wilkinson – Tom ’73, Spence ’66 and Bob ’65 – attended a cousin’s wedding in Tampa, Florida, in May 2018.

Class of 1965: Jane and Bruce Herczogh at the site of Jesus Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist.

family. Other BRs who made it were Bob Wilkinson; Granny Amos; Easley Moore; Richard Moring; Wayne Chiles; and one of Tommy’s 1st Class roommates, Louie Lahendro, with his wife, Ruth.

Afterward, we visited the gravesites of Easley’s parents (Easley’s dad was a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier before World War II began), and our BRs Rooster Riddick and Jim Hogler.

Easley Moore, Bob Wilkinson and Richard Moring had a photo taken at the gravesite of Sir Moses Ezekiel ’866, which is at the base of the Confederate monument he sculpted. It is a quite tall and impressive statute with a lot of fine detailing. Interesting to note that in spite of Ezekiel’s world fame as a sculptor, his grave marker simply reads, ‘Moses J. Ezekiel, Sergeant of Company C, Battalion of Cadets of the Virginia Military Institute.’

“I also wanted to let you know Jeff Gausepohl visited us a couple of weeks ago when he was here for some Keydet Club Board of Governors meetings. As you know, his wife, Vicki, who did such a great job arranging for the side tours at our 50th Reunion, passed away last July after battling cancer. Jeff is still living in California, but his daughter, Jeffra, and her family are near Philadelphia, so he is back and forth between the two coasts fairly often. Life is surely not easy sometimes, especially at our age. I think most of us in our youth didn’t fully appreciate some of our ‘experiences’ at VMI, but we have all been truly blessed to have been ‘bonded together in the crucible’ of the Institute, forming lifelong friendships that help us endure the rough spots on life’s journey.”

Phil Shu observes: “With reunion No. 55 in the

Mickey Finn

After Hurricane Florence, the weather has been much milder this winter, and as I close these notes Feb.15, 2019, the temperature is 70 degrees at the 17th tee. We do not have a groundhog as they do in Pennsylvania, but we do enjoy the weather he predicted!

Irwin McCumber reports, “On Jan. 30, I attended Tommy Lennon’s service and burial at Arlington National Cemetery. It was a bitterly cold morning but all of us in attendance were so glad we were able to be there for Tommy and his

2019-Issue 2

Class of 1965: Class members attending the burial of Brig. Gen. Tom Lennon Jan. 30, 2019, were, from left, Richard Morning, Easley Moore, Lynn Lennon, Lou Lahendro, Ruth Lahendro, Wayne Chiles, Irwin McCumber and Bob Wilkinson. Granny Amos was present but not pictured.

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Class Notes “On top of this, Jamie was transferred in her company into the in-house legal department.

They decided to make better use of her law degree. Of course, this quickly morphed into her deciding to sit for the bar examination and get licensed in Texas. The preparation for the bar exam began in earnest in October, and the exam will be at the end of February. The only downside I can see to this is that there will be two lawyers under the same roof. Dante would be pleased. In the meantime, it means that I have had a lot of takeout suppers and only occasional meetings with her, but it is making her happy, and she’s worth it.

“Next month, Jamie and I expect to be in San Antonio and will have supper with Mike and Bonnie Flinn ’80. Last week, as I was leaving a

Class of 1965: Gathered at Northside29 restaurant Jan. 24, 2019, were, from left, front row, Chuck Hough, Mel Brannan, Doug Thomas, Phil Taylor and Easley Moore. Middle row: Fred Bishopp, Jeff Wilkins, Cliff Fleet, Wayne Chiles, Coke Marshall and Will Scott. Back row: Bob Wilkinson, Tom Howard, Bob Southworth and Bennie Dyer. crosshairs, it is sobering to recognize and remember those of our number who have died as you continue to keep us appraised of each loss. Life has never been so precious nor death so less of a threat or a fear as we all seek to finish well. My wife, Jane, and I were pleased to spend a week in Romania and then a week in Israel in January on a Christian tour arranged by our Romanian friends. Even though we could not understand the language, periodic translations and seeing the historic spiritual sites were a blessing we will always treasure. I enjoyed seeing John and Janet Macrae ’63, Ray Brooks ’76, Charlie Ramsburg ’66 and Mike Schlosser ’67 for dinner and the VMI versus UNCG basketball game recently, and the Keydets played hard. ’65, ’65, ’65.”

Danny Hogan has volunteered his services “for the 55th Reunion. I would be happy to send emails to our classmates the same as our 50th Reunion. From the emails, I would know who will be coming to the reunion and let our classmates know every month who is coming to the reunion.

I think that helped with the larger group for the last reunion, and I would be happy to do that again. (Class agent note: Thank you, Danny!)

“Regarding the VMI book, I have commented about it previously. It’s a book that got me interested when I was wandering around the VMI post at our 50th Reunion. As a result, I have researched all the infrastructure at VMI – buildings,

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houses, physical facilities, statues, monuments and memorials – to provide their history. More important to me was to do research about the men whose names were applied to the infrastructure elements and write biographies about their births, deaths and careers.

“I think lots of VMI alumni will be interested in the book, as I am sure there is a lot of information that most alumni do not know. Once the book is published, I will meet with the Alumni Association to describe brief parts about the book. Looking so much for meeting our classmates again at the 55th Reunion.”

Johnny Mac Marshall’s life is never dull. Big work related changes from work to retired to ... well, let him explain. “As some know, I retired as Anglican bishop of Texas in June, but ‘retirement’ did not last long. I was called to assume the position of Patriarch of the Catholic Charismatic Church (Old Catholic Succession). This immediately became an administrative structuring of the jurisdiction, which occupied a lot of my time until I was formally installed Dec. 1. Needless to say, this not only means more administration [a form of therapy to postpone dementia] and, in a special way, a larger cross to bear, but it is a challenge that is keeping me from dozing through my golden years. In addition, later in February, I will have the sad duty of preaching the funeral of Virginia, wife of my late brother, Sam ’55.

Class of 1965: Brother Rats Easley Moore, Bob Wilkinson and Richard Moring at the headstone of Sir Moses Ezekiel ’866 behind the confederate monument he sculpted. The headstone reads: “Moses J. Ezekiel, Sergeant of Company C, Battalion of Cadets of the Virginia Military Institute.”

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes morning coffee meeting, I heard, ‘Hey, Johnny Mac,’ and I turned around to see our BR Norman Radford at the same eatery. Between such impromptu meetings and regularly talking with David Bywaters (who is in East Texas living on a lake and fishing), I am able to maintain some level of VMI contact, in its own way a link to sanity.

So far 2019 is really a great year for us, and Jamie and I hope that it is for all the BRs. ’65! ’65! ’65!”

Lou Lahendro with his wife, Ruth, attended Tom Lennon’s burial service and writes, “A couple of months ago, you sent an email to our brother rats telling of Tom Lennon’s passing last year in September and upcoming burial at the National Cemetery scheduled for Jan. 30. Ruth and I went to the funeral. Tom and Lynn’s two sons and their spouses did an excellent job with the arrangements. Rooms were booked at a major hotel that was very near Fort Myer so they would be available for friends and family who wished to attend the services and stay at that hotel. The evening before the burial there was a reception and sit-down dinner in the hotel. Numerous family members, friends and business associates came in from all over the country – a very touching and impressive recognition of Tom and indicative of how successful he had been in his private life and his Air Force and follow-on business careers. That evening Lynn asked me if I thought any other of his brother rats would attend – she was clearly hoping so.

“The day of the burial was bitter cold, and the service started at 8:45 a.m. A shuttle bus took people from hotel to and from Fort Myer.

When Ruth and I entered the chapel, I was really pleased to see six of our brother rats already seated in a front row – Easley Moore, Granny Amos, Wayne Chiles, Richard Morning, Bob Wilkinson and Irwin McCumber. The priest who led the service and the son who spoke did an excellent job. The priest even made a point of how terrific the whole Lennon family had been to work with – something he indicated was not always the case. I and others had wanted to walk behind the U.S. Air Force ceremonial contingent and caisson to the grave, but it was just too bitterly cold and all rode the shuttle bus.

After the graveside service, there was a reception and luncheon at the Fort Myer Community Center. There, we got the photo of Lynn, Ruth and five of us brother rats. Granny had had to leave earlier. Later, Lynn told me that it meant a great deal to her and her family for some of

2019-Issue 2

Tom’s brother rats to be there. There were many interesting conversations with the diverse group of attendees, however the one conversation that I’ll surely remember is talking to the fellow who was Tom’s F-111 backseater when Tom was the RAF Lakenheath wing commander and fate put Tom, and him, into leading the F-111s into Baghdad that night to start the Desert Storm military action. Tom’s F-111, with his name under the cockpit, is now located at the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.” Note: Lou and Tom were roommates our 1st Class year.

Bruce Herczogh writes that “not much happening here in Seneca, South Carolina, other than the local university, 4 miles down the road, claiming the national championship in football.

“My wife, Jan, and I spent eight days in Israel during this past Christmas holiday. We sailed on the Sea of Galilee, visited the Jewish fortress Masada, Nazareth, Bethlehem and of course the city of Jerusalem. Seeing the Wailing Wall in person was extremely exciting, as was walking on the Temple Mount and seeing the golden dome. Jerusalem is a fabulous city.

“The picture of Jan and I is at the site considered to be the place where Christ was baptized

by John the Baptist. The river is actually the border between Israel and Jordan, so the bus had to travel on a road through a minefield. On our side were two female Israeli soldiers armed to the teeth with M16s. Across the river, we could see some three Jordanian solders also armed but enjoying some drink on a terrace. All in all, it was a fabulous trip.”

Bill Cather leads his scouts. “This weekend, Feb. 15 and 16, will be my 35th straight Scout Camporee. Last month, I led my 21st annual 20-mile hike with 27 scouts and 14 adults. I really enjoy working with these boys. Both sons and my son-in-law and their family are scoutmasters and cubmasters.

“Mia and I are traveling as much as we can, as the doctor says it is only a matter of months before she has to go on dialysis. We are going to do it at home so we will have some freedom. We managed to fly down to Fort Lauderdale for a week before Christmas and are looking for our next trip in a couple of weeks.”

It is now May and less than a year before we gather in Lexington for the 55th Reunion. I’m excited and looking forward to seeing everyone again! As a warmup, let me close these notes with an Old Yell for ’65, ’65, ’65!

1966

Nick Hoskot

Brother Rats of the Great Class of 1966, Welcome to this edition of your notes for 2019! Beginning on a somber note, Rick Kieran’s comments, upon learning of the passing of BR John Fore, are appropriate to share with the class: “When we lose a brother rat ... we lose part of our soul. Each of these wonderful warriors contributed to our character development.

I am a better man because of my brother rats.”

Thank you, Rick, for these words.

Howie Lloyd and wife Ginny spent Christmas with their oldest daughter’s family in Fort Worth. They drove, as they had too much “stuff ” to fit in their suitcases, e.g., Barbie dolls that their daughter had played with which will now entertain the next generation! They enjoyed seeing the landscape change from the pure pines of North and South Carolina to the wooded lands of East Texas to the open lands around the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Howie recently “retired” after 19 tax seasons with H&R Block, so he is now really retired! Both phases of his life, in the Army and with H&R Block, ended after 26 years, two months, 19 days and went well. He did note that the retired/retired phase seems to be passing faster and faster. They also had an opportunity to visit several times with their daughter’s family when she was on active duty with the Navy assigned to a ship based out of Pearl Harbor. The three of them went over to Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe one Saturday for a 10K run and shut out the Marines by taking first place in their age groups. Good job, Lloyds!

Cliff Crittsinger checked in from Colorado, where “life in Denver continues to be excellent especially when you consider the recent polar vortex that slammed into northern Midwest and eastern states late January and early February. The mountains have plenty snow, and the skiers are happy.

We on the front range are even more pleased since that snow translates into the best drinking water in the U.S. come the summer months and beyond!”

Cliff invites all of us to come and discover a special paradise. Thanks for the invitation, Cliff!

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Class Notes reticent; let the Review staff or I know how you Pete Charrington reports that “things” are goview the Review. ing well in Villanova, Pennsylvania, with their Please make your calendars: Your next notes three kids and their families only located minwill be welcome by Monday, May 13. Have a utes away, which prompts many calls for last wonderful spring! minute baby-sitting or pickups from school or activities. Pete, after being called back to work three times after “trying” to retire, actually did so last March. Now, he and Anna May manage Lonnie Jan Abernathy to visit their properties in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, about five times a year for two to three weeks at a time, where they do some work on the properties but primarily hike, snorkel and relax on the beach with a “few rum punches or painkillers!” Pete is planning to get together It has been an interesting three months in Lexwith Paul Maini and Peter Farley for some golf, ington since the last notes were due and published. fishing and “catching up” with one another.

Ring Figure (no cadets got into major trouble), Bill McClure and Wyckie had a nice breakfast Institute Society Dinner on Founders Day (last Class of 1966: Clark Reifsnider and his visit with one of Bill’s roommates, Bob Sleeker, 2018 parade in overcoats), Christmas furlough daughter, Kate, rode 103 miles on the just before Christmas. Bob and Shirley live in (21 days, and some rats did not return), abundant Virginia Capital Trail from Jamestown to Richmond and back to Jamestown, Ponte Verde Beach, Florida, but their son, Alex, snow in the Shenandoah Valley in January (batOct. 7, 2018. and family live in Richmond, so they were in talion snowball fights) and finally Breakout in town to see their 12-year-old granddaughter early February. The Institute Society Dinner was play the role of Clara in Richmond Balwell attended by ’67 (see the last issue of notes for names and photos). My recollet’s “Nutcracker.” Bill notes it was an lection on our Christmas break is that it “exciting and moving” experience. was 10 days with travel that shortened it Tom Slater provided a camouflaged snowman photo, entitled “66 Quail huntby a half day on each end. For Tidewaers,” taken at the incredibly beautiful ter cadets, that meant around a five hour plantation, Seminole, near Thomasville, ride each way in Quick-Livick’s antique Georgia, that has been in Rich Hines’ busses. The aroma of wool (often wet), wife’s family for several generations. They diesel fuel, tobacco smoke, too much had a great time and even managed to bag alcohol and non-functioning toilets in some quail! conjunction left a lasting impression on As many members of the class seem to many. To this day, I dislike any bus ride be doing, Reyn and Virginia Young have and do not take vacation tours that inmoved (relocated), from their home of 43 clude lengthy bus trips. Most cadets toClass of 1966: Richard Hines, Jim Whitehurst, Tom Slater years living in a forest in North Arlington and John Jumper went quail hunting near Thomasville, day share rides home in personal autos to a condominium which “feels like New Georgia, in December 2018. with friends who have won the lottery York City in northern Virginia!” that allows them to keep their cars on Craig Caldwell likes the new “look” of post. Many POVs are parked behind the the most recent Alumni Review. He reports Marshall building, which further limits that the decision of the leadership center space for the rest of us. The autos on to make available the videos of the speakpost have severely limited local resident entrepreneurship parking at Steele’s ers and the panels on the center’s YouTube Tavern. Finally, that much January channel will be of particular interest to the snow meant a free-for-all “loosely” orClass of ’66 and wanted me to be sure to “share” this bit of info with you. He also ganized battle. In the 60s, snow meant commented that “we” are still volunteering organized military duty was battalion for “stuff” and have the energy and intersnow ball fights. It was still loosely organized event but wild and wooly. Lots of est for “pressing up the hill of science, payback, as there were many more rats with noble emulation.”

Class of 1966: Class members attended the Williamsburg As always, your comments and sug- Chapter’s senior alumni lunch Feb. 5, 2019. than cadre. There was often blood in the gestions are really welcome. Don’t be snow and some casts later in the day.

1967

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes (and honest) contractors. The legitimate Any memories you wish to share here? companies in our area are booked months Chuck and Mya Krebs: “Jan/Lonnie, in advance, and the rip-off specialists are We have been staying pretty close to home. everywhere, either collecting large down C.B. Malley and I have been going to the payments and doing little or no work or Charlotte alumni group meetings of late. charging outrageous amounts for ‘serPlan to attend Gen Peay’s [’62] talk over at Quail Hollow Country Club March 19. vices.’ Sharyne and I are just thankful that Hope to go cruising through the Panama we didn’t get flooded and the roof on our Canal (ocean to ocean) this year. We did house remains intact.” get over to visit Will Plentl recently at the J.I. Orrison: “Since Charlie Toch Huntersville Health and Rehab Center.

(USMA 2018) got assigned to Fort BenWill seemed to be fairly uncomfortable ning, I have seen a lot of Max Toch and but was doing OK and looked forward to Terry Ann. They have made us a stop on getting back home. Best wishes to all our Class of 1967: Neil Schlussel with a camel. trips to visit Second Lieutenant Toch. It brother rats.” has been great fun doing in-depth catching As I complete this set of notes in early up and really getting to reacquaint after all February, I want to again tell you how these years of occasional visits. It looks much your cards and prayers and visits like we all will be taking a trip to Spain and have meant to both Ann and Will Plentl.

Portugal together this fall. That should be At this time, there is no timeframe for a ball. Look out!” when he is to be released from his 24/7 John Chiles: “My mother, Elizabeth care. Several BRs have visited him, and his Talman Chiles, turned 102 Jan. 15. She spirits soar with each visit but the rehab is doing well physically, but her dementia will take time. slowly takes stronger hold every month.

In November, Barrett Graham sent this: Kendal at Lexington and her caregiver “Carteret County, North Carolina, is still take great care of her. My twice monthly digging out. We’re on our builder’s list, but visits give her a boost, and I handle mostly we have no idea when he’ll be available to minor details (supplies she prefers, new tackle our stuff. I’m betting on January. Class of 1967: L.F. and Susan Payne and Jim and Bootsie battery in her watch, etc.). Upbeat emoThe trees are off our buildings, but there’s Rogers visited Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam ’81 in Richmond. tional support and continual encouragestill a lot of brush and enormous tree ment is the most vital thing I provide. Re‘parts’ to be gotten rid of. I can move a lot of it mycently, I was forcing mom to walk the length of the building. She did not want to. Finally she gripped self and have been chipping away at it, but some of her walker and said, ‘Johnny, you kids don’t unit will require heavy equipment. Our tree guy says he’ll be available for us in about a month. In the derstand, I’m getting older!’ With that we walked meantime, we’re carrying on and remain eternally back to her room and I helped her into bed. Dad grateful that we have a dry place to sleep. A lot of (’39) used to say, ‘Getting old isn’t for sissies!’ I folks in our county aren’t so lucky. It’s obvious that agree more and more.” no one outside this county understands the extent Jim Wilson sent me a copy of the Institute’s of the damage. Water is an insidious and amazoperating budget as it appears online. His overall conclusion is that tuition costs will continue to rise. ingly destructive substance under these conditions.

I spent a few minutes just trying to understand the As I suspect you are aware, it doesn’t take much basic information contained in the 130-page docuof a hole in a roof to cause the complete destruction of the interior of a structure. A few days ago, ment. I have been around businesses large and Sharyne and I did an informal scanning of our small most of my life, yet I am pretty certain one subdivision, and all but three of the 28 houses in would have to be an accountant to understand our little subdivision were covered by a tarp. We the many pages of breakout subcategories escaped the worst.” Just before notes deadline in listed. Over the years, I met my own corporate February, he added this: “We’re still digging out business payroll and have done sales and marfrom under Hurricane Florence. It looks like our keting for many other businesses. If you want Class of 1967: Bo Traywick and Mike Inrepair process may begin Feb. 21, weather permitto see where your giving is being used, it is gelido in Colorado. Traywick was visiting available in a PDF format. ting, five months after the storm hit us. This area for his daughter’s wedding.

Chuck Keblusek sent me a fairly detailed suffers from a desperate shortage of competent

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Class Notes outline of a plan to create a VMI-opoly game that he suggested I might want to make as a fundraising project. It seems that, some years ago, a similar game was set up for VPI and one for the University of Virginia. My reply was along the lines of whether Milton-Bradley Company is even in business anymore, what their copyright sharing fee might be, what VMI would charge to use their copyrighted spider and finally that cadets have no clue as to what slang and euphemisms we used 50 years ago. Speaking to a cadet today and using words such as “slimy,” “runner” and “smack” draw blank stares. And with no Bill the Bugler, there is no “Shakealeg” or “Toots” of any size. Then I pointed out that VPI graduates more people in a year than VMI has since 1839 – approximately. And there might be roughly 2,000 or so alumni from our era who could be in a buying pool, but not many play Monopoly anyway.

As a kicker, I wished him well with the time and funding necessary to bring such a project to fruition and thanked him for thinking of me. Chuck moved on to another subject.

Bob Hess: “I went to a Los Angeles VMI alumni happy hour with the new president, Alex Rawling ’07. It was just the two of us, but the beer and conversation were great. The VMI women’s water polo team is coming out to compete at Claremont College in the spring, and he’s trying to generate some alumni attendance and support. I’m in!”

The late December article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch about the integration of the Corps 50 years ago prompted many replies. Many thanks to Hunter Taylor for sending it to me to share. It essentially was remarking that the place is much the same as always. Mike Bagnulo summed it up as well as anyone. “Jan: Thanks for the great article. VMI is exactly as it was when we were there and nowhere near what it was when we were there. That’s what makes it such a great place.”

George Sanborn added: “Thanks. It is a tribute to the Corps that the assimilation was so smooth. I suppose that once they walked in, they were just like every other poor rat. Everybody is the same.”

Neil Schlussel: “I was in Morocco in October.

Shelli and I had a great time and saw many sights from that part of the world, including two nights in the Sahara. Morocco is a great place to visit, and I would recommend it. News in my family is that my son (Damian, U.S. Air Force Academy ’98) is pinning on his eagles Dec. 27 and then next summer will be the commander of the 90th Security Forces Group at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in

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Wyoming. My next trip is to Japan in March and then I am sure many trips to Wyoming to see the grandkids. My oldest grandson is doing very well at James Madison University playing basketball.”

Ed Poe: “Sure was good to see you and Joan at the Founders Day dinner! Peggy and I had a great time. It’s a shame that the weather was so wet, good though that the rain stopped by dinner time.

It was kind of fun watching the cadets walking around in it as if there were no rain. Blouses and straight pants, regular class dykes – guess they’ll eventually dry. Maybe crazy, but no sissies, them!”

Class of 1967: Wiley and Bambi McIlrath in Tampa.

Class of 1967: Mike Bagnulo after falling off of a ladder.

In response to questions as to our children and grandchildren, here is a reply from Rick Davis with regrets that the photo could not be used.

“Carol went to Virginia Tech in 1966 (after two years at Longwood) and I spent my 1st Class weekends going down to visit her. My daughters, Anna and Jeannette, both graduated from Virginia Tech. So I am sort of outnumbered here. Rick Davis.” I add that all of the grandkids in the photo were wearing VPI T-shirts.

Gretchen Fox Stein: “I hope your holidays were wonderful! We have been in Florida since the middle of December, and I must say we’re enjoying the warm, sunny weather. And we also enjoyed receiving the card from you and Joan. I wanted to let you know we have a new address in Boston, Massachusetts. Please make a note of that as the post office will stop forwarding our mail in a couple of months. Have a happy, healthy 2019. Gretchen.”

I got several messages such as this one in recent months, but I think all is repaired.

J.B. Farley: “Jan, I want to wish you and Joan a Merry Christmas! I haven’t received any emails from you since you had that server problem, and I am wondering if you got my response to your email. If you get a chance, please let me know if you got my response so I’ll know I’m still on the class list. All’s as well as it could be, considering the outcome in California of the last election.

Now we are truly the ‘left coast.’ Y’all have a great Christmas!” A later message from J.B.: “Jan, Nothing new to report. We are well and enjoying some travel throughout the West. Durango, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone were our trips in 2018.

Our grandchildren are a real source of pleasure, fun and enjoyment for us. Regards to all, J.B.” John Forsyth: “Hi, folks! Leslie and I believe we have found a forever home, which is close to daughter Becky. And since we are caregivers for Leslie’s mom, we are moving her about half a mile from our new place so we can help her rise and take her medications and check on her in the evenings. However, all the numerous moves have taken a toll on our bodies, so this is my last moving rodeo. We’ll have two nice guest bedrooms if anyone is interested in visiting Colorado sometime.

God bless.”

Fred Smith: “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hope all is well with you and yours. We have been home for the holiday season, Thanksgiving and Christmas and really enjoyed visiting with all the folks in the family we could. We had a lobster fest two weeks before Thanksgiving,

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes fixing 16 lobsters sold by the Kiwanis Club here in town to raise money. We served lobster fixed six different ways: Lobster bisque, lobster rolls, lobster fondue, lobster thermidor, lobster de Johghe, Lobster Newburg and one ceremonial lobster so the grandkids could see how you boil a lobster.

My three children, Brian, Karen, David, and their spouses and three grandchildren all enjoyed the feast. We gather together before Thanksgiving, because it’s impossible to get them all together on Thanksgiving. We had Christmas brunch at our house for all who could attend, serving egg/sausage and French toast casseroles. Seems all of our gatherings center around eating. I also got to go on a skiing weekend just before Christmas with my two sons and grandsons at Snowshoe Mountain Resort, staying at the old logging homes in Cass, West Virginia, an old railroad town servicing the logging industry back in the early 1900s-1950s. It was a lot of fun, and I felt grateful that my legs still worked good enough to get down the easy trails with my grandson, Tucker. We had a ball. On Jan. 3, we head back out to Quartzsite, Arizona, to pick up our motor coach and start on a 30-day tour, Winter Oasis, that covers most of southern California and Nevada and Arizona.” And a followup from Fred: “Hey, Jan. We just finished an RV tour, Winter Oasis, touring deserts in California, Nevada and Arizona. We got to ride the camel in Palm Desert, California. Camels were brought out in 1850 as pack animals as an experiment the U.S. Cavalry tried. The New Christy Minstrels wrote an old song in 1962 about the camel driver they called Hi Jolly who was brought over to manage the camels. Listen to it and you’ll remember the lyrics, not realizing what they were singing about.”

Phil Gioia (accompanied by a photo of George Washington and his men trudging through snow toward Trenton): “BRs, all the best for the year ahead to you and your families. I greatly value our friendship and our shared service. Had it not been for men willing to endure great hardship and challenge, we would not have come this far. Phil.”

Taras Galysh’s second knee replacement has done well during rehab. Bruce Amlicke is taking it slow with his heart rehab. Overall, ’67 is beginning a steady new year. Do your best to keep healthy.

If you are not getting enough exercise, I hope you can get to the gym. Most health insurance carriers offer free memberships to virtually any gym in the country. It is called Silver Sneakers and is for those over 65. Humana has five Anytime Fitness gyms within 15 miles of us as an example, and there is

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also an LA Fitness and Lifetime Fitness just as close.

Wiley McIlrath: “Jan, This is a picture of Bambi and I in Tampa braving the harsh winter. The struggle is real! We were there to see our granddaughter perform with the all-state band. She was one of the 125 picked out of more than 1,000 recommended by their teachers. She is a percussionist. She is also first chair cello all-county orchestra.

We could not be prouder. I am down 45 pounds and weighing in at a trim 250 pounds. Had two more stents installed, as well as a defibrillator.

Apparently, my body is trying to turn itself into a solid. Hopefully, I won’t have a shocking experience anytime soon!”

Breakout this year was pretty much like last year and certainly more involved with PT, marching and exercise than anything we ever saw. No rushing up the sally port with the possibility of falling into the well in Old Barracks and no fighting mud crawl up the wet slope of the rifle range behind barracks. If you watched Facebook and other internet sources, there was extensive coverage of the whole daylong event. Much different from our Old Corps days, but the end result is that all rats are now officially part of the Corps.

Johnny Watt Vaughan opines on the “early” release of the Rat Line this year: “Already out of the Rat Line! I have my Rat Bible right in front of me, and written inside the back cover in a very shaky hand is, ‘March 26, 1964, 8:30 p.m. No more Rat Line.’ Now they get out more than a month earlier! It ain’t like the Old Corps.”

In closing, I quote Doc Carroll: “VMI is not what it used to be, and it never was.”

The regular updates you send are appreciated.

Send photos! Joan and I wish good health and safe travels for all in 2019.

1968

Tom Hickey

Steve Wilson (Matthews, Virginia) added to the last set of notes: “On Sept. 24, I attended the conference at the Center for Leadership and Ethics on ‘The Vietnam War at 50: Critical Reappraisals.’ Hal Hostetler and Pete Farmer (Edmonds, Washington) also attended.

On Nov. 16, I had a chance to visit with Jim

Henry (Williamsburg, Virginia), Hal Hostetler and Chips McCallum (Norfolk, Virginia) at a VMI gathering in the Bold Mariner Brewing Company, Norfolk, before the VMI versus Old Dominion University game. Chips’ son, Cory McCallum ’94, was also in attendance.” Later he added, “We begin our annual pilgrimage to Key West in January and February. We’re also taking two seven-day cruises – one before and one after Key West.”

Berry Wright (Ashland, Virginia): “Rick Brothers (Sedona, Arizona) invited all of the roommates to his cottage at Hatteras in October. John Byrd (North Chesterfield, Virginia) and Margaret, Rick Butterworth (Hingham, Massachusetts) and Ivy, Patty and I, and Rick and Jane just laughed and had the best time enjoying each other’s company. Good food, great laughs – just a wonderful time. Just as we were getting ready to leave a major hurricane hit. I saw the water crossing the road just as we started back to the mainland. We were not a minute too soon in leaving. I just finished helping the town of Ashland put on the Christmas parade.

Kiwanis puts the parade on each year for the town. It begins the Christmas season for the entire metropolitan area. Looks like this Christmas season might just be the best ever. I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year. The reunion was spectacular!

Everyone I talked to said this was definitely the best ever. That just proves what I have always said: ‘We are getting better and not older.’”

Wayne Burton (Kingsland, Georgia): “I have been fortunate enough to attend three football games on the hill this season. We drove 2,628 miles on our road trip to Erie, Niagara, VMI and Alexandria in November. We’re looking forward to a four-day weekend in Charleston Jan. 26 for The Citadel basketball game with my Citadel ’74 best friend. It was great to see so many BRs at the Institute Society Dinner.”

Greg Wall (Keswick, Virginia): “All is well here. We enjoyed two trips with the Airstream this year – the first along our southeast shoreline to Huntington Beach, Hunting Island and Skidaway Island. In September/October, we went to Michigan, traveling the western coast and Upper Peninsula. I love traveling with the Airstream and exploring new places, but there is never enough time to see it all. I like photographing and write a blog at www.airstreamtime.com. Next summer will be the U.S. Open

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Class Notes at Pebble Beach, fishing the northeast for three Chase as well as the National Cathedral. We that effort. It seemed the time went by way too weeks and three months in Newfoundland. Beactually love the D.C. area and find our social fast at our reunion, and it was so great revistween travels, life happens, but I am trying to network here varied and diverse. We will grow iting my brother rats and their spouses during write a book about the great lady who taught older together here but use our western (Colo- that time. It all went too fast!” me to ride while I was growing up.”

John Warburton (Sarasota, Florida): “Anne rado) and West Coast (California) homes as a John Kemper (Richmond, Virginia): “Enjoy- place to travel from when we are not in D.C. and I thought the reunion committee did a faning semi-retirement – spending a good amount I am beginning the seventh year of a second tastic job. It was a great time to renew friendof time working with Dee Mornah, VMI ecoships with BRs. Since the reunion, we have term on the VMI board of trustees. I have thornomics professor, developing a more robust oughly enjoyed giving back to the Institute. I celebrated our 50th anniversary with kids and innovation and entrepreneurship program at have found over the years that the bonds and grands at the Outer Banks and have enjoyed the Institute. Will be having our second annual relationships through VMI are as important another great trip to London with a side trip to Edinburgh. It has been a great year celebrating Business Leadership and Innovation Sumas ever. This year we celebrated our 50th Remit at VMI April 11-13, 2019. Also, we have union. I was able to help in the campaign in 50th anniversaries!”

Vic Huang (Cupertino, California): a regular informal weekly get together “On our November tour to Southeast of 1968 classmates and VMI alumni Asia that included Thailand, Cambofor beers. Attendees are George Walton (Richmond, Virginia), Howard Donald dia and Vietnam, Shirley and I had the (Richmond, Virginia), Dick Wise (Richgood fortune to meet up with Brother Rat Krita Kritakara (Bangkok, Thaimond, Virginia), Donnie Ross ’74, Donland) and Gee for lunch during our nie White ’65 and me.” tour of Bangkok. It was a lovely day, Dave Gibbons (Washington, D.C.): “I retired at age 71 from my pediatric uroand Krita met us right after our tour logical practice. There is, I’m told and of the world-famous Emerald Buddha have observed, some intrinsic reluctance and Grand Palace tour. Krita made sure he wore his 50th Reunion polo to surgeons retiring. I did not have to shirt so he could be recognized! We ‘be told’ and began reducing my work chatted on old times and he said his effort a couple of years before stopping BR roommates will be visiting with in July 2017. Since then, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my retirement. Martha and I Class of 1968: Walt Jeffress was an amateur member of him in Bangkok sometime next year. are an active couple, and we try to travel the winning team at the Pro Am Tournament of the Mis- I know it is a rarity for brother rats to tubishi Electric Championship at Hualalui Country Club, as much as possible, enjoying our non- Hawaii. Pictured were Tom Kite, presenter; Jeffress; meet at such distances, and especially D.C. homes for more and more extended Brandon Dawson, amateur team member; David Toms, since Krita missed the 50th. Also, it is stays, in Santa Cruz, California, as well professional team member; Sam Feldman, amateur personally satisfying and memorable team member; and Tom Watson, presenter. to me since we were the only two foras Pagosa Springs, Colorado. We also travel in the spring with good American eign cadets in the Class of ’68. We friends from our military years and visit plan to meet again at the next reunion close German friends with whom we’ve if not sooner. Shirley and I then went kept in close contact. Our son, Adam, on to Cambodia, visiting the worldand his wife, Brittany, have lived in Boulfamous Angkor Wat, and then to Vietnam, which included Ho Chi Minh der, Colorado, for several years. We’ve City (Saigon), Da Nang, Hue and Habeen frequenting Boulder for years, since he was an undergraduate at the Uninoi. The highlight in Hanoi was tourversity of Colorado. We love it there. I ing Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site.” believe Martha and I will try to stay as Mike Michelson (Jacksonville, Alaactive as we are now by skiing and hiking, which we both love. In the west, bama): “It’s been a turbulent year for me, as you can probably guess. This Telluride seems to be our most favored coming Saturday, I will hopefully fulfill destination, and we plan to return after the holidays again. We’ve had a boat on the promise that I made to Suzy after the Potomac River in D.C., and when we she was killed. I’m scheduled to run in are in town, we enjoy using it. We have Class of 1968: Gee Kritakara, Krita Kritakara, Vic Huang my 100th half-marathon and have aland Shirley Huang in Bangkok, Thailand, during Vic’s tour a very active social and spiritual network ready achieved 50 states status. I have of Southeast Asia Nov. 3, 2018. through our Episcopal Church in Chevy not been training properly, because I’ve

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes been spending a great deal of time trying to win the affections of a wonderful lady who lives in Dunwoody, Georgia. I have promised her that I will run no more half marathons after No. 100, because she worries so much when I race.

And worry she should, as I’ve fallen twice in races since we met and once in training. My body doesn’t recover from the sudden stop at the end of the fall as well as it used to do. Anyway, she and I are planning lots of trips in the coming year, and I think it’s going to be great.

I haven’t mentioned her name deliberately because nothing is a done deal at this point, and I wouldn’t want to embarrass her if she decides she can’t stand being around me. That won’t happen on my end, I can assure you. She’s terrific, and she makes my heart sing. I had a special shirt made to wear in Saturday’s race, and I will post a picture of me wearing it Saturday – not only on my own Facebook page, but on the VMI68 Facebook page, as well. Thanks to all of you for your support. The reunion was fantastic; thanks and a tip of the hat to the reunion committee. I probably enjoyed this one the most. I’m proud to be a member of the VMI Class of 1968!”

M.L. Buchanan (Salisbury, North Carolina): “Valerie and I are totally into the ‘retirement’ mode! We are both having some mobility issues (surprise, surprise) so we do not travel much at all. A lot of my old injuries have come back to haunt me. I was IED’d back in 2006, and I have some pretty severe balance problems now, and Valerie’s UC is still not in remission. On the positive side, our son and his family have moved into a really nice upgrade home in Stafford. They have a big backyard and a great little pond/lake with geese and bass/crappie. They are both in federal law enforcement, so the jobs have not gotten any better nor the hours shorter! The grandchildren are growing like weeds!

Our daughter is still doing the traveling RN thing; Six months on a job and several months traveling abroad. She and her Canadian beau have been to India, Asia (almost every nation there including Vietnam and Laos), South America (basically all over that continent) and they are now in Mexico. They spent several weeks on the beach in Oaxaca and are now in Mexico City. They have visited one of the premier Aztec ruins and several of the archeological/art museums. I wish Valerie and I could join them! As you know, I am a Marine vet.

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I have had the honor of being the senior vice commandant of our Concord, North Carolina, Marine Corps League detachment for the last two years. We celebrated the U.S. Marine Corps birthday this year Nov. 3 vice the 10th.

Believe it or not, the oldest Marine present was Dorothy Cole (World War II, Greatest Generation veteran), at 105 years old! She is definitely the oldest female Marine alive, and perhaps the oldest Marine still living! Dorothy’s late husband was also a World War II Navy veteran!

She is still relatively mobile, sharp as a tack and with a wicked sense of humor! Our North Carolina treasure. I am sorry to have missed our 50th.

I am especially sorry to have missed being with Ad Hagan (Lexington, Virginia). That would have been a real blessed treat! Oh, well; there is always the 55th!”

Last year, Hal Hostetler (Portsmouth, Virginia) wrote in his Christmas letter that he hoped to go to his Ranger class’ 50th reunion. This year, he wrote: “I attended the 50-year reunion of my Army Ranger class. In June, Brenda and I attended our combat trackers reunion. Earlier, we attended the change of command ceremony of the 250-year-old Norfolk Naval Shipyard, our nation’s oldest and largest. Captain Kai Torkelson ’91 took command! I sing four times a year with the Virginia Baptist Male Chorale. I’m still playing clarinet, doing a little singing and announcing for the Tidewater Concert Band. Brenda serves as our church pianist, and she and I are involved weekly in Calvary’s music ministry plus major programs for Easter, Fourth of July and Christmas.”

Also about Hal’s singing, Skip Roberts (Virginia Beach, Virginia) texted me the following from his new home in Virginia Beach: “Imagine my surprise to move into Westminster-Canterbury Monday and attend a Christmas concert Thursday with Hal Hostetler leading the group. He was fantastic. The crowd went crazy over the VMI connections.”

Dick Garner (Hilton Head, South Carolina): “Sandy and I celebrated our 45th anniversary with a trip to Israel. We have enjoyed our retirement in Hilton Head. I still do consulting in human resources and play golf the rest of the time.”

Guy Wilson (Charlotte, North Carolina): “I have now been retired for 13-plus years – still back and forth every month between Charlotte near daughter Anne’s family (three grandkids aged 7, 12 and 15), and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Class of 1968: Hal Hostetler led the entertainment for the Virginia Beach Westminster Canterbury Retirement Community residents at the Christmas party Dec. 6. 2018.

Make most Old Corps quarterly luncheons in Charlotte and see Howard Chapman (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina) on occasion. Still playing lots of golf and traveling – most recent: An Adriatic cruise, a Disney Caribbean cruise with our grandkids and a Rhine River cruise. Finally got off my butt and moved my health care to Veterans Affairs and applied for VA disabilities ... 40 percent at the moment. Had a heart attack Dec. 6 with complete blockage of the left anterior descending artery, aka the ‘widowmaker.’ Lots of pain, but no cardiac arrest – required a stent.

That’s a presumptive for Agent Orange exposure, so disability will rise. Doc says 93 percent chance of no complications with meds and adjustments to diet. Have had chronic myelogenous leukemia for a decade now – OK on an expensive pill per day to control it. Miracle drugs from research became available around 1999. Used to be 95 percent lethal; now most all live, though side effects like lethargy, cramps and bone pain are common. It’s relatively rare, say 5,000 cases per year in the U.S. I am making an effort to push VA toward naming CML and AML as presumptive Agent Orange disabilities for Vietnam vets, having discovered that each has been successfully adjudicated as service related in the VA Appeals Court, but VA reviewers still deny claims for reasons the court said were specious. This should keep me busy. Anyone with connections, influence or knowledge, let me know!”

Steve Powers (Malvern, Pennsylvania): “Webb Hatch ’69 represented VMI at Coach Gary

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Class Notes McPherson’s memorial service in Morgantown, order. We are big Columbus Blue Jackets fans and great time there, too. When we moved from our West Virginia, in December. I visited the McPher- looking forward to the playoffs again this spring. first home to our present location in March 1986, sons a few days before the service. We had early Between travel hockey, gym meets, NHL games, we kept our first home and turned it into rental Christmas guests, so I had to return to Philadel- family time (both sons and all four grandchildren property. This has been a great cash flow for us phia. John Kemper had planned to attend and give live in Columbus) I work part time at a terrific lo- during our retirement! I worked in information the eulogy, but he got snowed in in Richmond.” cal firearms range, Shoot Point Blank, which has technology for Vepco for 21-and-a-half years, Bill Millan (Phillipsburg, New Jersey): “Susan a very eclectic staff and customer base. BR dis- had a personal computer business with a friend for two years and worked in IT for Chesterfield and I bought the house in New Jersey where she counts available.” was raised. I am still working in conservation and Walt Jeffress (Fairfax, Virginia): “I was fortu- County, Virginia, for 19 years. Linda retired in have a Georgetown apartment near my office. In nate to be invited again to participate earlier this 2006, and I retired in 2008. We purchased and June, I will switch to working from a home office week (January 2019) in the ProAm of the Mit- renovated a little house in Low Moor, Virginia, in the New Jersey house and probably drop back subishi Electric Championship on the Big Island just 35 miles from VMI (just over North Mounto halftime. I run conservation programs in Mexi- of Hawaii, an event of The PGA Tour Cham- tain). We spend approximately a week there each co, Peru, Colombia and the Caribbean, and some- pions. It was my 10th time participating in that month, and Linda has relatives in the area. We times the travel becomes tiresome. I look forward event. The presentation to my winning team was spend time with wine friends (I’ve volunteered at to real retirement in a couple of years, when I can made by Tom Kite and Tom Watson, both mem- James River Cellars since 2002), the American cultivate my garden and write another novel.” bers of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The pro for Legion Post 175 in Mechanicsville, Virginia, a few other groups such as a breakfast group from Bill Bouck (Deerfield Beach, Florida): “I have our winning team was David Toms.” one really big event this year. The love of my life, Bert Butterfield (Mechanicsville, Virginia): my old IT days with Vepco, a breakfast group Gail, my Ring Figure date, and I will celebrate our “Our two daughters keep getting older (thus, so from my high school, a small dinner group of my 50th this summer in Turks and Caicos with our do we). Our daughters are close by, one about high school classmates, as a board member of the family. Bill Cobb (Pompano Beach, Florida) and I four blocks away, who happens to have our two ‘MEGA’ reunion – John Marshall High School – still deep-sea fish once a week and golf occasiongranddaughters (11 and 9). The other one is and a board member of the John Marshall High about 20 miles away. Needless to say, we are for- School Corp of Cadets, and a longtime member ally. The four of us dine regularly. The grandchildren count is three. We see the 2-year-old, Lincoln, tunate to be able to spend a lot time with all. My of my High School Reunion Committee. I believe regularly. The others are in Texas. Church and daughters and wife took me back to Bermuda for I’ve only missed one of our VMI ’68 reunions. charity work fill my remaining free time.” my 70th birthday. (I went there for spring break Living just outside Richmond, Virginia, and havJim Henry (Williamsburg, Virginia): “Susan and of our 3rd Class year with a group of VMI cadets ing a home just 35 miles from VMI makes it easy.

I enjoy Williamsburg and being close to all our and had a wonderful time!) Linda took me to the I talk periodically with Jack Ferguson (Round kids. We added our sixth grandchild and fourth Greenbrier for my 73rd birthday this last Decem- Hill, Virginia, and best man at my wedding – 50 girl to the family in late November. Our kids live ber, alone with another couple and we all had a years Nov. 22, 2019), Occasionally I run across in Suffolk, Charlotte and Richmond. We Val Sledd (Poquoson, Virginia) and Dick vacation together and visit very regularly.

Wood (Richmond, Virginia) – both of Susan and I enjoy lots of golf here and on whom I went to high school with – and our travels. We are looking forward to a Dave Law (Reston, Virginia).”

British Open Cruise in July, where we will John Warwick (Virginia Beach, Virsee the final day of the Open and play six ginia): “Time seems to be running be recourses across England, Scotland and Ireally fast. I am still working four days per week, which is not bad with a three-day land. When I am not golfing here, I enjoy weekend. We are working on some home volunteering at William & Mary, on our improvement projects to keep things in HOA and as a master gardener. Best of all order and enjoying life as much as posfor me though is serving on the VMIAA board.” sible. I can still remember everyone’s Les Ridout (Naples, Florida): “Fran and name in the class and many of the situaI will celebrate our 50th wedding annivertions we found ourselves in while at VMI. It almost seems like yesterday, but wow, sary this coming October. We continue to enjoy good health and wander between Class of 1968: The Greater Richmond Purple Heart Chapter it’s been over 50 years. I believe the reOhio, Virginia and Florida as time and No. 1965 presented the Sitter and Barfoot Veterans Care lationships we formed at VMI were the Center with a check from the proceeds of a fundraiser held desire permit. We enjoy our four grand- at the Fort Lee, Virginia, commissary in December 2018. strongest we will ever have in our lifetime. children to the fullest and they are mak- Present at the check presentation Jan. 21, 2019, were Stuart Better than in the Army and better than ing us proud in the process. Ages 13, 11, Cottrell ’70; Phil Koren; Sam Fonzi, care center representa- working with fellow employees at all the tive; Maurice Menefee ’58; Dick Wise; Richard Hausler; and jobs we have been involved in. These are 9 and 7, hockey defense-man, gymnast, Bill Osborne, VPI ’65. the friends that I will cherish.” soccer player and cheer squad flyer, in age

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes program from our graduation ceremony in summer 1969, Mike found a couple of photos of the front of the line (where he hung out with other Walter Judd top academic finishers in various major fields of study). Here is who we think we see in that graduation day photo – mixing later titles, as well: Dr. Deaton Smith, Dr. Bill Thorpe, Mike Santoro, Lt. Gen. K. Khemaoydin, Col. Mike Harper, Dr. Courtney Apperson, Dr. Jim Pennline, Dr. Joe Greetings, Brother Rats and Friends of VMI ’69, Howard, Hon. Thornton Newlon, Lt. Col. John It is mid-February in the Tidewater area of Stann, Dr. Dave Couch, Lt. Col. Rudy Segaar Virginia, and spring in just around the corner. and Dr. Tom Morris. These were all our acaWe lost our biggest cheerleader in January when David Bush signed out. He will be remembered demic stars. For a few of that same crowd, after by all for his school spirit and class yells from the graduation came their Kappa Alpha induction, sentinel box at several reunions. As reunion fever and then for a lucky few the wedding of Lt. Gen. picks up during the winter months of 2018 and Bob and Lynda Flowers. Phew. That was a busy 2019, I say thank you to the friends and families day and one for several pairs of white ducks. who sent me holiday greetings and say I hope I Many of us like to comment about our accepsaw all of you at our April dates in Lexington. tances to graduate schools after VMI. Our records “David Thomas Bush, age 71, of Wytheville, show many graduate degrees at the master’s and Virginia, died peacefully Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019. doctorate levels and not just a few surprises. Most He was born May 5, 1947, in Fulton, Kentucky, BRs were evaluated by their VMI professors and the son of the late Edward Anderson presented to the grad school administraBush and Mary Frances Habacker Bush. tors as worthy, if not outstanding, stuDavid was a 1965 graduate of William dents. Maj. Gen. Joe Lynch and Col. Paul Fleming High School and VMI Class of Curs both remembered slightly different 1969. He was an electrical engineer with stories. A faculty member sent a letter to Appalachian Power Company for over one of Joe’s law school choices stating 30 years. He also served as past president his “application deserves, perhaps, some of the Wytheville Golf Club. Survivors consideration” – not necessarily a ringinclude his wife, Gail Meads Bush; two ing endorsement. To tell the rest of the daughters; son; five grandchildren; and story, Joe attended and graduated from a brother, Joseph. He was also blessed different law school and rose through the with a close extended family and many ranks in both public service and the mililifelong friends, his brother rats and the Class of 1969: Class members attending the senior VMI lun- tary ranks to retire as an U.S. Air Force cheon in Williamsburg Feb. 5, 2019, were, from left, Walt Wytheville “Bubbas.” Dave will be formajor general in the JAG! Paul rememJudd, Lee Barnes, Drew Brantley, T.O. Palmer, Gary Mackey ever remembered for his love of family, and Chalk Hardy. Glenn White was present but not pictured. bered he applied to grad school and was awarded a full point higher score on his friends, VMI and sports – especially golf.

His kind heart and outgoing personality GPA. Why? He was told the grad school will be missed by many. A celebration of recognized the work he needed to do for life was held Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, at any grade at VMI and was willing to give the Barnett Funeral Home. American Lehim an edge among the applicants willing to attend their grad program. Paul also gion Post No. 9 conducted military rites.” rose through the ranks and retired as a Many remember Dave as the blog master colonel in the USAF Reserve. of a VMI sports site and a person who alMany thanks to all of you who sent ways paid attention to VMI. newsy Christmas cards and letters: TomI saw a funny photo on Facebook of John Sebrell, Bunny Paulette and Bobby my and Becky Hudson (Virginia) sent their card at Thanksgiving and showed a Watts accompanying Charlie Bryan to a University of Tennessee football game. In happy growing family. John and Nancy the photo, Charlie wore some fancy overScott (Florida) skied at Vail and visClass of 1969: Lew Henderson volunteered to help fight ited Spain this year. John and Margaalls in bright orange and white checks. I fires in northern California in 2018. rete (Greta) Campbell (Alabama). Bill suspect he fit right in that sea of orange

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and white in the stands. Later, I caught a photo of John and Sallie Sebrell and Bunny and Carolyn Paulette vacationing in Key West. Good to see all enjoying the sun and warmth of south Florida.

On Nov. 15, the Williamsburg chapter hosted a dinner at Ford’s Colony Country Club. Dan Gibson and I sat together and enjoyed the tag team speech by Steve Maconi, VMI Alumni Agencies CEO, and Thom Brashears ’95, Alumni Association chief operating officer, about life at VMI. On Nov. 16, Waldo came to Williamsburg for social committee meeting with Tom Morris. We hammered out ways to purchase gifts for the BRs at our reunion. Bob Heely played golf with us before the meeting and then headed back to Norfolk where the alumni association was holding meetings of several committees and boards. As with the 45th Reunion, we must give credit to Tom and Gail Morris for coming up with unique and classy gifts.

Mike Santoro got in the spirit of discovering old facts and figures. When Joe Flanz said he had a

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Class Notes and Alice DeWitt’s daughter, Sandra Engel, passed on words about her mom’s death in August 2018. Mike and Ruth Lamar (Texas) mentioned a 50th wedding anniversary coming in June. Mike and Leigh Harper (Kentucky) told of Mike’s full recovery from a broken neck and the closing of their consulting firm.

Joe and Michie Flanz (Virginia) just got back from a trip to Japan. Mike and Martha Santoro (Virginia) visited Iceland on their way to an European river cruise and visit to Graz, Austria, this past year. Spunky Butler (Virginia); Jay Jennings (Virginia). Margy Judd (Ohio) still misses her Amo very much. Tom and Elizabeth Jones (Georgia) rode bikes in Croatia this year. Peyton and Gail Brown (North Carolina) moved to their new house in Wilmington, North Carolina. Art and Becky Bushey (Virginia). Roxanne McCrory Wilson, whose son with our BR Alan McCrory is attorney general of South Carolina and colonel in the South Carolina Army National Guard.

Also, Webb Hatch (Virginia) is still helping a longtime friend coach high school basketball after 44 years of coaching. Lou and Tanya Sidney (Virginia) had one son get married and also spent a week in New Orleans on vacation. Mike and Mary Giles (Massachusetts). Sam and Wendy Hoffman (Virginia). John Edenfield (California). Courtenay and Ellen Welton (Virginia) sent photos of winter in New York City. Don and Noreen Mercer (Virginia). Joe and Betty Oliver (Virginia) showed a big family having fun. Harold and Jane Fleischer (Texas). Pat (widow of Wynne Browning) Browning (Virginia). Sallie Brown (Minnesota) said she met Chuck Brown at a rat tea dance in September 1965 and stepped on his freshly shined shoes. She was forgiven and they were married in December 1969. All’s well that ends well. Larry Riegner (Florida). Lloyd and Debbie McGrady (Florida). Rudy and Judy Segaar (Virginia) included holiday greetings in Dutch. Tom and Karen Buckner’s (Tennessee) family added another granddaughter in September – up to seven now. John and Marie Mitchell (North Carolina). Bill Kirkpatrick (South Carolina). V.J. and Margi Petrella (Maryland). T.O. and Arlene Palmer (North Carolina). Tony and Fran Gentile (Alabama) sent the biggest and most colorful card in the lot. Thanks to all of you for remembering me this year.

During the fall months, Joe Flanz and I talked about how he would write an analysis of our class reference time at VMI and graduation rates.

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We also added in recognition of military service and graduate degrees, if known. Joe spent a day in the Preston Library archives in the fall and recorded any info he could find about our BRs and time spent in Lexington. While I had some records, I had never attempted to correlate the time each man spent at VMI with any other activity or event. Joe did that and came up with an interesting summary. He put his findings into charts and text that were published and sent to you before the reunion. On Dec. 6, both Joe and I drove to Mike Santoro’s home southwest of Richmond and came to agreements on all the statistics and assumptions. Mike and his wife, Martha, were very helpful in relating the timing of some of those other activities that occurred both during and after our cadetships.

On Thursday, Jan. 10, Mike Santoro and I headed up to Lexington with a couple of thoughts and tasks in mind. We arrived in bright, cold sunshine and heard the tales of the “storm on the way.” I joined Charlie Bryan for a telecon with participants in the Vietnam seminar coming in April. All (Paul Curs; Frank Easterly; Bob Leibecke; Fred Downey; Chris L’Orange; and Jack Mountcastle ’65, the moderator) agreed on the format and how the time would be spent.

Mike and I ate an early dinner and then saw the evening basketball game – with Jim and Beth Long and John Sebrell – and got ready for a busy Friday. The next morning, Mike drove to Covington for business after breakfast, and I visited the VMI Alumni Association offices all morning

getting the class registration website ready for use. I was extremely pleased with the support I got as I visited several offices to take care of our reunion plans. The Alumni Association now has separate offices for persons working reunions and those supporting the class agents in annual giving. At lunch in the food court of Third Barracks, we decided the threat of snow and sleet was too great Saturday, and we returned home in dry conditions Friday. The weather guessers were not wrong this time, as the snow and sleet did come Saturday, so we were glad we had driven home when we did.

While Mike and I were driving over to Lexington on the 10th, Charlie Bryan and Joe Flanz met with Alumni Association officials about publishing Charlie’s survey results booklet and Joe’s in-depth analysis of the timing of various actions. Our BRs got great support and expect their efforts will be published and distributed to all of us before our reunion. If you did not get a copy of those documents, please advise me, and I will get you a copy.

As part of a longtime effort to get more contact between our class and the 1st Class cadets in barracks who will lead our reunion parade, the Alumni Association invited our class to send representatives to a series of supper meals offered to the first classmen/women in February. Gary Mackey, Lee Barnes, T.O. Palmer, Jim Long and John “Chalk” Hardy accepted the challenge for the first event Feb. 4 and Bob Heely and Tom Ruffin for the second event a week later. Lt. Gen.

Class of 1969: Walt Judd, Drew Brantley, Rich Daub, Glenn White, Bunny Paulette, Charlie Bryan, Tommy Hudson, Spunky Butler, Mike Santoro and Rudy Segaar attended the Legislative Reception in February. Photo by Micalyn Miller, VMI Alumni Agencies.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Bob Flowers and Mike Santoro represented the class at the Feb. 14 dinner. Then Glenn White and I planned to catch the Feb. 18 dinner. Bob Waldo and Lt. Col. Gary Braswell planned to attend the Feb. 25 affair. Mike gave me quick feedback while driving home that his evening was interesting and fulfilling. He noted that Bob talked about our class mentoring the first black cadets at VMI and the fact we were proud of our rats and the way their Rat Line was conducted. I will tell more about these dinners in the next notes. The Alumni Association leaders spoke to the cadets and our BRs had the option to talk of their time during and after VMI. We all encouraged active, involved participation in alumni affairs as brother rats of VMI. On their way back home from Lexington Tuesday, Feb. 5, Gary Mackey, Lee Barnes, T.O. Palmer and John “Chalk” Hardy met Drew Brantley, Glenn White and me for lunch at the senior VMI alumni luncheon in Williamsburg.

There was a large gathering of older VMI men and some of the wives. Our table had seven from ’69 and five from ’66. It was terrific to talk to familiar people from so long ago. Ollie Creekmore, Jim Paul, Phil Lien, Chuck Herbaugh and Joe Dictor were the ’66 attendees. Recognize any dykes?

The busy “see your BRs season” continued Feb. 12, as several of us drove to the Library of Virginia in Richmond for the reception VMI hosts for the members of the General Assembly. While the governor did not show up this year, several other lawmakers did. “Good to me” Tommy Norment ’68, my state senator from Williamsburg, spoke to the assembled crowd along with the superintendent. I did my best to round up the ’69 BRs for a picture, and most were looking in the direction of the camera when the pictures were taken.

Bunny Paulette, Rudy and Judy Segaar, Glenn White, Drew Brantley, Rich Daub, Bomber Hudson, Spunky Butler, Charlie Bryan, and Mike and Martha Santoro all joined me and seemed to have a good time. While we met many other of the leaders at VMI and cadets from each class, most of the interaction was between BRs preparing for the 50th Reunion weekend. There was a lot of laughter and remembrances of good times during and after our cadetships. I learned from Rudy that I have been saying artist Vincent Van Gogh’s name wrong all my life. Appears the last part of the name is pronounced closer to “Hoawk” than “Go.” You must speak Dutch to

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really understand. Live and learn!

At the reception, I spoke with Wip Priest’s brother, Josh, and learned Wip and Barbara had just returned from Tucson, Arizona. Wip wrote, “It was really great to visit with Dave and Darlene Couch and enjoy their hospitality. A little chilly for Tucson with frost almost every morning. They provide us the opportunity to visit the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, the largest in the world, to do some shopping for our jewelry business.” Wip is real rockhound and has a small business making jewelry from the gems he finds.

And getting together with BRs is always a special treat.

Bruce Gregory sent me this note in January: “Randy Vass suffered a very serious stroke recently and has a difficult road ahead. As you may or may not know, Randy and I came to VMI from Highland Springs High School. After our Rat year he left and joined the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. After getting out of the service he graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and enjoyed a good career as an actuary. He has been retired for about 10 years.” Send Randy some encouraging words at his address in the Richmond area: 14779 Kelly’s Ford Lane, Glen Allen, VA 23059.

Many of you have seen and commented on the videos sent out in January and February.

While I was fortunate to have a role in the film making, Jamie Totten and Amy Goetz, VMI Alumni Agencies chief communications officer, get the real credit, as they came up with the idea and carried out the work. The Alumni Agencies has even hired a young TV producerin-the-making, Christian Heilman, from a Roanoke TV station and put him on the project.

I loved the way they worked in photos from past reunions (provided by Bob Slay’s wife, Dr. Gayne Slay) and the stories told by our scholarship cadets. Our football scholarship cadet, Greg Sanders ’18, really did get the honor of Defender of the Nation after the 2017 season and is now an Air Force second lieutenant on active duty.

We end today with words from our BR Doug Marks, who has lost a couple of longtime friends in the past few months. Doug wrote to the fundraising committee after a meeting last fall in Richmond: “I enjoyed the meeting and especially all the good info that we heard from Terrie [Conrad, of the VMI Foundation staff].

Many thanks to Jamie [Totten] for his hard

work; to Terrie and John [Wranek ’85, former director of reunion coordination at VMI]; to Mike Harper; and especially to Bunny [Paulette] for being such a gracious and generous host. (Those are words I never envisioned saying about Bunny 50 years ago!) At the risk of being a bit sappy, it’s such a pleasure to be a part of the group of guys that make up our brother rats. Here we are, 50 years after graduation, and the relationships are continuing to grow stronger. During the past few months, I have been buoyed up by the support of so many BRs. It is with much fondness and appreciation that I think of the members of our class. VMI, and especially the Class of ’69, present unique relationships – unlike those from any other place. In the midst of all the ruckus during the recent confirmation of our newest associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, I was struck by the words of Justice Kavanaugh at his swearing in ceremony. He said, ‘Cherish your friends, look out for your friends, lift up your friends, love your friends. I love all my friends.’”

Well said. Best to all of you and looking forward to seeing all again soon.

In the spirit, Walt

1970

Warren Grasty

Like clockwork, the first Thursday in December brought with it Peel Dillard’s oyster roast/ pig out/mini reunion. This year’s attendees included John Bailey, Herb Braun, Bobby Brown, Tommy Catlett ’69, Jud Collier, Tommy Cooke, Paul Dickinson, Bill Huffman, Jim Mawyer, Bill O’Connor, Waite Rawls, Ted Rennolds ’69, Donnie Ross ’74, Mike Snead, Carl Strock, Taze Taylor, Charlie Walker and Gary Weishaar. I gain weight just thinking about it. Peel is a truly generous brother rat and an Essex County man of distinction!

From the hinterlands of Iowa, Tom Clingerman related that his son, a longtime Marine who left the Corps a couple of years ago, had just been sworn into the Army Reserve in order to get in the few years he needs to qualify for a pension. Due to the lack of anything else to do in Iowa in the winter, Tom worries that

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Class Notes he will now have to replace his pile of stickers, sweatshirts, etc. that say “My Son is a Marine” with stickers, sweatshirts, etc., that say “My Son is a Soldier.” In any case, Tom and Sarah are making plans to attend our 50th next year.

Meanwhile, it wasn’t much better in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where Warren Wagner bided his time polishing his various shooting implements in anticipation of a new season of competitions. The old boy must be pretty good, as last year he won his division in the Eastern Region of the International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts. He also spent a little time working with VMI alumni/ parents in the Harrisburg area in the fall and even manned the VMI table at Gettysburg College.

Warren said it seems up there that it is mostly girls who want to go to VMI today. Anyway, in March, Kim (his Ring Figure date) will spend some time in Minnesota with their daughter, who is recovering from shoulder surgery while her pastor husband is on a mission trip in Belize and while Warren heads to Orlando for work. Work? What’s that? I interrupt this drivel to bring you this news flash! Warren, as it turns out, is quite the musician.

He plays guitar, mandolin, mountain dulcimer and banjo in his church’s worship program. Who knew? He says that this is just enough to keep him out of the bars at night. It also certainly seems to be enough to qualify him for honorary tweet status. Warren and Kim are also looking forward to attending our 50th and invite any brother rats traveling through the area to stop by, saying, “They’ve got a place to stay, a steak on the grill, and a little bourbon and water to refresh the memories.” I suddenly feel a road trip coming on.

Speaking of road trips, Don and Lois Crawford did a massive winter swing/mooch through the south which included Marietta, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Austin and South Padre Island, Texas; and Memphis and Franklin, Tennessee, meeting up with brother rats all along the way.

Their first stop was in Marietta, Georgia, where they partook of the hospitality of Ed and Marky Trinkle. Ed is still happily retired and is reportedly a great tour guide for the Kennesaw, Georgia, area, including the museum of the Great Locomotive Chase. Don says that until you do a railroad museum tour with Trink’s commentary, you have never truly experienced the history of railroading in the USA. Ed and Marky keep mentally sharp playing board games, which seems to be working since they mostly win against the visiting team.

From Marietta, they headed to New Orleans for

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a couple of days of jazz, blues and Cajun food, and then onward to Austin, Texas, to visit friends. On their way to South Padre Island, they had lunch on the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas, with the obligatory visit to the Alamo. During their week in a condo on South Padre Island, they enjoyed bird watching at the Birding Center, walking the beach and talking with the snowbirds about how nice it was to not be in the sub- zero temperatures of the north.

The first stop on the return trip was at Artie Pates’ home in the Memphis suburbs. I know from experience that Artie is a great host. As Don related, “It’s ‘worth a visit by every cadet’ to see the rock and roll art he has. Plus, Artie is the quintessential tour guide to learn the rock and roll history of Memphis. He planned an efficient day for us to see Sun Studios, The Rock and Soul Museum and a walking tour of Beale Street and the Lorraine Hotel. Plus, we sampled a variety of barbecue restaurants, grateful for the porcine animals who gave their lives for such succulent ribs and pulled pork – delicious with or without sauce.

Memphis is high on the list for a return trip.”

Last but not least, they spent a few days with John C. and Carolyn McLemore in Franklin, Tennessee. “Smack is the best storyteller ever!

He can answer a simple question with complete illustrations, the backstory and his prediction of the future consequences. How he avoided becoming a college professor is a mystery. John C. has been journaling daily for almost 50 years. Gotta be a book in all those words someday, should he ever retire. Carolyn and Lois talked flowers and other plants. We can’t wait to return to Mushroom

Class of 1970: John McLemore and Rich Clary outside the Clarys’ Richmond home in November.

Class of 1970: John McLemore served coffee to Ed Trinkle in November.

Class of 1970: Attending Peel Dillard’s annual oyster roast in Tappahannock were, from left, Donnie Ross ’74, Waite Rawls, Jud Collier, Bill Huffman, Taze Taylor, Gary Weishaar, Charlie Walker, Jim Mawyer, Herb Braun, John Bailey, Mike Snead, Dillard, Paul Dickinson, Bobby Brown, Carl Strock, Tommy Cooke, Ted Rennolds ’69, Tommy Catlett ’69, Bill O’Connor and Warren Grasty.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Meadows when all the flora are in bloom. The Davenport. When the Ways run out of food, the is loaded with mosquitoes and has the worst air quality in the world, even worse than China and McLemores are a delight to visit. All the brother Suttons will mosey on down to Huntsville, Alarats we visited are planning to attend the 50th Re- bama, to spend a few days with Kelly’s rat year the main sinks in barracks. His next trek will be to union.” Well done and well said, Don. But wait! roommate, Dave Price, and his wife, Priscilla. Hermosillo, Mexico, which is reportedly the hotThere’s more! In mid-November, as Don and Lois Kelly said that to keep things real when not travel- test city in North America with temperatures reguheaded for the Poconos for two weeks, they had ing, he has coffee with Stuart Cottrell about three larly hitting 120 degrees in the summer months. an unintended stay in Martinsburg, West Virginia, times a week. That ought to work!

Of course, he will be there during the summer due to one of our many snowstorms. Lately, Don The Christmas card from Bob and Kathy Canmonths. Phil, old buddy, you need to get another has spent time volunteering with Give Solar, a lo- dido was comprised of pictures from the numer- travel agent. Anyway, he plans to return in August cal organization that installs solar panels at local ous trips they took during 2018, which included to send his youngest son off to college. Unfortusocial service nonprofits. The reduced utility costs skiing in Alta, Utah; visiting relatives in Ellens- nately, he says VMI is not on his son’s list, with make more money available to support these or- burg, Washington; cruising on the Columbia either Virginia Tech or JMU being the most likely ganizations’ service missions. The first project was River; and helping daughter Elizabeth move into recipient of Phil’s money.

I recently traded emails with Mark Gold in westcompleted late last year with a second scheduled her new digs in Nashville. While there, they had a chance to meet Grammy Award winning singer/ ern North Carolina. The good news was that he for the spring.

Speaking of Smack, while on a visit to see their songwriter Ray Stevens, of Ahab the Arab, Gui- had just completed his radiation therapy. Hopefuldaughter and grandchildren in Midlothian, Vir- tarzan, The Streak and The Mississippi Squirrel ly, there will be more good news once he receives Revival fame. his doctor’s report on whether or not the cancer ginia, over Thanksgiving, John and Carolyn paid Australia seems to be the place to be lately, with has been contained. He sincerely appreciates all a visit to Rich and Kaye Clary. Smack reports they of the words of encouragement and advice he has threw cholesterol caution to the wind and had Tommy and Jill Cooke, Steve and Sherrie Cradmushroom burgers and crinkle cut fries for lunch. dock, and Russ and Elaine Marshall all making received from many of you.

Hailing in from Big Canoe, Georgia, Phil AnTalk about living on the edge. They also stopped recent appearances Down Under. The Cookes’ by to see Ed and Marky Trinkle in Wytheville, monthlong trip included some time in Bali on derson said that he successfully completed his Virginia, where Smack reportedly waited on Ed their way out. In Australia, they met up with Jill’s time as President of the Big Canoe Property Ownhand and foot. Obviously, there must be some in- brother and his wife for a cruise. Steve and Sherry ers Association and is forthwith not answerable to flew to Sydney just before the new year to meet up its 5,000 residents about anything and everything. criminating photos in play here.

John and June Bailey, Charlie and Margaret with friends and to catch the celebration in Sydney Congratulations, Phil. He also reported that John Walker, and Gary and Lynn Weishaar did their Harbor. A few days later, they boarded Celebrity Pinner ’73 and his wife, Ann, who is the sister of own version of a southern road trip in mid-Janu- Cruise Line Solstice for a 13-day cruise around Phil’s late wife, recently moved to Big Canoe from ary which took them to Charleston, South Caro- Australia and New Zealand. About the time the Suffolk, Virginia. John is an avid fisherman, so lina, and New Orleans, where they took in the Craddocks returned, Russ and Elaine embarked Phil looks forward to being schooled (pun intendWorld War II museum. Everyone I have talked on a cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney. While in ed) by him this summer, which Phil thinks will to who has been there says that it is an amazing Brisbane at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Russ be adequate payback for the many lessons John museum. Afterward, John headed to Mississippi saw Moe’s cousin, and he posted a picture on our learned from Phil at VMI. VMI ’70 Facebook page. for his annual deer hunting trip with his cousins.

Jesse Glidewell emailed me to say that, although Phil Jornlin safely returned from Bangladesh they had 68 inches of snowfall that week in Eden, Not to be outdone, George and Lisa Ritko at the end of January. He reported that Dhaka Utah, they are still almost 200 inches below their headed even farther south to Key West followannual average snowfall of 500 inches. ing Lisa’s successful gall bladder surgery.

He also related his unique daily schedule: George posted to the VMI’70 Facebook “Working 4-8, skiing 9-12, working a little page a picture of a newly issued VMI speand eating in the afternoon, evening with cialty North Carolina license plate. And our sons when they aren’t playing virtual Gordon Williams wrote that on a lark, he reality games.” Other than the parts about did a search for “VMI 70” while he was on work and getting up at four in the mornthe Illinois DMV site, and lo and behold, it was available. So he bought it. ing, that sounds great, Jesse.

Returning to travel-related items, Kelly And now, for a quick history lesson and Rhonda Sutton will be spending from none other than our very own Dick four days at the Greenbrier with Kelly’s Cheatham. “I’m happy to report that longtime friend, Greg Wall ’68, and his interest in Colonel J.T.L. Preston seems wife, Martha. From there they will head broader and more extensive than I had to western North Carolina to visit Hal originally presumed. I’ve been in touch Class of 1970: Tommy and Jill Cooke atop the bridge over recently with a number of staff and facand Melinda Way for three days, where Sydney Harbor, Australia, in February. they will be joined by Davy and Michelle ulty members from Norwich University

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Class Notes in Vermont about doing presentations (as Colonel Preston) for their bicentennial celebrations this year. Captain Alden Partridge, former superintendent of West Point, felt that West Point had serious flaws and he was determined to correct them.

He founded Norwich as a private military college in 1819 based upon the citizen-soldier model as opposed to West Point’s professional soldier model.

“Partridge also wrote and spoke extensively around the country promoting his views, most interestingly in Virginia from at least 1834-36.

I’ve located original handwritten documents in the Norwich archives listing paid subscribers to these lectures including a T.L. Preston and a Charles P. Dorman. Charles P. Dorman, a member of the House of Delegates representing Lexington, was Preston’s partner in pushing the bill establishing VMI through the Virginia General Assembly. (Brigadier General Dorman also served with Preston on VMI’s founding Board of Visitors.) No one seems to have noticed these names and their significance on these obscure handwritten lists before. This has been exciting to the Norwich folks and to Ran Schaffner who wrote the recent biography of Colonel Preston.

“Bottom line: There is a growing interest in Colonel Preston and his original vision for VMI. ‘Colonel Preston’ may yet speak up at Norwich and/or at the new U.S. Army Museum in northern Virginia this year reflecting upon his connections with Captain Partridge and his vision of a series of colleges across the nation based upon the citizen-soldier concept.

Many were started and some few survived, VMI being the most important and earliest along with Norwich.” As they say, “You learn something every day.”

I am happy to report that A.C. and Beth Arnn’s son, Patrick, returned from Kunsan Air Base in South Korea in December to take over command of Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. He, wife Jessica and their two daughters moved into their new home in Sumter, South Carolina, in January. Welcome home, Patrick!

On the new arrivals front, Howie DeWolf boasted of the arrival of Elizabeth Claire, grandchild No. 15 (yes, 15!), in November. One wonders if he has to get a home equity loan just to make it through Christmas. Anyway, he and Barbara attended the basketball game against Chattanooga in early February in Lexington. He said it was a great game except for the fact that we came up one point short. They are looking forward to our 50th next April.

John B.C. Hill wrote in to say that he had a great time in November at a VMI dinner aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor, where it is dry docked and now used as a hotel and entertainment facility. I heard there is a sister version of this ocean liner named after Mary, Queen of Scots, but it isn’t too good for long cruises since it doesn’t have a head.

Moving right along, the highlight of January was the surprise retirement party for Bill O’Connor put on by Ralph Costen and Dick Marshall in Richmond. What a great time!

There are few sights more ludicrous than

watching seventy year-olds acting like 20-yearolds, unless, of course, you are one of them.

Then it’s all in excellent taste. The revelers included Herb and Susan Braun, Jud Collier, Tommy and Jill Cooke, Paul Dickinson, Peel Dillard, Lanny and Terri Sue Gault ’71, Ned and Fricka Haley, Dick and Dee Hamlet, Bill and Marilyn Huffman, Jim and Judy Mawyer, Don and Tucker McQueen, Lew and Judy Reynolds, Donnie and Barbara Ross ’74, Mike and Connie Sisler, and Kent and Judy Schlussel. Surprisingly, the band actually knew all the songs. I think they must have had previous experiences with several of the above-mentioned.

After a few beers, if you closed your eyes for a minute or so and just listened, you could almost think you were back at Zollman’s. The young man tending bar was certainly impressed with our collective singing ability, in the sense that this scene will most likely be impressed in his poor brain forever.

And finally, in case you didn’t notice, with these class notes we have hit a milestone of sorts, that being, these are the first notes since I have been class agent without one mention of Stix Chandler. But who’s counting?

That’s all for now. Be sure to check out the VMI’70 Facebook page for pictures and comments posted by our BRs. Also, if you are not on the brother rat email list, just send me an email at classagent1970@aol.com so you can keep up with BR and Institute related news, including information on our 50th Reunion.

In the spirit!

1971

Jim Kelly

Class of 1970: Attending Bill O’Connor’s retirement party in Richmond were, from left, Ned Haley, Donnie Ross ’74, Paul Dickinson, Bill Huffman, Lanny Gault ’71, Lew Reynolds, Kent Schlussel, Herb Braun, Dick Hamlet, Dick Marshall, Tommy Cooke, Ralph Costen, O’Connor, Jim Mawyer, Jud Collier, Don McQueen, Mike Sisler and Warren Grasty.

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These notes will cover the period of Nov. 15, 2018, through Feb. 15, 2019.

I am hopeful that when these notes reach you in May, some of the turmoil that our nation and state have faced in recent times will, in some civilized way, be resolved. Regardless of where you stand on the issues, I think we can all agree that the last few months have not been our finest hours. Even biology majors took some English and history while at VMI, and I am reminded of the American Revolution

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes and the writings of Thomas Paine in a series of pamphlets called “The American Crisis.” Our would-be nation was in great danger of losing the war in 1776, and George Washington had all but given up hope when he read Paine’s words to his troops before the now famous crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night, and the rest, as they say, “is history.” We have to believe that things will one day get better.

Former President George H.W. Bush died Nov. 30, 2018. Alan Tashima served with the Presidential Flying Wing during his time in the Air Force and was the navigator on Air Force 2 when Bush was the vice president. Alan shared this observation: “I will always remember him for his wit and caring that he showed to the crew.” Alan’s dad was able to visit aboard Air Force 2 at the San Diego Naval Air Station, and according to Alan, D. Walton passed up a chance to visit when the vice president landed in Richmond, Virginia. Tashima has an autographed photo of himself and George H.W. Bush shaking hands on the last day he navigated on Air Force 2.

Ken and Carol Yorgey entered a contest last November which was sponsored by a local magazine called Boomer. For the “Where’s Boomer?” competition, entrants were to have their picture made in an interesting place with their copy of the magazine. The photo included in this edition won them two tickets to a local theater production. Carol says it wasn’t a car or a million bucks, but it was something.

For the record, I do not know anything about Boomer magazine. The cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas, was on its maiden voyage and was in port at Philips, St. Maarten, when the prizewinning photo was taken.

Back in November 2018, terrible wildfires continued to ravage much of California. I emailed our brother rats out there to check on their status. John Ashman wrote that he was about 100 miles from the closest fires, but many of their friends lost their homes and/ or had been evacuated. John says that the fires seem to get worse every year due to extremely dry conditions with relentless winds.

That combination allows the fires to move at a very rapid pace and causes embers to be blown miles away from the original fire.

Kathryn and I hope that all of you had a great holiday season and that 2019 will be a happy, healthy and successful year for everyone. We were

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pleased to hear from so many of you during the Christmas season by way of cards, pictures and newsletters. Those on the card wall this past year included Biggs, Wadsworth, Berkness, Bryan, Stallings, Hepler, O’Donnell, Willis, Truesdell, Oakley, Roder, Golden, Czupryna, Ginder, Mays, Schelhorn, Hannum, Paton, Depew, Friend, Booker, Conques, Kern and Neville.

Bill Ginder wrote that Margaret has retired but still is involved in myriad activities (not to mention taking care of Bill). Bill is still working, but the couple have done a good deal of traveling to places such as New England, Wisconsin and a mission trip to Cuba. The two played Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for various charities and friends and reminded each of us that if we count our blessings each day (and write them down), it makes the evening news much easier to watch.

Gail and Bill Stallings are still in the Savannah area and encourage BRs who are thinking about a move south to consider Georgia. The couple spent a month in Africa last summer and, among other things, joined a National Geographic tour and sailed around the Cape of Good Hope. They described the trip as a “spectacular adventure vacation” which was followed by a “relaxing vacation” to the Mediterranean area. Bill invites anyone traveling near Savannah to stop in and see them.

Jerry and Bill Wadsworth reported that they are frequent visitors to Williamsburg and that they had also traveled to Bavaria.

Rounding out the travel log report, “Skull” Turner and Betty Jane made it to Colorado, Wyoming and Bermuda. Steve is still the director of operations for Southern Air, which he says is “not bad for an old pilot.”

Christmas here at the Kelly home took on a much different look when Kathryn broke her right hip Dec. 21. There is a saying that “no good deed goes unpunished.” We were working that day at our church preparing a meal for a family following a funeral. As it was not quite time to pick up food from the local grocery deli, we stopped by our house to wait for a few minutes. Kathryn had on shoes that were nonskid, and on her way to answer the phone, the carpet stopped her in her tracks and she went to the floor. We managed to get her sitting up leaning against a chair, and I called 911. Later, we learned that it was a good thing that she

Class of 1971: Barry O’Donnell, Mike Strickler and Jim Kelly shared stories before a VMI basketball game.

Class of 1971: Herb Whitley and Rick Little at the pregame gathering Feb. 9, 2019, in Lexington, Virginia.

Class of 1971: Ken and Carol Yorgey won the “Where’s Boomer?” contest by submitting this photo of them in front of a cruise ship.

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Class Notes Maj. Gen. Barton was his grandfather and a West Point graduate. Rocky said his grandfather was very fond of Brig. Gen. Roosevelt and was with him when he (Roosevelt) died July 1, 1944. In the movie, “The Longest Day,” Edmond O’Brian played Maj. Gen. Barton and Henry Fonda played Brig. Gen. Roosevelt. Maj. Gen. Barton was the first allied general to set foot on German soil in World War II. He is credited with saving the city of Luxembourg and spearheading the relief of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. The parade ground at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia, is named Barton Field.

Rocky’s father was R.O. Barton Jr., also a West Point graduate. He flew F-86s in the Korean War and was credited with shooting down three MIGs Class of 1971: Class members gathered at Salerno’s in Lexington, Virginia, before the VMI versus Samford basketball game Feb. 9, 2019. and damaging seven others. He later served as an air officer commanding – what VMI would call a did not try to stand up. The ambulance arrived, Force (Ret).” Clearly wearing his U.S. Army uni- TAC officer – at the U.S. Air Force Academy for two years before leaving the service. Raymond O. and after some discussion as to how to move form, he was not recognized as such. Maybe next Barton III was with us at VMI for our rat year and her, Kathryn was loaded up and off to the emer- year, we can have a press release ready and there gency room. I couldn’t make the trip since I had will be no confusion. Rick says he will keep doing received an appointment to the Air Force Academy where he graduated in 1972. Rocky says he to go pick up food and deliver it to the church the job until he joins those laid to rest in Dublin.

I have been reading Stephen Ambrose’s book had always dreamed of being a fighter pilot. In before heading to the hospital. As breaks go, it could have been worse and only three screws (actually a 600-page tome) on the history of the 1978 he was able to fulfill that dream and eventualwere needed to stabilize the hip. She spent just D-Day invasion of France June 6, 1944. One ly flew F-4 Phantoms in Germany and later transiover five weeks in rehab. No Christmas, new evening while reading, I ran across information tioned to the F-16 which he flew in Germany and year or birthday at home and no visit to Rich- concerning Maj. Gen. Raymond O. Barton who in the United States. Rocky left the Air Force in mond to see the children. Lauren and Ryan commanded the 4th Infantry Division. His head- 1984 and began working with his dad in the concrete business until that business was sold in 1988. are now 15 and 14 respectively, and while they quarters was on board the USS Bayfield, and his may have some question about the guy in the deputy commander was Brig. Gen. Theodore He also joined the Air National Guard in Georgia red suit, they still believe in generous grandpar- Roosevelt (FDR’s son). I recalled that we have a and resumed flying jet aircraft. He retired from the ANG as a lieutenant colonel. and is now the CEO ents. Kathryn has really been a trooper with her brother rat Raymond O. Barton III. It seemed very therapy and will be back in action we hope by unlikely to me that was not a connection there. I of American Concrete in Augusta, Georgia. His the end of February. I hope that I have always emailed our BR “Rocky” Barton, and indeed son works along with him as the president of the company and Rocky admits to taking a been a good helper around the house, lot more time off these days. My thanks but this event has gained me access to to Rocky for sharing his story with us and the washer and dryer and the electronic I know you will join me in thanking this banking, which is pretty sacred turf. family for their dedication and service to The sixth annual wreath laying cerour nation. emony was held before Christmas at the Larry Brumback sent a note following southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery the death of J.O. (Jack) Marsh (Hon.) Feb. in Dublin, Virginia. Our BR Col. Rick 4, 2019. Jack Marsh was a former U.S. Littleton was selected once again to be congressman and was also the longest the master of ceremonies, and true to serving secretary of the Army. The funeral tradition, it was cold and blowing snow. service was held at the New Market BattleRick did his usual fine job and got his field Feb. 15, 2019, where Jack is now burpicture in both of the Pulaski papers. It ied. Secretary Marsh had once served as is clear that the media folks are not at the town attorney for New Market. Larry all familiar with military ranks (or uniand his family attended the same church forms). Rick was identified as “Col. LitClass of 1971: Zeke Ellington visited the Cogburn Ostrich as the Marshes in Strasburg and knew the tleton U.S. Navy (Ret.)” and later in the Ranch in Arizona. family well. Congressman Marsh offered same article as “Col. Littleton U.S. Air

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Class Notes Larry a position as a page in the House of Representatives, which he turned down so as not to interfere with becoming a rat at VMI. John Metzger also has connections with the Marsh family. When J.O. was at Washington and Lee law school, he purchased a large parcel of land which borders the Metzgers. John also is familiar with the two Marsh sons. Scot Marsh ’81 has a surveying business in Winchester, Virginia, and Rob Marsh is a doctor with a practice in Rockbridge County.

Secretary Marsh’s daughter lives here in Pulaski, Virginia. Secretary Marsh also served on the VMI Board of Visitors and is one of only a few named as an honorary alumnus of VMI. Zeke and Jane Ellington were recently in Arizona where they stopped by the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch near Scottsdale. Our own “Rooster” Westbrook and his wife were the guests of Jerry and Maryanne Acuff some time ago before heading for Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

Rooster is said to have left his footprints at the Cogburn Ranch, and there is unconfirmed speculation that he changed his last name in order to do business in Arizona.

Toward the end of January, the VMI Keydets played West Carolina University and picked up a win in Cameron Hall. Several members of ’71 were in attendance for the game, including Gault, Bryan, Acuff, Strickler, Ellington, Pickral and Coleman. Lanny was in Lexington for a Keydet Club board meeting.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, 21 brother rats, along with several spouses and friends, gathered in Lexington for the VMI versus Samford basketball game. A pregame meal was held at Salerno’s with a nice buffet of subs and pizza. Thanks to Buddy Bryan for taking the point and making arrangements with Salerno’s and VMI. The group even had shuttle service to and from Cameron Hall.

The game was a lively event that was 70-70 at the end of regulation but did not end so well for the Keydets. Several members of the group suggested that a home VMI basketball game on a Saturday in February should become an annual ’71 event.

Carol Yorgey was kind enough to take several photos during the day. The group photo that is included has the following lineup: Acuff, Kennedy, Haywood, Gault, O’Donnell and Guffy, Adams, Strickler, Price, Miller, Bryan, Mikula and Biersack, Dudley, Kelly, Littleton, Honeywell, Whitley, Yorgey, Westbrook and Wiese.

Not pictured but at the game was Ken Coleman.

All of you who have a mailing address on file

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with the VMI Alumni Association have likely received one or more forms of communication regarding the updating of your contact information. There are a couple of reasons for this. One is to provide information for the next edition of the “Register of Former Cadets” and second, to keep your alumni profile current in the VMI Ranks.

This database allows VMI to send out information on current events and various Institute publications. We will also use it for internal class communication, reunion details, etc. If you have not yet developed your profile, I encourage you to do that in the very near future. For assistance you can call the VMI Alumni Association office.

I just received the Annual Giving report from VMI. The Class of ’71 has a very respectable percentage of alumni participation at 24.03 percent, with the Class of ’70 less than one-tenth of a point ahead with 24.12 percent. We are well ahead of the average for the decade of the ’70s, which stands at 17.98 percent. My thanks as always to those who have contributed so far this fiscal year.

I am sure that you can do the math, and our 50th Reunion is a mere two years away. Traditionally, this would be the reunion that classes donate or pledge the largest sum of money compared to previous reunion years. Think about finishing up the donations to qualify for a brick on the walk in front of barracks or contributing to one of several scholarships associated with ’71, the Keydet Club or any aspect of VMI that you feel you can support. It won’t be too much longer before we begin active planning for the 50th. If you have ideas or things you would like to see our class get done, please let me know.

Birthday cards are something that I have done since becoming your class agent. I assumed this duty after a fall reunion and started sending out my allotment of cards in October of that year, meaning, of course, that in 12 months, I would need new cards. This had never been an issue before since the agents put in their requests for birthday and Christmas cards at our annual leadership meeting in the spring and they usually were shipped in August. Over the last year or so, VMI has done some administrative restructuring and personnel have either moved to another role at VMI or they are completely new. When I did not get our cards in August as usual, I began to worry a little. The cards were not at the top of the jobs list, and compared to other years, they were late. So, in order to try and preserve a nearly 20 year streak, I sent out email happy birthdays to

brother rats with October, November and December birthdays, and everyone I assume got a Christmas card. Now we should be back on track. Even though I might be late or too early sometimes. I hope you keep having birthdays and I will still keep reminding you of them. Many of us have already crossed over to our eighth decade and this year we will turn 71.

Kathryn and I wish for everyone to have a safe and enjoyable summer. We are going to try to get to a couple of beaches in May and September when the sun is not so rough on old people and most of the children are in school. Send me your pictures and stories and I will do my best to get them included in the Review.

Be safe, be good citizen soldiers and, as VMI now says, “Don’t do ordinary.”

In the bonds, Jim

1972

Larry Houseworth

Brother and Sister Rats, Families, and Friends, These notes cover mid-November 2018, through mid-February 2019. The treasure trove of holiday correspondence (great fodder for the year’s first Review) fell victim to your scribe’s fumbled attempts at new year’s minimalism. Marie and I loved the notes, letters and pictures, but only a couple of them survived. I appreciate your understanding and your response to my request for news.

The recent turmoil emanating from our national and Virginia state governments has ignited deeply passionate sentiments within our throng.

These notes will never become a political forum or billboard for opinion, but clearly, those of us who share our observations and views do so out of passionate, honest and honorable intent. This portion of the West Point Cadet Prayer feels apropos: “Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong, and never be content with a half-truth when the whole can be won. Endow us with the courage that is born of loyalty to all that is noble and worthy, that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice and knows no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy.”

OK, moving on: Two interesting stats from Money Magazine’s inclusion of VMI in its “50

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Class Notes

Class of 1972: George and Mary Jane Williams decorated for Christmas during a visit to the South Pole.

Class of 1972: Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, Defense Intelligence Agency director, presented Eric Hammersen with the DIA Director’s Medal and retirement certificate.

Class of 1972: Wade and Florence Houston at Fitzroy Station in Antarctica.

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Best Public Colleges.” We are No. 3 in lowest student debt at graduation and No. 4 in highest earlycareer earnings. Both are definitely worth remembering in your discussions with young parents and potential applicants.

Hank Humphreys lent me archive copies of our Matriculation book and the VMI Cadet newspaper of Aug. 22, 1968. The Matriculation roster lists 375 signatures (I’m No. 223, between T.C. Hathaway and Bo Wierzbicki). Bob Bailey, Clay Murray and Johnnie Durst are the first three. Newspaper articles include “129 Years of Tradition,” “Honor System Best in U.S.,” “RDC Produces Character in New Cadets” and “Every Rat’s Schedule is Busy but They All Find Time for Girls.”

Bill Cooper reports that he and Brenda “were blessed with the birth of their fourth grandchild, a son, born to our daughter, Jennie, in Leesburg, Virginia, Dec. 14. Meanwhile, son Ken ’05 has recently relocated from Pennsylvania to Houston, Texas, to start up a coatings plant for his employer, JT Thorp. In addition to grandparent duties, I have been spending a lot of time in my car building located behind our home in Ruffs Dale, Pennsylvania, where I am restoring a British TVR Taimar coupe.” I indulged my curiosity and learned this (from Wikipedia): “[T]his series was regarded by contemporary reviewers as being loud and fast and having excellent roadholding. This came at the expense of unusual ergonomics and heating and ventilation systems that were sometimes problematic.” Not boys and their toys; more like gentlemen and their craft.

Bill echoed the sentiments of several of our throng after reading The (Lexington) News-Gazette article on our 50th anniversary of integration.

“I also remember it as a non-event – just five more BRs. I like the photo down by the taxi stand.”

Sandy Edens checked in “via shoe phone.”

“OK, here goes! Diane and I are great and loving life in Colorado. A true Colorado winter this year with great skiing, so all BRs, come on. I’m teaching scuba diving, and we are headed now to Maldives for two weeks of diving. My only difficulty is I’m feeling great and almost like I’m walking PTs on the bricks, but I look in the mirror and some old man is looking back. Scary! I’m proud to be in the Class of ’72. We broke the old molds and had the longest Rat Line in history! Rah Virginia Mil!” You’re a role model, BR. Walt Galanty touched base from their new winter digs. “I hope that all is well. I just wanted to let

you know that Meg and I bought a house in the Phoenix, Arizona, area (Goodyear, Arizona), and we are going to winter there each year from November to April. I have no reason to expose myself to snow any longer.” You got a jump-start on the snow thing, coming from Detroit, BR. Eric Hammersen shared, “After 50-plus years of service (in uniform and as a civilian), I formally retired from DIA Jan. 5. We sold our house in northern Virginia, packed up our household goods the following day and relocated to Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country. Arrived here the evening of Jan. 18 and had our furniture, etc. delivered the next week. We actually moved into the house Jan. 31 (though there is still some final punch list work being done). Looking forward to this ‘retired life,’ though I’m actually teaching a course one evening per week on the USSR and the Cold War at the local campus of Texas Tech University (none of the students were born when the Berlin Wall came down 29 years ago in November 1989!)”

(Class agent note: Ouch!)

He continued, “As he likes to do at such events, the general put up a slide of the world in 1984 (when I started my first assignment at DIA), with a tongue-in-cheek reference in the last line.

In fact, Tom Clancy came to DIA that year and spent two hours with us talking about his bestseller, ‘Hunt for Red October,’ and autographing his books.” If anyone’s earned retirement, Eric, you have!

Gail Sommers says he doesn’t “have a lot to add, but I just recently retired from my CEO position (class agent note: Professional Warranty Service Corporation). I’m getting to spend a lot of time with my 2-year-old grandson and am really enjoying it. Keeps me hopping. I am looking for a board of directors position and/or some project based consulting work. I do communicate with Walt (Galanty) and Phil (Wilkerson) occasionally, and they are doing well. Walt is spending the winter in Arizona and is certainly enjoying it. I also communicate with Dick Valentine, and he is great and enjoying Jacksonville.” Good priorities, BR! The Hon. James D. Pagones retired in December from the Dutchess County Surrogate’s Court, 9th Judicial District of New York after a 41-year career. He served in this position since 1999 and also served as an acting justice of the Dutchess County Supreme Court. A prior commitment kept Marie and I from attending the

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes festivities at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel. But, degrees, outside temperature was 47) allowed me Jim did pass along this pearl of wisdom during to skip going to the cardiologist for this year.” Kuan e-discussion of our current political situation: dos; you lived to tell about it, BR. “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent And how’s this for hearing from the long lost? out of shape. So let it be written, so let it be done! Tom Parkins writes, “I’ll bite. I am a seldom A shut mouth gathers no foot.” A lesson for the heard from BR. I spent my career teaching high ages, your Honor. school physics and other science. I also spent 30 Jim, Carsten Hillson, Kurt Renz, Ralph Redyears with the Army and National Guard. Short active duty tours made for some great summer mond, Rob Murray and “Stormin” Norm Worrell get my nomination for VMI ’72’s answer to jobs while teaching. In retirement, I spend my Fox’s “The Five.” Their e-forums on the events time working with the homeless here in Newark, Delaware.” We know where you are, BR; don’t of the day are fiery and unequivocal.

Norm and Joy’s Christmas note and photo make us come get you!

Jim and Betty Barnes’ holiday letter escaped montage of their Carolina low-country lifestyle is straight out of the Travel Channel. And I’m the minimalist blitz at chez Houseworth. Betty sure their proximity to Parris Island helps Norm writes that “we’ve had a busy year, and yet we are retired, so where does the time go?” Four maintain his gung-ho! Semper Fi, BR! grandsons under the age of 11 visited recently, Britt Harrison shared a photo of our Williamsburg contingent. “Here is that photo that can be used to cause cardiac arrest in young children and barn animals everywhere. It was great catching up and seeing familiar faces.” Thanks, BR; it’s a distinguished assemblage.

Wade Houston (yes, Wade Houston) checked in with this: “Received your message and hope this helps; retirement is great. Got back from a great trip to Antarctica which was on wife’s bucket list. Shot here is us at Fitzroy Station run by the British in the Antarctic summer.

The scenery, wildlife (whales, seals, penguins, albatrosses, etc.) and exhilaration of the zodiac landings were unimagi- Class of 1972: Drew and Laurie Turner in Tanzania. nable. The polar plunge (water was 41

Class of 1972: Dick and Deb Vogel cruised the Baltic Sea with their family.

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and “somehow we managed to all get fed and found a place to sleep.” Daughter Lisa was an elementary school substitute teacher (music) for almost a semester (600 report cards) and daughter Aimee’s employer, T Systems, recognized her performance with a vacation trip. Betty received an award for being Volunteer of the Year at her mother’s nursing home and volunteers in a special-needs class in a local elementary school and Jim has kept busy being the lay leader of their Methodist Church.

Betty says, “Jim had surgery in early December for a lesion on one of his kidneys. It proved to be cancer but a type that only occurs on the kidney and does not spread elsewhere, so no follow up will be necessary. We are so grateful that we found this early and had a talented surgeon.

Jim took a few days off and has been getting back into his usual schedule of maintenance and management for our church. We are looking forward to taking a trip with Jim’s sister and her husband and two other couples to Alaska next summer.

Visiting all of the national parks has long been one of our goals, and this year we will get to Denali! We will take a day to visit Butchart Gardens in Victoria before we join the others in Alaska – another one of our dream spots to visit!” We can’t stop moving forward.

Dick and Deb Vogel are quickly becoming professional cruisers. They sent me a photo of their clan somewhere in the middle of the Baltic and a stop in St. Petersburg, Russia. Continued fair winds and following seas, BR. Jackie Fick says he “just returned from six days fishing in Quepos, Costa Rica. If BRs have never traveled to Costa Rica, it’s a wonderful place with excellent fishing and rain forests with zip lines. Quepos is on the southern Pacific side of Costa Rica. It’s well known for the Pacific sailfish which reach between 100-125 pounds. We caught 15 sails in two days of fishing and five yellowfin tuna in 45-50 pound range. Great place for families, as well.” I’m sold, BR. George and Mary Jane Williams – busy family, a move and travel. Son Phil and family have moved back to Richmond, where he’s with Richmond’s Arts and Letters Creative Company whose main client is Google. Son Clayton and wife have completed renovation of their Capital Hill townhouse. George says he and M.J. “certainly had a

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Class Notes busy year.” They RV’d to Key West, listed and sold their Springfield home and moved to Chesterfield (all within a month!?), then moved out while water damage was repaired and decided to scratch one from the bucket list and spend Christmas in Antarctica. No Santa Claus, but plenty of elves dressed as penguins.

The Hemingway-esque Drew Turner reports, “My wife, Laurie, and I went to Africa on safari in November and had a great time. We traveled with friends from North Carolina and were in three different game parks in Tanzania. We have traveled all over the world and this was the best trip ever. I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested.

Attached are a couple of the photos from our adventure.” Road trip, anyone?

Harry Gore slid into ranks at the last note of assembly. “Sorry that I didn’t make the Tuesday morning deadline, I’m boning myself for being ‘not all right.’ My bit of news was about retiring from government contract work back in October.

Susan and I then spent the bulk of October cleaning up Hurricane Florence damage to the house in Southport, North Carolina, that I inherited from my parents. We still live in southwest Illinois (about 20 miles east of St. Louis) and hope to be able to get back to the house in North Carolina once prime beach season arrives.” Ah, beach houses – a noble goal.

In January, Marie and I rejoined Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise after a two-year hiatus. Over two dozen bands, singers, songwriters and artists at sea for a week. Highlights included one-on-one time with the artists, zip-lining in the Dominican Republic and a benefit party in San Juan that raised more than $40,000 and donated 400 backpacks of school supplies for Puerto Rico’s department of education. But a major highlight is always Bruce Channel, with Delbert on harmonica, doing “Hey, Baby” – feels like Zollman’s at sea.

Preliminary discussions are being held regarding the Planning Committee to address our gift to the Institute at our 50th Reunion. It may feel premature, but remember, our dykes are celebrating their 50th this year. More to follow.

One final request before I sign off. Please make sure your information is up to date in VMI Ranks at www.vmialumni.org. Let me know if I can help; if I can’t, I’ll put you in touch with someone who can.

That’s it for now, BRs. Thanks so much for all your input. Rah Virginia Mil – ’72, ’72, ’72!

Larry

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1973

Mike Kelly

Happy spring to all of my brother rats! It is still February as I write these notes, and we just had a few days of spring-like weather, but it is turning colder this weekend. The groundhogs were divided in their predictions, so maybe we’ll only have three more weeks of winter? So far this year, Pat and I have not been super busy, which was a relief after having a very busy and somewhat hectic fall. I went camping with my son’s Scout troop to Myrtle Beach in January, along with two of my grandkids. It was a really nice weekend, and fortunately for us, it held off raining until Sunday as we were pulling out. I went down early Friday as the “advance party” for the troop to check in and get things squared away and was able to join Michael Smith, president of the Myrtle Beach Chapter, for a “beer call” at a nearby mini brewery. Although Hal Laughlin, who helps Michael, was unable to join us that evening, we had six local alumni attend and enjoyed a nice evening together.

The next weekend, I was at the local Boy Scout camp taking a two-day wilderness first aid class.

That was a very interesting course and covered a lot of territory. It is one of several BSA courses that adults have to take to serve as a Scout leader.

This particular course is required for “high-adventure” trips. In June, I am going with my son, Scott, and his two boys and other scouts from the troop on a sea base sailing adventure in the Florida Keys for a week. We will be on a sailing vessel and engage in a variety of activities to include snorkeling and sailing. Pat and I also recently went to the VMI versus the University of North Carolina at Greensboro basketball game in Greensboro and attended a pregame dinner with members of the Triad Chapter. Our next trip was to go to the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors meeting in Lexington March 1-2, and we planned to host a New Market Day event at our house in May for the Raleigh Chapter. Also, in March, Gen. Peay ’62 is coming to Raleigh for a dinner and gathering with alumni. We are really looking forward to that event.

I hope you enjoyed Issue 1 of the Review. It had many pictures from our reunion and information

on members of the class. I have received a lot of messages from BRs about the reunion, and I appreciate your feedback as we look forward to our 50th reunion.

Paul “P.X.” English is president of the UpstatePisgah Chapter for South Carolina and western North Carolina. E.D. Woomer lives in the Asheville, North Carolina, area and helps support the chapter there. The chapter is very active in hosting a number of events and most recently had alumni luncheons in Asheville and Greenville, South Carolina. The chapter also helps sponsor a variety of activities around sporting events in both states, so please keep an eye out for activities in the area.

P.X. passed along information regarding E.D., who had hip replacement surgery last fall. He said E.D. has recovered very well after initially having a rough time. He also said Doug Huthwaite, who now lives in Murphy, North Carolina, is ready to step up and help with chapter activities. P.X. said Doug and his wife, Pat, are headed to China in March for vacation and would spend some time in Hong Kong with their daughter who lives there. Pat has posted pictures of their cabin with snow and sunsets. They enjoy living in the mountains. Doug and Pat sent a nice Christmas card to say they enjoyed the reunion and to wish everyone a great holiday and happy new year. One of the nice things about the Christmas holidays is that I hear from so many of our BRs with cards and letters and wishes for a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The “lost BR award” for this issue goes to Gary Hankins. I really can’t remember when I heard from Gary last, but I got a nice Christmas card from him. Gary was especially helpful to me in getting through biology and was most gracious in explaining things that I just didn’t understand!

Gary is a doctor, and he and his wife, Barbara, live in the Galveston, Texas, area. It is my understanding that Gary is getting ready to retire – or at least thinking about it. I hope you stay in touch – great hearing from you! Best wishes in your retirement.

Terry and Nina Howlett are still in Tyler, Texas, and continue their volunteer work. Terry works with the church and flies border missions for the Civil Air Patrol. Nina supports elementary school classes, and she and Terry teach Sunday school classes at their church.

Blake and Sandy Thomas are settled into The Villages in Florida. Blake recently took over as the regional director for the Florida region with the Alumni Association. They are currently doing

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes work on their home, to include building a pool that has kept them busy. During 2018, they spent and gym, and continue to participate in air shows time traveling across the country to various locaflying their Sopwith Schneider. Recently, they tions both for work and pleasure, and to spend were in Dallas to celebrate the graduation of their time with family. Their kids and grandkids were daughter, Kaitlyn, from Southwest Airlines’ flight involved in a lot of graduations and school activiattendant course. Blake was also pleased to an- ties, like learning to drive and going to dance lesnounce that he recently discovered he has a half sons. They enjoyed staying busy with them. brother he did not know about, and they have had I had a nice card and note from Ms. Thad (Paa great time getting to know his new family! tricia) Smith. I had not heard from her in several I had a nice letter from Tom and Mary Burke months, but she said she was doing fine and still who live in St. Louis. They have had their share living in Fort Worth, Texas. She said that one of of winter weather and look forward to the spring. her daughters, Tiann, was currently deployed in They were very excited about their daughter, Emi- South Korea, so please keep the Smith family lie, graduating in December with a degree in geol- in your thoughts and prayers. Ms. John (Clissa) ogy from Missouri State University in Springfield, England also sent a Christmas card to wish us a Missouri. Best wishes to you, Emilie! Tom and merry Christmas and happy new year. She is doMary are both still working with the community ing well and lives in North Chesterfield, Virginia. college. Mary is part-time in the dental hygiene Tom and Lois Jennings also live in Chesterfield, program, and Mike teaches English full-time at Virginia, and sent a Christmas message to say another of their campuses. They both hope to re- they were looking forward to a nice holiday seatire in the next year. son and to give best wishes to all.

Dave and Susan Northcraft were at the reunion Klaus Worrell likewise lives in North Chesterand took time while “out east” to visit with rela- field, Virginia. Klaus lost his wife last year and tives and attend Susan’s niece’s wedding. They had a really tough time recovering from his visited Dave’s sister in Maryland and his cousin grief. He spent a lot of time working on things in West Virginia. A funny thing happened right for our class and preparing for our reunion. As I around Thanksgiving when I found a note I had mentioned previously in the notes for Issue 1 of from a Jean McCleaf who had seen my Facebook the Review, he was a tremendous help in getting profile and said her brother, Dave, had gone to things done for the reunion. I have since learned VMI and graduated in 1973. I responded back that Klaus has become good friends with Ms. that I knew Dave and Susan well and that I used Laura Loper, who he has gone to church with to travel to Lynchburg, Virginia, when they lived and who also has experienced difficult circumthere, and we would often get together for dinner. stances in her life. They told me that they found After they moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, each other at the right time and place and look where I lived, we saw each other fairly frequently. forward to what comes next in 2019. Klaus, we What was really odd is that Jean’s message was love you, BR, and wish you both the best. sent Dec. 30, 2012, and I didn’t get it until last NoDave Sutherland sent a card and note at vember. Jean said Dave used to call her Ms. Beatle; I sent him a note asking for an explanation but didn’t hear back! Great to hear from her. Dave is staying busy doing maintenance work on rental properties, and Susan substitutes two days a week at the day care. Dave is also very happy to say that he is celebrating his seventh year in remission!

M.B. and Mary Adelson planned to attend the reunion but were held up

by Hurricane Michael. Although they were fortunate enough to not have a lot of damage at their home in Tallahassee, their lake house in nearby Donalsonville, Class of 1973: Mike Kelly with his grandchildren.

Georgia, sustained severe damage, and

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Christmas to say that he really missed the reunion and hopes to make it next time. He was busy traveling last year and spent time out West, including some time with John Ciriaco near Omaha. Dave reported that John was doing well and recovering from the medical issues he experienced in 2017. Dave said he also hoped to get up with Ron and Nikki Martin in Chicago while traveling.

I had a couple of notes from Chad Brown, who still lives in Staunton, Virginia. Chad first wrote to say he really had a great time at the reunion and enjoyed seeing everyone again. Chad expressed his wishes for continued success for the Class of 1973 and said that he was very thankful for the class. He felt that his BRs were some of the best people he knows and ones he was most thankful for.

One of my favorite notes and cards was from Joe and Mary Duffy. While Joe has suffered through a lot of pain and anxious moments in the past few years, it was a very rewarding experience for them to come to the reunion and be with his BRs who shared unconditional love and experiences with them. Mary was thankful for the opportunity to put faces with names and to meet the people who have been supportive of them and of whom Joe often speaks. They expressed their sincere thanks and best wishes for a happy new year for all!

Tom and Bonnie Clark expressed their appreciation for the hospitality and fun experienced at the reunion. The Clarks always do a Christmas letter. Last year, they spent time traveling and exploring several state parks and forest service campgrounds in Colorado. Bonnie starred in a performance of “Gloria” with the Colorado College Community College theater group and received outstanding reviews. Tom said their daughters, Colleen and Becky, live in the Denver area and were doing well.

Bonnie stays busy with her crafts and card making, as well as being in the church choir and hand bell choir. Tom enjoys going to the local gun club to hone his skills, and also sings with the church choir.

Ralph and Becky Littreal are doing well in San Jose, California. During 2018, they both enjoyed attending San Francisco Giants baseball games. On a train trip from Seattle after a game and heading back home, they awoke to realize the train had turned around and was headed back north due to forest fires. They got

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Class Notes off as soon as they could and rented a car to return home. Ralph follows the NASCAR circuit, and they have both been visiting national parks in the southwest United States. They send their best wishes to all for 2019.

Sally and Jack Hayes sent a Christmas letter outlining their 2018 experiences. They also went on a NASCAR trip to Charlotte, North Carolina; however, they were not overly impressed with the race and said it may not be their cup of tea. They did have a great time on a trip to Alaska which included a cruise and a train ride to Denali National Park, which they found to be truly amazing. While they were unable to attend the reunion, they visited Lexington to see VMI for the first time in several years. They were both very impressed.

Roland and Judie Tiso said it had been a very eventful year for them. C.J. graduated from Arizona University, the family went to Hawaii and Allie got engaged! Roland spent some time overseas but fortunately felt safer than in previous trips because of his mission. He even posted a picture of himself in a coat and tie during a visit to the Middle East! C.J. and Mike have moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, and are close to home. Allie is planning a fall wedding, and the Tisos are looking forward to expanding their family!

I also had cards from other BRs. I received one from Rob and Carolyn Bowman, from Blackstone, Virginia. Dick and Tahizy Bugbee of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, sent a card with their boys’ picture. Reuben and Vanessa Trant are doing well in Hatteras, North Carolina. R.B. and Becky Newman said they were enjoying the holidays with all of their family and sent their annual family photograph. Tim and Ruth Hassell sent holiday wishes from Springfield, Virginia. John and Helen Kearney sent season greetings from Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. Bob and Sharon Bushnell sent a picture of their grandkids with a wish for peace on earth. Ken and Sherry Kalisky sent their regrets on missing the reunion and best wishes for the new year. John and Michaela Sykes wished only happiness and joy to all for the new year.

Paula and Joe Wyatt sent warm wishes for happy holidays from Lynchburg, Virginia, and said their granddaughters got a kick out of seeing their picture in the Review last fall. Dave McCown sent a family picture card wishing all a merry Christmas.

Tom and Suzi Napier, who live in Midlothian, Virginia, asked that the spirit of the season remain with us all during the year. Corey and Gale Regelin live in Columbia, Maryland, and wished

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everyone peace and happiness during Christmas.

Fred and Donna Hall sent their best wishes from Hardy, Virginia. Willie Wells sent a merry Christmas to all and said he really enjoyed the reunion!

Milt Salter sent a letter to say merry Christmas as well and to say he was thoroughly enjoying retirement! Larry and Deborah Mays wished all a joyous holiday and happy new year. Stuart Seaton wishes everyone joyful days, silent nights and all the delights of the season! Bill and Mary Stoner want the beauty of nature to fill our hearts with peace and joy throughout the year. I also had Christmas wishes and thanks for a great reunion from Scott McCarthy in Bethesda, Maryland, and from George and Renee Goodwin. Dean Smith sent a card and enclosed a sheet of his favorite jokes. He and his wife, Carol, live in St. Cloud, Florida. Great hearing from all of you!

Well, that about does it for now. Thanks for all of your notes, emails and letters. I just want to end with a couple of comments. June 30 is the end of the VMI fiscal year. Thanks to all who have contributed so much to VMI. I ask that you all consider giving a gift to the Institute, to which we owe so much. Without our parents’ guidance and a VMI education, we may not be where we are today!

Also, please check the VMI Ranks and be sure your information is current. Remember to check the upcoming events calendar and participate in your local chapter’s events. Many chapters will have New Market Day celebrations, rat send-offs and “beer calls” going on in the chapter near you.

VMI’s numerous sports teams are also likely to be close by, so please support the Keydets and the Institute.

I will close with a note from John and Ann Pinner. I consider John and Ann two of my best friends from VMI. They recently moved from Suffolk, Virginia, to the small town of Big Canoe, Georgia, to be closer to family and friends. They recently found out that their youngest son and his wife were expecting their first child in June!

Ann commented that it is hard to imagine going through life without the special bond of family and the VMI Class of ’73 brotherhood!

One of the comments I received after the reunion was how wonderful it was to see a group of guys pick up conversations and “war stories” with BRs as if we graduated only yesterday!

Take care, BRs and be safe out there.

In the bonds, Mike

1974

Snookie Parker

Greetings, Brother Rats, Family and Friends of the Class of 1974!

The following are notes from Nov. 15 to Feb. 15.

Before I get started – the first order of business: Save the date for our 45th Class Reunion: Nov. 1-3, 2019. Be there or be square! Everyone remember, don’t come alone – bring a roommate/ wingman. The reunion activities are taking shape: Lodging, 80 rooms blocked at the Best Western Plus; Thursday, afternoon/evening gathering for early arrivals; Friday, registration in the class hospitality suite, golf, skeet, tours, ladies’ afternoon tea, parade, heavy hors d’oeuvres in Moody Hall and nightcaps in the class hospitality suite; Saturday, memorial service, class meeting, picture, parade, lunch on your own, ball game, dinner in Marshall Hall and nightcaps in the hospitality suite; Sunday, farewell breakfast. If you have not already done so, call to secure your room reservation. Mention VMI Class of 1974 for your discount. By the way, did I mention for everyone to bring a wingman? Also, ensure the ladies know about the afternoon tea. I would hate to be explaining to her why she did not know about such an event when everyone else did. I am soliciting for volunteers to assist in the planning and execution of our reunion soiree. Send me a note if you are able and willing to assist. Speaking of bringing a roommate/wingman, I want to encourage all, if you have not done so already, to go to the VMI alumni website and update your personal profile in VMI Ranks. The site is a great resource to find contact info for a BR or an alum – all that is needed for a search is a name (first, last or nickname) and a class year. Before I get to the notes, which will be cryptic due mostly to the volume of info gleaned from the notes in the Christmas cards, I have some sad news to report. Brenda Brodie, Hall Brodie’s beloved, succumbed to a yearlong bout with cancer. Continue to keep Hall and his family in your prayers. To the notes.

I received a nice note from John and Tracey Crawley. They spent the summer visiting Civil War battlefields in Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes the T-shirt (eight years Wilson to D.C. working in They will have completed their snow skiing trip and become a snow bird, wintering in Florida.

A special kudo for Kent – a several-year journey the Pentagon). Paul’s job requires some presence to Crested Butte, Colorado, by the time you are reading this and will be planning the trip to visit to get VMI license plates in North Carolina was in Germany, and Paul has Rose’s shopping list. I understand Bill Pennypacker will be the interim daughter Danielle who has taken a job in Berlin, completed with Kent doing most of the bureauGermany. John is planning to retire (currently cratic heavy lifting to see the project through. For grand poobah of the Tidewater breakfast club!

It has been a good year for Bruce and Peggy working on Department of Defense command years, we could not get the required 300 commitand control software development) Dec. 31, 2019. ments to qualify for the license. We finally applied Pence in Salem, Virginia. Bruce has been subTracey plans to continue to work as a therapist but for and received a waiver of the 300-commitment stitute teaching in an elementary school two to with reduced hours. Thanks for the note, John, requirement approved by the legislature and now three days a week, preaching at his church once a and the pics! have a VMI license tag in North Carolina. Kent’s month and preaching four to five times a year at a Ted (the Tennessee Senior Olympian) church in Victoria, Virginia. and Susan Telle are enjoying retirement Al and Judy Rasper had limited travels in Crossville, Tennessee. Bridge, golf, this year as they postured for retirement. theater and travel (Oakland, California; Al has “thrown in the towel” after 44 Charlottesville, Virginia; Washington, years of government service – in uniform D.C.; Swansboro, North Carolina; and an and out. Good news for Al: Their wine Alaska cruise) keep them busy. In June, and dine (BYOB) “a couple of times a roommate Charlie Toler and wife Tommonth” group has not been declared off limits by Judy’s wellness campaign. mie spent a couple of days in Crossville.

Travel is on the agenda for these snow ski Wishing Ted the best for his June 2019 enthusiasts. Save your knees – no black Senior Olympic Nationals competition in double diamond runs!

Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The empty-nesting Tom and Patti MasMike Mahoney and Patti have settled into the retirement mode in Myrtle Beach, cot are enjoying retirement in Litchfield South Carolina. Pool, golf and travel Class of 1974: At the celebration of life for a mutual high Park, Arizona. It is fishing trips (red fish (cruises: Bermuda; Bar Harbor, Maine; school friend were Tim “Gatorman” Thompson; Su- in Venice, Louisiana, and brown trout sie Skinner Moore, Coach Leonard Skinner’s daughter; Boston, Massachusetts; and Providence, Judge Nottingham; Snookie Parker; and Paul Ellis. in Henry’s Fork, Idaho) and golf three Rhode Island) highlight their activities in or four days a week for Tom, while Patti and around the shag capital of the world. keeps the home fires burning. Tom is preDan Barr is enjoying his retirement paring to be a “three-peat” winner at the from VMI but is still working for the reunion golf tourney. We’ll see!

Army as a special government employee.

Bill and Judy Candler continue with This year’s Banning Christmas Gazette their volunteer work in Port Byron, Illi(Charley “Buff Daddy” and Debbie “She nois. Bill sneaks in a little pheasant huntWho Must Be Obeyed”) was classic – ing now and then and is still trying to chock full of new adventures, including complete the Appalachian Trail section a renaissance festival attended by Lady by section before his knees wear out.

SWMBO and Sir Buff Daddy accompaJim and Robin Garten (Oro Valley, Arizona) reported the birth of their first nied by son Prince Willie and Princess Algrandson, another Irishman to carry on lie. SWMBO is now teaching EZ Tai Chi while Buff Daddy is hobnobbing with the Class of 1974: At a celebration of life for a mutual high the tradition, J.J. Colt Fane, VMI Class governor at the Nationals game. What a school friend were, from left, front row, Barbara Allen, of 2040. Irishmen and tradition – reminds Snookie Parker, Marla Parker and Tim Thompson. Back life! Great gazette! row: Paul Ellis; Genny Nottingham Reddick, Judge’s sis- me of something I heard this week: “Two Irishmen walked out of a bar” ... don’t Kent “Wheels” and Brenda Wheeless ter; Judge Nottingham; and Rhoda Nottingham. laugh, it could happen! made two trips to Disney World this year The highlight of Walt and Karen Wilson’s year and still did not see it all. Will have to go back. reads, “VMI I974.” You have to look closely to Kent has moved from full time referee/umpire note the one in 1974 is not actually a one but is an was a highly recommended trip to Turks and Cai(volleyball, softball, baseball) to part-time umpire I. Somebody already had VMI 1974. It might be cos. Nothing like the islands to soothe one’s soul! (softball) and full-time middle school coach (volJohn White but not sure. Kudos to Wheels!

Thanks for the Christmas card!

Paul Van Doren has taken a 14-month ORSA Andy and Pat Young have settled into the leyball, basketball, softball). Brenda is the senior accountant at Nash General Hospital in Rocky joint testing job in Aberdeen, Maryland, and plans Wilmington, North Carolina, lifestyle. Pat plays to travel back to see Rose in Suffolk on holidays golf in two leagues and has a regular weekly fourMount, North Carolina, and is contemplating retiring in 2019. Plans are to start traveling in 2020 and long weekends. Been there, done that and got some. Andy is not playing as much due to hip and

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Class Notes leg issues but is always out on Sunday for golf and dinner. Both are retired and doing some lecturing – Andy for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and Pat on CRISPR technology.

Attention on deck: Chip Beaman retired Jan. 1, 2019! Now it’s grandparenting duty and Cathy’s honey-do list. Slowing down to smell the roses, are we!

Mark and Michelle Prentice have been doing some traveling: An annual trip to New Orleans in May (Michelle’s family), a week at Virginia Beach with grandkids in August, and a crosscountry drive to Colorado Springs to an Air Force Flying Squadron reunion.

Tim Bosse has retired after 16 years with Booz Allen and has taken up bourbon tasting as a hobby. Tim and Pat (Suwannee, Georgia) are looking at Florida beach property from St. George’s Island to Pensacola. Possible trips in 2019: Manila, Philippines, to visit son Brian (Army and special operations programs for Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group) and Seacrest Beach, Florida.

As of Jan. 31, Bill Pennypacker has a new boss – Deborah-Renee Pennypacker, the honey-do queen. Bill retired as the Headquarters, Department of the Army training representative to the Joint Staff (J-7). Bill thought it was time since his new brigadier general boss was a second lieutenant in Bill’s opposing force brigade at the National Training Center. Bill’s Appalachian Trail program is progressing, having completed about 500 miles so far. I hope walking north to south – much easier, downhill, you know.

George and Anna Van Laethem are 24 years in Hampton Roads. George is semi-retired, enjoys grandparenting duties and is involved the Virginia Republican Party activities. Anna is still with Western Branch High School and is also grandparenting and involved with Republican Party activities.

Continued prayers for Craig and Debbie MacFarlane as they mourn the loss of their 12-year-old granddaughter, Lily (September 2017). Craig is commuting 60 miles to Dahlgren Naval Air Station. Debbie is recovering from right hip/left shoulder injuries. Surgery, physical therapy and a trip to the Cayman Islands – that did the trick.

Henry Moncure is semi-retired, electing to spend more time on his boats and doing charity work. After 32 years as a middle school band director and a two-year application process,

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Peggy has been accepted into the deacon program for the Episcopal Church.

Arnie and Maria Leonard survived Hurricane Florence but repairs are still progressing. No complaints though after trading the hustle and bustle of D.C. for walks on Wrightsville Beach – Sunrise, sunburn, sunset, repeat! What a lifestyle – sounds like lyrics to a country song!

In May, the motley crew of Fred Parks, Don Ferrell and Jim Pavlou descended on Las Vegas – and as you know, what goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas … so they ventured out to Grand, Zion and Bryce National Parks. Upon Fred’s departure, Jim and Don found their way to the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere – Death Valley (91 degrees in the shade). Talk about having friends in low places – another country western song!

Sad news. Several BRs attended Capt. Andrew Patrick Ross’ (Donnie Ross’ nephew) mass of Christian burial service at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Glenn Allen, Virginia: John and Diane McLaren, Clint Anderson, Bruce Jones, Tom Puskas, Mike Coleman and yours truly.

Donnie and Barbara were extremely appreciative of the brother rat support.

John and Diane McLaren (on Lake Wilson in Virginia Beach with boat and no dock) finally got their dock built – hoorah! When the McLarens are not involved with major grandparenting duties, John has found time to serve the local chapter of the Military Officer’s Association as their president. Well done, John!

The Trinkles have had a challenging year but are on the mend and back in the game. Alison got a new knee, and Gary’s back is recovering from a “too much golf on the OBX” weekend. Physical therapy to the rescue in both cases. They did make it to the VMI Institute Society Dinner and were able to see the first recipient of the Virginia S. Trinkle Memorial Scholarship awarded in the English, rhetoric and humanities department – a scholarship established in honor of Gary’s mother. Kudos!

Ken Terry, with little nautical experience, purchased a good-sized boat (looks like a 35 foot/ sleeps six power boat) located in Tampa and motored it back to Virginia. Hurricane Florence got in the way. The boat finally made to Virginia; however, Capt./Skipper Ken is now known as Flipper Ken due to some unusual boat docking techniques – you will have to ask him to explain.

Betsy, the hostess with the most-est, hosted an infamous Southern Sem mini reunion (sans

spouses), a weekend of reminiscing and drinking (with emphasis on drinking), rehashing old memories and embellishing others. If those walls could talk, the stories they could tell!

John and Jayme Kaniss sent Christmas cheer from Tacoma, Washington. John is still director of facility services for Clover Park Technical College and doing a little consulting on the side. Jayme has rejoined the nonprofit world and is serving as the dean of vocational school programs for Goodwill of the Olympics and Rainer regions – based out of Tacoma but serves 37 stores in 15 counties. Thanks for the note, John.

Just about every month this year, Mike and Janet Stark (and daughter Sharon) have spent time on the road traveling somewhere: Colorado, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Missouri, Florida, the Bahamas and Brazil. Maybe there is not enough going on in Platte City, Missouri. I say travel while you can!

Got a note from John Savage in January. Ann and John are expecting their fifth grandchild this summer. John says life is great in Savannah, Georgia. They are looking forward to another great riding season with their “Indians.” Ann is retiring soon so they are picking up a fifth wheel toy hauler to do some traveling. John was looking for Charlie Toler for insights/advice on the RV traveling lifestyle. Roll on, John!

Tom Parker sent a note and said he had his class ring resized last year. Let me guess – bigger!

Yes, his fingers seem to have (ahem) gotten bigger over the years. Claims it must be the arthritis and not the linguini. His only caveat was he did not want the ring recast, and they were able to resize without recasting. Tom also provided details of his magical ring recovery story. The year was 1981, and Tom was an instructor at the E-2 training squadron in Norfolk, Virginia. To make a long story short, he always left his ring in the northwest corner of his locked locker before each flight. When he returned from one flight, there was no ring to be found. Turned the locker upside down – no joy. Reported the loss to USAA insurance, and they sent a check. Tom contacted John Roberts (who still owned the concession at the time) and arranged to get another ring – just needed to drop the hammer and send them a check. Not long after, he went to fly, opened his locker and there in the middle of the locker was the ring. It clearly had not been there the last time he’d dressed for flight, or returned, nor in the 10 times he’d pulled the locker and his gear

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes apart looking for the ring. How had it gotten there? Where had it been? Was Tom a victim of a practical joke? Who else had a key to the locker and would do such a thing? Tom’s answer: Don’t know. Tom remains perplexed to this day. Tom called USAA to report the return of the ring and asked if he could keep the dough. Tom said they did not know how to take a joke and demanded he return the money, which, of course, he did. What a story. On a separate note, Tom has recently had a cardiac ablation to cure a recurrent case of atrial fibrillation. Says it seems to have worked – took a week off from work – felt great, best in months.

What a story, Tom! Jon Mounts is living the dream in Washington, Pennsylvania, and trying to survey every piece of land in the county. Says another 80 years or so should do it. He and Patti have four kids and seven grandkids – all are doing well. Son Jason ’02 was successfully deployed to the Middle East for a year with the Pennsylvania National Guard and is now safely home. Their three daughters are spread out between Michigan and New Jersey but are very close and they see them often. Jon reports two of his happiest moments of 2018 were visits from Wilson and Ann Johnson and Phil and Randy Parker. He said it is so satisfying that some things never change: Wilson chose the Southern Baptist iced tea and Phil the Presbyterian Oban 14. Jon and Pattie are looking forward to the reunion. See you there, Jon! I spoke with Rob and Joan Bacon while in Jax, Florida, in February. Nurse Rob was taking care of Joan (the teacher of the year rock star) who had taken a fall while at school and seriously injured her shoulder. They were expecting the entire family for the weekend: Son Sean and daughter Elizabeth with husband John and grandkids. That’s good medicine.

I did catch up with Judge and Rhoda Nottingham while in Jax, Florida. We attended a celebration of life for a dear high school friend, Katherine “Kitty” Jenerette. Kitty was the first girl that Judge asked to marry. She never said no, but they never got married. Of course, Judge asked her when they were in the third grade. The celebration of life was a nice stroll down memory lane with several high school classmates attending we had not seen in a while. We did run into Susie Skinner Moore, daughter of our high school basketball coach, Leonard Skinner – of Lynyrd Skynyrd fame.

More to follow on that subject in future notes.

Glenn Greene report: Wife Grace has a new

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book out: “Wildflower Heart.” Kudos!

Christmas cards received sans notes: Red and Shelley Undercoffer (parts unknown/Lexington, Virginia); Bob and Lisa Braren (Marco Island, Florida); Steve and Pat Orr (Ijamsville, Maryland), Bert and Cherryl Graham (Berwyn, Pennsylvania), Sam and Karen Powell (Burlington, North Carolina), John and Suzanna Pate (Chesapeake, Virginia), Charlie and Tommie Toler (Sanford, Florida), Bill and Deb McDonald (Arlington, Virginia), Russ and Cheryl Takata (Waipahu, Hawaii), Lane and Karin Toomey (Southern Pines, North Carolina), Dan Barr (Fairfield, Virginia), Bruce and Sue Jones (Richmond, Virginia), Mike and Lera Andriani (Alexandria, Virginia), Anita “Magic” Moore (Fairfax, Virginia), Randy and Martha Gleason (Salem, Virginia), Sam and Colleen Mattocks (Petersburg, Virginia), Russ and Mary Stuart Harlow (Lexington, Virginia), Tom and Susan Eberly (Raphine, Virginia), Pete and Penny Meredith (Norfolk, Virginia), Craig and Cathy Carlock (Lexington, Virginia), Charlie and Linda Gardner (Alexandria, Virginia), Hall and Brenda Brodie (Atlanta, Georgia), Andy and Marcie Eason (Moore, Oklahoma), Mike Cole and Debbie (Carlisle, Pennsylvania), Tommy and Mollie Anderson (Mechanicsville, Virginia), John Smithey (Roanoke, Virginia), Terrell and Sarah Williams (Richmond, Virginia), Mike and Clay Morrissett (Roanoke, Virginia), T.J. and Kerri Wilson (Harrisonburg, Virginia), Frank and Jeanee Richardson (Newport News, Virginia), Clarke and Brenda Peele (Glendale, Arizaona), Fred and Karen Parks (Sturgis, South Dakota), Pat and Sue Flynn (St. Augustine Beach, Florida), Rich and Ann Forbes (Nashville, Tennessee), Ed and Jamie Blake (Kilmarnock, Virginia), Tom and Patricia Puskas (Oakton, Virginia), Kevin and Cindy Nettrour (Mascoutah, Illinois), John and Mary Ann Valenstein (Cambridge, Maryland), Ted Zajac (Avon Lake, Ohio) and Bailey and Doree Hurley (Ballwin, Missouri). Once again, save the date reminder: Reunion Nov. 1-3, 2019 – be there or be square! Don’t come alone – bring a wingman.

Volunteers in the planning and execution wanted.

Send me a note if you are able and willing to assist.

Reach out to us at snookieparker1974@earthlink.net, Charley Banning cbanning@cox.net or Kevin Nettrour (our webmaster) nettrour@ accessus.net. Check out the website. Send me a note. Yada, yada, yada and yaba daba dooooo!

Warm regards, Snookie

1975

Robert Keller

The first thing I do when I put together these class updates is read the last one to make sure that I don’t repeat myself. The schedule that we class agents are given has you reading my last submittal as the deadline approaches for the next edition. I ended my last notes commenting that when the February edition arrives, we all will be in that period of time known as the “dark ages.” The cold, dark and sunshine-deprived days of winter. Well, it is the first week in February. I am at our place in the mountains of Georgia and the sun is shining, the outside temperature is in the 70s and all of the windows are open. But not to worry – old man winter is sure to seek his revenge and soon.

A big thank you to all who sent me cards and letters over the holidays and also to those that have sent me updates and pictures via email. As I have said before, your efforts make this much easier.

Greg Diamontopulos sent me a quick note at the end of November letting me know that his son, Peter Diamontopulos ’13, had been selected by the USCG for promotion from lieutenant junior grade (O-2) to the rank of lieutenant (O-3) with an effective date sometime in 2019. Congratulations to the proud father and also to Peter.

Tad MacGowan reports that he had initiated his retirement plan this past October when he first took off that full month (he called it a sabbatical) and then returned with his company on a limited basis working on special projects. Tad reports that this new arrangement is working out splendidly and life is much better. October was spent decompressing, getting back into a fitness program that his former work schedule precluded and doing some travel with Bev. They first headed to Los Angeles and San Diego where they visited Bev’s daughter, Brianna, and her family. They all celebrated Tad’s birthday at a nice restaurant in Malibu before heading to San Diego to visit daughters Kathryn and Ginny. There they visited the town of Julian, a 1870s gold rush town in the Cuyamaca Mountains, and then hit the local beaches. Tad also took this opportunity while in San Diego to visit his cousin, Paul, and his wife,

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Class Notes Amy. Tad and Paul grew up together but hadn’t seen each other in 25 years, so this was a special reunion for both. After returning to the East Coast, they visited family in Williamsburg and Ocean City and celebrated son Kyle’s 21st birthday.

Tad also took advantage of the reclaimed time and started a couples’ Bible study and continues their bimonthly prayer/ healing gathering. All in all, I’d say that Tad and Bev have successfully made the transition into retired life.

The Keydets played their last game for the season in Norfolk against the Monarchs of Old Dominion University Nov. 17. The Keydets didn’t do so well. I won’t even repeat the score. Earlier in the fall, Glenn Garland called Tom Jones and myself and suggested we all meet in Virginia Beach and visit with John Y. and Karen Richardson for the big game. It just so happened that Tom and Peg were going to be in town visiting their son, Steve, and his family, so I met up with Glenn in Chapel Hill and we headed to Yulee and Karen’s house. Ben and Anne Vanderberry were having a pregame tailgate at their home that is within walking distance to Ballard Stadium and graciously invited us to join in. Also present from our class were Popeye Lewin, Robert Mills and Bob Slaughter as well as members of Ben Vanderberry’s [’15] class and fellow pilots stationed at Naval Station Norfolk and Yulee’s son, Andrew. We decided to watch the game from the comfort of the Richardson’s living room. We were glad to have made that decision based on the cold weather and the outcome of the game. Tom paid a visit to the local commissary and provided a few adult beverages and we called in pizza.

Don’t remember much of the game past the first half, but we all had a wonderful time. It was great seeing everybody. Many thanks to Karen for putting up with us for the weekend.

Speaking of Glenn Garland, it seems that he is branching out into show business.

He and several of his colleagues from the dental school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have put together a group named The Overhangs (a dental term) and are hitting the karaoke circuit

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Class of 1975: Yulee and Karen Richardson read the latest edition of the Alumni Review with Glenn Garland in their Virginia Beach home before the VMI versus Old Dominion game Nov. 17, 2018.

Class of 1975: Art Nunn, Randy Frank, Al Morgan, Lowrie Tucker, Scott Risser and “Uncle” Dave Schuyler got together at Moody Hall after the close basketball game versus the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Jan. 5.

Class of 1975: Bill Long ’72, Danny Daniels and Clyde Long ’78 met in Jacksonville in November 2017 for a dyke reunion. Danny’s 1st Class dyke was his brother, Bill, and his rat dyke was Daniels.

performing such hits as the Diamonds’ 1957 song, “Little Darling.” Glenn was in charge of the costumes for the group, so he visited the local thrift store, found some jackets and pasted silver and red glitter on the lapels. Warning, if you ever work with glitter it is not a clean process.

Glenn’s house had a lot of stray glitter floating around and since I visited him on my way up and back from Yulee’s, I now also have glittered items of clothing.

A visit with Glenn is always exciting. Seriously, BR, thanks for your hospitality and thanks for organizing the get-together in Virginia Beach.

December began on a sad note for our class, as we lost another brother rat. John Overcash died suddenly Dec. 1. Much thanks to Beth and D. Shannon ’82 for bringing this to our attention. Beth is the sister of John’s wife, Katherine. John and Katherine have three children, Anne, Sarah and David. We extend our condolences to John’s family.

I received a nice note from Jay and Dawn Jones. They tell me they had a busy holiday and year. Their grandson, Jake, is now a Marine in the reserve and is serving in a position at a physical therapy clinic. Grandson Joshua who turned 18 this year will be not only graduating from high school, but he will also have completed his first two years of college. Jocelyn, their youngest grandchild (8), is active in dance and Girl Scouts. Mother Shenan is teaching second grade and father Ryan has a new position that has him traveling a lot. Caitlin has left her job and is back in school studying to be a chiropractor. Her school is in Portland, and while she misses her friends and family, she is glad not to have the disruptions so she can concentrate on her studies. Jay and Dawn traveled with Dawn’s mother and brother this past fall to Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan. Jay is making plans to retire this next year with Dawn following in another year. They are looking forward to spending more time in Florida, California and Oregon visiting family.

Nat Hamner sent a quick note saying that their daughter, Catherine, was married in October to Ben Hendrick, and they

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes traveled to Rome and Sicily for their honeymoon.

Daughter Annie has completed physician assistant school in December and will practice medicine in Atlanta. Finally, Nat and Nancy were on a cruise from Venice to Athens and visited many historical ports along the way.

Tony and Teresa Farry have had an eventful year that started out on a different direction by wintering in Florida instead of Arizona. They spent 10 weeks in Leesburg in a small rental that was down the road from Teresa’s mother, Charlotte. Tony’s father also joined them for two months, and Tony and Teresa stayed busy there with his father’s dialysis and helping Charlotte out. They were able to take several side trips during their stay, including kayaking with friends, biking and taking in a spring training game in Clearwater with Teresa’s nephew, Zack, and his wife, Mia. Tony continues in his 13th year of caddying at Robert Trent Jones, and Teresa was extremely busy, as well.

She had to make several trips back to Florida to be with Charlotte who was sick in the hospital and then six weeks in rehab. In June, as a result of her health, Charlotte and her little dog, Sheba, moved in with them. Son Kyle continues to work at Wegmans in Gainesville, Virginia, and Adam began the year by getting engaged to his girlfriend, Nicole Ardura, who just happens to be their optometrist. Their wedding is planned in October of this year.

Bob O’Connor reports that he and Jan have successfully completed the move into their new home in Beaufort, South Carolina. Bob notes that the process of building a new house was long and arduous and with many challenges along the way.

It seems that Jan had a much clearer vision of what the outcome of this project would look like than did Bob or the architect and builder, as somewhere around the completion of the rough framing, Jan allowed that her husband knew nothing about this house and informed the builder that he would be dealing directly with her from now on. Long story short, the builder took his direction from Jan, and Bob wrote the checks. While all of this was going on, Bob retired June 1, 2018.

He said that he had a good run during all of the years and that he feels blessed to have found a career that suited him well. As most of us find when it is time to retire, we do not miss the day-to-day minutiae; rather, we will always remember those who we met and worked with – those who made a difference in our lives and those we may have influenced. Their house sold quickly, and that

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gave them the opportunity to visit with their children before undertaking the task of downsizing and moving from Maryland to South Carolina.

They are no strangers to moving, as they have experienced four interstate and two intrastate moves over the 36 years they have been married, but it has been 18 years since the last move and they both aren’t as young as they used to be. They are very happy with their new location in the low country of South Carolina and have found their new neighborhood to be very open and friendly.

Welcome to the south, BR. Oliver and Bonnie Way have been busy this year with Oliver’s retirement in March, travel and all family now in the Richmond area. Barrett and Jessi Way ’08 moved to Richmond last year so now all grandchildren have easy access to their grandparents. Barrett’s children, Lourella (4) and Ames (1), along with the children of Lawton and Shelton Way ’05, Ford (4), Margaret (2) and CeCe (1), provide much joy to Oliver and Bonnie. Oliver has had no problem finding ways to keep busy after retiring with memberships on several boards, activities with his church, being with family – especially the grandchildren – and travel. They travel to Mexico annually and this past year have also spent time in Waynesville, North Carolina, visiting family; Cape Charles, Virginia; Kiawah; New England; and a Viking Cruise from Venice to Athens with four other couples. This next year they are planning trips to Egypt, Israel and Italy along with several domestic destinations.

Scott and Barb Risser continue to be very busy in Lexington, where Barb volunteers at the VMI Museum and the public library. Scott serves on the boards for several nonprofit organizations and is active with the local Rotary Club, as well as a weekly men’s prayer breakfast group. They both also serve as docents for the Stonewall Jackson House and as the host family for four VMI cadets.

Scott says that he was pleased to attend the commissioning of one of their cadets, Travis Korhorn ’17, a U.S. Marine Corps second lieutenant, who graduated last year. Scott received really good news last year when his doctor finally cleared him for travel, and he and Barb took their first vacation since retirement. They visited Williamsburg in February and then took a 12-day Mediterranean cruise in July and August. They met friends in Stuttgart, Germany, and then they all flew to Barcelona, Spain, to board their ship. The cruise took them to Nice, Florence, Rome, Athens, Rhodes, Santorini and Malta before returning to Barcelona

for their return flight to Stuttgart and finally back to Virginia. Scott said it was their first deep water cruise but won’t be their last. Sadly, Scott reports that their beloved dog, Bean, their younger Schnauzer, died at the end of August. They obviously miss him terribly, but his older brother, Chip (older Schnauzer), seems to enjoy being an only dog and acts the little prince. Finally, Scott says that construction has finally started on the new sanctuary and school for the church he and Barb attend. This is a great step forward for their congregation and is the result of much work by many.

Congratulations, Scott and Barb.

Larry LaMonte wrote to let the prayer line know his mother passed away in early January 2019. He said that she “graduated to heaven” and now is with her husband. It was brought up at the prayer line, and I had forgotten this, but Larry’s mom and their family had taken our brother rats that were from Iran under their wing and became a host family for them while they were away from home. I am sure that was great comfort to them back then.

Ken Gerard dropped a quick note and let me know that all is well with him and his family. The only excitement was when his wife’s car and a deer met and, as he says, proves that two moving objects can’t occupy the same space at the same time. Sounds like a physics class I sat through years ago. Ken reports that his wife is fine and she was able to drive away – the deer, not so much.

Thanks for the update and the physics lesson.

Jim McCriskin, Lenny Riedel, John Green and Phil Brzozowski ’76 met up for their annual trip to the Treasure Island Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas in January. While there, they took the opportunity to celebrate John’s recent retirement as a pilot for Southwest Airlines. They called the gathering the “Ole Guys in LV celebrating John’s Retirement.” Phil is a member of the class of ’76 and an OB-GYN who studied with this group while at VMI and was at Walter Reed with Jim Berny who was an original member of the ole guys gang.

Danny Daniels passed on that he had met up with his 1st Class and rat dyke in Jacksonville, Florida, in November 2017. Danny lived in Chase City, Virginia, before he came to VMI, and Roger Hart ’72 had arranged for Danny to be Bill Long’s [’72] dyke when he matriculated in summer 1971. During our 1st Class year, Danny became the dyke for Clyde Long ’78, Bill’s brother.

Dan states that this made Bill the grand-dyke to

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Class Notes and support the local alumni chapter events in his younger brother, Clyde. Dan feels that it was taken on working part time for a local creamery. his great fortune to have been associated with He is keeping busier than when he worked, but he Jacksonville. One item on their bucket list is to both Long brothers and Roger while at VMI in and Fran were able to go on two short visits with see/attend a launch on the space coast this year.

Rick Hening enjoys traveling to Lexington to that their positive influence on him is something their children across the country in October.

Heard from Rick and Pario Lee Law, and they watch VMI play basketball but is not adverse to he remembers over the years. Dan is a long time Atlanta resident and served on the VMI Foun- say they continue to enjoy retirement in Jackson- streaming games online since the season started. dation Board of Trustees from 2009-17. Thanks ville. Dawg told me that they have taken a cruise Thanksgiving for Rick and Suzanne was spent in Danny for the story, the picture and your service to Boston, Maine and Canada in the fall of last Marion, South Carolina, with friends and famto the Institute. year and just returned from Jamaica in January. ily before hosting their oldest son, Andrew, and Sometimes, as the class agent you get an update Plans for this year include the southern Caribbean his wife, Tiffany, and their three grandsons for a from your BR that is so perfect that you have no in April and a trip to China in May. In addition to Thanksgiving meal. Rick continues to attend the reason to change a word of it and you just need all of this, they will continue their volunteer work VMI senior alumni breakfasts in Raleigh, North to copy and paste. So that is what I am doing with the Players Golf Tournament in March. Carolina, and has become the go-to person for with this submittal from Maco McFarland and They enjoy fishing and beaching during the week VMI sports updates for the group. He and Suhis note on his visit to Winchester, Virzanne continued their tradition of going to The Spirit of Christmas in Oriental, ginia, to meet up with Paul Bernard and North Carolina, with friends and famVic Arthur. Also see the picture that was submitted. From Maco: “Keydet 1st Class ily. Also in December, Rick, Suzanne Privates Bernard, Arthur and McFarland and Sam volunteered with Samaritan’s were present for check-formation on the Purse, packing shoeboxes for Operation bricks, downtown Winchester, Saturday, Christmas Child at the Boone, North Jan. 6, 2019. As the temp was getting Carolina, distribution center. Suzanne, lower and the wind escalating the formaSam and Rick took Andrew, their oldtion was moved indoors. Under the steady est son, and his family out to dinner to leadership of Keydet Vicooooo, the forcelebrate Andrew’s birthday, which falls on Dec. 28. Rick went on a Calvary mation conducted successful operations in Chapel men’s mission trip to Pembroke a variety of tap rooms located throughout and Vass, North Carolina, assisting Apple City (they now do more than grow families who lost homes or had severe apples in Winchester). Keydet ‘Nard’ was damage from Hurricanes Florence and functioning with only one arm having reClass of 1975: Phil Brzozowski ’76, Jim McCriskin, John Michael. It was great seeing how the cently undergone shoulder surgery, howGreene and Len Riedel met at the Treasure Island Hoever he was more than able to lift a pint tel and Casino in Las Vegas in late January to celebrate mission team worked together and the positives results. Rick has the Senior Tar at a time. We all made it back before taps Greene’s retirement from Southwest Airlines.

Heel Card that permits free admission and enjoyed Tricia’s from-scratch cupto many high school sporting events, so with cakes.” Thanks Maco for the update and I do need Suzanne’s permission, he attended a full day of to attach Nardo’s response: “Well put, Maccoooo! high school championship football at CarterCorrect on all counts. Place yourself on good reFinley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. port. Good for a 10 – six pack and 30 ounces.”

Rick saw a triple-header culminating with a loLike I said: Perfect.

Mike Horan dropped a line to let me know that cal school favorite Tarboro High School winning he is now retired. Says he broke out of the work their second consecutive state championship and Rat Line like we broke out of the Rat Line 47 years an undefeated 16-0 season. Suzanne continues ago. He and Anne have moved to St. Augustine, staying busy with the international students who and he says it is beautiful there and there is plennow total 156. With the start of the new semester that has led to Suzanne and Rick going to watch ty to do even for someone like him who doesn’t the athletes on the NCWC men’s and women’s know what to do with himself half the time. He is tennis teams. The Arc of North Carolina asked looking forward to seeing everybody soon. the Henings to attend a legislative breakfast Ellett Smith checked in and said that he and where Suzanne was a keynote speaker sharing Frances had a quiet Thanksgiving and that he about innovative services and the support Sam is getting used to being retired. Ellett reports Class of 1975: Paul Bernard, Vic Arthur and Rich McFarland sampling craft has received in making it possible for him to live that since retirement Sept. 30 of last year, he brews from some of the various tapindependently. Rick and Suzanne celebrated Valhas become the honey do expert in fixing and rooms in Winchester in early January. repairing the house. In addition to that, he has entine’s Day early by getting away for a romantic

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes weekend at the Inn at Celebrity Dairy. Suzanne and Rick were pleasantly surprised when their son, Sam, and his date were featured in a news clip at the Night to Shine event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Sam has become a rock star since moving to Raleigh thanks to his North Carolina State friends and the opportunities afforded him. From the cultural side, Rick and Suzanne took in the rock ’n roll group Secret Monkey Weekend. Also, they attended the Kruger Brothers concert (brothers from Sweden who are accomplished bluegrass artists). As always, if you are near exit 173 on I-95, stop at the Chick-fil-A and catch up with Rick.

That’s all folks, the shoebox is empty. Thanks for all the updates and pictures this time. Take care and stay in touch.

In the spirit, Bob

1976

William Bhatta

Class of 1976: At the Southern Inn celebrating the VMI basketball win over Kentucky Christian Nov. 20, 2018, were, from left, John and Teri Coleman, Charlie and Betsy Keen, Evan and Margaret Haberman, Mark and Libbie Swank, Jim and Sharon Joustra, and Grigg and Cindy Mullen. The Joustras and the Swanks stayed at the Keens’ house near House Mountain for Thanksgiving.

We plan to stay in Roanoke, as three of our four granddaughters are here and we just built a new home last year. Looking forward to playing a little more golf, traveling and spending quality time with the grandkids.”

Ted and Melanie Mouras reported, “The Mouras home front is much the same this year as last. We continue to pursue our post-retirement hobbies and indulge our travel needs sporadically.” Melanie is trying to read all of the books in her home library, while Ted is trying to add to it. Ted said he is part of a writers group that regularly meets to critique each other’s work, and they seem to like what he is coming up with. “It’s been an otherwise noneventful year out here – no truly awful weather, no fires and a nice variety of wildlife in the yard. We enjoy what southeast Arizona has to offer.” The Mouras family traveled to Southeast Asia last winter. Ted said, “Starting at Hong Kong and traveling on to China’s Hainan Island, three stops in Vietnam (where we both got

These notes were written Feb. 15, 2019. There are only eight working days left for me to maximize my fun-o-meter at work before I retire at Altria. I am looking forward to it!

Speaking of retirement, Bill Neal flew his last Atlas Air flight Jan. 27, 2019, and is now officially retired. Bill said he had a “good 20 years with Atlas and got to see the world. We are comfortably living in The Villages [northwest of Orlando, Florida] and navigating the transition from working for the last 43 years to travel to see family, friends, places we would like to see together and the very active lifestyle here. I have my golf cart with a big VMI sticker on the front and race my wife around in her cart (which has an SMU sticker on the front). We have a big guest room and welcome wayward classmates with or without golf clubs. We live on a golf course, so we can easily play as many holes as we like.”

Dyke Davies also announced his retirement: “After 42 years in the insurance business, I have officially retired at the end of 2018. For 23 years, I have been with Delta Dental of Virginia, serving the last Class of 1976: From the car of Mark Sculley. seven years as the chief operating officer.

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to see, roughly, where our fathers were stationed in the 1960s), Cambodia and Thailand. We enjoyed various new foods, which it’s doubtful we’ll find at the local Safeway.”

Grigg Mullen had a busy year in 2018. Since retirement, he finished Cindy’s new cherry dining room table; frequently shot sporting clays with friends; volunteered at the local outdoor theater (Lime Kiln in Lexington); taught his final wood engineering class at VMI; did the Kentucky bourbon tour; visited Europe via a Tauck river cruise; went to Beirut on an engineering accreditation trip; and taught a timber frame rigging and raising course at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michael’s, Maryland. Now that’s what I call retirement!

And now the BR minute: I attended the Samford versus VMI basketball game with J.R. Mott.

Bumped into Bill Danziesen and his wife at the bookstore and lunch, then Evan Haberman and his wife at the game. After the game we discussed, then solved, most of Virginia’s problems.

Doug Johnson continues to enjoy retirement life with his dog, Brody, in California.

He spent last Christmas with his daughters in Hawaii. Doug’s daughters are also doing well. Jennifer works in Sacramento, California, with the Agricultural Council of California, and Sheralyn is moving to California and will complete her doctorate of physical therapy this August.

Tom and Louis Diggs became proud grandparents in 2018. Both of their daughters delivered grandchildren within three

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Class Notes contact Kerry Mullin (kerrykelly1998@ weeks of one another. Stacy and Eric’s verizon.net) and also look for registration daughter, Elizabeth Skyler Mosely, was and information from the Keydet Club. born June 20, 2018, in Tyler, Texas. Amy There will be a memorial to Ralph the day and Tim’s daughter, Mara Claire Schnabefore, June 14. All proceeds will go to the bel, was born July 7, 2018, in Arlington, athletic scholarship in honor of Ralph.

Virginia. Tom said, “Everyone says it is I got a check-in from Stan Stout who wonderful when you become a grandparsounds like he’s become very, very good ent, and we agree with that 100 percent.” at being retired. Nice to see that he is Life is still good for Jim and Tish Ditenjoying life and getting together with trich in Arkansas. Jim still teaches logissome BRs when possible in the Wiltics and transportation at the University of Central Arkansas. One of the things liamsburg area.

Tish does to stay busy is prepare taxes for Speaking of Williamsburg, it has bethe entire family. Jim said, “The kids refer Class of 1977: Gus Robbins and his father, Gus Robbins ’47, come very common to find Rich Howell to her as their accountant.” on the bicycle byways around that area. posing with their VMI license plates a couple of years ago.

Mark and Bernadette Sculley are headRich is showing a lot of passion for the ing to Hawaii to see their son, Julian ’09, and his his dad and himself in front of their vehicles with sport, and between him, Doug Simms, Kip Hamwife, Michelle, just in time for the birth of their VMI license plates. Still one of the best signals on ilton and a bunch of other BRs, I think we can expect to see some more group rides in the near fufirst grandchild. Mark said, “We’ll visit for two Virginia roadways to watch out for the driver!

The organizers of “Poor Man’s Vegas” are still ture. I hear that Kip is heading to Belize for a bike weeks and head back here to spend some time planning a golf getaway in June here in Lexington. trek as I write this. Go, BR. Send us some pics! with [son] Daniel who is returning from GerI saw a note that Chark Tingsabhat had commany to figure out his next move. [Son] Christian There should be sign up information in a recent class email. It will take on its new identity as “The pleted the Bangkok marathon recently! Way to stays in Germany to continue his studies.”

That’s all for now. The 167th edition of the Ralph” and will be dedicated to our BR Ralph go, BR! I remember when most of us were running almost daily. Most of us miss that, and it’s Class of 1976 notes is officially published. When George. BRs Kerry Mullin, Tom Cole, Paul Faryou have a chance, send me an email with a BR rell and Steve Billingsley have organized it as a good to know one of us is still on the course.

Steve Kelly checked in from North Carolina update for the 168th edition, or I will start making memorial and golf outing in memory of Ralph and reports all is well. He is recovered from his up stuff about you. Have a great summer!

George and his extraordinary legacy.

The winner will receive the green jacket with a bout with a condition that made swallowing difficult. His weight has rebounded, and he is patch in memory of Ralph and can wear it proudly for one year – until the next tournament. The biking again as well. Now it sounds like Tick Mark Bryant date of the tournament is scheduled to be June 15 is just managing his meds and health, and we at the Lexington Golf & Country Club. You can know he will do that well.

1977

Greetings to all of you BRs. These notes being written in mid-February will come to you in May 2019. We just had Breakout for the new Class of 2022. So, yes it’s still the Dark Ages here on post, and midwinter formal was this past weekend.

When you see these notes in the Review, the Class of 2019 will be about to graduate.

I got some notes and feedback from several BRs over the recent holidays. One of the more poignant moments was receiving the annual Christmas card with the hot rod theme from BR John Quackenbush who left us in November. I’m glad his wife, Theresa, mailed the holiday cards out.

Still miss him.

Gus Robbins and his dad (Gus Robbins ’47) have been reminiscing as they sort through their joint VMI memorabilia. Gus sent in a photo of

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Class of 1977: Rich and Diane Howell, Don and Nipa Browder, Stan and Judie Stout, Buddy Lemaster, and Allan and Lurline Wagner gathered in Williamsburg last November.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Tim Mitchell reports that his recent treatments for esophageal cancer have gone well and his prognosis is good. He has also suffered from some weight loss and has been trying to get some pounds back. If only all of us could say that. All our prayers continue, and hopefully by the time these notes are out, we will hear that Tim is back at his fighting weight!

Mike and Debbie Davis have been traveling recently and posted some beautiful pics from Australia! That’s a beautiful couple who are showing how to do retirement well!

Hope everyone has a beautiful spring and summer. Stay tuned for plans for a mini reunion tailgate at one of the fall home football games.

Please drop me a note or give me a call and tell me how you’re doing. Best to all of super ’77!

1978

Tom Brown

Greetings, Brother Rats!

As you read this, you will be basking in the warmth of spring. Some of you experienced a very brutal winter – glad you made it through.

And now for the status reports from around the class.

Blaine Vorgang: “Wendy and I are in an ‘all right status’ as of this email ‘stick check.’ Seriously, though, we are still somewhat in a state of shock about Craig Wallen’s sudden passing We both spent about an hour speaking with him in the ‘I’ PX during the reunion. You just don’t know when your time is up, and all you leave to friends are memories.”

Will Tilley: “OK in Tucson, Arizona.”

Joe Tulskie: “Everything groovy in Philly. Got two nephews at the ‘I.’ Doing well; Ned is taking care of my engineer and the rat just broke out. He is on the lacrosse team. In Florida starting a new business.”

Steven Burns: “In Alaska, working for the municipality of Anchorage as the information technology PMO manager.”

Timothy Fredrikson: “All right in Charlottesville!”

Jerry Harris: “Getting ready to start shooting season four of ‘Fish Mavericks.’”

Robert Tuffy Wright: “All right.”

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Butch Brown: “Headed to Utah for a week of skiing. Still hitting it hard but starting to feel the pain lately.”

Frank Fountain: “All right. No news to report.”

Tim Berkhimer: “All right at the beach.”

Bob Jenvey: “All right in Richmond.”

Dac Colden: “All right. Surviving and thriving in Indianapolis.”

Stan Walchock: “All right from Norfolk. I’ll just leave it there.”

Bill Morris: “Alive and well at the Jersey Shore.

Live in Brick, New Jersey, and still pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Belmar, New Jersey.

Keeping me busy and mostly out of trouble. Visited Bob Magnan recently while he was in rehab – non-alcohol rehab. Spent a few days between Christmas and new year’s in Louisville. While there, Joe Stranger and his wife, Sabrina, came down from their home near Columbus, Ohio, to visit with Colleen and me. We did have a nice dinner and some Kentucky bourbon. A nice visit was had by all!”

Bob Magnan: “I think I am going to stop writing class notes. They’re all the same. Once again, I had an orthopedic procedure (No. 10 if you can believe it), and I am recovering. Otherwise things here are well; I’m watching the snow fall, and I am happy in the knowledge that I won’t have to shovel it this time. Forgot to mention the ‘bright spots’ of my recent hip fiasco included a pastoral visit by Bill Morris and a good phone call with Dave Wrenn.” All right, sir!

Tony Pileggi: “All is fine at the Pileggi house.

We spent Thanksgiving with Bruce and Marcia Kay, and we recently traveled from our home in Frederick, Maryland, to Hilton Head Island and hung out with Mark and Kim Eagle. Bill and Ann McCampbell came over to watch the Superbowl with us.”

Greg Gearhart: “Hard to believe it has been almost 10 months since the fabulous reunion!

Thanks again for the hard work of everyone who helped. Still working full time but enjoyed a RV trip to Santa Fe and to Moab, Utah, last October for biking. After being hobbled for months, I was able to complete a 50K trail run in January. After several clear scans, my oncologist says I just need to visit him occasionally. Grateful for each day and God’s healing. Grandchild No. 2 is to arrive in July. Judy and I are visiting Israel in March and Ireland/Scotland in July. Much to look forward to!”

Tim Pishdad: “Cynthia and I had our third

grandson born at Camp Pendleton, California.

Cynthia was able to go visit for two weeks. My daughter is having her third son in May. I will be heading up to Virginia for that one. Also, I had a chance to do some Hurricane Michael disaster support Feb. 7-12 with the Patrick Air Force Base chapel to help feed the needy. Place is a mess at Panama City, which avoided the direct hit. I was installed as the first vice president for the Military Officers Association of America, Cape Canaveral Chapter, the largest of the 400 nationwide. I will be flying to D.C. in April to brief the MOAA board of directors on our success in chapter recruiting and to help ‘Storm the Hill’ and calling on all the Florida Congressional Legislators on issues relevant to our military and veterans.”

Alec Earle: “All is well for Sheila and me. We’re spending most of the winter in Las Vegas this year and enjoying it! I’m making plans to attend the VMI board of trustees meeting in April.”

Dave Mecredy: “Susan and I just had a recent addition to our family. Our oldest son, Josiah, and his wife, Sarah, had baby No. 4. His name is Joshua Timothy. The name Timothy reflects two uncles of the family, including Timothy Mecredy ’76, Dave’s brother. Baby Joshua arrived Jan. 24.

Praise to God for a healthy boy.”

Don Robey: “All’s well in Lexington. Enjoying basketball season and the cold days! Sure beats Florida! Love being back in Rockbridge County.”

Bruce Kay: “All up, all right. Everything is good here in Maryland. Not a lot to report – family is doing well.”

Mike McCarthy sent along this story. Many years ago at Fort Lewis, an OV-1 Mohawk was making an emergency landing (no landing gear qualifies as an emergency). Just as he touched the runway the guy in the control tower called him and asked several times if there was anything he could do. He finally replied back, “You are just going to have to wait until I finish crashing before I can give you an answer.” In the end, he kept it on the runway and was able to walk away. (To this day, my definition of a good landing is one you can walk away from.)

“Since I was selected for the SES Executive Placement Program, I have been the guy in the Mohawk trying to keep the plane under control as it slides down the runway. My temporary assignment to Fort Leonard Wood concluded the end of July so they could move forward with a permanent hiring action. I chuckled when my boss told me he would have it wrapped up in a month.

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Class Notes looking forward to winter being over and doing The results were finally released 10 days ago (six much too young for this.”

Ron Dolan: “All right, all up. In April, BR Terry some traveling this year – golfing, family visits, months). I reported back to Fort Eustis Aug. 6.

“The next day, I was told they needed me to McKnight will join me and team members from wedding and beach. Trying hard to get all the 142 head north to Crystal City (Arlington, Virginia, our aerospace and defense clients in Las Vegas to roommates on Facebook! Not working out very for the non-Virginia crew) to help the Army provide a fascinating presentation on his adven- well!”

Len Logan: “Just checking in to let you everyFutures Command Task Force for a couple of tures with the pirates of Somalia. Thanks, BR! weeks. The next thing I know, I am extended and Spent extra time in the doctor’s office getting basal thing is all right with me. I am enjoying the remade the lead plans officer for the operations di- cells removed. Serious stuff; if you suspect, don’t tirement life in Delaware near Rehoboth Beach. rectorate. (Picture the Mohawk spinning in circles wait, as it only gets worse. Linda and I will be get- Trying to become a beach bum!”

Jim Mackin: “Doing great! Retired for good as it is sliding down the runway.) After six months ting out of the cold and snow to spend time in living in the Gateway Marriott, I was paroled as D.C., Arizona, Florida and Hawaii. Hope to see Dec. 21, 2018, and we’re readying our house in AFC was activated and moved to Austin, Texas.

BRs and families during our travels. Hope all is Burke, Virginia, for sale, then moving to our re“On Jan. 23, I signed back into my organization well and each of you is in great health and good tirement house in Kill Devil Hills, North Caroat Fort Eustis, and on the 31st, I signed for my spirits!” lina, in May/June.” quarters on post. I had my household goods (or John Tucker: “Status of ‘all right’ in Columbus, Joe Cafarella: “I guess old age and inactivity actually the debris after seven months in storage, Ohio.” and craft beer in retirement is catching up to me. but that is a tale for another day) on the coldest Bob Longwell: “Florida is great. When I am I had a heart flutter, which is OK now after being day in the history of mankind. on the beach in my speedo, I just tell people I am shocked. At least I got my rhythm back! Anyway, “The Mohawk has not finished just yet. On Feb. French Canadian.” all else OK. I’m expecting my fifth grandson in 7, I got a call to let me know I had been selected Steve Powers: “Stick check response is ‘all June. I love being a grandpa.” for reassignment to Aberdeen Proving Ground, clear.’ Closing on our condo in an age-restricted Ron Carter: “This has been an incredible start later that night, I got a call letting me know the community. No more shoveling snow or yard to 2019. My business partners and I have successAFC in Austin were trying to get me reassigned work! Not retired yet, however – part-time in fully launched Life House Holdings LLC and Vetthere. At that point I quit unpacking my house- order to keep me from going nuts staring at the eran Village LLC. Both companies were created to serve our nation’s veterans. As the executive hold goods, since I will probably be moving again cat or reading books all day. It will be nice to next month. The end of the runway is getting continue experiencing New Hampshire’s change director of Life House Partners I will be operating closer and the spinning has stopped, except the of seasons; however, the commute will still suck! a transitional housing facility in Dixmoor, Illinois, plane is still sliding backward but slowing down. Enjoying our grandson is making the commute designed to house 275 veterans per year. Many of worthwhile.” the veterans we will serve are ex-offenders transiIt has been an interesting and exciting year.”

Jimmy Leech: “We are ‘all right’ here in Cor- tional from state of Illinois correctional facilities Ron Lee: “My daughter, MaryEllen, was married this past November. I am going to be a grand- pus Christi. We had a nice get-together back in and/or the Chicago Cook County jail. In addidad. My oldest son is expecting his first. All is well November to honor Founders Day, attended by tion to providing transitional housing and three in Virginia Beach. Looking forward to our next alumni from ’63 to ’18.” meals per day Life House will be providing mediJay Branscome: “All right. I’m looking at get- cal services, mental health counseling, pharmacy class gathering.”

Bob Fricke: “Status is all right. Waiting for the ting a ‘bionic’ hip in the next few weeks – more delivery, occupational skills training, entrepreDark Ages to end and looking forward to sum- body parts to follow.” neurial training and public safety and self-defense Bil Greg: “Carrie and I are doing well. We are training. Veteran Village LLC will provide affordmer.”

David Colonna: “I have no complaints able permanent housing for our veterans in Winston-Salem. My younger daughand their families and integrate veterans into challenged communities.” ter was married in September to a great Rick Wolffe: “I was at Breakout last guy, and we will find out in March where Saturday and found me some protecthey will live for the next four years.

(Aka, where we will be visiting for the tion.” next four years!) No grandkids. I’m still Tom Sliwoski: “Time continues to working pretty hard.” march by; all right in Staunton. My son Rob Parker: “Chops checking-in. I’m is finishing his freshman year at Tech, now in Muscat, Oman, working an airstruggling though calculus like me. My daughter is finishing her senior year at port project. Life here is simple. Muscat Bridgewater with a job offer and on her is situated right on the Arabian Sea and is way to becoming a CPA.” surrounded by beautiful tall mountains.

Class of 1978: Class members cheered on the Big Red Mike Eaton: “I have been retired now All good.” team at the VMI versus the University of North Carolina at for six months but am consulting in Rob Traver: “Well, I was running Greensboro basketball game Jan. 5.

Asheville, North Carolina, where I grew the block, 10, 6 and 30. Anyway I am

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes up. We still live in Augusta, Georgia. Status is all OK!” Garry Spencer: “My recent news is as of Dec. 31, 2018, I retired from the state (33-and-a-half years’ service). I’ll probably do some part time work on down the road.”

The Lynchburg crew got together for our quarterly beer call. Danny Thorton, Bert Loflin, Mark Lowe, Jay Hutt, Andy Faulconer and I enjoyed some time to catch up and tell stories. All are doing well. Jay and I had the fun of going on “Tom and Jay’s amazingly frustrating road trip.”

Jay was going car shopping in Raleigh, North Carolina. He required a second driver, so yours truly went along. We had a lovely, rain-soaked trip down. Jay had the two trucks checked out and then went back to the car lot for Jay to do some dealing – no dice. Frustrated, Jay kindly took us to lunch and then journeyed back to Lynchburg. We had fun reminiscing on the trip.

There was a happy ending to the truck search; Jay got the deal on the truck he wanted. Good times were had.

Sadly, I must report the loss of BR Rev. Bruce Martin. He went home to be with the Lord at Beverly Park Nursing Home, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019. He was a member of Payne Avenue Baptist Church, where he was associate minister. You will be missed.

Thanks so much to all of you for your contributions to your notes. I greatly appreciate all the input. If you are not getting the emails please contact me or the Alumni Association. Also, if you are on Facebook, please join us at VMI78; spouses are welcome to join for their non-Facebook account husbands.

Let me conclude with a challenge. Please locate and get a status of your roomies. There are a lot of BRs we have not heard a word from. All right, would be pleasant to hear from them.

1979

Michael Ogden

Happy 40th, Brother Rats!

By publication time, we will have enjoyed an awesome reunion weekend, and we look forward to an in-depth report in the next Review!

Marc Withers, in what I believe is a first

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time contributor (Yes!), writes, “After 20 years in the Army, I started working for the MITRE Corporation and am now a department head at MITRE – working on electronic warfare, tactical communications and cyber issues. My two children have both grown up and are married, doing well, etc. I have been married to my wife, Kathy, since 1982. We live on a small farm in Maryland; we raise sheep and goats, and my wife has a natural fiber business (www.witherswool.com). I have not run across anyone from VMI, our class or others, in years.” Hopefully we have fixed that at the reunion!

Another first-timer! Dave Sholler shares: “Want to share a mini reunion I had with roommates Bob Raines and Mory Wood in D.C. this past August. My wife, Nancy, and I were in D.C. to attend a surprise 30th birthday party for youngest son Colby. He and his older brother, Taylor, both live and work in D.C. where both are senior managers of public policy for their respective companies. The last time we were all together was in 1984 where we took this picture of the three of us and our wives sitting on Bob’s porch in New London, Connecticut, where Bob was stationed at the time. Neither Mory nor I had seen Bob in decades and were sitting outside waiting for him. Bob’s first words to us?

‘Hey! We all still have hair!’ We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening completely boring our wives with anecdotes from barracks and Class of 1979. Before we had consumed too many beverages to be credible, we also observed all of us are still married to our only brides; a credit to them, of course. However, after more beverages, Bob and I, in a closed vote, voted Chris the most saintly for her tenure with Mory.

I asked Mory for input on this update. It was important to him I include language describing how lucky Bob and I are to have had him for a roommate, but I think I have already used my allotted space so will have to save that for my next post in another 40 years.”

Fred Bailey writes in with some VMI family history: “Our family started in VMI with my father’s uncle, William P. Martin ’918, from Claremore, Oklahoma. His first cousin was Will Rogers of the Cherokee Nation. William dropped out of VMI and was a sergeant in World War I. My father, Robert Gordon Bailey ’40, was a lieutenant colonel from World War II and director of logistics at Merck Pharmaceuticals. My brother, Gordon Bailey ’69, did two

tours in Vietnam and was a lieutenant colonel at Little Rock Air Force Base. He is also a GS15 electrical engineer in the Army Corps of Engineers. My mother, aunt and grandmother graduated from Randolph Macon in Lynchburg. Both my sisters went to Madison University. Most of these women dated VMI cadets. My grandmother, Olive Martin, had to leave the state of Virginia to marry Gordon Bailey Sr. due to her Cherokee blood. Gordon Bailey Sr.; my cousin, Albert Hester; and my other brother, Robert Martin Bailey, went to VPI in Blacksburg. Col. Nichols ’44 of the electrical engineering department once asked me, ‘Bailey! What happened to you?’ My sister recently asked me, ‘Have you ever regretted not going to art school?’ I replied, ‘Almost every day.’ So, I’m finally transitioning from being an electrical engineer to a full-time artist. My engineering career is less prosperous than most VMI grads. The highlights are as follows: Lockheed Electronics, Weston Instruments, General Electric Astro Space, Core Laboratories Refinery Systems, Transistor Devices and Thermadyne, Canary Systems. I think this was impressive for someone with only a 2.0 GPA and no further degrees. I ran six marathons, two ultramarathons and competed in the East Coast judo championships twice. But what I’m most proud of is being the first rat sent up to the RDC.” The first BR to the RDC! Badge of honor!

Steve Powers checks in with news that they sold their hunting and fishing flying business in Alaska and have traded in their airplanes for tractors and managing the farm in Kentucky.

Class of 1979: Class Agent Mike Ogden said of this drawing, “Congratulations to the Class of 1979 on their 40th Reunion.”

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Class Notes Steve says that he has learned a lot over the years about maintaining and setting up a farm from the master, Brad Jones.

Bob Sievert pens, “I changed jobs last April and now work for the National Association of State Procurement Officials, which is awesome because now instead of working on eProcurement only with states my former consulting employer had a contract with, now I can help any/all states because I work for them all through their association. A real dream job for me! Since I left my job with Virginia in 2014, I have been able to work with and help 12 states. More in the wings! On the family side, we are on track to relocate to Colorado in 2019. Have a new house being built in Colorado City (groundbreaking in April). Getting our Richmond house ready to go on the market late April or early May. We are definitely expecting to have to do temporary housing. May just have to live out of our travel trailer!”

Craig Maxson checks in: “Nick Kepf and his wife, Donna, and Phil Southers and his wife, Carmela, and I crossed paths at Galveston Island, Texas. Nick and Donna are full-time RVers. I try to meet up with them in our RV any time they are within a five hour radius of home. Unfortunately, Claudia (my wife) had to work and could not travel this time. Phil and Carmela were heading to Phoenix, Arizona, in their Class B and were able to rendezvous for a wonderful evening and morning of catching up. On another note, I retired April 1, 2017, and work part-time doing federal regulation work for windfarms. Nothing like being able to work from home or motorhome. More travels are in our future when Claudia retires from teaching this school year.” Congratulations on your retirement and continued safe travels!

Jeff Curtis and Betsy finally moved back into their home in Williamsburg in February and experienced all the joy of opening over 200 boxes and figuring out where “all the crap goes.” Jeff says, “Today, after nearly 40 years, I finally threw out all of my white ducks, class dyke, rain cape, old hats and assorted accoutrements. Kept the coatee, blouse and overcoat, though. Obviously, none of them fit.” Obviously, that applies to many of us!

Oh, so many ...

Bill Albro, Barbara and Alyssa went to Bermuda after Christmas for a few days. He writes, “Interesting place but a few days was good enough for now – note to self – go further near equator for more heat at Christmas. I am looking forward to the BR breakfast in Alexandria on the

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23rd. (February, just after notes deadline!) Spring is soon, and I look forward to Natural Bridge in April, as it is worth a visit – or so I hear.” Oh, it is, by every cadet!

Dave Van Wagoner reports he continues to make cool undersea stuff to kick the Soviets’ a%#, a pursuit he has followed continuously since he stopped doing so as an active duty submariner (Finback, S3G, Bluefish) in 1989. For the last 18 years, he has worked at the Washington Navy Yard where there are occasional rumors of Ed Johnson and Steve Daily as well as random automobiles with VMI bling on their bumper.

Class of 1979: Tim Bridges participated in the Black Engineer of the Year Stars and Stripes mentoring session at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., Feb. 8, 2019. Bridges was pictured with Cadets Christopher Ferrill ’21, Jordan Ward ’21 and Imani Bey ’21, who were participants.

Class of 1979: Dave and Nancy Sholler, Bob and Cathy Raines and Mory and Chris Wood enjoyed a roommate reunion in Washington, D.C.

On Facebook, he occasionally sees evidence of Steve Daily and John Kailey (a veteran of the 427 sweat party echo chamber). On the family front, older boy kicks the Soviets’ a%# as a surface warfare officer (lieutenant commander – original ops officer on the Zumwalt), daughter kicked the Soviets’ a%# as a Foreign Service officer until she married a foreign national and had a little son.

(VMI Class of 2040?) Youngest boy (15) has not yet started to kick the Soviets’ a%#, but is “scheduled” to join the VMI Class of ’25, where I anticipate he will continue in the family tradition, kicking the Soviets’ a%#.

Steve Lyon writes that daughter Sarah gave birth to Miss Hadley Ann Sept. 23. All doing great and, so far, starting to show reddish colored hair. Steve says, “If this pans out, I am calling her Big Red!” He continues, “Jane, our oldest granddaughter, just turned 3 years old. She is enjoying the duties of ‘big sister’ and we see signs of soccer, golf, swimming and softball brilliance! Just kidding!

She is only three! Mostly, she likes to have grandpa and nana play almost any type of game, puzzle or outdoor activity with her! I have just accepted a new position with South State Bank here in Charlotte. I wanted to get back into business development/commercial lending, and South State has afforded me a wonderful opportunity!”

John Kailey says, “This past few months has been somewhat more than exciting. Guess I should be careful what I wish for. At a routine eye exam, I discovered I had a torn retina. Never seen doctors move that fast. Surgery was successful but a byproduct is that it brings on a cataract, which of course I now have. That is the next surgery. Thankful for Tricare and to have eyesight. It has been interesting with one ‘good’ eye. Other than that, our oldest graduates from college this year. Wants to go in the U.S. Marine Corps. Tried to talk him out of it.” Thanks, John. Ouch! Hope things improve with the eye!

I would like to thank everyone for the help in updating email addresses. Should you not be getting emails from me every now and again, then I probably do not have your correct email address. If you want to receive all these valuable tidbits and notices and then drop me a line with your preferred email address. A reminder that we have a class page on “the” Facebook as well; another good way to keep up with BRs and the latest information. Just sayin’.

Stay well, –M

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

1980

John Gibney Jr.

Hello, Brother Rats, These notes cover the period Nov. 16, 2018, through Feb. 15, 2019, and again open with sad news. In December the Alumni Association notified me of the passing of Mark Gruber. Mark lived in Missouri and cremation services were held for him before my being notified of his death.

Mark’s obituary noted only that he died Dec. 12, was a retired Marine Corps officer and a retired corrections officer and that he is survived by three sisters. Ave Atque Vale.

The period began with a visit to New York City

by Gary and Karen Levenson and their grandson, Tyler. This has become an annual event where they occupy our apartment while we depart the city to spend Thanksgiving in the Poconos. Gary, Tyler and I had dinner at Peter Luger’s steak house in Brooklyn, which has also become an annual event.

Walt and Mary Lynne Wood sent a four-page color brochure noting their work over the last 20 years strengthening churches in the Andes. An article in the brochure as well as Walt’s handwritten note provided information about their planned six-month sabbatical from Peru during which they will visit the U.S., including VMI and eventually Alaska. The article further states that they are not retiring!

John and Anne Alerding share a late November wedding anniversary with me and Patti and each year we celebrate with a long telephone call. John is retired from the Air Force and lives in Lexington. Anne is a professor in the biology department at VMI. John said that he sees Sean Gallagher, as Sean is a part-time officer-in-charge at VMI and that he attended the VMI versus Old Dominion University football game in Norfolk. While there, John attended the gathering at the home of Josh and Karen Priest where he saw Tom Bersson, Boyd Gaines, Matt Griffin, Tom Johnston, Ali Mahan and Bob White. John also visited with his son, Johnny, a captain in the Air Force and a pilot stationed in the Norfolk area.

December began with a call with Tuck Masker. Tuck had been living in New Jersey but has

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relocated back to northern Virginia where his son is a Loudon County firefighter and his daughter is a property manager.

Frank Leech sent an email after receiving his birthday card. He was preparing to depart Cairo for Albuquerque for the Christmas holidays. His wife, Elma, preceded him and their daughters, Francine and Marie, will join them, so the entire family will be together. Frank also was one of several of our BRs who referenced our 40th reunion in 2020.

I spoke with Hugh Fain who reported that he, Renee and their three daughters are all doing well.

Sally is in 10th grade, Joyce is living in NYC and Audrey is in Los Angeles in the film and television industry.

Walt Wood sent an email with the subject line, “Must Read Alaska,” that contained a photo and brief write up on Hunter Davis. This was followed by a message that contained a link to Hunter’s radio program that broadcasts out of Ketchikan, Alaska, on KRBD. The Christmas season always brings communication from our BRs in the form of email messages, cards, cards with photos and recaps of 2018.

Thank you to all who reached out.

Tom Gelles sent an email with an attached video containing Tom in a Santa hat, sitting in front of a tree, holding a VMI banner.

Hal Snyder sent an email with two attachments.

Hal is a retired Army colonel and a dentist. Hal and Kathy live in Maryland and, when not traveling, devote a lot of time to running their dental practice.

Cards, some with photos, arrived from: Tom and Amy Bersson, with photo; John Briggs; Chris and Jen Dombalis, with photos of their daughters, Taylor and Alexis; Gary and Mindy Fellows; Pat and Beth Griffin, with photos of their sons Michael and John; Dave and Diana Hageman, with family photos; John Hall; Larry and Vera Hupertz, with family photos; Robby and Beth Jones; Gary and Karen Levenson; Tim and Becky Mecredy, with photos; Phil and Kathy Munisteri, with family photos; Pete Peterman; Rob and Traci Robinson, with a photo of their daughters, Maddie and Caitlin; Wade and Lannie Stinnette, with a family photo; Terry and Kelly Stoneman, with a family photo; and Rich and Beth Zott.

Cards with notes arrived from: Ed and Dianna Baker, with an invitation to visit them in the Outer Banks; Mickey and Jo Cole, with a reference to

our 40th reunion. Their daughter, Lainie, graduated from the American Music and Dramatic Academy in NYC and now lives in the Washington Heights section of the city; Vince and Sheila Copenhaver, who reported all quiet in Rocky Mount, Virginia; Bert and Peggy Schneider, who were expecting holiday visits to their Arizona home from their daughter, Elizabeth; their son, Chris, and his wife, Megan;, and their two grandchildren, Helen (3) and Walt (1); and Robby and Mary Anne Wheeler, also with a reference to our 40th reunion.

John and Anne Alerding sent a card with a twopage enclosure containing photos taken throughout the year of family, friends, and their 11-yearold dog, Skipper.

Brian and Kim O’Neill sent a card from their home in Virginia Beach that contained a photo of their six grandchildren and a two-page letter describing family activities throughout 2018. A handwritten note said, “No weddings or babies this year – just loving life!”

Wayland Patterson sent a letter and photos that expanded upon his experiences during and following Hurricane Michael. Wayland and Glenda and their sons, Seth and Noah, live in the Florida panhandle. One photo showed the family standing in front of downed trees, two of which hit their house, holding their dogs. Wayland works for the Air Force at Tyndall Air Force Base, where the eye of the storm hit, and was deployed to Dothan, Alabama. Two other photos showed their home before and after the storm. Fortunately, all are OK, and the damage is repairable.

Mark and Darleen Sobota sent a card with a page of notes and a page of photos, including their four energetic grandchildren, ages 1, 2, 3 and 4. They also reference our 40th reunion, which they plan to attend.

Finally, Tracy and Jennifer Wilson sent a letter containing photos that included their eighthgrade teenager, Siena, and their sixth-grader, Ellie. Jennifer is still at the International Money Foundation while Tracy is in his fourth year running his own consulting business, with no plans to retire. They are also fans of the Washington Nationals. As of this writing, pitchers and catchers are reporting to spring training, Bryce Harper remains an unsigned free agent, and the Yankees are looking to increase their World Series victory total to 28!

While preparing the Christmas cards, I noticed that Walt Kreitler’s address was no longer in

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Class Notes Florida but was in Fairfax, Virginia. I then confirmed this on the VMI database. So, I sent Walt an email and he confirmed his relocation back to Fairfax. Welcome home, Walt.

January began with three calls. First, I spoke with Wade Stinnette on his birthday. He said that the family is doing well and enjoyed the holiday season. Wade and Lannie attended the Institute Society dinner in November and saw Steve Klinar.

Then, Tolar Nolley called to let me know that Josh Priest was hospitalized with a health scare (subarachnoid bleed). I have spoken with Josh, and he is fine and back to normal, thanks to excellent medical care. Tolar also sent a series of text messages with updates of Josh’s condition. Tolar then sent a text noting that the Navy is commissioning the USS Jeremiah Denton – keep reading.

He is also looking forward to our 40th Reunion.

I also received several text messages and then spoke with Ray Joinson. Ray and Carla are retired and live in Tennessee. Their son, Eric, left the Coast Guard to become a Secret Service agent.

His last two weeks of training before being permanently assigned were in New York at Trump Tower. Patti and I had a very enjoyable dinner with Eric before he departed.

Andy Brown sent an email containing a link to a Navy Times article announcing the naming of the future destroyer the USS Jeremiah Denton. You probably recall that Adm. Denton was our commencement speaker. Andy is a retired three-star admiral who runs a not-for-profit organization.

Andy wrote that he has received great support from Rob Robinson.

Ben Gore sent an email saying that he has retired from full-time work and that he and Ann have moved to the Charlottesville area where Ann is the director of audiology/vestibular and balance center at the University of Virginia medical center.

Ben does a lot of volunteer work as well as some consulting. They live along the fairway of a golf course but on the day we exchanged messages the temperature was 14 degrees, so the course was empty.

I spoke with Dennis Maguire on his birthday.

Dennis is a contractor in Boston, and I began by congratulating him on the Red Sox’ World Series win and also wished him luck in the Super Bowl – if only the Pats could beat my Giants, they’d be 8-1 and not 6-3. It was minus 10 in Boston when we spoke, but Dennis said that business was good. His daughter, Hannah, will graduate from Holy Cross in May. He plans to attend our 40th Reunion.

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I also spoke with Chris Dombalis on his birthday. Chris lives in New Jersey where he both runs a not-for-profit and has returned to the company he sold, Seamaster.

As the period closed Tom Gelles sent an email that produced responses from Tom Kelly and Jack Keane. The last set of messages contained a photo taken during our cadetship that, while not in any way offensive, is certainly embarrassing. Reminder, if I know about it, I will probably write about it – unless asked not to write about it, a request I always honor.

Congratulations to Ed and Dianna Baker on the news that their daughter, Katie, is expecting their first grandchild. Ed is an OB-GYN surgeon, and they regularly attend Carolina Hurricanes games in Raleigh. Ed noted that he keeps in touch with Ken Trotman and with Rob Leatherbury but none of them have heard from Derryl Sullivan. I sent Derryl an email message – to the address in the VMI database – but it was returned as undeliverable.

Steve Andrews, my four-year roommate, sent several texts, email messages and Facebook things (I am Facebook challenged and cannot open certain messages). Steve asked about the “rumor board” which I vaguely recall and about why there were so few cadets at a home basketball game when he remembers that we required to attend – again, I am vague here. Steve and Cathy are retired and live Richmond, having relocated from Connecticut.

In closing, these notes mark the second successive period that began with sad news related to one of our BRs that was communicated to me well

Class of 1980: Gary Levenson and his grandson, Tyler, at Peter Luger’s steak house in Brooklyn in November 2018.

after the fact. And, with our 40th Reunion now less than one year away, you can expect to begin receiving announcements related to the dates and activities. Please use these events to confirm that your contact information is accurate in the Alumni Association database.

Finally, please enter my cell number and email address (both listed above) into your phone so we can more readily keep in touch. And if we haven’t connected recently, please use the arrival of your birthday card and/or Christmas card, as well as this issue of the Alumni Review, as a reason to reach out.

Thank you for your continued support.

1981

Jerry Manley

Brother Rats, Family and Friends, It is mid-February, and I have to say that this quarter seems to have flown by. These are, quite frankly, the toughest set of notes I have had to prepare in a very long time. Since November, we have lost two tremendous brother rats, Frank Reece and Jim “Mig” Migliarese.

The loss of BR Frank Reece Dec. 6, 2018, came as a tremendous shock to all of us. Both BRs Dave Loduca and Rob Costello had, on very recent but separate occasions, shared meals and laughter with Frank literally just days before his sudden passing. It was ever more difficult for Frank’s immediate family, as they were dealing with health and care matters for other loving relatives. There was no family obituary to share for Frank, but with great thanks to BRs Rob Costello, Dave Loduca, Grover Outland and Greg Wolven, they jointly drafted an After Taps article that hopefully will have made it into this edition. Frank’s service was very well attended by our class. Brother rats who were able to represent the class were Dan Gallagher, Grover Outland, Gene Loving, Gator Underwood, Rob “Cos” Costello, Jerry Manley, Ken “Catman” Morris; Dave Loduca, Marc Barthello, Louis “Big Lou” Rolan, Hal Scott, Mark Kanter, Mike Denton, Jim Hollaway and Greg Wolven. At Frank’s service, Cos did a tremendous job in providing Frank’s eulogy (despite the “allergies” Cos was suffering), sharing stories of Frank and how their lives were intertwined since

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes elementary school. Frank was truly a good and loving family man.

The loss of BR Jim Migliarese Dec. 23, 2018, was also felt by all. He was truly one of a kind and our very own. Simply, BR Jim “Mig” Migliarese was larger than life. The best words I could use in this narrative are simply captured from the write up developed by his loving family (with a few edits that I am sure Mig would have approved): “In an uncharacteristic move, James Paul Migliarese left the party early Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, after a short but courageous battle with grade 4 Glioblastoma. While all were saddened by his passing, we know [Mig] would want us to remember all the happy moments we shared with him. [Mig] made many friends during his 59 years with us, and he loved every single one of them. He was a spirited member of the last graduating class of Andrew Lewis High School in Salem, Virginia, where his last name was butchered by almost every teacher earning him the simple nickname, ‘Mig.’ His disarming smile, quick wit and his ability to talk to everyone charmed both peers and adults. At VMI, Mig managed to make a civil engineering degree at a military college fun. The Institute would remain a cornerstone of his life with brother rats and dear friendships spanning across the globe. Jimmy Mig crossed paths with so many people that it was hard to keep track, but he never met a stranger. Once you were part of his life, he was the friend you could call anytime; no one was more generous or more willing to help someone in need.” There was such a tremendous showing of love for Brenda and Mig throughout his illness. Quite frankly, it was one more reason to admire and be in awe of Mig and our entire class.

Mig was a tremendous man, a loving husband, an adoring father and an incredible BR. His service

was also well attended by BRs Mike Denton, Louis Rolan, Sam Woolwine, Jerry Manley, Bill Leftwich, Bruce Kitchen, Ed Boylan, Hank Lee, Harry Moore, Vince Wood, Rob Costello, Jim Hart, Dave Saunders, Rick “Moose” McCue, Marc Barthello, Tim Nitz, Tim Hesson, Dave Taylor, Ken “Piggy” Herbert, Paul Boulden, Jeff Gill, Gary Morgan, Gator Underwood, John Locher, Dickie Augustine, Gene Loving, Mark Kanter, Ken “Catman” Morris, Mark Vasco and Joe Provenzano, as well as families and other VMI alumni. The full obituary for BR Migliarese can be found at: http://www.johnmoakey.com/ book-of-memories/3684105/migliarese-james/ obituary.php.

We have also had losses in our extended class family: The mother of BR Chip Johnson, the father of BR Scot Marsh and the mother of Jennifer Costello.

Shirley Seagroves Johnson, adoring mother of our BR Chip Johnson, passed peacefully Feb. 3,

Class of 1981: John Williams III, flanked by nephews George – a Naval Academy midshipman – and Ord in Annapolis, Maryland.

Class of 1981: Class members gathered Jan, 27, 2019, to celebrate the life of Frank Reece at the Bayside Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

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2019, following a lengthy but courageous battle with cancer. She was born March 23, 1934, in Roanoke and was a 1956 graduate of Greensboro College. A gifted artist, she taught art at Stonewall Jackson Junior High in the Roanoke City school system in the late 1950s. She later became the art teacher at North Cross School, where she taught all levels and was the director of The Living Gallery for over 22 years. Shirley was blessed and surrounded by a devoted, loving family, providing her enormous pleasure throughout her life. Her career choice of art and education gave her daily opportunities to witness the unique, creative ideas and talents of her students, and art travel, classes, workshops and artists’ groups kept her informed, challenged and motivated to paint and create until the end of her life. Being an active member of two great churches – Greene Memorial United Methodist Church and Second Presbyterian Church – provided a path of spiritual guidance and strong faith throughout her entire life. In Shirley’s words: “To my loving family and treasured students and friends, thank you for giving me inspiration, comfort, love, support and joy beyond measure.

You have made my life’s journey a wonderful adventure!” Our deepest sympathies are with our BR Chip and the entire Johnson family. Shirley Johnson’s full obituary can be found at: http:// www.memorialsolutions.com/memsol.cgi?user_ id=2161418.

John “Jack” Marsh (Hon.), father of our BR Scot Marsh, passed away Feb. 4, 2019. Jack Marsh was the longest-serving Secretary of the Army in American history, covering the entire two terms of President Reagan and the first seven months of the term of President Bush (41). For those BRs who were commissioned in the Army, you will find Secretary Marsh’s signature in the lower right-hand corner of your commission. In addition to serving our country on active duty, as a reserve officer, as a congressman and in numerous other capacities covered in the above obituary, Mr. Marsh served on the VMI Board of Visitors, is one of the few honorary alumni of VMI (elected as such by the Alumni Association board of directors) and is one of the few individuals to have been awarded the prestigious New Market Medal

by VMI. With regards to New Market, Mr. Marsh served as its town attorney for eight years and researched, wrote on and spoke extensively over the years about the Battle of New Market and the VMI Corps’ role in it. Underscoring another VMI tie, Mr. Marsh and Grover Outland Jr. ’49B were

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Class Notes Washington and Lee University law school classmates. John Marsh’s full obituary can be found at https://www.ompsfuneralhome.com/obituary/ john-o-marsh-jr/. A NYT article highlighting his career can be found at https://www.google.com/ amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2019/02/04/obituaries/john-o-marsh-dead.amp.html.

Doris Stout Hall, loving mother to Jennifer Costello and beloved mother-in-law to BR Rob “Cos” Costello, passed away Feb. 5, 2019. Born in West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Hascue and Etta Stout and the widow of Jack B. Hall. She was a retired archivist from the Virginia department of education. Doris was a loving and devoted mother and very dear to the heart of “our” Jen. Ms. Hall’s full obituary can be found at https://www.hollomon-brown.com/obituaries/ Doris-Stout-Hall?obId=4086096.

In closing just these first few paragraphs, it is always very hard to say farewell to a parent or a brother rat. We had significant losses in the last months of 2018 and the early start of 2019.

Through it all, the class showed tremendous support, love and faith. There are no words to capture the loss of a loving parent, though we must all suffer that pain. As for our BRs, both Frank and Mig were taken from their families and the class far too soon, as was BR Jim Waller just five months prior, but such was our Lord’s plan. These adoring parents and our brother rats are and will always be missed, just as they are loved. Our prayers of comfort and our continued support will always remain with the families of Reece, Migliarese,

Class of 1981: Class members gathered Dec. 29, 2018, to celebrate the life of Jim “Mig” Migliarese at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Innsbrook, Virginia.

Waller, Johnson, Marsh, and Costello; of this, I have no doubt for such support is what makes the Class of 1981 the “best Class that has ever graced Jackson Arch.”

Now, with the tough part of these notes completed, let me share some quick inputs from other BRs: Chip Chipley! Not sure that I can adequately capture all that Chip, his loving wife, Lisa Lynn Lightner, and their three beautiful daughters (Gigi, Vivi and Lili) have been through. The incredible news is that Chip continues to improve! After an early December event that put him in the hospital, he was able to go home Feb. 15. There has been tremendous BR support for Chip and family. Our collective hats go off to the key support of Bill Bird, Dan Pere, Andy Lauzier, Jeff Adler and Corky Mitchell for their visits and the Wolvens and everyone who wrote, coordinated gifts, made

Class of 1981: VMI alumni attending the June 2018 wedding of J.O. Goode ’13 were John E. Goode, J.O. Goode ’13, A.J. Augustine ’13, Chris Harper ’13, Clark Irvine ’13, Shawn Chapman, Justin Smith ’13, Aaron Lewis ’12, Charlie Jones ’13, Stuart Hughes ’13 and Bernie Banas. Adam Morgan ’13 and Rob de Wolff ’16 also attended but are not pictured.

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calls and more. (I pray I didn’t miss anyone!) Best way to capture it would be from a text sent to me

by Lisa that reads: “On the eve of finally bringing Chip home, three days shy of two months in various hospitals, I have reflected back on many things that I have experienced. Then as I unpack Chip’s suitcase, I see the VMI brotherhood in the bottom.

The foundation that has support him and his family in many different ways. We have had that VMI flag in each hospital, along with the ribbons from the flowers and have carried it to three different hospitals in his VMI bag. While I was aware of this ‘brotherhood’ when we married, I had no idea how deep it ran. Now I do. I will be ever grateful to all brother rats, especially the class of 1981. You have pulled us through and been a key component of this miracle. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!” Prayers continue for the Chipleys and continued progress for BR Chip!

Trip Lloyd writes that he has been singing and acting in several shows in several Fredericksburg theaters. He also sings low bass with his church choir and a local jazz group. He, his wife, Anne, and their high school son, Liam, and college daughter, Amanda, spent Christmas and new year’s on a cruise ship in the Caribbean having a joyful time. Trip heard about the federal government shutdown the day he sailed out of Baltimore and was sure it would be over by the time he got back two weeks later. Such was not the case, and he made a lot of personal calls to his staff to make sure they were well. His own situation bordered on dire with college tuition and the realities of life, but in true VMI style, he championed the hardship and “all is good now” for the Lloyds!

John Goode shared some great news from last summer! His son, John Owen “J.O.” Goode ’13 was married in June 2018. We included a great picture of the “party,” but I regret not having all

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Class of 1981: Class members gathered Feb. 15, 2019, to honor the memory and accomplishments of John Marsh, father of Scot Marsh, were, from left, John Locher, Gator Underwood, Ron Mislowsky, Grover Outland, John Driscoll, Ken “Catman” Morris, Jeff Davies, Rob Costello, Scot Marsh and Harry Moore. the young alum properly lined up by name to match the pictures. It doesn’t take an eagle eye to spot John on the far left and J.O.’s godfather, BR Bernie Banas, on the far right. The function was well-attended by J.O.’s classmates. They also had a special guest, Col. George Piegari (Hon.), and his wife, Melou.

Speaking of Bernie, just a quick note that both Bernie and I shared a good laugh from a short email exchange. During a brief writing exchange, I spoke of my own “self-inflicted pain.” Bernie shared that the phrase has got to be a VMI thread, as he uses the term nonstop. He said that his kids, and probably more so the staff at his new company, are well familiar with the term as he actually put a sign in the conference room, and introduced the concept to the organization. (I do seem to recall that from VMI and it was right up there with notable quotes from our rat year cadre as “Good!

Fine! Lovely! I don’t care!” and “What’s your excuse, Maggot?!”)

Mat Merriman chimed in and shared that he and Robin are planning on attending our mini reunion March 9. (I hope that many others will, as well!) Mat has connected with BR Ray Lawson at Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina, and has been looking at career opportunities in the area. Mat also reported that Ray got promoted in December and is buried under new work as well as a backlog of old.

Bobby Munno and his lovely wife, Agnieszka, spent Christmas and new year’s in Hawaii. They spent a week on a live-aboard scuba cruise. Bob shared that he was the only “Iron Diver,” completing all 27 scheduled dives. They spent another week on the Big Island hiking, touring, beaching, sightseeing, etc. Bob’s next adventures include travels to Saba for diving on Memorial Day and

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Bonaire for diving this coming Thanksgiving.

Marc Barthello found himself in the Northern Neck area on new year’s day, so he rode out to Gwynn’s Island. He found John and Patti Dixon at their home on the island and enjoyed catching up with them for a bit. Marc reports that John and Patti are doing well and waiting for crab season. On the homefront, Marc and Laura bought a house in Lexington last year. They have lots of work to do but he hopes to make their permanent move in the next year or so. They are overlooking the football stadium with great views of the ‘I.’ Marc has extended an open invitation for BRs to stop by, say hello, and sign the VMI ’81 wall Laura is preparing for signatures!

Mike “Psycho” McLeod is still flying and always looking for layovers in Raleigh to visit with Moose McCue and Mackay Spears. Psycho has been interacting with Mackay a lot lately since Mac is retired and getting into model building (if you have not seen Psycho’s skills in this field of art, you are really missing out!). Mike shared a great story in his update that reads: “A few weeks ago I was jumping at Deland, doing ‘big-ways’ (formations with 16 people – woohoo!) and a visiting jumper stopped by to join us for the day. We were all chatting and he seemed familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it, and he had familiar mannerisms. Lo and behold, as we discussed our backgrounds, and he mentioned having worked with to government in San Diego with law enforcement. I asked him if he happened to know a good friend of mine from VMI named Mackay Spears. This visiting jumper gave me a direct stare and said, “Yeah, that’s my brother; I’m John Spears [’96], VMI ’96.” Holy cow! We both cracked up! We took a pic and messaged it to Mackay right away, and he was blown out, too. We made some fun jumps and

afterward filled out the logbooks with a beer and a stogie. Fun was had by all! Pic attached! I’m easy to find with the spider on my helmet.” (Regretfully, with the limit on pictures, I wasn’t able to share the jump photos in this edition, but I will post on Facebook!)

Ski bash at Jim Hart’s (Smith Mountain Lake) for the Fourth of July! By the time you read this in print, there will have been plenty of notices shared.

This year will be the 40th annual event, and it is sure to be epic! Jim has put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into improving the place, and if you have not seen his posts on the “ski lodge” improvements, they are incredible! Please do all you can to make it! There are plenty of camping sites for tents and a number of electrical hook ups for RVs. Hope to see you there!

A quick, personal note: I can’t thank my daughter enough for the January birthday surprise at the Vasen Brewery in Richmond. It was a tremendous surprise, and I can’t believe she pulled it off. She does regret not being able to send everyone an invite; both her wallet and her access to my address book was extremely limited. If she missed anyone, the dot is on my forehead – she loves every one of her VMI uncles – almost as much as I do. I can’t thank all of you, or my daughter, Jenna, enough.

It meant a lot.

Well, that is all I have for this edition, BRs. I regret if the writing is a bit rough but it was a tough one to put together. I pray I have not missed anything. If you have not seen emails from me (I push them out to the class at least monthly, more frequently with the need arises), send me a correct address. Please send me a note when you get the chance!

Cheers and blessings of health and happiness to all!

In the bonds of VMI, Jerry

1982

Will Council

Hello, Brother Rats, I have not even broken the plastic wrap off the latest Alumni Review. Usually that is a pretty good hint that the next ones are due. This one

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Class Notes snuck up on me. I can blame it on a lot of things, like getting older, being too busy at work with a new position or not getting a one week reminder from VMIAA. Just saying maybe these will be a little shorter than most.

So here it goes! From Facebook Messenger: Russ and Stacy Stewart will be making the trip to Arlington National Cemetery in June for the services for Jack Wainwright’s father, Bill Wainwright ’55. Many of you attended the earlier ceremony, so I am expecting quite a few more will be there again.

Larry Williams was on the road returning from Christmas visits with family in Leesburg, Virginia, and decided to stop in for a beer with Rich and Susanne Reisch. Well, the beer must have been good, because they got their calendars out and planned a camping trip to Big Meadows with Keith and Jeanne Jarvis. I love where this is going! More class notes! Maybe even pictures! Anyway, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. Like I said, the beer must have been good, because Larry says they have been trying to make that an annual thing a couple of times a year. I am confused; let me refill my drink.

Andy Balding also came to my rescue with an update. Andy killed it with all the alphabet soup abbreviations. If you follow Andy on Facebook, you will see lots of grandchildren, as well as snake hunting with a K bar knife in the garage. So this update is all about the extended family. Andy’s youngest, Meagan, is nearing completion of her doctor of pharmacy in May and is in residency interviews for children’s hospitals. Not sure where she will end up with her practice. Oldest son David in on staff at USASOCSCS, is married and has a 2-year-old daughter. Middle son Daniel is a police officer in Ruidoso, New Mexico, is married and has a 3-year-old daughter and a new 1-yearold son. So lots of grandpa time! Andy is still at work at AFRL/RW, Eglin Air Force Base, and Brenda is still a registered nurse. In my follow up questions with Andy, he said he did get to work with Ken Yates several years ago at Eglin making things that blow up. By the way, there are a few classmates down in that part of the panhandle.

Some news from the postmaster, i.e., Christmas cards.

Michael and Heather Albert have moved again.

He is still teaching middle school math and religion at a very small Catholic school in Dallas.

This time, the job is much closer to the new home.

A very nice family letter with photos from all

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over Europe arrived from the Chuck and Hope Fanshaw home. You may recall that Chuck has taken a job in Belgium with the U.S. mission to the new NATO Headquarters. Hope is staying busy with the NATO international spouses’ club and a half dozen other things. Their oldest, Kathlene, is still working as a financial analyst at Georgetown University Hospital supporting the general surgery department. Hailey is in her second year at Georgia Tech, doubling as a chemical and biomolecular engineer and is a member of the “Goldrush” dance team. Mia is now in seventh grade at the Brussels American School.

She is able to continue with basketball, soccer and dance but had to give up some other sports, as they just weren’t offered. There has been lots of traveling going on to England, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and, of course, Belgium. So if you plan on visiting with them, make sure you call ahead. Their door is always open for friends, as long as they are there!

After four years serving as senior military adviser to Sen. McCain, Jim Hickey transitioned in January to a new position with Raytheon as vice president, U.S. Business Development acquisition and policy. His office is in Rosslyn, and he is very happy to have a short commute! So is Maureen!

The Poteralski residence reports, “All present or accounted for!” Everyone is healthy and doing well. Joe’s wife, Robin, is still with the local hospital as a billing systems analyst. Their son, Matt, is back at SUNY Oswego studying accounting.

Daughter Alexmarie passed the bar exam on her first try and now has an online test before being sworn in to the bar. She is working as a fellow for the state Senate. And Joe is still with the state,

doing mortgage servicing for the housing loans portfolio. The loans are for senior housing, special needs or low income housing.

Joe also says that by the time these notes are published, the polar vortex will be a distant memory (as we seek comfort in air conditioning).

Looking forward to next football season when the Keydets are set to relive the defeat of Army. Rah! Unfortunately, the water polo team is not coming to the capital district this season. It is always a joy to cheer the Keydets on. Thank you, Papa Joe! So about those photos of the newest Marvel Universe Superhero. Have you figured out who is the man in winter soldier/VMI cadet body armor? Our very own Frank Rosenthal! In August 2017, Frank was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his throat. Fortunately, it was stage 1 with no lymph node involvement. After two unsuccessful attempts at robotic surgery, it became apparent that there was no way to avoid radiation.

Fortunately, he ended up with access to proton therapy instead of standard photon radiation.

Due to the more focused beam, it has the ability to minimize side effects and residual damage to unrelated tissue. The six week treatment was very tough, but Dorothy took on the role of cadre corporal and ensured that he had no time to feel sorry for himself. With a steady diet of protein shakes, he maintained his weight and avoided the feeding tube that often goes with this situation. Very happy to report that it is over one year since his last treatment, and all scans remain clear. One of the techs was kind enough to decorate it for Frank, who can’t say enough about the docs and the technology at the Maryland Proton Treatment Center.

Dorothy and Frank have five grandchildren so far

Class of 1982: “Photos of the newest Marvel Universe superhero,” said Class Agent Will Council of these photos.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes and one on the way. They are living in Centreville on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. After a bit of a midlife Rat Line life is good!

This is one of those proud papa moments from Neal Rogers. You might recall a few years ago a group of BRs met at the Tavern in Richmond one night. (I documented the occasion.) Neal’s son, Sean ’13, stopped by with another ’13 grad.

They were both going into the Army. A bit unconventional, as they were both enlisting after spending a year in the real world. Neither had pursued the commissioning track, if that is what it is called. Fast forward to 2016. Sean was and still is in Alaska with the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. In September 2017, he was deployed to Afghanistan. He and others supported a special forces group of some type. On April 30, in eastern Afghanistan, the group he was in came under fire. One of the folks on his team was killed along with several friendly Afghans. Sean came home safely in June 2018 with his unit. Family caught up with him when he was in Richmond at the end of June. You can imagine the gut wrenching feeling hearing his story.

His actions earned him the Bronze Star, with valor. Not knowing the details, we now understand that the “V” device is only awarded to about 1 out of 40 bronze stars recipients. Our BR military types could clarify this if need be. [See the photo in 2013’s notes.] There was an image of the Bronze Star certificate but that would not make the image quality. Way to go, Sean and Neal!

Making us all proud.

Now here is a name some will say, “Hey! I remember that guy!” I got the following email for our very own short timer George Hansen. (Since we are short on notes I will just copy and paste his entire letter.)

“The last time I stood in formation with you was in December 1978 before I departed VMI. I think of my brother rats quite often and am proud that I had the opportunity to attend VMI, even though it was for only one semester. I was older than most of you and had two complete years of college before I entered VMI. I was also an E-4 specialist in the Ohio National Guard as a combat engineer and completed Army Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training in 1975 after high school graduation. I’m writing to tell my brother rats that I continued in the United States military over the remaining years and have officially retired from the United States Army. I’m on terminal

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leave and technically my last day of active duty as a regular Army officer is Feb. 28, 2019. I’ve never looked at the military as a job; it’s just something I enjoyed doing for our country. The main reason I left VMI was to get on active duty sooner.

I loved the military structure of VMI. I continued two more years of college at Ohio University and became commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force, where I became an air weapons director in the 52nd Airborne Warning and Control System. In 1987, I returned to the Army and attended military police officer basic at Fort McClellan, Alabama. I later became involved in military intelligence and then I returned to college in 1990 to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. I’m retiring as an Army 66E perioperative nurse, or surgical nurse as most would call it. I’d keep going, but the U.S. Army says age 62 is mandatory retirement for a regular Army officer.

“I enjoyed my time at VMI. It’s interesting that my neighbor is Dr. John Bieltz, D.O. When I moved to Fort Gordon, Georgia, I purchased this home, and my neighbor, John Bieltz, came over to introduce himself in the early summer 2017.

He mentioned he was soon attending his college reunion. I asked him which college, and John said VMI. I asked him which class, and he said 1982.

I laughed inside my mind and started to mention the names of his classmates. Needless to say, he had an interesting expression. It’s a small world sometimes. Sincerely, Maj. George E. Hansen U.S. Army, retired! VMI ’82.”

I love it!

Everyone have a great spring, and for those of you silly people that live up north like Jose and Fran Suarez, “Bless your heart!”

Sincerely, Will Council

1983

Steve Amato

Hello, Brother Rats, As I begin the duty as our class agent on behalf of all our BRs, I want to thank Hugh Daughtry for being our class agent the past five years and the wonderful job he did and a thank you to his dear wife, Robin, who provided Hugh significant

assistance throughout his tenure. I am honored to represent our class as your class agent, and I take this duty seriously. I appreciate the confidence many BRs have extended to me already through emails, telephone calls and text messages. These notes cover the period of mid-November 2018 through mid-February 2019.

I am sorry to report tragedy has affected our class again in 2018 as our BR Stephen Ross’ son, Capt. Andrew “Drew” P. Ross, U.S. Army Special Forces, was killed in action Nov. 27, 2018, along with three other American heroes. Drew was a 2011 West Point graduate; he loved life, his family, his wife and his country. Many BRs attended Drew’s visitation, funeral and burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Numerous BRs have contacted Stephen lending support and condolences and to recognize Drew’s sacrifice for our nation.

I received a call from our La Jolla, California, BR Will Creekmur. Will was unable to attend our 35th Reunion as he had some scheduling conflicts and he wanted the download of our reunion. Will wanted me to remind all BRs if you are traveling through La Jolla or San Diego, California, give him a call and he’ll take you to lunch.

Franklin Hudgins reported in from on-site at the Keydets’ final football game of 2018 stating, “Old Dominion University ran up the score in the final game at Foreman Field as we know it.

The stadium and field demolition will start in November 2018 and a new stadium will be built on the same spot. Enough about ODU or Old Dirty, as some say. It was clear VMI won the tailgate again!” BRs who attended the tailgate were John Dodge, Joe Link, Jim Outland, Cal Murray and Ben Cottrell. “I have attached a couple of photos for evidence. Apparently, some from ’83 may have still been fatigued from our reunion and were unable to make the trip to ‘Nawfuk.’

Snake, Tony Arnold, reported in with, ‘Team Arnold done with outdoor events for 2018, too cold BR,’ so Stuart Taylor ’85 and Joe Rose ’85 were in attendance to make up for Snake’s no-show.”

In December, Tim Craul volunteered along with me and my wife, Mary, in the Sergeant Mac Memorial wreath laying ceremony at Quantico National Cemetery, Quantico, Virginia. The Sergeant Mac Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization formed to honor the memory of Marine Sgt. Eric McColley. On Feb. 17, 2006, McColley gave his life for his country along with seven fellow Marines and two Airmen in a helicopter accident in

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Class Notes the Horn of Africa. We placed wreaths at veterans’ gravesites and through the efforts of 600-plus volunteers, more than 5,000 wreaths were placed.

Trent Boggs traveled down to the lower 48 from Eagle River, Alaska, in late November through early December to spend several weeks visiting family and friends in Pennsylvania. Trent also spent several days with his former VMI roommate, Mark Sykes, and his wife, Kim, in Centreville, Virginia. Trent, Mark and I were able to do a quick five mile hike at the Manassas Battlefield, have dinner and talked about our 35th reunion. Trent and his wife, Sherri, are doing well and retirement plans are in the works for Trent.

In early December, J.J. Costello dropped me an email with an update. He reported from Tennessee, saying, “Earlier this week, I had an overnight temporary duty to a Navy planning conference in Millington, Tennessee, outside of Memphis.” J.J met up with Kevin Keilty. When Kevin retired from the Navy, he went to work for FedEx in Memphis. “Kevin and I had not seen each other in 18 years when both of us attended the Joint Forces Staff College as young Navy commanders in 2000. On Monday, Kevin met me at my arrival gate at Memphis International Airport, and we had a great conversation catching up, including husband-coping mechanisms for wives with empty nest syndrome and an addiction to the Hallmark Movie Channel for Christmas.”

David and Cindy Warriner checked in with Christmas wishes to include a recap of the Warriner family activities in 2018. Dave and Cindy traveled by train from Chicago, Illinois, to the Grand Canyon and back.

They reported the trip included “indescribable views of God’s majesty.”

I saw Mark Roltsch in January, and he has relocated back to Virginia from Florida. Mark conducts research for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Another BR has become a pilot; Joseph “Campi” Campisano is now a tow pilot, and he sent me a great update. Campi states, “I’ve been getting in a bunch of glider flying with the club I belong to which is the North Florida Soaring Society, located

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Class of 1983: Pictured after duck and goose hunting on Virginia’s Eastern Shore were Scott Horan, Jim Outland, Matt Outland ’17, Jim Henry, John Karafa ’84, Henry Atwill ’18, Grover Outland ’81, Frank Hargrove ’15, Ken Herbert ’81 and David Greer. Greer is a 1980 Washington and Lee University graduate.

Class of 1983: John Dodge, Joe Link, Jim Outland, Franklin Hudgins, Cal Murray and Ben Cottrell attended the VMI versus Old Dominion football game in Norfolk, Virginia, Nov. 17, 2018.

Class of 1983: Joseph “Campi” Campisano, a tow pilot with his tow plane, at Herlong Airport in Jacksonville, Florida, in November 2018.

at Herlong Airfield in Jacksonville, Florida. Not only am I a glider pilot (seven years now), but I’m now the newest ‘rookie’ tow pilot for my club. I earned my Federal Aviation Administration tow pilot endorsement in August 2018 and after an intense flying regimen afterward in order to meet the more stringent club requirements, I earned the privilege of becoming a NFSS tow pilot Dec. 8, 2018.

I’m currently flying the Piper Pawnee PA25-235. To date, I’ve got 7.1 hours and 40 tows under my belt. As a payback for my club, I have volunteered to serve as designated tow pilot for Sunday ops (at least for the next couple of months). In addition to my flying, I’ve been nominated and elected to serve as our club’s next operation officer, effective this month.

I’m responsible for the overall safety of our 70 pilots (to include tow pilots and glider pilots), all flight ops, currency of all pilots, working closely with the maintenance officer to ensure our aircraft are in an ‘UP’ status, etc. Needless to say, I’m stoked, and that’s an understatement.”

Campi further states he “was working for the Naval Hospital Jacksonville as an industrial hygienist, and as of August 2017, I had the good fortune of being picked up by the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast which is the very command that I was supporting as an IH. I am the command’s air quality program manager attached to the environmental division and am responsible for all of our air emissions and to ensure compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency-driven ‘Title V’ air permit. I’m very happy, as you know.” Fly safe, Campi.

John Rice checked in with me in January and he now lives in Georgia.

Charlie Luck provided an update as he and Lisa were out of the country while our 35th Reunion occurred; this sounds like a Blue Book violation. Their son, Richard Luck ’12, married Jenna Chenault in June 2018. Charlie reports that “Richard was promoted from Luck Stone plant manager to Luck Stone key account sales representative in January 2019.”

Tony “Snake” Arnold fired off a quick text to me in which he must have needed

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes a Bruce “Bubba” Hazelgrove chat as Snake simply said, “Bubba never calls me.” Now, Snake, I’m our class agent, not a telephone operator.

Bubba – please call Snake.

Our class historian, Jim Outland, and Scott Horan submitted a joint-comical story from a hunting adventure in January 2019. While at another event, Jim’s brother, Grover Outland ’81, gathered and provided an intelligence report back to Jim in which Scott and Jim Henry (the Frick and Frack of our class) were heading directly over to the Eastern Shore along with John Karafa ’84 to enjoy some guided duck hunting. “This gave some alumni the opportunity to host their intrepid hunters at a post-hunt Saturday night dinner at the old Metompkin Inlet Station on Cedar Island. Jim describes the adventure: “Suffice it to say, after a blustery boat ride through the

Class of 1983: Trent Boggs, Steve Amato and Mark Sykes at dinner in Manassas, Virginia, in December 2018.

snow, our thrill-seeking BRs and John were able to enjoy a great evening of boisterous alumni revelry which, I assure you, was loud and proud and included a stand-up Old Yell around the dinner table. As evidenced in the attached picture, ‘A Good Time Was Had by All’ (which, by the way, is a classic old Alumni Review line from the ’40s).” The hunt and dinner club included: Scott Horan, Jim Outland, Matt Outland ’17, Jim Henry, John Karafa ’84, Henry Atwill ’18, Grover Outland ’81, Frank Hargrove ’15, Ken Herbert ’81 and David Greer (Washington and Lee ’80). If only those walls of the old Metompkin Inlet Station could talk, I’m sure they would reveal many funny stories.

In February 2019, John Karafa ’84 and Darrell Rickmond ’73 hosted the sixth annual VMI Quail Hunt in Dendron, Virginia. The morning started off a chilly 28 degrees Fahrenheit and by noon was a balmy 50 degrees. Myself, Jim Outland, Paul Karafa, Ed Kluckowski and Joseph Kluckowski ’16 along with over 20 other alumni hunted quail, shot clays, shared stories, enjoyed VMI fellowship and, of course, ate a wonderful breakfast and lunch. As winter turns to spring, I wish you all and your families a blessed and safe spring. Remember, our next class notes are due May 15, 2019. It’s never too early, so please send me updates and pictures well before the due date.

If you haven’t contacted a BR, reach out to one or two in order to “reconnect,” and don’t forget to continue that habit. Take care, brother rats.

Regards, Steve

1984

Andy Protogyrou

Class of 1983: Tony “Snake” Arnold, Joe Link and Bruce “Bubba” Hazelgrove at the 35th Reunion tailgate Nov. 3, 2018.

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We are fast approaching our 35th Reunion set for Nov. 1-2, 2019. Please make sure to set the dates aside now on your calendars. Also, the polls will be open for my esteemed successor. I am sure many of you are feeling the urge to serve, and I will gladly throw my support behind each and every one of you.

These are the last few months at VMI for my 1st Class cadet daughter, Demetra. She has applied to two graduate schools that offer masters and doctorates in operations research. Don’t ask

what that means; it is a math thing. My son, Tony ’16, is deep into his second year of law school at West Virginia University. He has found every opportunity to enjoy the experience. He is expected to spend several weeks on active duty in the Virginia National Guard this summer sending rounds down range.

I recently saw Mo Khandan-Barani and his son, Ben ’16, in Richmond at the VMI Legislative Reception. Mo is retired. He loves it. He lives in Radford, Virginia, and relishes nothing to do each and every day. His wife has a diametrically opposed position to his, and he cannot seem to understand why. Ben is working for a consulting firm in Richmond and is handsome enough to appear as the main character on “The Bachelor.”

Thank goodness he gets his movie star looks from his mother.

Kurt Weitz reached out and touched me from Berryville, Virginia, where he is living in a barn and loving it. He works as a registered nurse at Winchester Medical Center. He will be taking a three month leave of absence this spring to hike the Appalachian Trail. He asks if anyone is interested in joining him to reach out, because as Kurt says, “We ain’t getting any younger.”

Spruill Thompson and his wife, Karen, were kind enough to touch base with me from Wilmington, North Carolina. Spruill let me know that more than hurricanes blow through his town. He said typhoons do also, and this one was named Tex. Spruill got a surprise visit from Tex Maxwell who came through town right at cocktail hour, and Spruill was obliged to feed Typhoon Tex with all that would give him strength – bourbon. Tex was visiting to do some post-hurricane fly fishing. Spruill is an extremely successful real estate developer in town. He has not aged a day, and Tex still has the same hairline of 35 years ago.

I also touched base with our beloved Brother Rat Bill Janis. He and Roseanne recently relocated to Pensacola, Florida, to be near her parents as they age. Bill spent from June to January 2019 helping a congressman who was retiring as his chief of staff in his final months. Bill took the job to help a friend in need. Bill’s advice was, if you run for Congress, be a staff member first.

We hope you will take your own advice. Virginia and our country need you. Bill said he would see Tom Anthony and Jeff White often in the Washington area. Bill’s son, Robert, is moving to Tennessee to be a bench jeweler after a successful

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Class Notes John Whitty, Pete Sniffin.

Ron “Viking Maker” Reimann started a severalpart message between himself, Rear Adm. Matt “Squat Company Commander” Carter and the ’85 class agent. Ron relayed that he had just dropped in on the U.S. Pacific Fleet (Oahu, Hawaii) head-shed to say hello to BR Sanka Carter.

Ron remarked that even his son, Erik “Viking” Reimann, was looking up to Sanka, and Erik is 6’5”.

Check out the photo of these two tall drinks of water holding the VMI flag between them. Matt “that’s Admiral to you, wiseguy” Carter is serving as the deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. That is some heavy duty stuff, addressing a very serious set of challenges. I’d like to think that our time spent together in Spanish class with Mrs. Sandy helped some. Yes, I am pretty sure it did. Ron also visited Mick Chang in Waikiki on this trip and said it was like old home week and that Mick can out-pushup anyone in the class; he is confident.

Even though he didn’t let me know, I hear that Marc “Big Boz” Boswell is back in country! Welcome back, Big Boz! And this note from Kyle Winter was just too good to not directly (almost) quote: “2017 and 2018 have been like the last book in a young adult fiction series that was made into two movies because the readers/viewers haven’t suffered enough already. In all seriousness, over the last two years, we’ve had a couple of weddings (four of my five birth kids are now hitched), a couple of funerals,

a couple of births, flooding from a couple of hurricanes and a lot of surgeries.

“I am thrilled to be baby-sitting granddaughter No. 5 as I type this; my first grandson followed her by about six weeks, so childproofing is back in vogue. (Agent: Nothing sharp at eye-level, BR. Just like we do when Brother Rat Brad Gerstbrein is in the house!) I had avoided diaper changing with the first four grandchildren, but I’m not going to let her sit in the 3rd Class buffet line until grandma gets home. Having a kid in the house Matt Daniel also does a great job of suppressing the noise that three boys typically make – my bride, looking daggers, threatening them with worse than death if they wake the baby.

“I am still working at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, trying to strike the delicate (Help received from Jake Spivey.) balance between clean air, water and land, and Men, check out the great shot of Chuck Baker, economic development. Coal ash, landfills, sewre-enlisting his son Charles III (Carl) Baker. What a patriot and what a patriot-family. Along with age sludge, you name it, I’ve probably been flogged the photo, he sent me a note. Chuck sends this at a public meeting for it. For all the fussing, the great update to us via the sound-powered phone: number of ‘code red’ ozone days are down, the “Mollie and I are doing well. This coming May 18 wastewater plants frequently put plumes of clean will be our 34th wedding anniversary. For a jourwater into dirty rivers and industry keeps coming to Virginia. ney that started just four hours after graduation, “In our spare time, Dee and I are raising three we’ve come a long way. I clearly ‘married up’ and rambunctious boys and trying to keep them exhave much to be grateful for in my bride! I retired hausted through whatever sport is in season at the from the Navy in 2010 and went to work for BAE time. The two oldest ran cross-country and are Norfolk Ship Repair for about four years until I now in wrestling; all of them played fall soccer (I had the opportunity to come back to the Departcoach the youngest two), and trying to maintain ment of the Navy and take a civil service position pace with them on the pitch is a humbling experiat the mid-Atlantic regional maintenance center. ence. We were installing a 200-foot zip line I am currently the waterfront operations for them on our property in March when manager for all the Norfolk based ships I took a fall about 8 feet off the ladder, undergoing contracted ship maintenance; landing flat on my back. I knocked myself having been both a sailor and a shipyard senseless and managed to sever the triceps contractor the job is a perfect fit and gives tendons on both arms. After getting my me plenty of opportunity for challenge! bearings, I walked the 100 yards back to “My son, Charles E. ‘Carl’ Baker III enthe house and my bride got me to a trauma listed when I was in Hawaii, so I couldn’t center, where we laughed long and loud at be there when he took off to boot camp. my stupidity.

When he asked me to re-enlist him, I was “After the tendons were reattached in bursting with pride, so off went the beard early April, I was a bit of a sight for sevand I ransacked my closet for a decent unieral weeks, transitioning from double form to wear. If it’s not obvious, the old slings to double splints. The honey-do guy on the left is very proud of that young list was fearfully neglected for a few petty officer! Capt. Charles E. ‘Charlie’ months, but I have healed up adequateBaker Sr. led the way enlisting me back in ly to resume weight training and cannot 1978. It’s an awesome legacy! wait to fire up the chainsaw in a couple “The rest of our seven kids are doing of weeks. The hurricanes this autumn well; our 11th grandchild is on the way.

Class of 1985: Capt. Chuck Baker re-enlisted his son, Petty have added to the deadfall inventory Our blessings are bountiful!”

Officer 3rd Class Charles Baker. and have even floated a couple of stacks Random name drop: Sylvester Davis, collegiate career wrestling, and his daughter is a CPA with Grant Thornton as an audit expert in Tampa, Florida. I miss you, Bill; you are a great man.

Brother rats, please do not forget me when it comes to news.

Take care and much love, Andy

1985

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes of wood that were already cut for the stove. nursing homes I’ve ever seen, I was standing by truck to find Chris’ favorite chicken wings place.

“The news about BR Wolf was saddening. his side when he was unsuccessfully defending his Like I said, Chris was tall, but in 1989 or so he Having not kept up with most of our class except decision to replace all the dishes with Royal Doul- bought a brand-new red Mazda Miata. It was the through the Alumni Review articles, it’s too often ton china for all the resident dining rooms. Chris first one I ever rode in. Chris loved that car, but his I learn about some of our classmates’ exploits enjoyed the ‘finer things,’ and this was evident to knees literally sat higher than the steering wheel. through their obituaries, and it appears BR Wolf VMI alumni when Chris always made the tailgat- I vividly remember us escaping in that Miata lived the kind of life that Hemingway would write ing parties ‘high end’ and great fun at West Point from a Hoboken, New Jersey, bar after a group of drunken Buffalo Bills fans were looking for an unabout. when they played (beat) VMI. “Maybe when things calm down at home, I can “Another memory was helping Chris move from fair fight when their Scott Norton missed the last get out a little more. In the meantime, I can lobby New Jersey to Norfolk along with the heaviest and second field goal giving our New York Giants a for an alumni powerlifting meet at the 2020 relargest collection of teakwood furniture I’d ever victory in Super Bowl 38. Years later, I bought a lifted. We had great talks, debates and laughs and red Mazda Miata, too, which amused Chris. union.” This was a masterful note.

“And most recently at our VMI 2015 class reJay Lucas and John Eckenrode sent a nice note veered hours off course in an over packed U-Haul union, Chris and I decided we’d share a room toabout the memorial service for Chris Wolf that gether in Lexington thinking that would give us the was held in Martinsville, Virginia. Jay tells of a most time to catch up. That’s when I first learned church full of loving friends who had obviously been very close to our brother rat. He tells of kind about Chris’ brain cancer diagnosis. But he didn’t words, fun stories and dedicated and loyal service want to dwell on that, and instead he just wanted from Chris. to have fun at the reunion, which we all did. Chris Pete Delano also sent this note about BR Chris was a good man, friend and BR.” Thanks for these Wolf that he wanted to share with the class: “Like thoughtful memories, Pete. me, Chris was from New Jersey and assigned to And more on Pistol Pete: In February, Pete DelBand Company. That’s where I got to know Chris. ano, professional engineer, senior vice president Many other BRs (and upper classmen) first got to and principal, Nobis Group, represented Nobis know Chris because he was about six foot five and in a celebration with the National Park Service. bounced in a big way every time he marched. By The event celebrated the newest 2019 U.S. quarevery measure, Chris gained a great deal of attenter, commemorating the Lowell National Historic Park (Lowell, Massachusetts). Nobis Group calls tion from the upper classman all year long as a rat.

Lowell, Massachusetts, as one of their homes, and I often told Chris all us Blow Co. rats owed him for Class of 1985: Pete Delano represented VMI ’85 claims Pete as one of their own. keeping the upperclassmen busy and away from the Nobis Group in a celebration with the Steve Medeiros sent me a nice note telling me us, which made him laugh.

National Park Service, marking the newthat he had run into Norb “Can’t Un-See That” “Right from the start, I learned that Chris was at est 2019 U.S. quarter which commemoJocz at a National Guard thingy in December. his core a very generous person. While at home in rates the Lowell National Historic Park in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Steve sends that Norb works as a birthing coach New Jersey during VMI breaks, Chris invited me – er, account executive – for Pegasystems Inc. to many memorable events – such as when Chris He looks good and healthy and happy, convinced me to wear my VMI uniform and though he has more hair than Meand meet him at the former Great Gorge Playboy Club in Vernon, New Jersey, deiros, he forsakes it for the Mr. Clean where he had previously worked. We were look. Norb remarked that he regularly treated like VIPs by countless Playboy sees Owen “Bush” McIntyre and that Bunnies. Or when Chris invited me to join Bush often solicits his participation in him at many ‘German Club’ celebrations the ’85 annual golf safari and soiree. in North Jersey where a massive GermanBut since Norb doesn’t like Bush very speaking crowd was always drinking and much, he makes clumsy excuses like, “I singing, and sometimes several German have to play water polo,” or, “I am atwomen were even firing antique German tending a numbed plumbers’ traumatic pistols in a very ‘make-shift’ and defishock support event,” (The NPTS support group meets in early August, annitely illegal indoor firing range of some nually) or that he forgot to tie his shoes. unnamed North Bergen, New Jersey, resBut this time, the Portuguese ranker taurant. Or Chris teaching me to windsurf (he was pretty good for a big guy) at the Medeiros asked him to join us in AuClass of 1985: Ron Reimann and Rear Adm. Matt Carter gust, and Norb said yes to the dress! See family lake house. And while he managed in Hawaii. you this summer, Norb! one of the most exclusive New Jersey

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Class Notes In February, Neil Lowenstein participated in the Virginia Beach Polar Plunge, a Special Olympics annual fundraising drive. The event raised $1.23 million, and they lucked out and missed the Polar Vortex by a day or two. When asked about the day, Neil said: “I’d rather be lucky than good!” or was it, “I’d walk a mile for a camel,” or, “a stitch in time saves nine.” We are not quite sure what he said (teeth chattering), but we are certain that he said something really profound. Way to go, Neil.

By the time you read this, we hope that Andy Valenzuela will be back on friendly ground.

There was some hope that my oldest son (who is deployed overseas) may be doing some work with Andy, taking care of business. Alas, we found that they were in separate places, providing the same products to their end users. Nonetheless, it was a cool, albeit a technically difficult, conversation to have with BR Valenzuela. Welcome home, BR. Now leave that serious and important work to the young bulls.

RND: Dan Murphy, Tony Neal, Steve Green.

It appears that Kerry Kirk and Jake Spivey have something special being cooked up at the ACCGS this August. But, Jake sends that you have to “show up to know up.” I am not certain what that means. Join us this summer for the safari, gents! Steve Hagan will be there! In further Kerry Kirk news, Kerry was awarded a 2018 Distinguished Service Award from the Northern Virginia Veterans Association at its fourth annual holiday meeting.

Our pride continues to grow with the successes of Brother Rat Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins. Cedric’s new title is commanding general of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, as the Research Development and Engineering Command has merged with and is now part of the Army Futures Command. CCDC is the newest command in the U.S. Army.

Here is a description of what our man Ced is leading: “As part of the combat development element, Combat Capabilities Development Command (Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland) will focus on fundamental scientific research, technology development, engineering and analysis to support the Army’s six modernization priorities: Long-range precision fires, next-generation combat vehicle, future vertical lift, the network, air and missile defense and soldier lethality. Key tenants of the CCDC’s mission are speed of delivery and integrating

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technology into existing weapon systems.

“CCDC joining Army Futures Command is the next step in the Army’s effort to transform its approach to modernize critical core capabilities that will give soldiers and allies a decisive edge in battle. As the modernization strategy focuses on delivering capabilities to support multi domain operations by 2028, CCDC will maintain a balance between scientific research to support MDO and technology that may not be developed until 2050 or beyond.”

In his acceptance remarks, Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins commented, “As the last commander of the Army’s RDECOM and the first commander of CCDC – as a soldier of more than 30 years – I see no bitterness in what we do here today. I see a new challenge and more reason to hope as we become part of a bigger team taking bolder action to forge the future.” (Agent: Beyond impressive.)

It is easy to be jealous of Dave Tingley. He is officially retired and living in Lexington with his wonderful lass, Jennifer. Dave is busy woodworking, volunteering and generally having a good old time. He and his buddy (and mine) Pat “Mags” McGuire are consuming mass quantities of beer and chips. Lisa (McGuire) tells me that they are turning into the coneheads. Not sure who is Mr. and who is Mrs. Conehead. Mags? Dave?

In early January, Tom Greenspon was appointed as the president of the George C. Marshall International Center in Leesburg, Virginia. The center is located at the mansion of George C. Marshall ’901, called Dodona Manor or more simply, “The

Class of 1985: Mick Chang and Ron Reimann in Waikiki.

Other George’s House.” Now we have two BRs working to serve the legacy of VMI’s most distinguished graduate, George C. Marshall ’901! (Reference last quarter’s notes: John Wranek, director of development and communications for the George C. Marshall Foundation, on post at VMI.) Bill Warnock checked in as all-safe after the tragic Nairobi, Kenya, hotel attacks in January. Bill reports that he had moved to Dakar, Senegal, the previous July but that the hotel that was attacked is one that they have frequented. Stay safe, Bill and check six.

On “60 Minutes” Nov. 18, Spencer Williamson was interrogated by media person Lesley Stahl.

Spencer is the CEO of Kaléo Pharmaceutical and was grilled about the individual unit cost of one of his company’s products. Naturally, our man Spencer crushed it! We’ll send the link out to those of you who may want to watch Spencer on CBS. He’s a natural.

RND: Strib Meares, Lloyd Hamlin, Roy Creasey.

Gents, that is all I have for now. Please send me some love letters and tell me what is going on.

Even better, send photos.

Semper whimper, RVM, Matt D.

1986

Clint Hubbard

Greetings to all BRs, Co-Matriculants and CoUrinal Users!

If you’re not sure in which category you belong, either Jim Agostini or Tim Spivey can break the news to you in their own kind and gentle way. The news is a bit lean this quarter, but let’s see what we can conjure up.

Our mighty and beloved VMI Keydet cagers played a game in mid-November versus the University of Kentucky at Rupp Arena. The young Keydets played hard and never gave up; they were within about six points with a minute and a half to go in the game until UK’s supremely talented team put it away and won by 10. The Keydets set the team record for three pointers by a visiting team in Rupp Arena. This is Coach Earl’s fourth year, so the expectation is that they will show some marked improvement this year.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Class of 1986: Rob Mason and Troy Lanier.

In early December, Bob and Kirby Rainer hosted their annual BR Christmas party which is always a check formation if you like cold beer, strong drinks and great chow.

This year, the normal cast of BRs showed up: Jay Ball, Mikey Calkins, Paul Burch, Wayne Fuller, Clint Hubbard, Jeff Morgan, Jon Moody, Glenn Newcomb, Gordon Poindexter and Tim Spivey. BR Poindexter was sporting his custom red blazer adorned with gold trim and buttons on the cuffs from a VMI coatee. Gordon ordered the blazer then made arrangements with the VMI quartermaster sewing department to take the trim and buttons off an old coatee and customize his red blazer. It wasn’t cheap, but it is unique. I am given to understand that one, each, Schoen, C.C., IV, (Sonny Schoen’s [’56] boy!) of Atlanta, Georgia has one, too. What can I say except those boys have style.

Mrs. Rainer is a kitchen magician and it is safe to say that BR Rainer is not making weight these days. This is always a lovely party and a highlight of the holiday season despite the low moral fiber of most of the attendees.

Over Christmas, Rob Mason and his family headed out to Park City, Utah, for a skiing holiday.

For the uninitiated, it can be a challenge to procure liquor and full-strength beer in Utah. Fortunately, BR Mason has some connections with a reprobate in Utah who wouldn’t be caught dead without access to liquor. Of course, I’m talking about Father Troy Lanier. Rob hooked up with BR Lanier who took BR Mason to visit the U.S. Air Force exchange where these two old boys stocked up and may or may not have cracked a seal in the parking

2019-Issue 2

lot. No word on the slopes, but from the picture, it appears the cocktail hour went well.

The interesting factoid on these two BRs: BR Mason has two sons who attended or currently attends U.S. Naval Academy. BR Lanier has sent a son and a daughter to the U.S. Air Force Academy, but I cannot remember whether or not they have graduated yet. Pretty cool, huh?

As Dave Grimm might say, “I’m just sayin’...”

In early February, Wayne Fuller and your dedicated class agent attended the annual VMI quail hunt hosted by John Karafa ’84 and held at the Surry County property of Darrell Rickmond ’73.

This is a great time and a top shelf event. Other attendees of our vintage included: Steve Amato ’83, Paul Karafa ’83, Jim Outland ’83, Ed Kluckowski ’83, Curt Hinton ’84, Chris Davidson ’84, Joe Irby ’85, Shane Sullivan ’85 and Tab Warlitner ’85. A great day spent with some great guys and great gun dogs.

The last item of business is to announce the latest candidates for the seeing-eye dog list. This is, of course, a list of BRs who have seemingly lost their way and drifted from us. The seeing-eye dog is to help them find their way back to VMI and see their BRs someday. Here’s the latest list of candidates: Glenn Phillips, Tim Armstrong, Charles Cook, Ned Furlow, Rob Hess, Sam Holmes, Jim Dillon and Joe Pinhak.

Come to think of it, there are quite a few of you who may be candidates for such a dog.

All right, men of 1986, such as it is, that’s the report for this quarter. You may stand down for another 90 days. Here’s wishing you and yours all the best for 2019. Take a moment and reach out to a BR and/or your class agent to share an update; keep those bonds tight! Take care, brother rats.

1987

Curt Schoonmaker

Notes for the Aged and Frail, Our dear, funny, beloved Kent Sparks died suddenly of undiscovered cancer Dec. 17, 2018. He was nearly his usual self until just days prior. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Misty, and three daughters, Shea (20), Addie (19) and Laurel (17).

He is also survived by his brother, Mike; sisters, Cathy and Betty; and beloved dog, Riley. John

Boughton did a special mass for Kent in New York. Kent’s funeral was in Georgia, where he was principal of Rutland High School. Danner Friend, Bill Fuller and Curran Bowen ’88 attended. We miss you buddy. You are loved. An anonymous BR donated a brick in Kent’s name.

From Kevin Barker and his cat, driving around in his cat’s RV, “I’ll be traveling around the Midwest this year and posting stops on Facebook. If I’m near any BRs and they want to get together, hit me up.” You’d better get your reservations in with him quickly, as he pays $250/night just to park in front of your house. It’s a real cousin Eddie experience. My neighbors still remind me he was here three years ago.

Lexington cop and Brother Rat Keith Coffey and Dr. Mark Lund shared the proud news of their sons, Daniel and Harrison, being admitted to the Institute for matriculation this coming fall!

They will be class of 2023. Well done, BRs, and rack it in, Daniel and Harrison!

Dan Hall retired in January from the U.S. Marshals after 30 years. He hasn’t bragged about it yet.

I had to get that from Tracey Porter.

Some BRs are getting married, sort of. Greg Scott posted: “Who would have thought 30-plus years after VMI that there would be a Reardon/ Scott merger. So glad to have Greg Reardon as my future son-in-law. Wedding to commence August 2019. Pictured here at our suit fitting with my BR Kevin Reardon (Greg’s uncle) and one of the groomsmen, my son, Brice. By the way, Franco’s in Richmond is an awesome place to get fine clothing.” Unfortunately, Greg, it’s not pictured here, because you didn’t submit a photo of at least 300dpi resolution, so your followers can only imagine how lovely you and Kevin were at Franco’s.

Back on Dec. 20 last year, the New York City Alumni Chapter was graced to have in attendance the greatest commandant the Institute has ever had, Bill Wanovich, along with his usual entourage: Jon McLean, Bill’s pilot; Drew Campi, Bill’s security and fixer; Brother Brother Rat John Boughton, Bill’s traveling spiritual adviser; and Kevin Sincavage, Bill’s financial adviser and drink finisher. I think Kevin would be an excellent deputy commandant, like Weird.

I think our only nationally televised BR is Keith Washington, NFL official, who made regular, famous appearances all last season. I have heard no retirement plans. He still outruns the players, which, according to some BRs who give him a

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Class Notes Battalion in Fort Leonard Wood.” hard time on Facebook, is a necessary Bob Eckhoff: “My youngest son, Kenskill.

Ronnie Robinson provided his “sons neth José Trujillo Eckhoff, is a staff serin service” update farther down and adds geant (E-6) in the U.S. Army (ooh, that’s that when he’s not reading and posting ara good army) as an airborne wheeled vehiticles from The Washington Post for Craig cle mechanic with the 10th Special Forces Covert to comment on, he noticed he still Group out of Fort Carson in Colorado. has two more under-roof. Jack is almost He and his wife are expecting their first through seventh grade and trying out to child in March. He’ll then deploy again to make the middle school wrestling team.

Afghanistan.”

Elizabeth is about to finish fifth grade and Drew Campi: “My oldest son, Zach, is deep into travel volleyball. currently in Iraq along the Syrian borDean Kratzenberg, aka Cat****, when der with the 101st. Specifically with the Class of 1987: Col. Bill Wanovich, Jon McLean, Drew Camnot digging holes for nuclear waste with pi, Father John Boughton and Kevin Sincavage at a New 1/506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. his issue entrenching shovel in New York City alumni function Dec. 20, 2018.

He’s a first lieutenant (promotable).”

Mexico (or wherever he stops alongside Drew has two more at West Point right the road), spends most days skiing with his wife, Corps Air Station New River. He’s just a few now.

Dawn. Then one day, “Early in the morning, weeks away from getting his gold aircrew wings, Eric Davis: “My youngest, Cassandra (VT limited access to the mountain, pretty much his operational squadron orders and becoming ’17), is an ensign on the USS New York (LPD-21) zero degrees (Fahrenheit) in the snow – it was an H-53 crew chief. Michael is at Virginia Tech in Jacksonville, Florida. Has open house privitime for a break, some warm beverages and a leges at Owen Curley’s house with free career for his second semester and still in the corps of fire. Who do I run into already basking in the cadets and Air Force ROTC.” advice (and beer).” warmth of the hearth? Mike Lakos ’86! Mike Greg Scott: “My son, Brice ’15, is stationed at I (Schoonmaker) have one in the Air Force at and I are now both retired from different servicShaw in Sumter, South Carolina, who just made Fort Sam Houston where he recently started phyes but are still working the system through the E-5, still talking about a transfer to SERE instruc- sician assistant school. He is a first lieutenant in military connections here at Keystone, Colo- tor school. the medical services corps. He graduated from rado!” Dean, you must ski half the year to keep John Pilloni: “My younger son, Davis, is due VMI in 2015.”

Dean Barr: “My youngest is a lance corporal in up with Ricky Zgol. You can call him “Beach to graduate in May from Truman State UniverRick” or “Mountain Rick” depending upon sity with a degree in communications and will the Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Batwhich pictures you see. be commissioned into the active duty U.S. Army talion at Lejeune. Heavy machine-gunner and vidTracy Porter is on the move again jobwise. He as an artillery officer. Not sure yet where his first eographer extraordinaire!” writes, “I don’t know if this is newsworthy or not, duty station will be. My older son Eric is still in the Jerry Tertychny: “My son, First Lieutenant Jake but I left my job as a county agriculture and natural Army Reserves, serving in a military police unit, Tertychny, is a military intelligence officer curresource extension agent with Virginia Tech July 6 though he is still an infantryman.” rently serving in Afghanistan. Halfway through and took a job with the Virginia State University Mike Dawson: “My oldest, Fritz ’13, Pitt Den- his 12-month tour.” small farm outreach program July 16, where my tal ’17, captain, 3rd Brigade, 101st [Air Assault That’s a legacy, brothers! I confess to being job is to exclusively help small and beginning farm- Division] at Fort Campbell.” concerned about the safety of all of them but am ers and military veterans leaving the service who John Johnson: “My son, Thomas Johnson, is a grateful that they have chosen the path. I don’t like are interested in starting an agricultural enterprise. U.S. Marine Corps sergeant in the infantry with that our children are under arms and potentially I cover all of the counties in the Northern Neck, First Marines. He is on his second enlistment with standing on the same sand some of us did. I pray middle peninsula, Hampton Roads, southeast Vir- the Corps but fondly recalls a special visit by then- God’s protection for them all.

Please join us on Facebook, VMI 1987 30th Reginia and on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.” We Col. Chip Bierman when he was at Parris Island. can direct all our plant/gardening/dirt/pest ques- His drill instructors were so happy to have some- union page. I know we had that gathering already, tions to Tracy now and rejoice with him that he’s one of Chip’s stature visit one of their recruits. but it’s become a bulletin board with 187 memno longer far beyond the hills of Blacksburg in a Chip asked Thomas why he became a Marine bers. It’s the fastest way to reach almost any of us field of rye. since I was Army. Thomas told him, ‘because I’m and hear nearly real time updates about the class One or two issues ago, I mentioned it would be smarter than Dad.’” happenings, mini reunions and necessary news. nice for those of us who have active duty or about J.P. Lemaire: “My oldest, Spec. James Al- Ernie Edgar’s wife, Mary Ann, is the administrato be active duty offspring to give a brief summary exander, went in as military police but got tor, and group membership is restricted to just us of where they are. Here’s the roll call: picked up by criminal investigation division so you don’t get bombarded with nonsense. Old Paul Russo has a daughter at Notre Dame in and is assigned in Fort Irwin; the youngest, Yell for Mary Ann! Army ROTC. In the bonds, my brothers, Private Michael Lemaire, is in military police Ronnie Robinson: “Ronnie (Jr.) is still at Marine basic training Co. D, 795th Military Police Schoon

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

1988

Ed Wetherell

Not as much to report this issue, but there is some exciting news. Congratulations to Brother Rat Steve Neary for his selection for promotion to major general. I could not be happier for him or prouder. I can honestly say that it came as no surprise. When looking back on our time as cadets, Steve’s successful career as a Marine officer seems to fit perfectly.

I would like to thank Frank deVenoge for organizing a lunch gathering in Richmond. There were 13 BRs in attendance at the lunch in late January.

I hope this will become a recurring event, much like the one John “Rock” Keppeler has been organizing the past several years in northern Virginia.

Attending the Richmond lunch were Frank, Mark Reilly, Andy McAllister, Bryant Butler, Joe Swider, Mack Carr, Sean Cantrell, Bob Clark, Tom Munno, Tommy Towers, Bobby “Boo” Turnage, Rob Campbell and Ed Wetherell.

At the aforementioned northern Virginia lunch also in January were: Mike Beyer, Hugh Brien, Mike Bryant, Todd Oakes, Mark Stock, Rich Stone, A.J. Williams and Keppeler.

I also want to thank Brother Rats Lew Sigmon and Rock for organizing a North Carolina snow goose hunt over Presidents Day weekend. We

should have some pictures in the next Review.

Those planning to attend include Lew, Rock, Charlie Cayce, Scott “Ogre” Stachelek and me.

As always, whenever you run into a BR or have an update, please send me a picture and drop me a line. It is always good to catch up and hear how everyone is doing. I am happy to provide contact information for anyone in the class you would like to get in touch in with – just call, text or email me.

Please encourage BRs to join the VMI 88 Facebook page, as well. It is a good way to stay in the loop on what everyone is up to.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Lexington. Until then, all the best to you and your families and Rah Virginia Mil! Ed

assistant to the superintendent before leaving to help architect the program at the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin. He served as commandant at the VWIL for 18 years until retiring in 2013.

His dedication to these two institutions was only eclipsed by his distinguished service to our country as one of VMI’s most decorated alumni; his contributions and leadership accolades are too numerous to list.

Most importantly, he was a loving husband and father to his seven children, three of whom are VMI graduates.

Gary, the entire VMI family joins you in celebrating the life of your father and the countless lives he so deeply touched.

1989

1990

Steve Chiles David A. Martin

We are dedicating these class notes to the memory of Brig. Gen. Michael Bissell ’61, father of Gary Bissell.

Brig. Gen. Bissell served as commandant at VMI from 1990-94 and later as the special

Class of 1988: Brother rats gathered for lunch in Richmond in late January, including Frank deVenoge, Mark Reilly, Andy McAllister, Bryant Butler, Joe Swider, Mack Carr, Sean Cantrell, Bob Clark, Tom Munno, Tommy Towers, Bobby “Boo” Turnage, Rob Campbell and Ed Wetherell.

2019-Issue 2

Daren Payne

First contact of this reporting period was Brad Johnson. Brad checked in with the following email: “Hey, Darren – long lost Brother Rat Brad Johnson reporting in. Hey, I just saw the Alumni Review and noticed Mike Ober checking in; I’ve been trying to get hold of Mike for a while. I’ve been in Carlsbad, California, since 1997. Been busy raising three daughters and working as a software engineer.” Glad to have you back in the fold – both you and Mike.

Like many of us at this point, Brian Sadler recently started a new career in the real estate field with Virginia Country Real Estate: “Excited to be starting a new career. The main office for Virginia Country is in Gloucester. We cover most of the areas considered part of Hampton Roads (south side being an area I wouldn’t call core for us) and we cover portions of northern neck.” Best of luck with the new job, Brian!

Also starting a new career is recently retired Col. Brett Turner: “I’m very happy with how it turned out. God has truly blessed us. We are living in an apartment in Knoxville getting ready to build a home on our land. As we get more settled, I hope we can make it the ‘I,’ as it’s only about four hours.

Looking forward to catching up when we finally can make the trip.” George Palomar just began a new position in Crystal City, Virginia, while Chip Chenery started a new job as a cybersecurity

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Class Notes architect with Booz Allen Hamilton.

Had a visit from Glenn Dickenson who was in town to see his son get his ring in November.

Glenn recently ran into Scott Spellmeyer and Rob Greenway, both of whom are now working on the National Security Council in Washington, D.C. That is quite an achievement for both of these guys as they’ve worked their way through the national security apparatus from butter bar platoon leaders in the Army to now reaching the pinnacle of success in that field. Congratulations on the jobs and thanks for your service, guys!

Another frequent visitor to post is Carlos Fernandes, who is here regularly to watch his son, Carlos ’20, compete in cross-country, indoor and outdoor track. This season, he was consistently among the top four on the cross-country team and will be competing in the middle distance events for both indoor and outdoor track.

Also visiting was Fred Minnegerode for his last visit during the cadetship of his son, Charlie ’18.

Fred and family were in town for the December graduation ceremony where Charlie officially completed his “victory lap.”

Luis del Valle can now be crossed off our MIA list, as I got the following email from his mountain hideout: “You called me out, so I’ve come out of the mountains. Anyway, living in Montana near Bozeman and loving it. Right now, I’m teaching math and science to seventh and eighth-graders in a small Catholic school. Also, I’m still in the reserve, and I’m working at 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in the G-3 section.” Luis is now a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and also quite the accomplished hunter, judging by his pictures. Thanks for the note, and I know Pablo Martinez, among others, will appreciate you keeping in touch with us.

Shortly afterward, Laurence Farrell contacted me to let me know that our class has added general officer No. 4 to our ranks, as Col. Weedon Gallagher was promoted to brigadier general in November. Brig. Gen. Gallagher has put together an illustrious 28-year career in the Guard and reserve as an engineer officer and logistician and commanded at every level from platoon to brigade while also managing a civilian career and deploying to Afghanistan multiple times. Weedon joins Brig. Gens. Dan Caine (U.S. Air Force) who is currently deployed to Iraq, Tom Pugh (U.S. Army) and Bill Bowers (U.S. Marine Corps) in earning this terrific honor. Big congrats and well done, sir!

Big thanks to BR Farrell as well for passing that

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nugget along, as we know Weedon is too humble to announce it himself. Brig. Gen. Gallagher also stopped by VMI for a visit on his way back from checking out some of his units in this part of the state.

Right before the holidays, I got a note from Judge John Franklin seeking some advice on admissions for a fellow jurist of his. Of course, I referred him to my esteemed colleague in the admissions office, Col. Neil Whitmore. At about the same time, I got word that our class’ most prolific author and

Class of 1990: Luis del Valle with a deer he harvested in the wilds of Montana from long range this past winter.

Class of 1990: Reserve Officer Andy Kvasnicka with NBA player and VMI Sports Hall of Famer Reggie Williams ’08 at Williams’ induction into the Prince George High School Hall of Fame.

novelist, Garrett Peck, had his latest book released in December titled, “The Great War in America: World War I and Its Aftermath.” The work took four years of research and explores America’s role in the war and its impact both on the homefront and around the world. In January, his book was reviewed and written up in the Wall Street Journal.

Congrats on another great book, Mr. Peck!

Col. Mike Manning checked in with me around the holidays, as well. He is still in Quantico, Virginia, with the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command as a portfolio manager and sent the following: “Still planning on finishing out last two years (I want to get 30) but will depend on what my boss wants me to do come this summer. I am open to most anything in the future, but my wife and I have made decisions up front leading to retirement – we found a house and land in Eidson, Tennessee – very rural, and we like it. I looked for a long time in the area of VMI and southwest Virginia but could not find affordable property/ house mix and no state income tax in Tennessee is a huge bonus. I am geo-batching it, but it works for now. Plan will be to either find work there, find a job that lets me telework with travel or completely retire. (Complete retirement probably not an option, because I need a garage in order to put more weapons and toys).” Sounds like a plan many of us dream about, especially the weapons and toys part – reminds me of Rob Gudz, Mehl, Hoover and Larlee among others.

Speaking of Gudz, Rob, Bill Gaspar and I went bird hunting in January in Palmyra with John Thornton ’64 providing the dog for us. We managed to bring back a limit of birds and not shoot one another or make the dog mad in the process. It was a great day to be out in the fields, and we had a great time and look forward to doing it again.

Would be nice to get a larger group together of the hunting enthusiasts in our class for a hunt sometime.

In response to our January trivia contest featuring the pictures of the opening of the then new baseball stadium and dedication ceremony that hangs in the Hall of Fame, I got the following from John Burleson: “Barry Maxon and I petitioned Gen. Knapp [’54] to not attend the ceremony so we wouldn’t miss surveying lab and get behind. Knapp’s response was something like: ‘You will go. Don’t be idiots, go meet Joe Dimaggio.’ We went and met Joe Dimaggio (and didn’t get behind in surveying). There’s a good life lesson in there.” Raynor Garey recalls playing “Take Me

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes Out to the Ball Game” as part of the band during the game. Mike Inteso responded with the following: “The honored guest is none other but the great Joe DiMaggio. My brother, Carmine ’88, was one of his cadet escorts as he dedicated the new baseball field and had the privilege of trading rings with the Yankee Clipper for a few hours. I distinctly remember my brother commenting that Mr. DiMaggio’s hands were so huge that his class ring would only fit on Joe’s pinky, while the 1935 World Series ring would loosely fit on Carm’s thumb. Carm also has a signed baseball with a personal inscription from that day. Great memory for a Jersey kid.” The most interesting answer came from Mike Mullori: “I can’t name any, but then again, I never knew much about lacrosse, so ...”

Steve Fitton replied, “Even more trivia: What were cadets instructed not to ask DiMaggio about during his visit?” (Correct answer: Marilyn Monroe.)

While a valiant effort was turned in by Mark Cunningham who came up one short, it was Tim Feagans (with no “help received”) who was the first to correctly identify BRs Marshall Simpson, Andy Beasley, Mark Craft, Trey Rhodes, Lee Havird, John Jordan, Mike Doczi, Barry Johnson and current New York Mets coach and former Keydets head coach Tom Slater. All these BRs were part of the 1988 SOCON Division Championship team and can technically say they are in the Hall of Fame.

Speaking of Slater, Tom called after this trivia contest from Tampa where he makes his offseason home. Tom has a son who is a high school sophomore and a daughter at University of Florida and would love to get back to the commonwealth when his baseball career is over. Tom was about to begin spring training at the Mets’ Port St. Lucie, Florida, complex and is optimistic about the Mets’ chances to contend this season. He and the family are really happy enjoying the Tampa area (at least the limited amount of time he spends there when not on the road), and he’s really excited to be living his dream of working in the Major League.

Shortly afterward, John Aydellette came up from Charleston to host his annual winter retreat in Moody Hall. In attendance this year were BRs Mullori, Oviatt (who made the flight up from Atlanta), Herbaugh and Bender (both of whom braved the Friday afternoon traffic from northern Virginia) and none other than Dennis Dupras who came the farthest to be on hand (from Alaska) and regaled us with stories of his time in

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the 82nd Airborne Division while the rest of us were still cadets. Carlos Fernandes was also on post for the weekend watching his son compete in the VMI Keydet Invitational track meet. This gathering, spearheaded by John, has grown into quite the event and is a welcome addition to my winter schedule. We got to take in an exciting Keydet victory over Western Carolina University, a packed house for the wrestling match in the “Thunderdome,” as well as the aforementioned track meet.

Of course, around Lexington I continue to run into the usual suspects, as Chris Larlee hosted his annual Christmas party on Christmas Eve, attended by Steve Wray and Joey Jones who also had a leading role in our church Christmas program. Matt Schwartzmann was courtside at every basketball game, while I always run into Burleson, Ramon Williams, Col. Whitmore and Keith Kornegay in diverse places around town. Ramon was kind enough to refer me to John Brethour whom he met up with in Easton, Pennsylvania, right before the holidays. John is doing very well and is kept young by keeping up with his 6-year-old son.

Finally, right before the deadline, I ran into Rich Duke and Sam Stocks at the annual VMI Legislative Reception at the capital in Richmond.

Rich lives in King and Queen County and works as the business director for a major law firm in Richmond. He says he keeps in regular touch with Chris Pratt and Mark Cunningham and our president, Charlie Plageman. Also just before press time, I got the news that Buddy Garbett’s son, Charlie, signed with VMI as a preferred walk on for football and will begin next fall with the mass of 2019+3.

Under the long lost BRs section, I’m still trying to track down the following: Ken Markwalter, Steve Vasquez (last seen in Korea), Jake Schmoyer, George Rahab, Kevin Miller, Chris McConnell, Dennis Bundens, Don Bowman, Dave Chong, Tommy Pegram, Larry Johnson, Mike Roman, Leon Altman and Mike Ferguson. Please check in, guys, and let us know where you’ve been hiding yourselves and what you’ve been up to; your BRs are asking about you!

As you read this, we will be inside the one year mark for our 30th Reunion. We have a great committee doing the planning for this event based on feedback from our last reunion in 2015. We still need some help with not only planning but execution of the events such as registration workers, handing out swag, reaching out to BRs to talk them into attending and assisting with set up of

certain events. If you can help, please, please let me know. Even if it’s only an hour or so it would be much appreciated. Please mark your calendars for the weekend of April 24-26, 2020, as we hope to set an attendance record befitting our great class!

Lastly, if you are not getting my weekly emails to the class, please hit me up at paynerd@vmi.edu or payner06@yahoo.com, and we’ll get you roped in. Until next time, stay well, my friends, and go Big Red!

1991

Chuck Story

Happy Valentine’s Day! Yeah, I know, it is almost Memorial Day as you are reading this. I’m just reminding you about the flowers and chocolate you forgot to get your wife because Valentine’s was on a Thursday.

All is relatively quiet this winter so far. The hunting stories were mostly dominated by rain this year, although a few guys reported in that they had some decent success in deer season. Wrestling has consumed too much of my life to allow a decent duck hunt these days, but I hold out hope to get back in a blind before I die. Maybe.

Flip Secrist popped up again from his dam project in Iraq. He will be returning to the states this

Class of 1991: Capt. Scott Smith, commanding officer of the USS Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001), noting an important feature on the ship.

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Class Notes summer, slated to take over a U.S. Wagman Heavy Civil was awarded Army Corps of Engineers Middle the $101.6 million design build projEast District, headquartered in Winect in January 2018 which requires chester. the design, permitting and construcSpeaking of taking command, Rich tion of three new travel lanes along a six mile segment of I-95 and four Coupland and Hans Peeders recently traveled to San Diego to attend the major bridge structures. This projcommissioning ceremony for DDGect is a key component of Virginia’s 1001, aka the USS Michael Monsoor, Atlantic gateway, currently services aka the 2nd Zumwalt-class guided over 150,000 vehicles per day, and is missile destroyer. It will be forever scheduled to be completed in sumClass of 1991: Lew Sigmon ’88, Tom Heffern, Lee Baines and Mike remembered by his BRs as “Smitty’s Naifeh. mer 2022.”

Boat.” Scott Smith has been the skipOne other story I wanted to repeat in order to draw your attention to the Our per since it was delivered to the Navy in 2016. both are carrying academic star-worthy grades Alumni Serving section of the Alumni Review On the homefront, Greg Hurst and Charlie into the second semester. Double congrats to all!

Cathcart recently celebrated their sons’ successWill Tong ’97 reported that Wai-Kin Tong was is where Doug Vincent’s sister, Lisa Vincent Olful completion of the Rat Line. 2019+3 joined the promoted to colonel back in August and is now shove, sent in an update which said her son and ranks of VMI classes and officially gave the first the deputy chief of staff with the 78th Training Doug’s nephew, Cadet Tucker Olshove ’20, were Old Yell for 2022 Feb. 2, 2019. Just as impressive, Division (Ops) stationed at Joint Base McGuire- able to parachute together in summer 2018 while Doug was commanding the Ranger and AirDix Lakehurst, North Jersey.

Tom Heffern and Mike Naifeh have become borne schools at Fort Benning. This was Tucker’s groupies for Lee Baines and are following him on first jump and Doug’s 100th jump. There is also tour in a broken down VW bus. John Childs was a picture of Anhtuan Nguyen in the Our Alumni last seen beating up hippies in the bar while Lee’s Serving section that was taken on the occasion of his field promotion to colonel while deployed band played in the background.

Thank you all for taking the time to keep me in to Afghanistan as mentioned in the last Alumni Review. the loop and make this job easier.

Jon Jeffreys reported in from Kabul, AfghaniUntil next time. stan, in November 2018 where he was finishing up a deployment as the deputy legal adviser at the Resolute Support headquarters, providing legal William Woodward services to the commander of Resolute Support and the commander of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, as well as overseeing legal support for the entire Class of 1991: Flip Secrist on the job in Afghanistan Joint Operating Area.

Mosul, Iraq.

For those that have not heard, Dan Shipley was BRs, selected for brigadier general. Most should recall Here are the latest updates from our classmates: that Dan is an F/A-18 Hornet pilot in the Marine I wanted to repeat a story on Greg “Jabba” AnCorps and flew for the Blue Angels earlier in his dricos from this edition of the Alumni Review in career. He is currently the deputy director for the order to call our attention to the Alumni News program analysis and evaluation division within section of this Alumni Review. Jabba is the programs and resources at the Marine Corps president and chief operating officer of Wagheadquarters. man Heavy Civil. He reported that “in late AuCourtney Lambert sent in the enclosed picture gust 2018, he and several alumni (Glen Mays from the funeral of Andrew Ross, son of coach/ ’83, Wagman Heavy Civil vice president and professor Steve Ross ’83, who was tragically general manager; Jerry Whitlock ’02, Wagman killed in action in Afghanistan last December.

Heavy Civil design build integration manager; I got another great update from my rat roomand Quintin Elliott ’85, Virginia deputy secremate, Carl Engstrom, in which he said: “I got tary of transportation) joined Governor Ralph back from a tour as the chief of staff for the Class of 1991: Hans Peeders, Scott Smith Northam ’81 in Fredericksburg to break ground Special Mission Wing, Special Operations Adand Rich Coupland at the commissioning on VDOT’s I-95 southbound collector distributor visory Group in Afghanistan in June 2018 and ceremony for the USS Michael Monsoor. lanes and Rappahannock River crossing project. am now working at the Pentagon in the Office

1992

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Class of 1992: Dave Soldow held a gathering at his home in northern Virginia in January.

Attending were, from left, Terry and Theo Androus, Tim and Mickelle Rodriguez, Frank Harrar, Linda and Anhtuan Nguyen, Andy Tate, Jenn and Dave Soldow, and Anne and Larry Nevel. of the Secretary Defense for Policy as a country director. I will probably retire in December 2019. Also here are Bill Stone, Frank Harrar (Joint Staff J-3), Eric Larson (Army G-2), Jimmy Myers (Army G-8) and a couple other BRs whose names escape me. We have lunch once in a while when Andy Tate, retired and working at the National Guard Bureau, makes a trip our way. I’ve run into Alex Alston who is at the NGB working for counterdrug as their future operations officer.

“Dave Weisenberger hosted a poker game shortly after I returned. James Cherry and Dick Richardson attended. U.B. had just returned from a tour in Jordan and is back in Norfolk – still a Marine and still has questionable personal hygiene. Dick just bought the industrial HVAC company he has been working for. Dick’s passion remains his time as a Hanover County auxiliary deputy sheriff where he patrols the mean streets of suburban Hanover County delivering his own brand of justice with inappropriate remarks and a riot baton on weekends. Dave is still a vice president with James River Insurance and, most importantly, has season tickets to the Washington Capitals. Enclosed is a picture of Dave and I sporting our ’92 jerseys at a game last December.

“Over the summer, I got to see Derek Lapp, Scott Price and Rob Schonberger. Derek accepted a promotion for his pallet logistics company and provides a laugh track to every conversation.

Scott is working on a master’s in poetry, is a published veteran poet (Google him) and runs an advertising company in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

He’s also thinner than I am, a point he often makes. Rob spends his days teaching German immersion and evenings brewing for Port City

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in Alexandria, Virginia, and brings craft beer and his own brand of witty judgement. Great to see all three.”

Jake Carrico sent me a note in which he said: “I just completed command of the Red River Army Depot and retired from the Army in December. My wife, Stacie, and I currently live near Fort Hood, Texas, while our daughter is studying abroad in London. After 26 years in the Army, I thought it would be a challenging transition; it hasn’t been at all! I am thoroughly enjoying civilian life learning to sleep late, relax and enjoy family time. Loving every minute of it but am ready to start working again.”

Dave and Jenn Soldow hosted a get together for our BRs who are local to D.C. metro area in January. See enclosed picture from that evening.

Jim Maiocco sent me a quick update to say he is working for/with Kevin Bourke at Design Mechanical in Louisville. Jim said that Kevin hired him in April 2018.

Clint Seybold sent me an update in which he said: “I just finished a three year battalion command (really just an Army Reserve base commander) tour in American Samoa. Being the senior officer in the very remote U.S. territory, I became the military’s representative to the local government on many occasions over the three years. The American Samoan U.S. House of Representatives member, Congresswomen Aumua Amata Radewagen, entered my service to American Samoa into the Congressional Record just before I departed. A very high honor to me, and my wife, Wendy. Now, I’m a U.S. Army emergency preparedness liaison officer for the state of Ohio, and this is where I will probably stay until they kick me out of the Army June 1,

Class of 1992: The Congressional Record honoring Clint Seybold.

Class of 1992: Carl Engstrom and Dave Weisenberger.

Class of 1992: Jerry Allen, Courtney Lambert, Eddie Davis, Matt Ott and Alex Alston.

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Class Notes 2022. Not as thrilling as being the highest ranking officer on a remote tropical paradise, but it came with the promotion to colonel.”

Last but not least, Tom Christman sent in a reminder that 2019 will be the 20th running of the race renamed after Allen Stone after his death.

There was a great showing of BRs at last year’s iteration, and Tom is hoping to do better this year.

The race will be held in Virginia Beach at the 24th Street Park July 13 at 7:30 a.m. The link to online registration is here: https://www.athlinks.com/ event/12668. Use the code: VMIALUM which will allow anyone using it to sign up for the Run Swim Run for $40, the 5K for $25 and the 1 mile Kids Run for $10 no matter when they sign up online.

Please let me know of any major life events such as marriages (including for our children), births, deaths and advanced degrees so that I can inform the Alumni Review. If you have a change of address, let the Alumni Association and I know so that we can make sure you get all VMI correspondence.

In the bonds, Woody

1993

Lincoln Swineford

Brother Rats: First, thanks for the opportunity to be your class agent. I’m going to work pretty hard not to screw it up. So far, I’m enjoying the emails and messages and getting in contact with guys I haven’t seen since graduation.

Second, as Jim Sharp said in his last class notes, our reunion was great. I want to give one last thanks to Jim, John Barefoot, Dave Hoy, Lee Clark and Erik Nilsson for all the work they did organizing it so that we all had a great time. And an additional thanks to Tom Ripley and Cliff Foster for their fundraising efforts. I thought it was really cool to see that big check with all those 93s on it. The reunion and the fundraising wouldn’t have happened without a lot of hard work and I know you’ll join me in thanking each of them for their effort.

Third, my update: Life seems to be clicking along for the Swinefords. Our oldest is in her

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sophomore year at James Madison University and seems to be doing well(ish). Our middle daughter is a sophomore in high school and is about to get her license which makes me really want to hit the Maker’s, and our youngest daughter is in middle school and about to start field hockey for the first time. Don’t have a lot to complain about.

Paul Meadows: “I had a great time at the reunion this year and enjoyed catching up with a few people I hadn’t seen in years. Craig Currie has taken a new job at Siemens as a project manager and relocated to Atlanta. Joe Buchanan is in Raleigh and he keeps in touch on occasion and he and his wife and their dogs seem to be doing great.

Jim Roman is in property management in Greenville, South Carolina. He and his family seem to be doing fine. I think his kids are in high school and his oldest may be planning to play football in college. He’s a huge kid! Jamie Shifflett is still pretending to be a rocket scientest in Yorktown and I think he sees Andrew Jurewicz and Jim Camp on occasion. I keep in touch with Dallas Grubbs on a pretty frequent basis and try to get out to Wyoming to see him a couple of times each year, especially during elk season. Dallas owns a couple flooring and granite stores out there and while they keep him hopping, he seems to be doing really well with it. I am nearly 11 years in on building a business organically. We’ve been blessed and it looks like our plans are coming together to open multiple offices this year, some of which may be in Wyoming and South Dakota! I have just one and a half more classes left to get my Master of Arts degree in executive leadership. I have loved building my business and really enjoy using it to help others build theirs. My wife and I have nearly crossed the 20-year mark, and I can hardly believe she has put up with me for that long! My oldest child will graduate from high school this year and will be majoring in theatrical arts at Liberty University next year. I’m trying to convince her that law school is a good backup plan! My youngest will be a freshman in high school next year. He’s just won his third district wrestling championship but really hopes to play football in college – not sure if that will come to fruition but I try to keep encouraging him: ‘You may be whatever you resolve to be!’”

John Reilly and Brad Briller ran into each other in Amsterdam last October. They learned via Facebook updates that they were both in Brussels earlier in the week in question, but had no idea that Amsterdam was also in their itineraries. I am

glad to report that both departed Amsterdam unscathed.

Hunter Hutchens: “Still working for the man but doing a lot less inspecting and a lot more teaching.

Sad to say I opted to leave the fun of narcotics and violent crime behind and become a full time instructor at our basic academy. Definitely a change of pace, but we’re all getting a little older. It is fun getting up in the a.m. and giving a bunch of millennials a sweat party (unfortunately, I participate, too).”

Bill Cox: “Doing college tours with my daughter, Addison. Looking at Georgetown, University of Virginia, Duke and the College William & Mary. Effective March 1, I will be going to work for Reynolds Consumer Products and leaving my job as warranty and tech support manager for Dover Food Retail. At Reynolds, I will be over their quality functions making cartons for all your popular Reynolds brands.”

I also heard from Brian Melvin. He and Bud DaRin recently played in a three-on-three outdoor skate hockey tournament. The goalies saw lot of shots but stood on their heads. Everyone had a great time.

Bud, who was on the mend from a stroke (yes, on the mend from a stroke and he’s out playing hockey), also got the shootout winner in the first overtime game of his Friday night season while playing against Jon Lauder ’94.

In political news, our own BR Bob Matson is running for sheriff in Henrico County. I’m lucky enough to have lunch on a fairly regular basis with Bob and Rusty Smith. If I lived in his municipality, I’d vote for him in a second, and I’d hope that

Class of 1993: Bud DaRin and Brian Melvin.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes we’ll all support him however we can.

That’s the update. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page. Anytime you have something you want me to include, just drop me an email or photo or whatever, and I’ll make sure it gets included. ’93, ’93, ’93.

1994

Clay Campbell Class of 1994: Anthony Underhill and Jeff Crenshaw.

Dear Brother Rats, Update on last notes: I’m still on John Campbell dog watch and Jim Bratina baby watch. Need to report that no further action on either front has been noticed at the current time. We do have some other baby news to report. Greg Shaffer and wife had a baby boy, Kasen Michael Shaffer, born Dec. 5, 2019. Kevin Miller and his wife also had a baby boy, Leo Nash Miller, born Feb. 7, 2019. Everyone is doing great, congrats on the new additions.

Sean Lanier traveled up to West Virginia University to spend time with Wayne Lambert and watch the annual Kansas versus WVU basketball game. Wayne states that Sean is his good luck charm. Dave Underwood and Dave Truslow recently got together in Charlottesville to catch up and grab burgers. Drew Vandergrift and Dave Bonner were able to catch up in Rochester, New York. It was also reported that Mike Slover was able to catch up with Matt Zenker while he was in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Chris Tujo reached out to me in January, he caught up with

Class of 1994: Greg Shaffer and Kasen Michael Shaffer.

Class of 1994: Matt Fedowitz, Chris Doss, Clay Campbell, John Campbell and Tim Bailey.

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Chad Correll while in Chicago. He is also planning a swim across the English Channel to honor fallen VMI soldiers and fallen brother rats. That is a huge and impressive undertaking; thoughts and prayers go with him.

This past fall we had a celebration of life cookout after the passing of my father, Tim Bailey, Matt Fedowitz, Chris Doss and John Campbell made the trip to attend. There were many other VMI men from many other classes in attendance as well. This past week, Feb. 7, 2019, we lost another great man, Brig. Gen. Norman “Mike” Bissell ’61. Brig. Gen. Bissell was not only commandant during our four years at VMI, he was a role model, mentor, friend and a great man that many young men looked up to and have tried to emulate for many years. He showed us that the code of a gentleman was not just a passage in the Rat Bible but a way of life; he led by example and was steady, honorable and fair. Prayers go to Mrs. Bissell and family. I, for one, can say that it was an honor and a privilege to have known him. At a Wednesday service, I saw many alumni, and I was able to speak to and sit near a few: Andy Mulcunry, Dave Bruce, Rick Killmeyer ’95, Dave Fleck ’95, Mark Hagan ’95, Addison Hagan ’97, Sean Harrington and Sgt. Maj. Hockaday (HBR).

Anthony Underhill recently wrote that he was able to catch up to Jason Price in Norfolk, Virginia. He is serving as executive officer at Naval Network Warfare Command, and Jason is commanding officer of the Virginia National Guard Medical Corps. Anthony says they occasionally see each other on drill weekends. He is currently living in Florida and working at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. I also heard from Jeff Crenshaw that he was able to catch up to Tony as well on a drill weekend in Virginia.

Our class reunion is coming up in November of this year; I hope to see everyone there. Please make sure that you have gone on VMI alumni website and updated your info so we are able to reach you.

Please reach out to me if you have questions or concerns as well at classagentvmi94@gmail.com.

We have a committee of BRs who will be reaching out over the next few months so be on the lookout and assist when possible. This is a huge undertaking, and this is your 25th Reunion, so it’s only as good as you help to make it.

Always, Class of ’94 Pig

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Class Notes

1995

1996

Brother Rats, As I sit here writing this, it’s hard to believe that 27 years ago, we were about to break out of the Rat Line. Boy, I’m glad we don’t have to do that again. Hope you all are doing well. Time is getting closer for our 25th Reunion. In the meantime, if any of you guys are down in the valley, look me up.

Just a few items in this set of class notes. Matt Russell sent me an email. He and his wife, Jen, and their two girls, Mimi and Grace, crossed the pond this past fall to visit Rick Blaylock in Ipswich, England, where he and his wife, Emma, live with their two kids, Annabel and Eddie. They got to visit some castles and smoked a pork butt for Rick’s English friends and neighbors. Sounds like a good time was had by all.

I received a great email from Michael Castellano. He was promoted to colonel in the Marine Corps July 2, 2018, at Joint Staff Compound in Suffolk, Virginia. His promoting officer was Brig.

Gen. Stephen Neary ’88. He is now the Joint Staff J-7, deputy director joint training, United

Brother Rats, I’m writing this edition of notes as I pack to head back to Southeast Asia. This time Jakarta; Indonesia; and Bangkok, Thailand. I changed jobs last summer to rejoin Medtronic, this time in a commercial leadership development capacity, after many years of working in sales management. I’ve already reached out to Noppadon Kuljanyavivat and Wiwat Ruengmee for another BR meet up. I was fortunate to meet up with them in September for a night out eating incredible Thai food, reminiscing on old times and, of course, many beers. Both Nopp and Wiwat are doing great. Nopp is now the equivalent of a brigadier general in the Thai Army, and Wiwat is the chief technical officer at Lifeyo.com and a colonel in the Army teaching electrical engineering at the Thai Military Academy.

Before the holidays, I was able to meet up with John Pearce and Nick Latsios for a night out in Boston. We were mostly responsible, except for an ill-advised late-night shot, since all of us had to work the next day. John was in town for a meeting with Grant Thornton colleagues, and Nick was still commuting to Boston from Philly weekly working for Turner Construction at a project called Pier 4. He’s optimistic he’ll be done in April and says this project has been a real challenge but will be a landmark building once completed. During his time in Boston, I’ve met up with him a few times, and Curt Bourn was able to link up with him this past December during one of his fly throughs.

Tom Perrault reached out for the first time after his own meet up with BRs in northern Minnesota during the cold snap. He writes the following: “This is the first time I’ve actually written to a class agent. I’m currently a professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine; I have two kids and a beautiful wife, who is tolerable of my increasing volume. I just returned after getting together with Matt Moderelli, John Ripley and Ryan Olson in the northern outskirts of Minnesota for some ice fishing. We didn’t

Joseph W. Doyle

Tom Danielsen

Class of 1995: Rick Blaylock and Matt Russell.

States Africa Command desk officer. Also, at the end of July, he graduated from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with a master’s degree in strategic studies. This summer, he will return to Camp Lejeune, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and be their G-3. We are proud of all that you have accomplished, brother rat.

Keep sending me updates and keep in touch.

Rah Virginia Mil! ’95, ’95, ’95.

Class of 1995: Michael Castellano, who was recently promoted to colonel, with his family.

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Class Notes owner and needed some help with a recent bumper upgrade.

Other news I’ve seen recently: Dallas Richards started a monthly breakfast with BRs in northern Virginia. The event happens the second Saturday of the month starting at 7:30 a.m. at Anita’s in North Springfield.

Finally, Christian Hoff and Steve Johnson were able to link up at Stone Brewery in San Diego during one of Christian’s business trips.

Both report all is well, and they had a great time catching up over some great free brews. They were able to crash a party that had an open bar – well played, BRs; well played.

That’s all for this edition. My apologies for the short notes this time. Please send the updates as they happen rather than waiting on my reminder. The more you send, the more I have to share with our BRs. Appreciate all those who take the time to reach out. It makes my job a lot easier.

All the best to you and your families.

Tom

1997

David M. Hudock

Gentlemen of the Old Corps! Happy new year and welcome to what we can only hope will be a better year than 2018, though it might indeed be challenging to top a year in which the CapiClass of 1996: Steve Johnson and Christian Hoff were able to meet up and get tals won the Stanley Cup, Kanye West wore a free beer during Christian’s recent work MAGA hat in the Oval Office and – perhaps most trip to San Diego. shockingly – Addison Hagan survived driving both Flounder Springer and Butthead Smith in catch many fish, as it was negative 30 degrees the same car in one night between Richmond and or so, but we did cause a nationwide shortage Washington, D.C., to celebrate the anniversary of in whiskey availability. I apologize to any BRs the Class of 1997 Breakout! Wow! Where could who were affected. Matt is crushing it in Washwe possibly go from here? ington state with the department of transportaHow about a government shutdown? Events tion, John is starting his own business in real inside the beltway early this year have likely estate and Ryan works with a trading company affected many in the VMI family and in New York while somehow living in closest to our class is perhaps BR Will Minnesota. All of them have reproTong, faithful and dedicated employee duced, in some cases multiple times, of the U.S. Securities and Exchange and are proud of the fruit of their loins.

Commission for the past 13 years and We are so old, Moderelli has a kid in current resident of Timonium, Marycollege now. I teach medical students. I land. While Will was furloughed he said apologize if one of them kills you, but he did enjoy some R&R and even met every now and then if they start whinup with Ad Hagan, in Baltimore for a ing, it’s sweat party time. Just kidding conference, and nearby resident Dave – well, maybe. For your amusement, I Witherspoon for dinner, both of whom have attached a picture of our winter refused to let Will contribute to the tab. debacle. I’m not the fattest; well, you be They learned afterward that Trey Porter the judge.” was in the area for a different conference Mike Diehl checked in for the first time in a little while. He reports all is Class of 1996: John Pearce, Nick Latsios and Tom Dan- but timing and his schedule prevented making this dinner event a foursome. This going well in the Diehl household in ielsen celebrating a brother rat meet up. didn’t stop the three of them from talking Pennsylvania. He lost his father last story, spinning yarns and generally havDecember, and believe it or not, Mike ing a good time reminiscing about our became a grandfather in April 2018 times at the “I,” however. Thanks for to a bouncing baby boy. Speaking of checking in, Will, and we wish you the grandfathers, Bob Swahn also recently best for uninterrupted work in the combecame a grandfather to twins. Huge ing months! congrats Mike and Bob! Max Hopkins, rat roommate and San I also heard from our class’ “Jeep Diego area alumni chapter president, Master,” Matt Bogusky, who reports rolled through the District of Columbia all is well with his family. His youngest briefly with his wife, Suzanne, early in is almost one year old and doing great after a challenging start. He’s still very Class of 1996: Noppadon Kuljanyavivat and Wiwat Ru- 2019. In town for a funeral at Arlington active in the Jeep community and re- engmee treated Tom Danielsen to dinner, drinks and National Cemetery, they took time to catching up while Danielsen was in Bangkok on a work meet my girlfriend and I for dinner before cently provided some mechanical help trip last September.

Suzanne went back to California and to Andre Johnson, who’s also a Jeep

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Class Notes of them was the recent commissioning Max headed south to visit his mother of Mark Turner Jr., Mark Turner’s son in Lexington. Although Max is a retired and the newest Marine second lieutenMarine these days, he is staying in the fight with an outfit supporting Marine ant. Mark and family moved from Chiartillery units on the West Coast and the na to Mexico in January after spendgreater western Pacific area. Suzanne is ing 11 of the last 12 years in Asia. On still on active duty in the Navy, and tothe way to Mexico, Mark stopped by the University of South Florida, from gether, they are loving the SoCal life in where his son graduated in December, Bonita. Semper Fi, guys! and administered him the oath of office Bill O’Donnell, Max’s former swim at his commissioning. Keeping things teammate and current Air Force reservin the sunshine state, Mark’s daughter ist, dropped me a line via snail mail – a Hannah is a freshman at the University rarity these days but very much apof North Florida. Mark says it will be preciated – from his home in the San nice to be “closer” to home as his kids Francisco Bay area where he lives with Class of 1997: Mark Turner administered the oath of office his wife, Katherine, and two children; to his son, Mark Jr., who was commissioned a Marine sec- fly the nest and he says he may even be able to make the next class reunion Fortnite aficionado and burgeoning ond lieutenant in December 2018 in Florida. for the first time. Ever. That would be baseball star, Jack (12), and homeworkgreat, Mark, and you have a couple of years to loving, “silver” soccer player Sara (10). Bill left sort that travel out. In the meantime, congratuactive duty in 2006 and when he’s not “reserving” with the Air Force as an Individual Molations to your family for all the recent developbilization Augmentee, he flies the Boeing 737 ments and Semper Fidelis!

MAX for Southwest Airlines out of San FranThe good news continued in December when cisco. Nearby neighbor Donnie Hasseltine and Jim Rodgers popped up from Down Under he have exchanged text messages with plans to with word and the fabulous accompanying photo of his wedding in Jacksonville, Florida, meet for many rounds of beer, though photos to Betsy Branham. After a honeymoon in Lonand police reports of such an occasion have yet to materialize. We look forward to reading don and a brief stopover in Singapore, the two about the aftermath, Bill! now live in Brisbane, Australia, where Jim is Speaking of flying brother rats, O.J. Johnson serving as the Plans and Future Operations Ofdropped in from the friendly skies with the acficer of the 1st Military Police Battalion, 1st Military Police Battalion, Australian Army. companying photo of him at the controls of a Class of 1997: Capt. Jim Rodgers of the Jim owes the Australian Army service through recent Delta flight as first officer with captain Australian Army married Betsy Branham 2020 and while they look forward to many and fellow VMI alum Bill Corn ’84 looking in Jacksonville, Florida, Dec. 16, 2018. They currently live in Brisbane, Australia. more Asia-Pacific adventures between now over his shoulder. O.J. resides in Fayetteville, and then, they’re not sure what will happen afGeorgia, and is looking forward to the next time he can get to a Nationals game in D.C. ter 2020 … though they both fell in love with for some free hotdogs for his family from Andy London while on their honeymoon. Congratu“Wiener King” Clark. lations to you both, Jim! Another BR longing for BR connectivity is Amazing artist and ring designer Jay KlostJoe Kmiecinski of Winchester, Virginia, where reich came up on the net all the way from Conhe lives with his wife and child. He reached necticut where he has been living since 2001 out over the holidays to say he’s still working when he took a job with the Chubb Group of for HITT Contracting of Falls Church, VirInsurance companies. He currently works in ginia, as a senior superintendent and is curtheir personal lines division. Jay married his rently building a contact center for Navy Fedwife, Angela, in 2006 and they now have four eral Credit Union in his thriving metropolis of children, ages 11, 10, seven and four. While Winchester. Thanks for the note, Joe, and keep alumni activity in New England is pretty thin – he’s not drinking buddies with Gen. Bunting your eyes on social media for a northern Vir[’63] – he did attend a VMI wrestling match ginia mini reunion around Breakout time!

Class of 1997: Capt. Bill Corn ’84 with with his family a few years ago at a dual meet Contrary to what social media and the 24his first officer, Oliver Johnson, flying against his wife’s alma mater, Sacred Heart hour news cycle might indicate, there were for Delta Airlines.

University. A few years before that event, he some good news stories to finish out 2018. One

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes made the short trip to West Point to see at least one Keydet game against Army which was, unfortunately, a loss for VMI. Jay also was fortunate enough to make a connection with the legacy of distinguished alumni Jonathan Daniels ’61 on his way home from a New Hampshire ski trip. There is an elementary school in Daniels’ hometown of Keene, New Hampshire, named after him and Jay stopped in to pay it a visit. While there he was greeted by the school’s principal and shown an extensive display of Daniels’ life and family artifacts, complete with a brick dedicated to Daniels by the Institute a few years ago. While Jay missed the last reunion he is really hoping to get to Post sooner rather than later because his kids really want to see the place. Hope you get there soon, brother, and we’re looking forward to seeing you at the next reunion!

This quarter’s notes entry award for having been generated from furthest away is perhaps appropriate for Brother Rat Prommarat Senakit. I recently received a postcard in an envelope from him all the way from Bangkok, Thailand where he currently lives (maybe there is a Dan Evilsizer/Paul Bickford/Prommarat Senakit mini reunion pending?) and works.

His message on the postcard to me is simply, “Wishing you happiness and success all year long.” We wish you the same, brother rat, and look forward to seeing you on this side of the Pacific sometime in the next few years!

Lastly but certainly not least, Brother Rat DeShawn Johnson and I chatted very briefly via Facebook as I wrote this entry. He is currently being treated in Norfolk General Hospital after being struck by a moving vehicle as he was walking across the street of a Virginia Beach, Virginia, intersection. After multiple surgeries his current challenge is learning to walk again but with the support of his family and brother rats such as Brett Thompson and Trey Porter, there is strong confidence in a speedy recovery.

Reach out to DeShawn to send your encouragement and keep him in your thoughts as he negotiates the tough road ahead to full recovery. We are all thinking of you, DeShawn; hang in there!

That will bring this quarter’s entry to a close but please don’t give up sending me your notes.

Thanks to all who have reached out in recent months to keep these pages full of lively hyperbole, tantalizing tall tales and not-so-fake-news! My best to you for a warm spring and a fantastic 2019.

2019-Issue 2

1998

Joseph Bates Jr.

Let me first start with a moment of silence and thoughts in memory of Brig. Gen. Mike Bissell ’61, and also by sending the class’ heartfelt condolences to fellow Rockbridge County native BR Brandon Bissell and his family. Brig. Gen. Bissell played an important role in our cadetships and the legacy of our beloved Institute, and he will forever be remembered for his contributions to all of our success.

Sitting down to lock up another edition of class notes (my seventh already – where did the time go?) and we are just one week away from the 24th anniversary of Breakout day – so I hope you all look to the skies Feb. 21, 2019, and remember what that felt like way back in 1995 on that frozen wall of mud! I wish that I had more to share – but I do not – so here goes.

Speaking of 24 years ago – a group of BRs in Richmond (I listed several but may have missed some) – Christian Craft, Dan Smith, Jon Gonzales, Matt Guise, Paul Sakellariou, Travers Clemmons, Darrius Jackson, Gardner Mundy, etc. are actively working and met in January to plan a 25th anniversary celebration of our matriculation at a location in Richmond that is to be determined on the weekend of Aug. 17, 2019. The intention here is to get as many people together as we can and begin discussing a big splash for our 25th Reunion in a few years. A lot of details will be getting figured out between when I am writing this and when you will read it, so we will send out additional communication (likely before you read this). Please contact me at the email address provided, on Facebook or Christian at christiancraft@hotmail.com if you have any questions or suggestions!

Demetri Polous wrote in from Jacksonville and shared that life is good. He started a new job with AT&T in September supporting our Navy/Marine Corps/Air Force/Co-Com accounts in the southeast and really enjoys the work supporting their missions. He hopes to connect with other VMI alum as he gets out to the various bases in his new journey. He is also the cub master of his son’s Cub Scout pack, and his wife, Sarah, is a pack committee chair. Between family, work and

volunteering, he stays busy, but if anyone is ever in Jacksonville and wants to grab a beer or needs a place to stay, his door is always open. Thanks for checking in, Demetri – look forward to seeing you in the near future and more updates as you get going in your new role.

Lt. Col. John Moder wrote in to the Alumni Review and provided a photo (which should be pictured in the “Our Alumni Serving” section – so please check it out). John is pictured with Brig. Gen. Dan Caine ’90. He shared that Brig.

Gen. Caine is currently the deputy commander of special operations for Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. Lt. Col Moder is currently serving as the deputy commander of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Iraq. The picture was taken at the CJSOTF-Iraq headquarters at Camp Keating in Baghdad, Iraq.

Ryan Landmann checked in (thank you) and writes that it was great catching up with everyone at the last reunion! Since the reunion, things have been quite busy for Ryan, as he was married June 10, 2018, to Erin Wahlers, who was also at the reunion. Charles Houk and his family attended the small ceremony in Asheville, North Carolina. Ryan and Erin moved to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, in August, and he has taken on the role as deputy director of operations for the Air Force Special Operations Command and will be pinning on O-6 Sept. 1, 2018. The move with all the projects that come with a new house and finding his way in a new job has kept him busy for sure.

Congratulations on the wedding and the recent promotion, Ryan. Erin, welcome to the family!

I hope this all finds you well. When you read it, we will be close to New Market Day and another edition will be due. Please send in some updates; I know social media is alive and well, but if you are like me, I look forward to opening this and looking through it each quarter to see what our brethren are up to. With that, I leave you all in the bonds.

Rah Virginia Mil – ’98, ’98, ’98.

1999

William Steinbach

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 1999.

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Class Notes

2000

2001

Brother Rats, As I write this update it is early February and the Patriots just won the Super Bowl. Winter cannot decide whether to come or go. It was 77 degrees one day last week here in Atlanta.

The holiday season is always a busy time of the year, and we only had a few updates submitted for this edition, so please excuse the short set of notes. Before we get started, I received return to sender Christmas cards from Anthony Rayome and Tharen Peterson. If anyone stays in touch with these brother rats, please be sure to have them contact VMI and update their contact information. Christmas cards went out early this year, and I hope everyone got theirs before the holidays – especially those of you living and deployed overseas. It was great to receive family photo cards back from Greg Fedor, Landon Allen, Scott McInnis, Jeb Cox, Matt Parker, Matt Martin, Chris Boswell, Whit Johnston, Shawn Segreti and Dr. Nate Friedline. Beau Mason checked in right after the deadline for the last set of notes and also included a picture of his family.

Beau is living in Fredericksburg and is on active duty for the Virginia Army National Guard. He pinned on lieutenant colonel in September and is in the 29th Infantry Division with a good group of VMI guys, including Bubba Massie’s rat, John Roche ’03. Beau also stays in touch with Jimmy Sheldon pretty frequently. Jimmy recently took command of the 2-224th Aviation Battalion in Sandston, Virginia. Beau spoke with Will Ward over Thanksgiving and he was visiting his parents in northern Texas. Will is an assistant district attorney in Texas and per Beau is “putting away the bad guys.” Beau, thanks for the great update and your continued service to our country. It was great to get an update from fellow Company A BR Tim Catalano. Tim, his wife and seven children are doing well and living in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. He says he is baffled at how fast the time passes and that many in the service are almost retirement eligible.

Tim stays in pretty regular touch with Greg Bosley but does not get the opportunity to visit

Brother Rats of the Class of 2001!

I hope you are all well and enjoying the beginnings of spring! In the Groen household, we are making our final preparations before the big move to Fort Hood, Texas, and command of 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. A mentor told me to aspire to be more like Hal Moore and less like George Custer – sound advice!

As I keep up with the class, it’s great to hear that you are all doing great things in the world!

I recently ran into Paul Thompson between flights in Atlanta. Paul is great and promised me that he will make it to the 20th Reunion!

Charlie Bunting said, “On Feb. 9, ‘The Preppie Connection,’ a movie I produced and sold to IFC Films, has been sold exclusively to Hulu for streaming worldwide. It’s our first international release and follows partnerships with Showtime and Netflix. The movie is a commercial success because audiences love it and is proof you can do a lot with a million and a half bucks if you hustle and get lucky. That puts us in the top four percent of any indie ever made. Thanks to all BRs and members of the VMI family for helping us push this special true story to the world. By the way – producing indies is not the smartest way to earn consistent income. Haha!” Congrats, Charlie – great to hear you are well, and I look forward to checking it out!

In more good news, Carl Haas writes, “Here is a picture of my new baby here with vitals.

Also, I heard from both Scott Lowe and Ben Griffith. Scott has just relocated to the Pacific Northwest from San Diego, and Ben continues to build an impressive wine business in Montana. That’s about it for now; miss you, Rich!”

Miss you too, Carl – congrats on the little one!

Speaking of Ben Griffith, he writes, “My wife and I are working hard to make the winery project become more than just a wine dream. Our vines did great last summer with a test harvest providing us with enough grapes to make a few wine samples. We are most proud of our 1.5 liters of Itasca (white cold hardy

Jim Boatright

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Rich Groen

Class of 2000: Beau Mason with his family at their annual Christmas tree hunt. as much as is the past. Greg, his wife and three children still live in Houston. Tim catches up with T.J. Walker a couple of times a year. T.J. works for Amazon, and he and his family recently made a big move out west to the Seattle area and it sounds like they love the access to the outdoors. Tim also stays in regular touch with Matt Kukla. Matt is an Army civilian working in Huntsville, Alabama. They worked together on a couple of programs in the Army acquisition community. Matt is doing well, and Tim hopes they may be able to work together after military service.

In some personal news, I recently heard from Addison Hagan ’97. Addison works for VMI, and he is making a trip to Atlanta on Institute business. We plan to get together and visit. Pat Haddock and I stay in regular contact, as his office is just a couple of miles from my house.

Pat remains active with VETATLANTA and the VMI Alumni Association while managing his family and career at Wells Fargo. I’m looking forward to the third annual “Saturday Night” reunion with Whit Johnston, Scott Johnson and Jay Kearney in April – updates to follow. That is all the updates for this edition. Please remember you can send updates to classnotes2000vmi@ gmail.com. Finally, and most importantly, to all our brother rats who have served or are currently serving our great country: Be safe and thank you!

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Class of 2001: Lucas Anthony Zottig, Vic Zottig’s newest addition, was born Dec. 30, 2018.

years on a waiting list. We are now number two by 10 plants – ugh. We have a very busy spring and summer season to look forward to as we sold our house in Bozeman and are moving to the vineyard in April! We have a small cabin to keep our heads dry and are finalizing the plans for a much larger wine facility/shop to be built this spring. So if you want to swing a hammer in Montana, check out a cold-hardy vineyard or just hang out and watch the river flow past, give me a shout and come on out. We have plenty of space for tents and campers! Check out winerydog@watchdogwinery.com.”

Ben continues, “Beyond that, we are just looking to keep our head above water as our nearly two-year-old is keeping us as busy as she can, which is pretty much all the time. So between wine and the kid, we are pretty much living the dream.” Fantastic, Ben – I’m glad to hear you are well!

Vic Zottig also shared great news, “Hope you and the family are doing well and congrats on the new addition! My wife, Andrea, and I welcomed our first son, Lucas Anthony Zottig, Dec. 30, 2018. He was 19.6 inches long and weighed seven pounds, six ounces. Everyone is doing well!” Vic, great news – congrats on the new member of the family!

Another piece of great news is hearing from Dave Gray after about 18 years! He writes,

“I retired from the Army in 2015 as a major.

Since then, I have completed gunsmith school in Oklahoma and begun my second career. In 2017, I became a staff gunsmith at Defender Outdoors Shooting Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Last June, I was promoted to head gunsmith. I repair, modify and build both customer firearms and our rental fleet of over 200 guns.

If anyone is ever in North Texas and wants a great unique experience, come see me at Texas’ largest indoor range! I hope everyone is doing well and are as happy as I am!” Dave, I will definitely look you up when I move to Texas – stay in touch!

Another BR I haven’t talked to in some time is Drew Dickinson. He writes, “My family and I have relocated to Richmond, Virginia, due to work transfer. Living in the Hanover (Atlee) area, still working for Carter Machinery. Brandon Garrett and I have adjoining offices, so we have our own Gold Coast going on here.”

Drew, that’s fantastic! My sister lives in the area, and I hope to catch up with you!

Lastly, a special shout out to Lt. Col. Adam Woytowich, who was selected for U.S. Army battalion command; I look forward to see where you are slated!

It’s amazing to see the strong bonds that our class displays despite distances. It was great to hear from all of you, and please stay connected! ’01, ’01, ’01!

2002

Salmaan Khawaja

Class of 2001: Hazel Grace Leilani Haas, the newest addition to Carl Haas’ family, was born Dec. 24, 2018. wine grape), which has some amazing characteristics. Our Crimson Pearl (red cold hardy wine grapes) vines did a great job, as well, and we are aging our test sample to see how good it really is. We are very excited about these two grape varieties, as they have yet to hit the wine market because they are so new to the growing arena. At one point, we were the largest owner of Crimson Pearl vines after spending two

2019-Issue 2

Class of 2001: Brandon Farris with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Brother Rats, I hope this edition of the Review finds you and yours well. We are looking for any BRs willing and able to assist with planning our next big reunion, so if you would like to assist, please don’t hesitate to let me know!

U.S. Army Lt. Col. E. Blake Witherell, infantry, wrote in with well wishes and the following note: “I wanted to provide a quick update on what is going on in the Witherell family for the Alumni Review. Marissa and I are doing great, and it has truly been exciting times for us. On Dec. 14, 2018, we welcomed our first child into the world, Edward Lincoln Witherell. We have

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Class Notes in Charlotte and is a vice president for a health care company.

Thank you to all those who kindly submitted notes this go around. I look forward to hearing from my other BRs soon! Best wishes to all of you.

In the spirit, Salmaan

2003

William Talley V

Class of 2002: Lt. Col. E. Blake Witherell and his wife, Marissa, with their first child, Edward Lincoln Witherell. Edward was born Dec. 14, 2018.

Class of 2002: Matt and Jen Erwin and their son, Bowen Matthew Erwin, who was born in January 2019. The Erwin family is living in Richmond, Virginia. never felt so much love, and we are enjoying every minute of being new parents. We are also in the process of moving from Fort Polk, Louisiana, to Joint Base Lewis McChord in the state of Washington. I have been selected to take command of 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry

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Regiment – a tactical infantry battalion that is part of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team and the 2nd Infantry Division. I will take command March 26 of this year. I feel extremely humbled to have reached this milestone in my military career and am proud to join the 2nd I.D. team. Marissa and I are really looking forward to moving to JBLM in early February.”

Congrats to Lt. Col. Blake and the entire (new) Witherell family!

Matt Thompson and Gabe Hensley, who were roommates all four years at VMI, lost touch for many years after graduation from the “I” due to deployments, school and families but decided to reconnect recently by starting and completing the 140.6 mile Florida Ironman together. Matt commented, “If you’re trying to reconnect with a close friend you haven’t seen in several years, I highly recommend Ironman as a fun and creative way to come back together.” The two are currently training for their next one and looking to make an annual tradition out of it.

Also Matt Erwin, Ron Seabeck and Darren Lafferty got together at VMI in November and enjoyed a weekend of revelry for The Citadel game. J.M. Nemish ran into Tri Tang in Charleston in January at the VMI versus The Citadel basketball game. Tri is doing great living

BRs, it’s been a busy three months since I sat down to write the last set of notes, and it’ll be May by the time you receive this set! 2019 is flying by at a ridiculous pace. As noted previously, our 15th+1 Reunion will be the weekend of Sept. 27-29. You will have received information regarding the reunion by now and hopefully have already made plans to be present. You’ve only had 11 months’ notice of the date, so no excuses!

Our class family continues to grow as BRs celebrate births of their children. Mel Ward and

Class of 2003: Willie and Ashley Hale celebrated the birth of their fourth child, a daughter, Jovie Elizabeth Hale, Dec. 30, 2018.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes bounced between indoor snowball fights her husband just welcomed their fourth and tablets. We saw Adam Britt and child, a son, Levi Samuel, in October Juan Carlos Sanchez at the wrestling 2018. Mel reports that life has gotten exmatch who’d come up to support Matt ponentially more chaotic and louder, but Erwin ’02 as he was being recognized they feel very blessed, nonetheless. Wilfor his induction into the VMI Sports lie and Ashley Hale also welcomed their Hall of Fame at the match. Adam is dofourth child, a daughter, Jovie Elizabeth, into the world Dec. 30, 2018. Jovie Elizaing well; he’s with KBS, a construction firm in Richmond with deep VMI roots. beth came a bit earlier than expected and Lara Tyler and her boys have manspent some time in the care of the NICU at UVa. Willie reported that both she and aged to get back up to the Institute for Class of 2003: BRs Biesterveld, Matthews, Talley and Traina a basketball game or two. We saw Lara Ashley came home Feb. 11, and he and gathered their children, from left, Savannah Talley, Sawyer Ashley had all four kids under one roof! “Soy Bean” Biesterveld, Daniel “Danny Bob” Traina, Wyatt as well as Nick Work and his boys at John and Stephanie Bocek welcomed Matthews, Billy Talley VI, David Traina, Lincoln Biesterveld, game in February. John Noonan was their first child, a son, John Ludden, into Alden Biesterveld, Chappell Talley and Ava Matthews. recognized in the last Alumni Review the world Jan. 4, 2019. “J.J.,” as they’re for work he’s done with Harvard in the calling him, has already made at least one trip to political arena. Speaking of Band Company, REI so that he can be properly outfitted for the Jared Swanson, the always faithful submitter of many outdoor adventures that await him! notes, relayed that Dave Mayo, Ph.D., received Blake Traina, Brandon Matthews, Andy Biseveral aerospace engineering awards in 2018: NSBE Aerospace Systems Conference’s 21st esterveld and I all gathered in Lexington with Century Trailblazers in Space Research Award, our families for a room reunion the weekend of the Aerospace Corporation’s Robert H. HernJan. 19. Eight adults and 10 kids, eight of which were 5 years or younger, had a blast catching a don Image Award and the BEYA Modern Day wrestling match and basketball game over the Technology Leader Award. Way to go, Dave! weekend. I believe a marriage was arranged for Chris Drinkwater is doing well; he and I have Danny Bob Traina and Soy Bean Biesterveld stayed in touch over the last several months. sometime around 2041, Savannah Talley felt the He’s doing his part to help cancer patients as an joy of being 14 and having three uncles that were oncologist at Walter Reed. I discovered over a kind enough to critique the boys she chooses to phone conversation that Chris and his girlfriend Class of 2003: Dan Zhang, Kuo Ruey Paul hang around with, while the remaining kids decided to get married late in 2018! I felt bad for Liang, Chaz Wagner and Nick Work paid a a second when he referenced “his wife” on the visit to Dale Griffin’s grave site Jan. 27. call and I didn’t know he was married until he relayed it’d just happened.

I’ve not talked with Jason Annis directly but keep up with him via Facebook and see his wife, Theresa, periodically at my daughter’s high school. Jason is doing well, as he’s got three beautiful daughters who keep him walking a tight line.

He’s also honing his dance moves, as he’s a certified “dance dad” based on his girls’ activities.

Please keep Joe Ingram in your thoughts. I meant to put this in our last set of notes, but I spoke with Joe and his father in August of last year. Joe continues his battle with multiple sclerosis and was going to be at the reunion. He truly embodies the VMI “never say die!” spirit.

Well, BRs, that’s it for now. Please remember to send me in updates and photos. Our next set of Class of 2003: Adam Britt and Juan Carlos Class of 2003: John and Stephanie Bocek Sanchez joined Coach Rocky Trudgeon to notes will be due May 15. I usually wait until the celebrated the birth of their first child, a see Matt Erwin ’02 recognized at the VMI last minute to put them together, so don’t hesitate son, John Ludden Bocek, who was born versus the University of Virginia wrestling to send them to me. If you miss one set, they’ll get Jan. 4, 2019. match Jan. 18, 2018. into the next. See you in September at our 15th+1!

2019-Issue 2

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Class Notes

2004

Scott E. Campbell C. Justin Roberts

Daniel Ayres and his girlfriend, Carrie Rutledge, welcomed Layla Elizabeth Ayres to the world Dec. 27, 2018. Layla weighed in at 8 pounds, 13 ounces.

Jason Dorn recently separated from the TexClass of 2004: U.S. Marine Corps Col. as Army National Guard and is still serving as Wayne Sinclair ’88, Maj. Brandon Turner in-house legal counsel to Texon LP in Hous’03 and Josh Montero at Belleau Wood, France, for the 100-year anniversary of ton. Back in September, Jason attended the the battle Jan. 15, 2018. wedding of Andy Harris in Austin. Matt and Mike Roscoe, Clarence Smith, Brandon Boor and Greg Sturtz were also in attendance at the wedding. Congratulations, Andy and Hande G. Harris!

Andy Lander has moved on from the National Rifle Association after 14 years. He is currently working in Washington, D.C., as a firearms instructor and national weapons detection instructor for the largest provider of private security officers to the federal government.

Good luck with the new gig!

Maja Cavlovic resurfaced for the first time since our 10th Reunion with her first update Class of 2004: Mike Corso, Joel Andrus for the class notes. She began serving as a miliand Scott Campbell at the Virginia Legistary police officer in the Croatian Army after lative Reception at the Library of Virginia graduation. She’s served three deployments in Feb. 12, 2019.

Afghanistan between 2007 and 2012.

Maja ran into Brother Rat Josh Montero during one of the deployments.

“Since we have not seen each other since graduation, it was a nice occasion to catch up.”

From 2013-15, Maja came back to the United States and attended Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University and ended up with a master’s degree in Security Policy Studies. Maja said, “I had a wonderful time hanging out with my Class of 2004: Clark Laster at lunch with Jim Bourie dyke, Gussie Lord Lapsley ’01, who and the Laster kids Nov. 12, 2018. lives in the D.C. area with her husband,

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Class of 2004: John Casper, Craig Hamilton and Daniel Ropp in the stands at the VMI versus The Citadel game Oct. 20, 2018.

Class of 2004: Ryan Koniak caught up with Lt. Col. Mike Waltz ’96 at his change of command ceremony. Waltz took command of Koniak’s unit, Special Operation Detachment-OTAN/NATO, June 10, 2018.

’01

Ryan Lapsley ’02, and two cute kids.”

Congratulations on your degree! Next time you’re stateside, give us a heads up!

From February 2016 until September 2017, Maja was an adviser to the president of the Republic of Croatia for national security and defense. Since September 2017, she has been serving as the director of the office of the National Security Council in Croatia.

Over the years, Maja has also run into Mario Majetic ’03, Ilija Krklec and Hrvoje Glasnovic, who are both now

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes One of my partners, Jeremy Ingram, is in civilian careers. She said, “I am VMI Class of ’95.” looking forward to this year’s reunion.

Andrew continues, “Also during the All the best to everyone!” summer, I was able to spend time with Not much has changed for me over Joe Pruce over a three-week period while the past three months. The job with he was here for training in Dam Neck Booz Allen is going well. I’ll be in for the U.S. Navy. It was great to see Germany for most of March, and the Joe since he has not held many duty staguard is sending me to France for the tions within the United States. We have 75th anniversary of D-Day. remained in contact over the years. Joe Mike Corso, Joel Andrus and I met is happily married to Brienna, and they up at the legislative reception for VMI have a son together – also named Joe.” alumni that was held Feb. 12, 2019.

Gabriela Arraiz checks in: “I’m now Good times and awkward silence Class of 2005: Mike Tittermary, Brandon Fellers and Anstationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. wondering where the governor was. drew Stone last summer.

(Chris Perry’s here too!) We are supLife is good here in Richmond. Reunion planning is underway. Anyone who is Fourteen years since the last time we were all posed to get together this weekend, so I’ll try to interested in taking over as class agent, please together as a class under one roof. Fourteen remember to take a pic and send that in. Comlet me know. I plan on passing the torch after years since the white gloves rained down on pleted my master’s also, in cybersecurity from us from above and we said our last goodbyes the University of South Florida.” the reunion this year. before venturing out into the “real world” for Mark Conley writes in: “Checking in with a We had some technical issues with the photos from the last edition of the Alumni Review, the first time. Is it just me, or do the months few updates. I’m still living in Houston, Texas, so we’re finally getting them published now. and years go by quicker the further we get from where I’ll finally complete grad school with a master’s in systems engineering this coming Josh, I’m sorry I dropped the photo from Hill that fateful day?

Ah, but I digress. On with the notes, includMay. While completing school, I am working 881. We’re limited to five photos. ing a few I missed from last quarter. at NASA as a contractor helping to code and This first update comes from last summer: design the flight displays for the Orion Crew Brandon Fellers and Andrew Stone met up Vehicle. If anyone is ever here in Houston, I’ll Tom Hardinge with Mike Tittermary for dinner in Virginia be more than happy to give them a tour of the Beach while he and his family were vacationJohnson Space Center.” ing. Mike and his wife, Kristine, are doing well Shore and Kirk Stokes spent Christmas with Timothy Johnson and keeping busy with their four children. family back in Richmond, Virginia. Kirk is doMike continues to practice law in the Riching well in Singapore and Shore mentioned mond area. Brandon and his wife, Kristin, have that it was great having him stateside for the been married for a year now and are enjoying holidays. Shore writes, “While visiting family life. Brandon continues to practice law in Chesin Virginia, had a chance to get to Richmond apeake. “We see each other quite a bit since we for a night out with Lawton Way, Josh Sullive right up the street from each other,” Anlivan, Tim Johnson, Greg Vanpelt and Mark drew writes. “As for me, I am in the wealth Lyons. Great to catch up and see everyone doBrother Rats, Let me be the first to wish you a happy 14th management business still and continue to ing well with families, jobs, etc.” Shore and his work on an investment team in Virginia Beach. wife, Tara, are still living in Des Moines, Iowa, anniversary (!) of our graduation from VMI.

2005

Class of 2005: Mark Conley checks the flight ascension simulator at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

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Class of 2005: Kirk Stokes, Lawton Way, Josh Sullivan, Shore Stokes and Tim Johnson in Richmond over the holidays.

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Class Notes and they are expecting their second child, a baby boy, in May. Look for newborn pictures next quarter.

Speaking of birth announcements, Jonathan Johnson and his wife, Lauren, recently shared that they are expecting. This will be Jon and Lauren’s fourth child together.

Well, friends, that covers everything I have to pass along to you this month – short and sweet.

Thank you to those who sent in updates. Please continue to pass along any news and information you’d like me to share with the class. I know that we’re all (mostly) connected through social media, but reading the news and notes each Alumni Review helps me feel a bit closer as a class; I hope that you all feel the same.

Have a great summer, and as always: Stay safe and be well.

Rah Virginia Mil, Tom Hardinge

2006 Andrew Upshaw

Jimmy Angerman: “We had some alumni out here in Spain, so we got a picture together.”

Nate Parsons: “I just finished a holiday deployment with my C-130 reserve unit. While deployed, I ran into Brian Desautels ’03. He’s flying HC-130Js and was working as the deputy

Class of 2006: While deployed with his reserve unit, Nate Parsons ran into Brian Desautels ’03.

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Class of 2006: Chris Gilliland and his wife, Kristin, welcomed Jackson Michael Gilliland Dec. 31, 2018. operations group commander at his deployed location. I just missed Kyle Deem on his return to the States, but Brian got to fly him to his destination to catch the rotator home. I also had the pleasure of working with Shawn Riley ’13 again as he planned and managed all of our missions from the Air Mobility Division.

“I’m headed back to Colorado to fly with Southwest and get back to being a traditional reservist.

Hoping to move into a house in the Castle Pines area in May/June and then working on growing our family again. If anyone is ever in town to hit the mountains, please get in touch! Hope everyone is doing well. Cheers.”

Chris Gilliland: “My wife, Kristin, and I welcomed Jackson Michael Gilliland Dec. 31, 2018, at 7:17 a.m. He weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces, and was five weeks and a day early. Go Keydets!”

2007

Maury Denton

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2007.

Class of 2006: Jimmy Angerman with fellow VMI alumni in Spain.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

2008

Robert Hill

By the time these notes reach your door, you should be hearing more about our “11th Reunion” since we were “faked” out last year by the hurricane. I hope most of you can make it.

Class of 2008: The VMI wrestling team with the Central Keystone Chapter before We have a great weekend planned. their match in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, versus Franklin and Marshall Feb. 8, 2019.

I’ll start off with a word from our Brother Rat Andrew Czaplicki. “I just want to say thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers over the past few months. Getting texts, cards and phone calls from y’all meant so much to me. I’ll never be able to describe how much it helped me get through. I want especially thank those that contributed to Jace’s memorial donation to Compassion International. We raised over $5,000 for underprivileged children across the world. Meaning that a handful of kids are fed, educated, vaccinated and protected for a full year because of your generosity. Even through the worst of it all, we still did some good. Thank you and I can’t wait to see everyClass of 2008: Current cadets and their families at the Central Keystone Alumni Chapone in September.” ter Founders Day celebration in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Jason Pettengill is currently deployed with Oahu, Hawaii, for Stu’s naval duty stathe United States Air Force in Kantion. Chris and his wife, Rachel, are exdahar, Afghanistan, as an air adviser. pecting, and if you’re friends with them Jason is scheduled to return from his on Facebook, you’ll notice that even deployment in June before heading to though Rachel is pregnant, they are still Air Force command and staff college killing the CrossFit workout. Evan and schooling for a year. Jason was able Nicole were joined by Chris Alderman to spend some time at breakfast with and his girlfriend, Avery, for a night at Quinten Rohlfs ’06 while deployed. a brewery (Canon and Draw) owned by The two would meet for breakfast at Brad Cooper ’09. Food at the brewery 0500 hours, as they worked different that night was from Donnie Glass’ Grishifts. Jason’s wife, Sarah, and the kids sette restaurant. Donnie’s restaurant are doing well in Alexandria. Jason will soon be opening in the Church Hill is looking forward to the reunion in a neighborhood of Richmond. few months. Safe travels on your return As I write these notes, Lauren and I home, brother rat!

Evan Lyne and the former Ms. Ni- Class of 2008: Stu Montgomery, Chris Haviley, Evan Lyne are packing a few more things for Addyson before we head to Kansas to cole Mayberry were married in October and Matt Kokal celebrated at Lyne’s wedding in October. spend the weekend with Matt Mitch2018. The new Mr. and Mrs. spent their ell, wife Arlene-Raquel, daughter Ava and honeymoon in Cancun, and as Evan puts it, Richmond and are house hunting. The Lynes “We drank more in one week than we did in the were joined at their wedding by Chris Haviley, our goddaughter, Everleigh. This will be Adprevious six months.” It sounds like they had a Matt Kokal and Stu Montgomery. Matt and dyson’s first plane ride, and we are traveling blast while in Mexico, especially on the lazy his wife, Rachel, reside in the Richmond area. through O’Hare, so hopefully everything goes river at the resort. Evan and Nicole reside in Stu and wife Lindsay are currently stationed in smoothly. I hope to catch up with a bunch of

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Class Notes our BRs over the weekend who are attending (Lukenbill) DeLeon and husband Nate travschool at Fort Leavenworth. I’ve also had the time eled to the Republic of Georgia to meet and recently to attend several VMI functions within adopt their son, Saba. They have been home Bradley Simpson the Central Keystone Chapter. The Sunday before as their family of three since Nov. 30, and Saba Thanksgiving, we had more than 40 VMI alumni, is making tremendous strides and loves his cadets and family members gather to celebrate school where he attends first grade. Michelle Founders Day at the West Shore Country Club. and Nate are looking forward to bringing him The event was hosted by the Hempt Family (parto the reunion in the fall.

Brother Rats, On a side note, on the plane from Germany ents of an alumnus and two 1st Class cadets). We I hope this edition this of the Review finds to Tbilisi, Michelle ran into VMI alum Dan also had the pleasure of hosting Coach Jim Gibyou and your families well. I have had a great Frank ’06 (he noticed the VMI baseball cap). son of the VMI wrestling team last Friday before time catching up with all of you from the You never know where you might run into their match with Franklin & Marshall College. emails and messages I have gotten. Michelle someone!

While the team didn’t score a victory, Neal RichDavid Downing wrote in and said, ards ’19 managed a technical fall against “2018 was a pretty wild year for the his opponent. At this time, Neal is ranked Downings. While still assigned at Fort 18th in the country at 174 pounds, with Stewart, Georgia, I deployed twice his last loss coming against Mark Hall of (Korea and Afghanistan) with the 3rd Penn State (ranked No. 1) in December.

Infantry Division and was home just Neal has won 10 straight matches and long enough to get my wife pregnant is looking to secure a trip to the NCAA last spring. My wife, April, gave birth to tournament in Pittsburgh. our third child, a healthy baby boy, LinIf you have not engaged your local VMI chapter, I would encourage you to do so. coln Lee Downing Feb. 6, 2019. Seven The best part: These events usually cost pounds, 9 ounces. Hopefully I’ll be able nothing, and you get to share old stories to spend some more time at home in about VMI and hear from cadets about 2019.” happenings on post. I interact with two Well, that about wraps up everything I cadets and two recent alumni on a reguhave for you this go around the sun. As allar basis, and we’ve formed a great bond. lows, please let me know what is going on Search the VMI Alumni Association page in all of your lives; it’s always good catchfor your local chapter. Until next time, Class of 2009: David Downing and his growing family. ing up with you all. Take it easy and hope God bless and stay safe! everyone has a great summer.

2009

2010

Cody Hennelly Garland Gray III

Class of 2008: Evan Lyne and the former Ms. Nicole Mayberry were married in October 2018.

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Class of 2009: Michelle (Lukenbill) DeLeon with her husband, Nate, and son, Saba.

Brother Rats, These notes are not an easy edition to write.

With the untimely passing of Tim Maypray, our hearts are still broken. The best way I can think of honoring him is to share some words from you all about your relationship and friendship with him.

Mike Hozik wrote to say this: “This story

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes begins on a Sunday evening in January 2007, as four rat roommates, Tim, Greg Fiasconaro, Andrew Fleenor and myself, were getting ready for the biggest rat riot of the year. Each company planned to crowd into and barricade themselves in the company room before the start of our Sunday evening sweat party.

“Tim, Andrew, Greg and I started getting hyped for the upcoming mayhem, and around 10:45 p.m., the four of us headed to the Delta Company room to build the barricade. Tim was the first out the door and led the three of us two doors to the right of our own room to the Delta Company room. Tim reached up to push the door open, and clunk – the unlockable door doesn’t open. Tim knocks: ‘Hey! Let us in!’ Someone yells back, ‘We can’t!’ The four of us straining outside the barricaded room realize we missed the boat. There was now no way in and no way out of that room. “‘Welp, what now?’ I asked. We’re the only four rats in barracks not in our company room barricaded behind a thousand pounds of desks, wall lockers and book shelves, and we’ve got five minutes until cadre are up here ready to deliver hell. Tim says, ‘We’re going to sit here and take it like men.’ Andrew, Greg and I agree, and we sit in silence for four minutes and 59 seconds, then hear cadre start coming up to the fourth stoop. The four of us look at each other and, without saying a word, Tim jumps to cut

the lights, and Greg, Andrew and I dive under our desks. Because the underneath of Tim’s desk was exposed to those looking into our room through the door’s window, Tim jumped into the pile of dirty laundry in the corner.

Within a second, cadre knew what was going on, all rats had barricaded themselves in their respective company rooms, and now it was time to get them out. For hours, barracks was louder than we’d ever heard. Delta cadre have swarmed outside the company room, and, two doors away, four of those rats were squeezed under their desks and in a pile of laundry. Because my desk faced the pile of laundry Tim was in and we could see each other the entire time. Me making myself the smallest I could, with my desk chair pulled in tight and Tim totally covered by clothes but his eyes peeking through.

“We laughed the whole time we hid, hearing the chaos ensue around barracks, it felt like more than an hour had passed, with cadre unable to breach the Delta Company room, then … Bam! Cadre enter our room and I’m certain it’s the end for the four stowaways. Cadre turn on the lights, walk into the room, circle the desks, pause and leave. ‘Holy ****, they didn’t see us!’ Tim and I stare at each other and crack a smile. Then, an eruption of noise next door.

Cadre have breached Delta’s barrier and entered the company room. Our BRs start flooding out

one by one and are rushed to the courtyard for a brutal punishing. ‘Should we join them?’ Tim asks. We consult with each other and decide that four rats, voluntarily joining a sweat party, wasn’t the right move.

“It seemed like another hour passed before cadre breached all company rooms and started corralling rats from the courtyard back up to the fourth stoop. We hear our Delta cadre outside the door and our BRs stumbling into their rooms. ‘We’ve got to get up, or cadre will know we’re missing.’ The lights were left on by the previous search of our room. As long as we can get up at a moment when cadre isn’t looking into our room, we should be OK. Tim counts down, ‘3-2-1.’ We jump up and sit at our desks as fast as we can, pause; a second later, one of the cadre kicks open our door and yells, ‘Go to bed!’ He stares at us; I swear he knew what we had done – four rats, none breathing hard, not a drop of sweat on them, unaccounted for in the courtyard, looking guilty – and he turns off the lights.

“We got away clean and became closer friends because of it – although for Tim, spending several hours disguised as a pile of dirty laundry, compiled not only of his own laundry but the laundry of his three roommates, may not have been worth it.

“Tim was a leader made great by simply by following his instinct and impulse. Leading us

Class of 2010: Tim Maypray passed away Jan. 15, 2019. The Class of 2010 cannot express how much he will be missed.

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Class Notes out of our room, jumping for the light switch, counting us down to the moment we would be caught or get away clean. Tim was an awesome person and will be greatly missed.”

Zach Collins wrote me to share the following: “Man, Tim was such an amazing person and athlete. We didn’t really talk much after graduation, but he was still my brother. We matriculated and graduated together. What they say at the ‘I’ is right, you make friends for a lifetime! I followed his career and saw the great things he did in the CFL. I know he made a difference in the lives of the kids he coached.

He just excelled at everything. He always made you laugh, and he was a natural leader on and off the field. I will never forget how we would always do impressions of Coach Reid and laugh hysterically. He was the best at doing it!

Class of 2010. RIP brother rat/teammate. You will be missed.”

Howard Abegesha wanted to share the following: “Toughest thing for a man to do is to speak honorably of another man who is no longer with us without shedding a few tears along the way. To say a word about Tim, you must stand back a little bit and not focus in on every minor detail. Bigger picture sense. That’s because you must look at life that way to not get caught up in the moment, and I swear as I’m writing this that Tim’s life or everything he was doing was always for a bigger purpose.

Whether it was playing football showing off the dazzling exceptional God-given talents representing his family and his competitive self at the same time or giving back to the community through the COW youth mentorship program.

Tim was always thinking about the big picture or doing something for a higher purpose.

From my spiritual research, I understand that many of those who come from a religious or Christian background usually behave similarly.

Many a times did I see that character in him – from an athletic perspective when he constantly pushed me to get better and raise my level of performance through actions, not words. Even more so on the hillside showing a young immature adult (myself) who was unfamiliar to military bearing and felt out of place, how to fit in, which I don’t think I truly ever did once at VMI. Happy to know him, Cody. He deserves his own era etched in Virginia Military Institute chronological timeline. That great of a guy. Proud to say I lived in a time of Tim. Look

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forward to my future kids getting a chance to meet the children who follow him.

“Always remember when we used to get blown out by teams. Coach used to say, ‘Now we get a chance to see who the real men are.’

Meaning will we give up since the score margin is so wide that winning the game is very unlikely. Had an option of rolling over and playing dead or digging deep searching for that hope of turning the game around, even if the score doesn’t show it or fans have left the stadium.

Tim will fight ’til the end right along with me.

Not even fazed one bit of our current standing.

Doing it all with a smile on his face. Warrior mentality. That’s him and always be him. Tim (Achilles) Maypray!”

I thank you all for entrusting me with this role as class agent. I am honored to share in your lives and be a part of your families. Tim’s legacy will live on through his beautiful wife and children, but also through the VMI Class of 2010!

Mizpah, Cody

2011

Allen McCown

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes from the Class of 2011.

2012

Bruce Howard

Class of 2012: Benjamin Alan Chamberlain was born Jan. 8, 2019. updates from Max and Bradley, I am pretty sure these two new children are already practicing Old Yells! Bradley also asked to give a shoutout to his brother, Jonathan ’19, who will be graduating as a part of the Class of 2019 this May! Lastly, I have one more update: Congratulations are in order for Andrew Deal and his fiancée, Carly, who are expecting a baby girl this May. I’m excited for you both and can’t wait to have a beautiful picture of your daughter to add in the next edition. It looks like some amazing things are happening to our class, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future.

Thank you to everyone who sent in information, and I apologize if there were any updates I may have missed. I look forward to hearing from you all before the next edition. Take care and until next time!

In the bonds, Bruce

2013

John Wilson Brother Rats, I hope this edition of the Review finds you and your families well. This edition is short and sweet, but I hope you all enjoy. I want to begin by saying congratulations to some new members of the VMI family. Max Yates and his wife, Lauren, welcomed their daughter, Lillian Elizabeth, into the world Jan. 27. Also, Bradley Chamberlain and his wife, Kandi, welcomed their son, Benjamin Alan, into the world Jan. 8. From what I can gather after the

Charles Jones

2013, Once again, it feels like it’s only been a couple of days since I submitted the last round of

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes notes three months ago. As previously mentioned, our 5th Reunion was postponed due to weather concerns. The dates for our reunion are now Sept. 27-29, 2019. I look forward to seeing everyone there! If you have questions about registering, the schedule of events or anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact me or John Wilson.

Michael Scaplehorn and his wife recently had their first child, William Michael Scaplehorn, Nov. 18, 2018. If you see him or his wife,

be sure to congratulate them!

Jeff Sexton recently returned from another deployment with 5th Special Forces Group.

Jeff is serving as an 18B (Special Forces weapons sergeant) in 5th Group.

Jeff has had several deployments throughout the Central Command area of responsibility over the last few years. Most recently, Jeff was down in Florida conducting dive training.

Sean Rogers recently returned from a deployment in support of Operation Freedom’s

Sentinel and was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” (Valor) device. Sean is a team leader in 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) and is currently stationed in Alaska. While it is no surprise to see Sean performing as an outstanding leader, it is great to see him being recognized.

As always, if you ever have anything you’d like submitted for the class notes please send an email to me or John Wilson. Our next round of notes will be submitted May 15, 2019.

Class of 2013: Michael Scaplehorn and his wife had their first child, William Michael Scaplehorn, Nov. 18, 2018.

Class of 2013: Sean Rogers was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device during a recent deployment. He is serving as a team leader in the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment (Airborne).

Class of 2013: Jeff Sexton during a recent deployment. He is currently assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group.

Class of 2013: Jeff Sexton and members of his team conducting training with the U.S. Coast Guard.

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Class Notes

2014

Samuel Guidry Taylor Floyd

Editor’s Note: We did not receive notes for the Class of 2014.

2015

Henry Meredith Johnny McDonald

Brother Rats, Correction: I incorrectly named Brice Scott “Brice Aaron” last time he was included in the class notes. If I have screwed up anyone else’s

name, please let me know. Brice can’t have his last name on Facebook (the only way we millennials know how to communicate), because I am pretty sure he is still a top secret spy for the Honor Court or something like that and doesn’t want anyone tracking him down. Kind of like witness protection, but totally different. I have absolutely zero evidence to support any of these claims, but when I did reach out to Lt. Col. Kevin Faust ’96, he refused to comment. Totally suspicious if you ask me. I will try to get Brice’s name correct later in the notes, and I am truly sorry for the mistake!

Now the notes: First and foremost, since I dropped the ball in including it in the previous notes, Taylor Rafaly graduated from law school and passed the Virginia bar. He started active duty as an Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps officer. Taylor enjoys long walks on the beach and will take cases pro bono to get your VMI disciplinary records expunged.

Dave Souliotis got out of the Army in December after a short three years and moved back to Richmond with his wife, Lauren. He is working for W.M. Jordan as a project engineer with a few (albeit unnamed) VMI grads.

When home alone, Alex Wong likes to wear his gym dyke and flex in front of the mirror before he begins his rigorous straining routine, which he completes daily. Alex compares the benefits of his routine to that of essential oils and body wraps.

Class of 2015: At her wedding, Chantal (Stark) Bryant stood with Kelly MacKenzie, her former VMI roommate; Casey Crimmins, also a former VMI roommate; Stefan Stark ’10, her brother; and Kailey Dixon ’18, her rat.

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Rob Miller married Carly Menser in Richmond Jan. 6. They are expecting a baby boy this year.

Tyler and Brittany Brickles are expecting a baby boy in April. This will be their first child. Baby Brickles will be attending VMI and will be Class of 2043. Time to get that license plate reserved.

Chantal (Stark) Bryant got married to Daniel Bryant Sept. 2, 2018, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Daniel is a Chief Warrant Officer 2 in the Army and flies Chinooks. Chantal now has two step-daughters, Lauren (11) and Leah (7). In true ranker fashion, they cut their wedding cake with her VMI saber, the same way she cut up those sloppy 1st Class privates who were out of uniform outside of barracks. Chantal is stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, and Daniel is stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.

Last August, Nick Dreybus started working at the Newport News shipyard as a structural engineer in the structural hull department for aircraft carriers. He had previously been working with a private structural engineering consulting firm in Williamsburg, Virginia, since graduating. Nick also bought a house in Poquoson, Virginia, and got engaged end of last year. Nick Maul works in a neighboring building and wonders why Nick Dreybus parks so far away from him and won’t respond to his requests to go on power-walks around the complex during their lunch break.

Hannah Dickinson Hornsby matched Offutt Air Force Base/University of Nebraska Family Medicine Residency. She is moving out to Omaha, Nebraska, in May following graduation and will be there for three years.

Shane Bohn got married Dec. 7, 2018. Shane and his wife, Katherine, are moving to Guam around August/October 2019 after his helo

Class of 2015: Chantal (Stark) Bryant and her husband, Daniel, cut their wedding with her VMI saber.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Class of 2015: Chandler Easter and his wife, Natalie. training is complete in San Diego.

Chandler Easter started working at the Port of Virginia in Norfolk in June 2018. He and his wife, Natalie, were married in Cape Charles, Virginia, July 28, 2018. Rumor has it there was a Sean Turner sighting at the open bar. They now live in Hilton Village in Newport News, Virginia.

Spencer Allen is graduating from law school at the University of Richmond in May. He just finished an externship with Justice Powell at the Supreme Court of Virginia. Spencer will be getting married to Catie Morel in September. He will also begin working with a law firm in Fredericksburg in September. This is going to be a big year, Spencer Allen!

Chris Copeland is currently working at Superior Construction as a roadway engineer after working at Skanska USA Civil for the first two years after graduation. Chris is also dabbling in a little acting and music. He released a project Feb. 1, 2019. Look for Xris COPE on any streaming service (Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, Google Play and Amazon Music).

Nolan Landers had a baby Nolan April 3, 2018, and is the chief operating officer of a startup called GetGigz. Please check this out and be sure to watch for more exciting news from Nolan as he

2019-Issue 2

grows GetGigz. His website has some really cool videos that break down what GetGigz does and how it can help you find your next gig!

Emmanuel Cooper is currently working as a bridge inspector and playing rugby. He has no kids, just a cat named Bubbles. He is currently living in the Richmond area. I like to assume he is still extremely huge and extremely soft and cuddly. (Cooper, not the cat.) Maybe Bubbles is, too.

Anyway.

Jeff Whiteman is currently living in Kailua, Hawaii, and is stationed on the USS Hopper. He recently got engaged to Amy Skaja.

Madeleine Julienne and her husband, Zsombor, welcomed their son, Philippe Ignac Nemeth, Jan. 19. He shares a birthday most notably with Gen. Robert E. Lee. Quincy Murphy is working for RK&K Engineers and relocated to the Virginia Beach Office from the Richmond office in January 2018. He worked on the first (for Virginia) Military Highway Continuous Flow Intersection. Quincy has also been promoted to Field Engineer II and is currently working on a $105 million project in Virginia Beach/Norfolk. He initially served as environmental compliance inspector and is currently serving as office engineer and field engineer. As if all of this wasn’t enough, Quincy was selected for the U.S. Marine Corps OCC-231 (Officer Candidate Course) and will be leaving for training June 1, 2019. His expected commissioning date is Aug. 10, 2019. After completion, he will serve on active duty.

Brice Scott is now stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, after moving from Fort Riley, Kansas, in November 2018. He is in Texas for the military’s interservice physician assistant program.

Brice started this program at the beginning of January 2019. (Did I get it right this time?)

Henry Meredith proposed to the love of his life, Meghan Hardman. When I asked Henry what she said, he replied, “Of course she said yes! Just look at me!” (I may have taken some liberties with that quote.)

Lastly, as it seems to work the best, I communicate with the majority of the class via Facebook.

If you are on the Facebooks and haven’t seen my posts and want to, please reach out to me. If you aren’t on Facebook, I don’t Tweeter, and my wife, Sarah, made me delete my Tinder, so feel free to reach out via email or you can call or text (my contact information is listed above). If there are better ways to keep in touch/communicate with

the class as a whole, please send me some suggestions!

This rat is a rat, Johnny

2016

Jacob Norris Patrick Hine

BRs, I hope this review finds you all doing well in whatever path you chose to follow. Notes this time around are a little sparse but still a huge shoutout is deserved for Brandon Fleming. His platoon of soldiers won the best military working dog detachment in all of U.S. Army Forces Command, and they were presented with the FORSCOM Eagle Award Feb. 14. A huge accomplishment for Brandon and his soldiers.

As for everyone else, please don’t hesitate to reach out and share any bit of information about what you have going on in your life. I personally am pretty bad about consistently keeping in touch, but I know many of our BRs look forward to reading what everyone is up to. Even if it isn’t reaching out to me for the notes, make sure you all are staying in touch with our fellow BRs. Rah Virginia Mil, and as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything at all.

2017

Benjamin Stewart

What’s up, team? I hope this finds you well and you’ve accomplished all your goals and then some. At the time I wrote this submission, it was exactly 639 days since we broke out of jail. (But who’s counting?) Actually, Andrew Bradshaw is counting; before I submitted this, I asked him (he keeps a running count, so if you’re ever wondering, give him a call). All

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Class Notes kidding aside, I’m sure we’re making the “I” proud. Check out below for a few status updates from our BRs! Drew Borinstein recently bought a house in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and is now an intelligence officer in the Marine Corps. He participated in the NATO Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE in Norway. Additionally, this past July, he was engaged to Brigitta Hendren ’19! Congratulations, Drew!

Anthony Best resigned from CBG Building Company last June after working for them for around a year in Dallas. He told me he felt called to preach the gospel, and after spending a month on a short-term mission trip in India, he enrolled at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, for the fall 2018 semester. He currently is working to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and divinity where he then wishes to transfer it into a Master of Divinity program at The Harding School of Theology in Memphis. After that, Anthony told me he would like to enter the foreign mission field by 2022.

Will Cannon also got engaged this past December and will be getting married Oct. 27, 2019. That’s just about all he had to say, typical Will Cannon being Will Cannon.

I’d like to apologize for my dyke, Sam

Class of 2017: Cameron Weatherholtz ’14; Garrett Manarin; and Manarin’s rat, Cadet Gavin Asbury ’20.

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Guidry’s [’14] comments in the previous issue to this one; he probably didn’t even submit notes this issue, anyway. Furthermore, I would like to clarify that I actually took care of him during the Rat Line. Long live room one-double-ocho.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020 for getting their rings! Especially my rat, Sumner Griffith ’20, and the rest of the other ball busters of Company B. Lastly, I’m going to continue doing every other issue. If you would like me to do every issue, please send in an update! I’ll gladly put it in with the next issue. I am however; so glad to see that the VMI 2017 Parents Facebook page is still keeping up with our progress; who knew they graduated from VMI, also?

With that being said, I’ll close this out with a few points. Stay safe, send some prayers to those deployed and download Uber.

Cheers, Ben Stewart

2018

Carlee Anderson Matt Esnardo

Class of 2018: We hope this update finds you all happy and healthy. The holiday season has passed us, and without a doubt the Class of ’18 has been busy. Firstly, we want to welcome the newest members of our alumni family – December graduates! The victory lap is something only few are strong enough to do – and for that we commend you!

And to you McCaffery, we know you’ll get there someday, buddy.

In other news, Matthew Esnardo has been added to the Class Agent team. Matt, as usual,

Class of 2018: December graduates Aaliyah Lyttle and Jared Silva pictured after commencement. is very excited to give back to our class. And no, Emily has not come around. Maybe next time!

Second Lieutenants Joey Brown, Billy Hogan and Josh Heinz successfully graduated from the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. All three are currently at the Basic School with the remaining of 2018’s Marine officers.

Second lieutenants Sam Koranda, Townsend Wilburn, Kate Dixon, Tom Schmitt, Michael Landry, Kendra Appleby, Mikayla Shuflat, Campbell Wood, Anthony “Tarndog” Tarnowksi, Patrick Doolin, Ross Schmeisser, Matthew Davis and Hunter Sargent graduated The Basic School. They are all attending or about to attend their follow on schools before hitting Fleet Marine Force.

Second Lieutenant Patrick Lenahan and Chelsie Divver got married May 19, 2018, at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in Staunton, Virginia.

The evening was full of great memories with alumni from the Class of 2018. Since their delightful wedding, Patrick has begun his career with the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron and the couple have relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana.

VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Class of 2018: Ben and Michele Washachek with fellow VMI alumni Sam Pacheco, Rawls Fortenberry, Nick Holdren, Cole Taggart, Henry Wiswall, Jon Kaiser, Garrett Briggs, Matt Lansford ’15 and Anthony Pacheco ’15.

Class of 2018: December graduate Corris Atkins with his family. Corris’ brother, Cadet Jack Atkins ’22, is continuing the Atkins tradition at the Institute.

Also married were 2nd Lt. Ben Washachek and Michele Kraly Dec. 29, 2018.

2nd Lt. Samantha Stockmal graduated from U.S. Army Air Assault School in December. Sam is a member of the world’s only air assault division and was required to complete this course.

Liam Burke and Colin Emrich just finished

2019-Issue 2

Class of 2018: December Graduate Paul Conteh pictured with his mentor, Ed Wetherell ’88, Sheila Wetherell and their son, Cadet Thomas Wetherell ’22.

Class of 2018: U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Patrick and Mrs. Lenahan on their wedding day in Lexington, Virginia.

U.S. Army Ranger School. They are the first from our class to finish Ranger School. This course is required for all U.S. Army infantry officers and also serves as the Army’s premier combat leadership school.

Emily Fulton’s brother, Drew, finished up his last round of chemotherapy this month! The

Fulton family is very thankful for the overwhelming amount of thoughts and prayers that was sent their way during this troubling time.

The VMI family will forever remain 66 strong!

Keep fighting the good fight, 2018.

Good luck and God bless!

Carlee and Matt

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VMI Alumni Review

Class Notes

Baby Keydets WITHERELL – A son, Edward Lincoln, to Marissa and Blake Witherell ’02, Dec. 14, 2019.

Marriages SMITH – Jan Bryant to Clayton Smith ’61, March 9, 2019.

BOCEK – A son, John Ludden, to Stephanie and John Bocek ’03, Jan. 4, 2019.

HALE – A daughter, Jovie Elizabeth, to Ashley and Willie Hale ’03, Dec. 30, 2018.

AYRES – A daughter, Layla Elizabeth, to Carrie Rutledge and Daniel Ayres ’04, Dec. 27, 2018.

CHAMBERLAIN – A son, Benjamin Allen, to Kandi and Bradley Chamberlain ’12, Jan. 8, 2018.

VMI’s 10 Most Senior Alumni According to the records of the VMI Alumni Agencies, the people listed below constitute the 10 senior alumni of the Institute.

Please contact the Alumni Review staff if any errors are noted.

Robert C. Maling ’41

Aug. 16, 1919

C.W. Abbitt ’41

May 25, 1920

John Y. Embrey ’42

June 17, 1920

B.W. Baker ’42

July 1, 1920

George Eng ’43

July 6, 1920

Jack N. Williams ’41

Sept. 8, 1920

Donald H. Foster ’43

Dec. 24, 1920

W. Settle Frank ’43

Jan. 20, 1921

Gunyon M. Harrison Jr. ’43 Richard H. Catlett Jr. ’43

2019-Issue 2

March 6, 1921 May 1, 1921

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Provisional Appointments APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

2028 (cont.)

2023 Andrew Shetter

APPOINTEE’S NAME

Donald S. Browder ’77

Lucy C. Hagan

Great-uncle

Joseph A. Hagan IV ’97

Father

John M. Hagan ’911

Great-great-great-

2024 Charles F. Cantrell

Joseph E. Bush ’65

Grandfather

Emily R. Loduca

David P. Loduca ’81

Uncle

William C. Hagan ’915

uncle

Great-great-great-

uncle

Joseph A. Hagan Sr. ’916

Great-great-

John C. Hagan Jr. ’921

Great-great-great-

Joseph A. Hagan Jr. ’42

Great-grandfather

2026

William C. Hagan ’43

Great-great-uncle

Tyler D. Hagan

Thomas R. McNamara ’46

Great-great-uncle

grandfather

2025 Andrew G. Caul

James C. Caul ’71

Grandfather

Suzanne Lohr

Louis A. Farmer ’58

Grandfather

uncle

Joseph A. Hagan IV ’97

Father

John M. Hagan ’911

Great-great-great-

John C. Hagan III ’50B

Cousin

John M. Hagan Jr. ’50B

Cousin

Great-great-great-

Robert R. Hagan ’50B

Great-great-uncle

John Y. Neal ’53

Great-uncle

Joseph A. Hagan III ’68

Grandfather

grandfather

David B. Hagan ’69

Great-uncle

Great-great-great-

Mark D. Hagan ’95

Cousin

Samuel S. Dobbins ’10

Cousin Cousin

William C. Hagan ’915 Joseph A. Hagan Sr. ’916 John C. Hagan Jr. ’921

uncle uncle

Great-great-

uncle

Aidain Hopkins John C. Jordan Logan Mallow

Joseph A. Hagan Jr. ’42

Great-grandfather

William C. Hagan III ’11

William C. Hagan ’43

Great-great-uncle

Carroll D. Hagan ’05

Cousin

Thomas R. McNamara ’46

Great-great-uncle

John C. Hagan III ’50B

Cousin

2029

John M. Hagan Jr. ’50B

Cousin

Amelia Bowman

Donald S. Crawford ’70

Grandfather

Robert R. Hagan ’50B

Great-great-uncle

Benjamin J. Bryson

Dale A. Bryson ’77

Father

John Y. Neal ’53

Great-uncle

Rachel G.A. Maternick

Michael R. Maternick ’08

Father

Joseph A. Hagan III ’68

Grandfather

David B. Hagan ’69

Great-uncle

2031

Mark D. Hagan ’95

Cousin

Carter Bowman

Donald S. Crawford ’70

Grandfather

Samuel S. Dobbins ’10

Cousin

Ruth E. Bryson

Dale A. Bryson ’77

Father

William C. Hagan III ’11

Cousin

Angelina L. Massey

Thomas C. Massey ’70

Great-uncle

Carroll D. Hagan ’05

Cousin

Daniel F. Commerford ’76

Grandfather

2032

Richard J. Commerford ’81

Great-uncle

Ethan M. Mullen

Francis M. Mullen III ’72

Grandfather

John R. Jordan ’70

Grandfather

Logan J. Mullen

Francis M. Mullen III ’72

Grandfather

Robert F. Jordan Jr. ’64

Uncle

John J. Vinacco

Michael J. Vinacco ’08

Father

Kyle D. Haire ’03

Uncle 2033 William A. Kump ’98

Father

Adeline T. Gibson

Christopher T. Gibson ’94

Father

Cyrus K. Kump ’68

Grandfather

Gianna Gionti

Joseph J. Gionti ’91

Father

Cyrus S. Kump ’04

Uncle

Megan K. Timmes

Thomas C. Timmes ’92

Father

Cyrus S. Kump ’928

Great-grandfather

Timothy G. Bosetti ’90

Uncle

Charlotte A. Maternick

Michael R. Maternick ’08

Father

Wyatt Matthews

Alison (Cassell) Matthews ’04 Mother

William R. Kump

2027

2028 Daniel A. Bryson

162

Dale A. Bryson ’77

Father

Arthur A. Matthews ’03

Father

VMI Alumni Review

Provisional Appointments APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

2034 Sara N. Bryson

Dale A. Bryson ’77

Father

Alyssa P. Massey

Thomas C. Massey ’70

APPOINTEE’S NAME

ALUMNUS-CLASS

RELATIONSHIP

Anne C. Collier (cont.)

John C. Collier ’09

Uncle

Natalie Craddock

Steven C. Craddock ’70

Grandfather

Great-uncle

J. Roger Craddock ’63

Great-uncle

Nicholas M.I. Maternick Michael R. Maternick ’08

Father

John C. Craddock Jr. ’65

Great-uncle

Joseph Weis

Uncle

Elinor C. Halin

Jason M. Halin ’02

Father

Murphy J. Hardey

James W. Hardey ’12

Father

Troy V. Heskett ’86

Grandfather

William E. Inman ’17

Father

Matthew D. Cichy ’02

2035 Jonathan A. Maternick

Michael R. Maternick ’08

Father

David P. Loduca ’81

Uncle

2036

Sawyer R. Inman

James P. Inman ’86

Grandfather

Alex T. Jarrett

Gary K. Maynard II ’84

Grandfather

Jack W. Haire

Kyle D. Haire ’03

Father

Preston Kuehne

Jeffrey E. Kuehne ’01

Father

Luca D. Vinacco

Norman J. Worrell ’72

Grandfather

Declan C. Linderman

Matthew L. Linderman ’97

Father

Michael J. Vinacco ’08

Father

Wesley J. McComas

Matthew S. McComas ’00

Father

Drew C. Noelte

Adam D. Noelte ’05

Father

Parker T. Sain

Kathleen (Resetar) Sain ’07

Mother

Lucas F.R. Maternick

Michael R. Maternick ’08

Father

Brian G. Sain ’08

Father

Penelope J. Mullen

Francis M. Mullen III ’72

Grandfather

Laura G. Resetar ’11

Aunt

Todd G. Sain ’75

Grandfather

Frederick W. Sherman Jr. ’78

Grandfather

David A. Lawler ’71

Cousin

2037

Ian F. St. John

2038 Silas Clark

Brent S. Clark ’15

Father

Jonathan J. Manor

Ryan P. Manor ’02

Father

Edward Ernouf III ’67

Cousin

Beatrix R. Mullen

Francis M. Mullen III ’72

Grandfather

Charleston J. Tammelin

Justin S. Tammelin ’09

Father

Victoria Sain

Kathleen (Resetar) Sain ’07

Mother

Salvatore Tesoriero

Amanda F. Moore ’09

Mother

Brian G. Sain ’08

Father

Daniel R. Traina

Stephen B. Traina ’03

Father

Laura G. Resetar ’11

Aunt

Abigail Williams

David M. Williams ’07

Father

Todd G. Sain ’75

Grandfather

Shepherd R. Williams

Sean M. Williams ’98

Father

Phillip A. Wilkerson ’08

Father

Enzo Zammit

Alison (Cassell) Matthews ’04

Mother

Brooks B. Ashton

James P. Inman ’86

Grandfather

Jameson L. Adams

Christopher N. Adams ’03

Father

Ella E. Garcia

Michael A. Kelly ’73

Grandfather

Hudson W. Barrow

Wesley A. Barrow ’99

Father

Beatrice E. Heely

Conor L. Heely ’05

Father

Kerrigan S. Berk

Joshua A. Berk ’01

Father

Robert A. Heely Sr. ’69

Cousin

James T.L. Bowman

Brandon L. Bowman ’01

Father

Robert A. Heely Jr. ’98

Cousin

Coleton N. DiDomenico Joseph J. DiDomenico ’04

Addyson E. Hill

Robert P. Hill Jr. ’08

Father

Catherine B. DiDomenico ’07

Mother

Brayden Ladrigan

Sean A. Ladrigan ’97

Father

Eleanor E. Minter

Justin S. Minter ’10

Father

Lana Lim

Alex H. Lim ’08

Father

Zoey R.M. Parry

Eugene T. Gormley ’88

Grandfather

Oberia L. McMillan

Michael A. Kelly ’73

Grandfather

William L. Purnell

Sean T. Purnell ’11

Father

Liam C. Parsons

Steven N. Parsons ’06

Father

James M. Putnam

Stephen M. Putnam ’08

Father

Gerard E. Payne III

Gerard E. Payne Jr. ’08

Father

William M. Scaplehorn

Michael K. Scaplehorn ’13

Father

Brooks Rainey

Joseph G. Rainey ’08

Father

George A. Sussman

Chad A. Sussman ’12

Father

Gregory D. Oldland ’15

Uncle

D. Scott Wagner ’86

Grandfather

A. Watts Wagner ’929

Great-great-

David W. Wagner ’62

Great-grandfather

Andrew Wilkerson

2041

2039

2040 Joseph W. Bartol Jr. Anne C. Collier

2019-Issue 2

John W. Tilson Joseph W. Bartol ’09

Father

Rudolph J. Bartol ’79

Grandfather

William C. Collier ’06

Father

William C. Collier ’72

Grandfather

Father

grandfather

163

Taps Herschel V. Bray III ’45

Jefferson Randolph C. Esser ’45

Bachelor of Science degree from Randolph Macon College, a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Emory University and Master of Arts degree from Emory University.

He is survived by his wife, Emily Jean Gilbert; children, Randolph L. Jones Jr., Caroline Jones Vose (Marv), Lenore Jean Jones and Catherine Jones McClarin; grandchildren, Genevieve Vose Wallace, Chuck Lauer Vose (Erica) and Samuel Hungerford; and great-grandson, Owen John Wallace.

He was preceded in death by his son, Donald Jones; sisters, Perry Lee Jones Cumming and Catherine Jones Frith; brothers, Harry T. Jones Jr. ’43, who died Dec. 2, 2013, and Joseph R. Jones ’45, who died Oct. 27, 2007; and father, Harry T. Jones ’908, who died Sept. 16, 1979.

Jefferson Randolph Cary Esser ’45 of Birmingham, Alabama, died Dec. 19, 2018.

He was 95.

Esser matriculated from Norton, Virginia, and spent two years at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Lehigh University.

He is survived by his children, Randy ’76 (Carolyn), Karyn and Doug (Jennifer); grandchildren, Katie Hammock (Thomas), David Esser (Megan), Ben Esser, Andrew Esser and Ethan Esser; and great-grandchildren, Sam and Caroline Hammock, Riley, and Beth and Marshall Esser.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Swanson Esser.

William James Price IV ’46 of Ocean Ridge, Florida, died Dec. 11, 2018. He was 94.

Price matriculated from Ruxton, Maryland, and spent seven months at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Yale University.

He is survived by his children, Marjorie Price Whitlock (Michael), Jonathan Robbins Price (Melissa), William J. Price V (Carrington) and Juliet Robbins Price (Brian Harris); eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and sister, Dorsey Price Salerno (Robert).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Beard Price, and brother, Douglas Robbins Price.

Herschel Victor “Vic” Bray III ’45 of McLean, Virginia, died Oct. 10, 2018. He was 95.

Bray matriculated from Elkhart, Indiana, and spent two years at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Western Michigan.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis J. Bray; children, Thomas Debrayanna, Deborah Boyle (Bryan) and Susie Nibley (Neil); grandchildren, Dana Solof, Samantha Gaston, Jacob Boyle, Rhianna Debrayanna, Ben and Ross Finzen, Cassie Adkins and Tanner Nibley; and seven great-grandchildren.

Samuel D. Hathaway ’45 Samuel Devereaux Hathaway ’45 of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died April 27, 2018. He was 95.

Hathaway matriculated from Danville, Virginia, and spent over one year at VMI. He is survived by his daughter, Kate Hathaway; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Karin Hathaway, Betsy Andrews and Anne Williams (Kim); and daughters-in-law, Martha Wickelhaus and Lois Smith.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Louisa Kyle Hathaway; brothers, Taylor Hathaway and Gardner Hathaway; sons, Dev Hathaway and Bill Hathaway; and daughter-in-law, Barbara Hathaway.

Randolph L. Jones ’46 Rev. Randolph Lee Jones ’46 of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, died Nov. 16, 2018. He was 93.

Jones matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and spent six months at VMI. He earned a

164

W. James Price IV ’46

James W. Stephens Jr. ’46 The Hon. James Warren Stephens Jr. ’46 of Newport News, Virginia, died Dec. 1, 2018.

He was 93.

Stephens matriculated from Newport News and spent six months at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Montague; children, Peter Warren Stephens (Victoria), Mary Graham “Molly” Anderson (Arthur) and Edwin Ford Stephens (Beth); and grandchildren, Mary Montague “Montie” Anderson, Eric Conrad Anderson, Lucy Catlett Anderson, Bethany Jean Stephens, James Warren Stephens II, Charles Warren Stephens, David Graham Stephens and Ann Bedford Stephens.

Ernest W. Beasley Jr. ’47 Ernest W. Beasley Jr. ’47, M.D., of Atlanta, Georgia, died Jan. 6, 2019. He was 94.

Beasley matriculated from Salem, Virginia,

and spent less than five months at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Ann Lee Jeffreys Beasley; daughters, Janet Ann Greer (Glen) and Barbara Elaine Paine (Joe); son, Ernest W. Beasley III (Steppie), M.D.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Elizabeth “Mimi” Beasley, M.D.

Charles M. Andrews ’48B Charles Morris Andrews ’48B of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, died Dec. 7, 2018. He was 91.

Andrews matriculated from Beaver Falls and spent more than one year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

He is survived by his wife, Joann Stewart Andrews, and son, Charles Mark Andrews.

William B. May ’49A William Burkhardt May ’49A, D.D.S., of Midlothian, Virginia, died Oct. 1, 2018. He was 90.

May matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medical from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Richmond and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Medical College of Virginia.

He is survived by his sons, Robert, Bruce and Bill Jr.; two daughters-in-law; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley May, and his second wife, Dolores Keeton.

Thomas R. Cooke ’49B Thomas Russell Cooke ’49B of Rockbridge Baths, Virginia, died Nov. 20, 2018. He was 90.

Cooke matriculated from Lynchburg, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Bruce Cooke; brother, Wylie R. Cooke (Holly); sisterin-law, Nancy T. Bruce; and brother-in-law, Thomas A. Hipp.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Langhorne Cooke Hipp.

Kenneth E. Stagg ’50A Kenneth Elliott Stagg ’50A of Richmond, Virginia, died Nov. 1, 2018. He was 90.

Stagg matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and spent two years at VMI. He earned a

VMI Alumni Review

Taps Bachelor of Arts degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Jane “B.J.” Boney Stagg; sons, Kenny Stagg (Heather) and William S. Stagg ’97 (Michelle); and sister-in-law, Mary Stagg.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, William L. Stagg III ’44, who died April 24, 2000, and Paul W. Stagg ’48A, who died Sept. 4, 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Noeltner Becker; children, Stephen (Susan), Kathleen Brubaker, Paul and Michelle (Carl); eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Martha Fierle and Irene Harding, and brother, Elwood Becker.

James L. Martin ’52

John M. Hagan Jr. ’50B John Morton Hagan Jr. ’50B of Boulder, Colorado, died Nov. 22, 2018. He was 91.

Hagan matriculated from Suffolk, Virginia, and spent more than four months at VMI. He is survived by his sister, Jane Hagan; daughter, Dawn Hagan (Scott MacLaren); son, John M. Hagan III (Becky); granddaughter, Ariel Hagan Newell (Matt); and great-granddaughter, Fern Jacqueline Ewell.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jacqueline Smith Hagan.

Henry L. Baxley Jr. ’51 Henry Little Baxley Jr. ’51 of Marshall, Virginia, died Nov. 26, 2018. He was 88.

Baxley matriculated from Hume, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Ursula Beverley Baxley; son, John Hirst Baxley (Ruth Philipp); daughter, Ruth Baxley Prideaux (Paul Mitchell); and grandchildren, Ann Beverley Prideaux, Jack Philipp Baxley and William Hirst Baxley.

William B. Dawson ’51 William Byrd Dawson ’51 of Henrico, Virginia, died Nov. 5, 2018. He was 88.

Dawson matriculated from Reedville, Virginia, and spent one year at VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Strayer University.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Mae Williams Dawson; son, Rev. Robert Byrd Dawson; daughter, Kimberly Mae Dawson Boyer (John); seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Morgan Byrd Dawson.

George E. Becker Jr. ’52 George Edward Becker Jr. ’52 of Lititz, Pennsylvania, died Jan. 13, 2019. He was 87.

Becker matriculated from Eggertsville, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from VMI.

2019-Issue 2

James Lawrence Martin ’52, Ph.D., of Hopewell, New Jersey, died Dec. 9, 2018. He was 88.

Martin matriculated from Montclair, New Jersey, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from Rutgers University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Penn State University.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Clarke; daughters, Christine Martin Buck, Jennifer Martin-Kochis and Catherine Martin Luginsland; and seven granddaughters.

Becker ’52

James W. Meek ’53 James Warfield Meek ’53 of Bowie, Maryland, died Dec. 25, 2018. He was 87.

Meek matriculated from Worthington, Ohio, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from Stanford University.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; son, Bradley; daughter, Susannah Pilotte (Jeff); and grandchildren, Edward and Mary.

William R. Guy ’54 William Ray Guy ’54 of Jackson, Alabama, died May 16, 2016. He was 84.

Guy matriculated from Jackson and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Marion Institute and a Master of Science degree from Bridgewater College.

He is survived by his wife, Helen P. Guy; children, Gretchen Wauddy (Robert), Ursula Bohnenberger (Fred) and W. Rockford Guy; and grandchildren, Robert and Hannah Wauddy and Helen, Anna and William Bohnenberger.

Robert A. Hanson ’54 Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Alan Hanson ’54 of Overland Park, Kansas, died Jan. 18, 2019. He was 86.

Hanson matriculated from Steubenville, Ohio, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He earned a Master of

Arts degree from Chapman University.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; sons, Geoff (Emily) and Eric (Katy); grandson, Darcy; and granddaughters, Emma and Sophie.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Sam Robert.

Leonard A. Wagner ’54 Leonard Archer “Honus” Wagner ’54 of Williamsburg, Virginia, died Dec. 9, 2018. He was 86.

Wagner matriculated from Portsmouth, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter, Susan McLaughlin; and grandson, Walker McLaughlin.

He was preceded in death by his son, Leonard Dale Wagner ’82, who died July 19, 2002.

Norman S. Harris ’55 Norman Stuart Harris ’55, M.D., of Amherst, Virginia, died Dec. 12, 2018. He was 85.

Harris matriculated from Lynchburg, Virginia. A distinguished graduate of VMI, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Joanna; children, Martha Terrell Burruss (Bill), Norman Stuart Harris Jr. (Malinda), Joanna Ruth Marsland (Tom) and Elizabeth Harris (Scott); grandchildren, George and Boyd Burruss, Walker, Emma Ruth and Mary Elizabeth Harris, Harris Marsland, and Norman and Ruth Burian; and brother, Herbert Latham Harris (Mary).

He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Adams Harris Jr.

William F. Wege ’55 William Frederick Wege ’55 of North Falmouth, Massachusetts, died Jan. 12, 2019. He was 87.

Wege matriculated from Schenectady, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Jane Pacheco Wege; daughter, Jan Marie Connolly; grandchildren, Victoria Connolly Berg (Alex) and Cameron Connolly; and brother, Wilfred Wege.

Russell G. Stewart Jr. ’56 Russell George Stewart Jr. ’56 of Townsend, Georgia, died Dec. 10, 2018. He was 84.

Stewart matriculated from Lake Charles,

165

Taps Louisiana, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; daughters, Brenda Whitehurst, Kathie Palmer, Patricia Dess and Cecilia Hunter; sons, Russell G. Stewart III ’82 and Matthew Lee Stewart; grandchildren, Russell G. Stewart IV, Lauren Marie Stewart, Nicholas Hunter, Katie Hunter, Ian Dess, Adam Dess and Maddie Stewart; and great-grandchildren, Russell G. Stewart V and Corey-Elizabeth Stewart.

Hans R. Meinig Jr. ’58 Hans Richard Meinig Jr. ’58 of Reading, Pennsylvania, died Jan. 11, 2019. He was 82.

Meinig matriculated from Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor C. “Rusty” Meinig; grandson, Michael P. Bean; son-in-law Kevin M. Bean; and half-sisters, Elsa Hessler, Susan Gyorky (Attila), Marianne Castaneda (Arturo), Carolyn Doyle (Darrell) and Elizabeth Engle (Michaele).

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kristin E. Bean.

Roland L. Tharp Jr. ’58 Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Roland Lee Tharp Jr. ’58 of Henrico, Virginia, died Dec. 29, 2018.

He was 80.

Tharp matriculated from Winchester, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Arts degree from Webster University.

He is survived by his sons, Brian L. Tharp (Lisa), David H. Tharp (Jane) and Kevin A. Tharp (Dana); grandchildren, Alexander Tharp, Veronica Harless, Christina Galownia, D.J. Tharp, Mark Tharp, Grace Tharp, Griffin Tharp and Ashlyn Tharp; and great-granddaughter, Francis Harless.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, and son, Bruce.

Jan B. Woodman ’58 Jan Barrett Woodman ’58 of Alexandria, Virginia, died Nov. 14, 2018. He was 83.

Woodman matriculated from Alexandria and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Jean Androus Woodman, and daughters, Deborah Woodman Carrico, Courtnay Woodman Weitekamp (Jim), Jessica Godwin (Terry), Eve Anne Woodman and Alexandra Woodman Johnson (Geoffrey).

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He was preceded in death by his sister, Melinda Gill Woodman Vlahos.

Edward L. Fall Jr. ’59 Edward Leo Fall Jr. ’59 of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died Dec. 12, 2018. He was 81.

Fall matriculated from Richmond, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Richmond.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne W. Fall; children, Stephanie Fall Jones (retired Brig. Gen. Peter Jones), Cynthia Fall Ott (retired Capt. David Ott), John E. Fall (Suzanne) and David C. Fall ’95 (Marti); grandchildren, Lincoln and Thayer Jones, Nicholas, Madeline and Alexandra Ott, Davis, Sydney and Harrison Fall, and Ryann and David Fall; and sister, Jean E. Haire.

Robert E. Clay Jr. ’60 Robert Edward Clay Jr. ’60 of Smithfield, Virginia, died Jan. 15, 2019. He was 80.

Clay matriculated from Smithfield and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy Langhorne Gwaltney Clay; sons, Robert Edward Clay III (Laurie) and Howard Gwaltney Clay (Leigh Anne); daughter, Katherine Langhorne Clay Willis (Ros); six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and sister, Claire Clay Amott.

Thomas N. Daniel Jr. ’60 Thomas Nance “Tom” Daniel Jr. ’60 of Bristol, Tennessee, died Dec. 9, 2018. He was 80.

Daniel matriculated from Bristol and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann Carmody Daniel; step-children, Laura Leigh Demo-Stephens (Jeff), Maria Ann DemoHungate (Rob) and James Andrew Demo (Tracie); step-grandchildren, Emily Clark Dillow (Michael), Aaron Clark, Jack Anderson, Coleman Demo (Shelbi), Zach Demo and Ethan Demo; and step-great-granddaughters, Emma and Ella Dillow.

N. Michael Bissell ’61 Retired Brig. Gen. Norman Michael Bissell ’61 of Haymarket, Virginia, died Feb. 7, 2019.

He was 80.

(Editor’s Note: An extended obituary for Bissell appears in the In Memory section of this issue.)

Harry S.G.T. Carmichael III ’61 Retired U.S. Army Col. Harry “Mike” St. George Tucker Carmichael III ’61 of Lexington, Virginia, died Nov. 30, 2018. He was 79.

Carmichael matriculated from Lexington, Kentucky, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Laws degree from George Washington University.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne; daughter, Anne Lovelace (David); son, Henry S.G.T. “Tucker” Carmichael IV ’91 (Alicia); and grandchildren, Jackson, Carson and Catherine Wilkie and Saint Carmichael.

David A. Magee ’61 David Allen Magee ’61 of Palm Coast, Florida, died Dec. 2, 2018. He was 78.

Magee matriculated from Petersburg, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree in civil engineering from Lehigh University.

He is survived by his wife, Carole; children, David (Rebecca), Dawn (Darryl) and Douglas (Lindsey); and grandchildren, Morgan, Megan, Rachel, Jessica, Katelyn, Mark and Colin.

Gerald D. Connors ’62 Gerald Doran Connors ’62, D.D.S., of Mercedes, Texas, died, Dec. 21, 2018. He was 78.

Connors matriculated from Hamburg, New York, and spent three years at VMI. He earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Medical College of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Kimberly, Timothy and Jason (Maria); step-children, Richard Matthews Jr. (Fran) and Deborah Matthews; daughter-in-law, Meg Connors; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Ryan, and brothers, William Connors and Jack Connors.

Frederic E. Consolvo III ’62 Frederic Egner “Fred” Consolvo III ’62 of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died Dec. 7, 2018. He was 78.

Consolvo matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He is survived by his daughter, Beth Marie Consolvo; son, Frederic E. “Gus” Consolvo IV; grandchildren, Alexia, Sara and Jacob Rushin, Mary Jane Johnson, and Hannah, Alessa and

VMI Alumni Review

Taps Pasiley Consolvo; brothers, Francis Edwin Pritchard Jr. (Deborah) and John William Pritchard; and sister, Alice Consolvo.

He is survived by his daughter, Carmela Taylor; grandchildren, Bronson, Annabella and Christian; and sisters, Elaine Piter and Arlene Buckley.

Robert R. Baldwin ’63

Sammie L. Porter ’64

Retired U.S. Army Col. Robert Renton Baldwin ’63 of Lexington, Virginia, died Jan. 11, 2019.

He was 78.

Baldwin matriculated from West Orange, New Jersey. He was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in math.

Baldwin earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Washington and Lee University and a Master of Laws degree from New York University.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Ann; children, Catheryn Ann, Robert Renton Jr. and Elizabeth Marie; grandchildren, Samantha Renton and Timothy James; and brother, Albert Fairchild Baldwin III. He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol “Petey” Flynn.

Sammie Lee Porter ’64 of Lake Wylie, South Carolina, died Nov. 4, 2018. He was 76.

Porter matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and spent three years at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Dian; daughter, Courtney Mueller; son, Eric Porter; and four grandchildren.

John J. White ’63 John James White ’63 of North Vernon, Indiana, died Dec. 1, 2018. He was 77.

White matriculated from Rockford, Illinois. He was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. White earned a Master of Science degree from Loyola University Chicago and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan.

He is survived by his wife, Marsha White; son, Kevin White; daughter, Allison Risch (James); sister, Tracy Messina (Greg, M.D.); sister-in-law, Althea Patkey (Desi); grandchild, Chelsea Tanner; and mother of his children, Caroline Pitt.

White was preceded in death by his brother, Allen Brandon White.

James M. Bailie ’64 James Matthew Bailie ’64 of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died Oct. 7, 2014. He was 72.

Bailie matriculated from Hampton, Virginia, and spent more than four months at VMI. He is survived by his former wife, Sondra Bailie; son, Brian (Anita); and daughter, Tracy (Andrew).

William B. Gaffney ’64 William Brien Gaffney ’64 of Williston, Florida, died Nov. 2, 2018. He was 76.

Gaffney matriculated from Stamford, Connecticut, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the Florida Institute of Technology.

2019-Issue 2

Michael L. Farrar ’65 Michael Lewis Farrar ’65 of Columbia, South Carolina, died Nov. 10, 2018. He was 75.

Farrar matriculated from Hot Springs, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne; sons, Jeffrey Austin and Blake Cameron; and grandchildren, Everett Mason and Edith Maysie.

John D. Fore ’66 John Daniel Fore ’66 of Treasure Island, Florida, died Jan. 17, 2019. He was 75.

Fore matriculated from Sandston, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He is survived by his former wife, Susan Brown.

David T. Bush ’69

Michael P. Anderson ’76 Michael Perry Anderson ’76 of Loris, South Carolina, died Dec. 31, 2018. He was 64.

Anderson matriculated from Woodville, Virginia, and spent one year at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Ruth F. Anderson; children, Kirk, Joanna and Scott (Renee); parents, Robert P. and Roberta T. Anderson; stepson, Nickolas Turriff; granddaughter, Ryder; and sister, Jennifer L. Anderson, M.D.

John E. Quackenbush ’77 John Edward Quackenbush ’77 of North Richland Hills, Texas, died Nov. 6, 2018. He was 63.

Quackenbush matriculated from Commack, New York. He was a distinguished graduate of VMI and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He earned a Master of Arts degree from Webster University.

He is survived by his wife, Teresa M. Pacheco Quackenbush; sons, Carlos Rojas and Mauricio Caballero; daughter, Alexandra Caballero; grandson, Oliver Ferris-Rojas; brother, William Quackenbush (Lisa); and sister, Lynne Quackenbush.

Mark J. Grubber ’80 Mark Joseph Grubber ’80 of Drury, Missouri, died Dec. 12, 2018. He was 59.

Grubber matriculated from Southold, New York, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Marie Payne, and sisters, Kimberly, Margaret and Leigh.

David Thomas Bush ’69 of Wytheville, Virginia, died Jan. 12, 2019.

He was 71.

Bush matriculated from Roanoke, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering James P. Migliarese ’81 from VMI. James Paul Migliarese ’81 of RichHe is survived by his wife, Gail Meads mond, Virginia, died Dec. 23, 2018.

Bush; daughters, Ashley B. Hickman He was 59.

(Brad) and Holly B. Crawford (Drew); Migliarese matriculated from Salem, son, Clayton (Candice); grandchilBush ’69 Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of dren, Ellie Grace Hickman, Hailey Kate Hickman, Brynn McCall Crawford, Colin Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Brenda; daughters, Charles Crawford and Charles Winston Bush; Mary and Melissa; brothers, Greg (Kim) and and brother, Joseph E. Bush (Katherine).

Tim (Kristine); sisters, Gina (Dean), Rose Ann (George), Alyssa (Mike) and Katy (Tim); sonThomas H. Hood ’69 Thomas Harvey Hood ’69 of Ashburn, Vir- in-law, Braden; and sister-in-law, Sara.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Ted. ginia, died Oct. 19, 2018. He was 71.

Hood matriculated from Cookeville, Tennessee, and spent one year at VMI. He is survived by his wife, Judith Hood; daughter, Rebecca (Robert); son, Steven; and sister-in-law, Mary Hart.

Frank E. Reece ’81 Frank Edward Reece ’81 of Norfolk, Virginia, died Dec. 2018. He was 59.

Reece matriculated from Virginia Beach,

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Taps Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from VMI. Reece is survived by his father, William Reece; brother, William “Bill” Reece; daughter, Meredith Reece Charette (Jodey); and grandchildren, Taryn and Gage.

Erik D. France ’82 Erik Donald France ’82 of Willow Park, Texas, died Dec. 28, 2018. He was 58.

France matriculated from Durham, North Carolina, and spent more than five months at VMI. He is survived by his mother, brother and two sisters.

Christian J. Wolf Jr. ’85 Christian Johann Wolf Jr. ’85 of Martinsville, Virginia, died Nov. 5, 2018. He was 56.

Wolf matriculated from Highland Lakes, New Jersey, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from VMI. He earned a Master of Science degree from Jersey City State College.

He is survived by his sister, Edith Wolf Marucci (Anthony).

Kent P. Sparks ’87 Kent Patton Sparks ’87 of Forsyth, Georgia, died Dec. 17, 2018. He was 54.

Sparks matriculated from Dayton, Tennessee, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a master’s degree from Georgia Southern University.

He is survived by his wife, Misty; daughters, Shea, Addie and Laurel; brother, Mike; and sisters, Cathy and Betty.

Timothy W. Maypray II ’10 Timothy Wayne Maypray II ’10 of Mooresville, North Carolina, died Jan. 15, 2019. He was 30.

Maypray matriculated from Madisonville, Kentucky, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Bianca Maypray; sons, Timothy W. Maypray III and Noah Maypray; daughter, Madison J. Maypray; mother, Rose Jones; brother, Minister Quincy Hall (Charisse); and sister, Ashley Maypray.

Justin L. McCarty ’14 Justin Lee McCarty ’14 of Louisa, Virginia, died Jan. 5, 2019. He was 27.

McCarty matriculated from West Point, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca; father,

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Thomas McCarty; mother, Lindica; step-father, Timothy Merchent; sister, Samantha Burrill (Jon); and grandfather, Gerald Keith.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Susan Keith, and grandfather, Thomas M. Wilson.

VMI Family Henry S. Bausum Col. Henry S. Bausum of Beloit, Wisconsin, died Jan. 5, 2019. He was 94.

Bausum served as a professor and chair of VMI’s history department for 25 years.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores; children, David (Mary) and Ann; grandsons, Sam and Jake; step-grandson, Andrew (Suzanne), step-granddaughter, Siona; and sister, Mary Catherine.

Edward L. Claiborn Col. Edward L. Claiborn of Logan, Utah, died Jan. 15, 2019. He was 85.

Claiborn formerly taught in VMI’s economics department.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Claiborn; daughters, Kelley Fallin and Candis Claiborn; grandchildren, Megan and Wesley Fallin; and brother, William Claiborn.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Elaine Burkey; and brother, Jack Claiborn.

John O. Marsh Jr. (Hon.) The Hon. John Otho Marsh Jr. (Hon.) of Winchester, Virginia, died Feb. 4, 2019. He was 92.

(Editor’s Note: An extended obituary for Marsh appears in the In Memory section of this issue.)

Sidney E. Matthews Sidney E. Matthews of Carbondale, Illinois, died Oct. 29, 2018. He was 98.

Matthews was formerly the head librarian at Preston Library.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; daughter, Sarah E. Matthews (Sam Morgan); grandsons, Matthew (Vanessa) and Michael (Laura DeTardo); and sisters, Ann M. Deischel and Dorothy M. Rygh.

Gary D. McPherson Gary D. McPherson of Morgantown, West Virginia, died Dec. 5, 2018. He was 82.

McPherson was formerly the head coach

of the VMI basketball team.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy; daughter, Melissa “Missy” McPherson; brother-in-law, Charles Sheets (Carolyn); and sister-in-law, Jeanne Carter.

He was preceded in death by his son, Chris McPherson, and sister, Patty McPherson Gibson.

Richard B. Minnix Col. Richard B. Minnix, Ph.D., of Lexington, Virginia, died Nov. 28, 2018. He was 85.

Minnix served as a professor in and head of VMI’s department of physics and astronomy for 40 years.

(Editor’s Note: An extended obituary for Minnix appears in the In Memory section of this issue.)

Robert H. Muirhead Robert Horsefall Muirhead of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, died Jan. 11, 2019. He was 94.

Muirhead was formerly an assistant football coach at VMI. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty P. Muirhead.

Buford C. Wilhelm Buford Carlyle Wilhelm of Lexington, Virginia, died Jan. 25, 2019. He was 84.

Wilhelm was a plumber at VMI for 21 years.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Eubank Wilhelm; daughters, Bonnie Harris (Calvin) and Elise Johnson; sons, Carlyle (Terry) and David Wilhelm (Brenda); grandchildren, Michael Harris (Brandi Wilson), Christina Bennington (Jeff), Tanya Johnson, Cara Wilhelm Graham (Ebrake Akers), Nicole Wilhelm (Ronnie Clark), Michaela Wilhelm (Josh Hostetter), Shana Crump (Alex Strickler) and Kimber Ross (Alex); and great-grandchildren, Justin and Megan Bennington, Raylan Graham, Henry Clark, Rosie Crump, and Khloe and Avery Ross.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Clyde and Ralph Wilhelm; sisters, Ethel Strole and Helen Reed; and grandson, Raye Wilhelm.

Edward G. Zdinak Col. Edward George Zdinak, Ph.D., of Staunton, Virginia, died Dec. 20, 2018. He was 88. Zdinak served as a mathematics professor at VMI for 35 years.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; sons, Aaron (Jessica) and Shawn; and grandchildren, Nicolas, Brianna and Magdelene.

VMI Alumni Review

After Taps Joseph W. “ Joe ” Nichols ’65

By Russell C. Proctor III ’65 Joe Nichols ’65, roommate of Al Orgain ’65 and myself our 1st Class year, died Feb. 14, 2018, after a brave and stoic fight with cancer. He was in the loving care of his family, including his devoted son-in-law, Ryan May. Many of you don’t know how close Joe, Al and I were. During our 1st Class year, Joe, a lieutenant in Company F, attempted in vain to moderate the chaos in our room. He brought a sense of calm and common sense to the plans and desires that Al and I had. As all who observed that corner of new barracks know, he rode along with the fun and pranks with a wry smile.

Following graduation, he was in the Army and then worked for a number of years in the international insurance business based in Asia, and later New York City. He developed some kind of retinal ailment that made him legally blind about the time he was 50. Joe could see well enough to become a talented painter (oils) and woodworker.

Something about his sensitive spirit let him do beautiful work in both fields. One of his paintings was the National Public Broadcasting Painting of the year. (I have it). He also painted “The Spirit,” the sailboat picture that many of us have. The original hangs in Moody Hall.

In about 2002, we started annual get-togethers in Richmond at Al’s house, Orgain Hall, with the Baillios and Morings joining us. These were three or four days of cooking, tasting strong drink, telling a few stories and shooting. Joey’s calm and gentle nature was such that he never went to the range with us, not even to shoot Jane Fonda targets ... He would just shake his head and smile when we went off.

He was a great husband and father, constantly concerned about his wife, Holly; daughter, Lora May; grandchildren, Grace and Cameron May; and son-in-law, Ryan May. He was a real friend who we will miss very much.

Frank E. Reece ’81

By Rob Costello ’81, David Loduca ’81, Grover Outland ’81 and Greg Wolven ’81

Frank E. Reece ’81, a citizen-soldier in the finest traditions of VMI, made his final jump Dec. 6, 2018, passing away peacefully in his sleep.

Selected for – and successfully undergoing – airborne training while a VMI cadet, Frank earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics upon graduation and was commissioned in the Army infantry. He remained on active duty through the 1980s, reaching the rank of Army captain.

A graduate of Norfolk Academy High School, Frank excelled there in athletics, academics and service. A stalwart member of the Key Club (affiliated with Kiwanis International), there was no service project or mission he would not undertake. On the wrestling mat, Frank was an anchor for the NA Bulldogs’ grapplers who could count on him to win – he was 10-3 in matches his senior year. A standout football player on the NA Bulldogs football team under Coach Royce Jones ’55, Frank often played “both ways” in the line, and consequently, that line never weakened. Future VMI BRs Clarkson Meredith ’81, Ed Oast ’81 and Grover Outland ’81were Frank’s Bulldog football teammates when they upset their archrival, the Norfolk Catholic Crusaders (whose line included another future BR, Mike Denton) “under the lights” one memorable night in fall 1976 at Met Park. Frank’s outstanding blocking and tackling were instrumental in that victory.

T

Frank brought that same sense of dedication, perseverance and service to his VMI cadetship. At the Institute, he was active in the VMI fire fighters, the Society of Young Economists, the college Republicans and the VMI ranger platoon (of which he was cadet-in-charge his 1st Class year).

Following his active duty service to our nation, Frank returned to his native Tidewater Virginia area in the early 1990s and joined the Norfolk Police Department, continuing to serve his native state and community. After promotions to supervisory roles in the Norfolk Police Department, Frank retired just a few years ago on disability from injuries incurred during his Army and police department service.

According to a BR and roommate who had breakfast with him in November, just three weeks before his untimely passing, Frank never complained about his disability or physical limitations and kept a positive “never say die” attitude.

During his elementary school and high school years, Frank was active in Bayside Presbyterian Church, where he is now interred in the columbarium on the top shelf. Frank is survived by his father, William Reece; brother, William “Bill” Reece; daughter, Meredith Reece Charette, and her husband, Jodey; and grandchildren, Taryn and Gage.

his section provides you with the opportunity to share a memory or information about a deceased member of the VMI family. Submit remembrances in writing to your class agent, who will coordinate input and forward it to the Alumni Review staff. After Taps entries are due from class agents at the same time as Class Notes input.

2019-Issue 2

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Alumni News Through the Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ghent, Virginia, James V. “Jim” Bickford III ’61 initiated a program to employ local people who attended the church’s weekly midday meal. Some are unemployed, some are homeless and some are working but not earning much. Many people were looking for jobs. Bickford initially began a program where area people would paint, and then he would sell the paintings and return the profits back to the painters. That program had sporadic attendance. Bickford initiated a new plan a few years ago: He donates $1,000 per month to the church, and those who are interested can earn money by picking up the trash after the weekly meals. He also uses some of the money to buy artwork, which he then tries to sell.

Bickford matriculated from Norfolk, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Regional Planning degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

an awards ceremony in Tucson, Arizona, Sept. 21, 2018. Raytheon’s Missile Systems – a part of the larger Raytheon Company, a major U.S.-based defense contractor – has its headquarters in Tucson. The division designs, develops, integrates and produces combat and missile systems for the U.S. armed forces and those of allied nations. Using its capabilities in multiple technical areas – including guidance and navigation systems, advanced airframes, surveillance, high-resolution sensors and targeting and netted systems – MS is able to both provide and support a range of advanced weapon systems including smart munitions, missiles, projectiles, close-in weapon systems, kinetic kill vehicles, advanced combat sensor solutions and directed energy effectors.

Schneider matriculated from Frederick, Maryland, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from VMI. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Arizona and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Michael A. “Andy” Williams ’65 joined the George C. Marshall The George C. Marshall [’901] International Center Board Foundation Board of Trustees in 2018. The GCMF is loof Directors appointed Thomas S. Greenspon ’85 as the cated in Lexington, Virginia, on the VMI post. The GCMF organization’s new president effective Jan. 1, 2019. In his preserves and perpetuates the legacy of George C. Marshall new position, he is responsible for raising funds to continue ’901. Marshall was the architect of the Marshall Plan to aid preservation of the Marshall House and supporting internain European post-World War II economic recovery and also tional student partnership exchange programs. International served the U.S. as the Army Chief of Staff during WWII, speaker forums and community events, along with the student secretary of state and secretary of defense. The center keeps exchange programs raise awareness for Marshall’s legacy and alive Marshall’s motivating principles through online presthat of his historic home. The home is located in Leesburg, ence, educational programming and brick-and-mortar faciliVirginia, and houses the GCMIC. ties which include a research library, archives and a museum.

Eighteen members serve as trustees on the GCMF board. Greenspon ’85 Greenspon has spent over two decades a senior executive at Booz Allen Hamilton. Greenspon has worked in development Williams is currently a financial adviser with UBS in Roanoke, Virginia. He has also served in the U.S. Air Force and owned a at the VMI Foundation and in sales and operations for Federal Mogul nationally recognized retail art business, called Gallery 3. Williams Corporation. Following graduation from VMI, he served in the U.S. Navy, including in the First Gulf War. He is currently a trustee on the matriculated from Roanoke and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in VMI Foundation’s board.

English from VMI. Greenspon matriculated from Charlottesville, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI. He earned a Master of Bert G. Schneider ’80 is part of a team that was awarded the Raytheon Missile Systems President’s Award for global growth at Business Administration degree from George Washington University.

Bert Schneider ’80 was part of a team that was awarded the Raytheon Missile Systems President’s Award for global growth at an awards ceremony in Tucson, Arizona, Sept. 21, 2018. Pictured at the awards ceremony were Randy Kempton, team nominator; Sandra Chavarria; Paul Chinnock; Ryan Cunningham; Chris Daily; Jenny Fama; Charles Morgan; Luis Noriega; Sharon Schaum; and Schneider.

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VMI Alumni Review

Alumni News In late August 2018, several alumni joined Gov. Ralph Northam ’81 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, to break the ground for the Virginia Department of Transportation I-95 southbound collector distributor lanes and Rappahannock River crossing project. Wagman Heavy Civil was awarded the $101.6 million project in January. The project requires the design, permitting and construction of three new travel lanes along a six-mile segment of Interstate 95 plus four major bridge structures. This project is a key component of Virginia’s Atlantic Gateway, which currently services over 150,000 vehicles per day, and is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2022. Present at the groundbreaking were, from left, Gregory M. Andricos ’92, Wagman Heavy Civil president and chief operating officer; Northam; Glen K. Mays ’83, Wagman Heavy Civil vice president and general manager; Jerry T. Whitlock ’02, Wagman Heavy Civil design build integration manager; and Quintin D. Elliott ’85, thenVirginia deputy secretary of transportation.

Career Networking Aids Transitioning Veteran

David Souliotis ’15, pictured with his wife, Lauren, and the couple’s two rescue dogs, recently made the transition from active duty Army officer to the civilian workforce.

Through the Alumni Association, Souliotis was connected with his current employer, the W.M. Jordan Company in Richmond, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Souliotis.

2019-Issue 2

The VMI Alumni Association congratulates David Souliotis ’15 on his new position as project engineer with W.M. Jordan in Richmond, Virginia. After graduating from VMI, Souliotis spent the three years as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army. During his service, Souliotis excelled in several project management, operational and team leadership positions. As a project engineer, Souliotis will contribute to the efforts of a team environment and will be able to see his work come to life through projects in central Virginia.

“After a short three years in the Army, I decided to transition into the civilian sector and began to search for a career that would match with my skills and leadership experience. A few months of research and self-reflection led me toward the construction management industry because of the impact one can have leading a project team to build lasting projects in the community. After deciding the career path I felt called toward, I reached out to Brittney Matthews ’15 and the VMI alumni network,” Souliotis said. “Brittney connected me with the W.M. Jordan Company in Richmond,

Virginia, where I am now employed. I am incredibly grateful for the dedication both Brittney and the Alumni Association put into my career transition. They made the job search and transition into the civilian workforce seamless and allowed me to connect with a company that has an outstanding reputation and commitment to the community. Lauren and I are truly grateful for everything they did to make this possible, and we look forward to connecting with other graduates in the Richmond area!”

Souliotis lives in Midlothian with his wife, Lauren, and their two rescue dogs. In his spare time, he enjoys walking the dogs on local trails, visiting farmer’s markets and volunteering within the community. He loves sports, especially playing hockey, lacrosse and golf.

The VMI Alumni Association offers assistance to alumni making job or career changes, alumni employers searching for well-qualified employees and alumni transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce.

For assistance with identifying available jobs or to post an opportunity, please contact Meghan Kelly at mkelly@vmiaa.org.

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Alumni News ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ...

Arrius: Enemy of Rome by Preston Holtry ’63. Moonshine Cove Publishing, 2019. ISBN: 9781945181610.

Available via Amazon and moonshinecovepublishing.com.

Now an outcast and a fugitive from Rome, Arrius is not easily accepted by the Selgovi in spite of Ilya and his close friendship with her son, Joric, who is high chieftain of the Selgovae tribe. Arrius works hard to make the tribal clan chiefs understand the inevitable slaughter that will happen when the tribe confronts the legions about to march north.

The subsequent invasion by the legions is made more problematic by disaffection among the tribes and distrust of Arrius. When Joric is killed early in the ensuing conflict, Ilya becomes queen of the Selgovi and accepts that Roman might is too great for the tribes to overcome.

It falls to Arrius to play a key role in the Selgovi withdrawal north into Caledonia, which wins both the tribe’s respect and confidence he can be trusted. After Arrius is captured by Tribune Querinius, the Selgovae tribe’s bloody effort to free him is a turning point in overcoming his anguish for leaving Rome.

About the Author: Preston Holtry graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from VMI and has a graduate degree from Boston University. After a 27-year career in the U.S. Army, he retired with the rank of colonel.

He served twice in Vietnam in addition to other infantry and intelligence related assignments in the U.S., Germany and England.

He is the author of seven other published mystery and historical novels, including two previous books in the “Arrius” series.

Flight Risk: The Coalition’s Air Advisory Mission in Afghanistan, 2005-2015 by Forrest L. Marion ’80. Naval Institute Press, 2018.

ISBN: 9781682473368. Available via Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.

From the 1920s, Afghanistan has maintained a small air arm that depended heavily on outside assistance.

Starting in 2005, the United States led an air advisory campaign to rebuild the Afghan Air Force. In 2007 a formal joint/combined entity, led by a U.S. Air Force brigadier general, began air advisory work with Afghan airmen. Marion examines the uneven first decade of the coalition’s efforts to create a professional Afghan Air Force.

Between 2007-2010, these efforts made modest progress in terms of infrastructure, personnel and aircraft accessions, and various training courses. By 2010, advisers increasingly viewed AAF command as a problem area needing significant improvement if a professional air force was to be built. In the spring of 2011 major institutional changes to AAF command-and-control procedures were being introduced when nine U.S. air advisers were killed in an attack, including Charles Ransom ’01. It was the worst single-incident loss of U.S. Air Force personnel in a deployed location since 1996 and the worst insider attack since 2001.

That tragic event made the cultural chasm between Afghanistan and the West more apparent.

From mid-2011 through 2015, air advisers focused on protection, as well as teaching English, training Afghan airmen and adjusted U.S.-coalition plans in accordance with a shifting AAF inventory. As time wore on, the cultural gap between Afghanistan and the West widened, highlighted by Afghan senior leaders’ traditional practice of personal-based command and control through the use of their cell phones to re-task most AAF aircraft outside of established procedures.

Many sorties were invisible to the air advisers and others were suspected of transporting illicit goods. Culturally informed ways of doing business precluded AAF professionalization.

This dilemma has continued with no end in

sight to an air advisory mission of uncertain long-term value.

About the Author: Forrest L. Marion is a retired U.S. Air Force Reserve colonel and earned a Ph.D. in U.S. history from the University of Tennessee. He is an oral historian and staff historian at the Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.

He deployed as the joint task force historian to the southern Philippines in 2002 and as an air adviser wing historian to Afghanistan in both 2009 and 2011. Marion matriculated from Silver Spring, Maryland, and was a distinguished graduate of VMI, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Alabama.

Green Chemistry in Industry edited by Mark Benvenuto ’83 and Heinz Plaumann. Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2018. ISBN: 9783110561135.

Available via the publisher.

This book is part of a series which provides an overview of the aims and challenges of sustainable chemistry and highlights recent developments in what has become a highly active area of research.

While the American Chemical Society’s 12 principles of green chemistry are used as guidelines throughout the series, “Green Chemical Processing” also looks to the future and considers the potential of this dynamic field beyond the established tenets of sustainability. The volumes of this series will combine to a reference on green chemistry for professionals in the industry as well as beginners and students in the field.

About the Author: Mark Benvenuto matriculated from Henrietta, New York, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from VMI. He is currently the chairman of the department of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, Michigan.

... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ... Book Announcements ...

172

VMI Alumni Review

Alumni Agencies Staff Directory P.O. Box 932 Lexington, VA 24450 1-800-444-1839

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Stephen M. Maconi smaconi@vmiaa.org

David Prasnicki dpras@vmiaa.org

Chief Communications Officer Amy F. Goetz agoetz@vmiaa.org

Chief Operating Officer

President

Warren J. Bryan ’71 bbryan@vmiaa.org

T. Bryan Barton ’68 bryanbarton1@verizon.net

Vice President - Development Thomas H. Zarges ’70 tomzarges@gmail.com

Vice President - Administration Stephen E. Hupp ’84 steve.hupp@estes-express.com

Chief Operating Officer Meade B. King ’85 mking@vmiaa.org

President

Ralph L. Costen Jr. ’70 rcosten@costenfloors.com

Bland Massie Jr. ’77 super77@vmialumni.org

Chief Operating Officer

President

Thomas A. Brashears ’95 tbrashears@vmiaa.org

Asa H. Page III ’79 vmi79@verizon.net

Anthony U. Moore ’78 amor_78@comcast.net

Directors at Large

Jim E. Henry ’68 henryjejr@aol.com A. Damon Williams ’90 damonwilliams@msn.com

2019-Issue 2

Gerald J. Acuff Jr. ’71 jacuff@deltapoint.com

Historian

Second Vice President

Second Vice President

First Vice President

U. “Buzz” Birzenieks ’64 bjbirzenieks@gmail.com

Historian J. Bolling Williamson ’60 bollingwmson@gmail.com

Hilbert S. Wilkinson ’94 bretwilkinson@gmail.com E. Sean Lanier ’94 av8sean06@gmail.com

First Vice President Samuel N. Stocks ’90 sstocks@kbsgc.com

Immediate Past President Robert P. Louthan ’82 bob.louthan@veterancrowd.com

Douglas B. Warner ’03 douglas.warner1@vmialumni.org Joel W. Andrus ’04 jandrus@kemperconsult.com

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VMI Alumni Chapter Directory

Region I – Southwest Chapter Arizona Greater Los Angeles Inland Empire Nevada Northern California San Diego

Director: Matthew R. Hemenez ’90 Chapter President

Richard C. Coupland III ’91 Alexander J. Rawling ’07 Kenny T. Stigler ’00 Bradley J. Maak ’87 Brian K. Andrew ’03 Max H. Hopkins ’97

Andrew D. Washbish ’09 Daniel C. Young ’88 Paul K. Tallat-Kelpsa ’90 David C. Hagemann ’80 Jeffrey D. Vordermark ’79 J. Brent Schaufert ’15 J. Micah North ’00 David P. Loduca ’81 Ronald G. Hull ’02

John R. Robb ’69 A. Bruno Loefstedt III ’80 R. Conor Evans ’02 Richard C. Wolffe ’78

Region IV – Mid Atlantic Appalachian Central Keystone Maryland Southeastern PA – Delaware Valley Stonewall Jackson Western PA – Pittsburgh

Terence L. Bowers ’68 Joshua R. Sneed ’12 William H. Cather Jr. ’65 Ryan W. Benson ’07 Christopher R. Jones ’96 Charles M. Rogers IV ’83 Herbert U. Fluhler ’77

174

terrybowers@vmialumni.org sneedjr54@gmail.com billcather@bellsouth.net bensonrw@gmail.com crj2112@gmail.com max.rogers@mobileinfirmary.org huf2000@aol.com

Director: Michael A. Kelly ’73 Stephen L. Skakandy ’01 Michael A. Ceroli ’85 Laurence B. Wilson Jr. ’62 Michael S. Anderson ’88

stephen.skakandy@gmail.com mceroli@thekratosgroup.net lbebwilson@aol.com vmi2army@gmail.com

Robert M. Kirby ’78 Carl B. Hammond ’00 Michael M. Smith ’73 Paul X. English III ’73 John P. Gangemi ’61

rmkirby@dekirby.com hammondcb@yahoo.com michaelmsmith5@gmail.com pxenglish@gmail.com jgangemi@ec.rr.com

Region VII – Florida Central Florida Northeast Florida – Jacksonville Panama City/Tallahassee Pensacola Southern Florida Southwest Florida – Fort Meyer The Villages – Florida Treasure Coast West Coast Florida – Tampa

rphill48@gmail.com gleason@umbc.edu jpace@astm.org jasongruse@hotmail.com james.m.hennigan@gmail.com

Director: C. Patrick Haddock ’00

Region VI – Carolinas Crystal Coast/Jacksonville Cape Fear/Fayetteville Central North Carolina – Raleigh Charlotte Club of the Triad Coastal SC/Charleston Eastern North Carolina Midlands SC/Palmetto Myrtle Beach Upsate SC/Pisgah NC Wilmington, North Carolina

jrr@robbmd.com bruno.a.loefstedt@saint-gobain.com conorevans@marchassociates.com rwolffe@tspcapitalmgt.com

Director: H. Larry Mays Jr. ’73

Robert P. Hill ’08 David R. Gleason ’80 John T. Pace ’77 Jason K. Gruse ’97 J. Mark Hennigan ’90

Region V – Southeast Augusta Atlanta Birmingham Coastal GA – South Carolina East TN – Knoxville Mobile Tennessee Valley

andrew.washbish@gmail.com dan.young@wfadvisors.com pktk@juno.com dhag80@aol.com vordermark@juno.com brent.schaufert@yahoo.com micah.north@resonantsciences.com loduca@pbworld.com ron@ronaldhull.com

Director: Patrick J. Griffin ’80

Region III – Northeast Buffalo New England New York City – Long Island North Jersey

richard.coupland@cox.net rawlingaj@gmail.com kenny@mpowermortgage.com Bradley.maak@yahoo.com brian.k.andrew@gmail.com max.h.hopkins@gmail.com

Director: David P. Loduca ’81

Region II – Midwest Bluegrass Chicago Cleveland Detroit Kansas City, Missouri Minnesota Southwest Ohio St. Louis Wisconsin

President’s Email

Director: Blake W. Thomas ’73

John C. Nagle IV ’87 Jason M. Goldstein ’02 James D. Friskhorn ’81 David B. Tillar Jr. ’95 Scott A. Houser ’98 Bradford T. Herrell ’01 Alan H. Vicory Jr. ’74 Donald D. Carson ’64 Robert M. Bailey ’72

jay.nagle@hdrinc.com jason.goldstein@amecfw.com vmi81@comcast.net dtillar@dewberry.com housersa@yahoo.com btherrell@basspro.com ahvicory@gmail.com dcarson678@bellsouth.net bobngracebailey@tampabay.rr.com

Email: mrhemenez@cox.net Chapter Representative Christoph Lohr ’08 Stephen A. Breheny ’89 Andre S. Gibson ’78 Lawrence M. Wood ’59 Todd E. Arris ’87 William R. Creekmur ’83

Email: loduca@pbworld.com G. Michael Montgomery ’84 Donald A. Noschese Jr. ’92 Stephen M. Chiles ’89 Mark A. Benvenuto ’83 Todd J. Jacobs ’90 Robert C. Polk ’61

Email: anchors1980@gmail.com

John R. Gibney Jr. ’80 Kevin P. Sincavage ’87

Email: hlarrymays@gmail.com Campbell C. Hyatt III ’65 H. Larry Mays Jr. ’73 Thomas M. Wirth ’98 Phillip L. Harris ’03

Email: vmitranspo@hotmail.com Raymond R. Lawson ’81 Charles F. McCallum III ’94 Kevin L. Snell ’82 John H. Friend III ’82 Raymond J. Pietruszka ’77

Email: kellyvmi73@gmail.com Charles L. Toomey ’74 Ronald R. Wall ’69 James A. Sharp ’93 T. Matthew Creech ’96 Eric L. Duncan ’99 George H. Ritko ’70 F. Grey Farthing III ’79 E.D. Woomer Jr. ’73 David L. Pouleris ’98

Email: blaket606@aol.com John C. Nagle IV ’87 Grafton D. Addison III ’82 Wayland H. Patterson ’80 Brett R. Martin ’00

VMI Alumni Review

VMI Alumni Chapter Directory

Region VIII – Southwest VA Chapter Lynchburg New River Valley Roanoke

Chapter President Matthew T. Vordermark ’00 Gerald B. Burrus ’96 Andrew D. Fuller ’99

Region IX – Shenandoah Valley Allegheny Highlands Blue Ridge Charlottesville North Shenandoah Valley Rockbridge County Valley

James F. Dittrich ’76 Stephen J. Barcik III ’85 Michael M. Wallace ’93 David A. Pitts ’88 Philip J. Altizer Jr. ’80 Dakota W. Nicely ’15 Hamel B. Reinmiller ’98 Daniel J. Fitzgerald ’89 Steven P. Weiss ’86 Murray F. Hudson ’82

Brian P. Duffy ’89 Russell Shun Takata ’74 James R. Farmer ’68 Todd M. Baldwin ’06

Region XII – Central Virginia Richmond Tri Cities

Region XIII – Hampton Roads

jfdinarkansas@aol.com steve.barcik@htds2.com michaelmwallace@mac.com dave.pitts@cat.com paltizer@bellsouth.net dnicely37@gmail.com hbrvmi98@vmialumni.org daniel.fitzgerald@hdrinc.com spweiss@earthlink.net murfh@urbaneng.com

duffvmi89@gmail.com russell.takata@yahoo.com seattlefarmer@comcast.net todd.baldwin1@gmail.com

chadlawson43@gmail.com samuelmattocks762@gmail.com

Director: Michael S. Ogden ’79 Director: Sean P. Hingley ’07

Matthew J. Outland ’17 Joshua P. Priest ’80 Thomas F. Morehouse III ’70 Richard A. Duke ’90 Alvaro F. Cuellar ’88 John L. Rowe Jr. ’66 John J. Kokolis ’96

Region XIV – Metro D.C. Fredericksburg – Quantico George C. Marshall Potomac River

troy.barbour@hcahealthcare.com weastham@carrhyde.com jim@realcentralva.com kjcallanan@comcast.net 19sorisser75@gmail.com cameronseay@me.com

Director: William R. Charlet ’01

Chad A. Lawson ’11 Samuel L. Mattocks ’74

moutland@comcast.net joshua.p.priest@navy.mil thomasmorehouse@me.com rduke@hf-law.com al.cuellar@icloud.com jrowe66@cox.net jjkokolis@cox.net

Director: Jessica J. Schmaus ’04 Director: John D. Kearney Jr. ’00

Carl J. DeBernard Jr. ’94 Matthew R. Keller ’00 A. James MacDonald ’83

Chapter Representative Joseph W. Hutt III ’78 Alan G. Soltis ’79

Email:

Director: Clifford A. Crittsinger ’64/’66

Region XI – Northwest

Eastern Shore Norfolk Peninsula Rappahannock Virginia Beach Western Tidewater Williamsburg

vordermarkmt@hotmail.com bradburrus@yahoo.com andyfullervmi@gmail.com

Director: Jeffrey L. Minch ’73

Arkansas Centex Greater New Orleans Middle TN – Nashville Midsouth/Memphis North Texas – Dallas Oklahoma San Antonio Southeast Texas – Houston Third Coast (Corpus Christi)

Email: dennis@nanoseptic.com

President’s Email

Director:

T. Troy Barbour ’89 G. Wayne Eastham ’76 James E. Duncan ’98 Kevin J. Callanan ’78 Scott O. Risser ’75 D. Cameron Seay ’70

Region X – South

Alaska Hawaii Pacific Northwest Pikes Peak Rocky Mountain

Director: Dennis A. Hackemeyer ’80

carl.debernard@dhs.gov matthew@kellermail.com macvmi83@yahoo.com

Harrison L. Fridley Jr. ’61 R. Edward Duncan ’60 Lewis V. Graybill ’62 Don M. Bowers ’90

Email: jminch2011@gmail.com David W. Walsh ’90 Christopher J. Whittaker ’90 Charles S. Sanger ’82 Garry C. Varney ’76 Thomas R. Shaw ’78 M. Douglass Payne ’73

Email: keydet6466@gmail.com

Robert L. Fricke ’78

Email: wcharlet@gmail.com Matthew T. Mikula ’04 Augustus Robbins III ’47

Email: vmi79classagent@aol.com Email: sean.p.hingley@wfadvisors.com Thomas F. Wilson ’80 John M. Garrett ’13 David J. Trenholm ’70 William F. Brent ’67 M. Andrew Stone ’05 Oliver D. Creekmore ’66 Jim E. Henry ’68

Email: jessica.schmaus@gmail.com Email: kearneyjd00@gmail.com R.C. Thompson III ’74 L. Randolph Williams Jr. ’66 L. Randolph Williams Jr. ’66

Region XV – Pacific Rim Guam Korea Taiwan Thailand

2019-Issue 2

Michael K. Scaplehorn ’13 Christopher D. Noe ’96 Ching-Pu Chen ’85 Vaipot Srinual ’72

scaplehornmk@mail.vmi.edu noevmi96@hotmail.com chingpu@saturn.yzu.edu.tw

175

Form Up!

By June 30, 2019

They depend on us – just as we depended on those before us.

Fiscal Year 2018-19 ends June 30, 2019. Every gift to the VMI Foundation Fund directly or indirectly impacts all aspects of the VMI experience. Every gift matters. It matters to current and future cadets. Unrestricted giving provides opportunity and support where it is most needed.

VMI photo by Kevin Remington.

Visit www.vmialumni.org/give to make your gift today!

The VMI Foundation, Inc. A D VA N C I N G T H E I N S T I T U T E ’ S M I S S I O N

1-800-444-1839 176

VMI Alumni Review

Annika Tice ’19

Brigitta Hendren ’19

Modern Languages & Cultures Institute Scholar Honor Court VP – Education (1st female member) Omicron Delta Kappa – VP Cadet Literary Magazine – Editorial Assistant Fulbright Award – VMI’s 6th recipient

International Studies National Security Minor Institute Scholar Francis H. Smith Award Company F Commander Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society Former NCAA Track

John David Hatgas ’19

Tyler Topping ’19

Biology Institute Scholar Cadet S-4 EMT Chief Cadet Superintendent’s Advisory Board Member – VP

History 1st Class Private Officer of the Guard Association Phi Alpha Theta Plans to Commission into Army Reserve and Attend Law School

John O’Donnell ’19 Economics & Business Institute Scholar Captain – NCAA Lacrosse Three-Legged Stool Award Regimental S-1 Captain Cadet Investment Group – Vice Chairman Cadet Superintendent’s Advisory Board Committee Officer AMCSUS Award Winner

Ben Dixon ’19 Civil Engineering Regimental First Captain U.S. Navy Pilot Slot

Scott hayes ’19 Mechanical Engineering Institute Scholar 1st Battalion Commander Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society – President Air Force Pilot Select AFA Air Force Cadet of the Year Award Winner Former VMI NCAA Lacrosse