Class Notes Scott Brewster: “Just checking in. Laura and I were married 43 years in July. We are two-and-ahalf years into a four year master’s in marriage and family therapy at Bethel Seminary, San Diego. We will practice together after graduation. Our oldest son, Chris, turns 42 tomorrow! Our youngest son, Michael, turned 37 this year! What? Our four grandkids live nearby. Laura and I have been taking trips in our Cessna 182 turbo-RG (retractable gear) across the west. I have two years left at Southwest Airlines before the feds time me out. Based in LAX, I have been doing a bunch of our new Hawaii flying lately. So far, we have successfully found the island chain every time.” Tom Sliwoski: “All present and accounted for. While downsizing, I came across my old slide rule. Was thinking of what to do with it besides throw it in the trash then looked at eBay. Advertised it and got $28. Both shocked and pleasantly surprised.” Tony Pileggi: “All is well with the Pileggi family. Spent last Saturday with the Kays and the McCampbells at a pool party hosted by the Kays. A good time was had by all. I may have had a bit more bourbon than I should have. I bought an airplane. I am going to change the registration number to 78VM. (78 Virginia Mil), can’t do 78VMI the number can’t end in more than two letters.” Leland Horn: “All right here in rainy Florida.” Scot Singletary: “All well here in Greenville, South Carolina. We have a second home at Folly Beach, just south of Charleston, South Carolina, and see quite a bit of Bruce and Johnsie Mason there. We just got back from a couple of weeks on the island of Nevis in the West Indies, where Bruce and Johnsie joined us for four days. A fun time was had by all and much rum was consumed. We had invited Pat and Laura Wilson to join us, but they couldn’t make it. In retrospect, that was probably a good thing. You know how Pat tends to get out of hand around rum; or any other alcoholic beverage for that matter.” Garry Brumback: “All is well in Treasure Island. Jennifer and I are happy to be back in Florida and close to my dad. We had an additional pleasant surprise when my sister moved here from Buffalo; all is good!” Mike Eaton: “All OK in Augusta, Georgia. Retirement is great. My golf game is suffering because I am consulting in North Carolina but hope to change that soon. Cold Steel Charlie!” John Tucker: “All right and recently retired after a 41-year career!” Jay Hutt: “Yo, all good here. We had a ball with
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son John’s wedding in May. Lots of family and friends together for a really great weekend. The newlyweds are doing just fine in Raleigh. This past Saturday, I played a (lousy but fun) round of golf with seven buddies from Franklin High School, all guys I have known since I was 6 years old, literally from the first grade. Of course, we told lots of lies and old stories, had a few beers and way, way many more laughs. Don Robey, a classmate from both the hometown and VMI, came down, played and spent the night with us at my dad’s house, and we had a really good visit. Also along was old friend Barky Wright, father of Jack Wright ’10. Next up: On Friday, Oct. 4, at noon, Paula will finish another summer spent on the Randolph College finance audit, and we will be in the wind by 1 p.m. to dad’s Potomac River cottage for the following week. Hope to be joined by kids and spouses there.” Steve Powers: “All Right in the Granite State. Retired after 34 years in the transportation industry. Downsized and moved to a retirement community less than 30 minutes from our grandson. Donna and I are enjoying being part of his life.” Nelson Curtis: “All right!” Alec Earle: “We’re ‘all right’ and doing well. Sheila and I are currently on a three-week safari adventure in South Africa. We are traveling with a group in RVs. It’s been a great trip so far, with lots of animal sightings.” Jay Branscome: “Thumbs-up. Back is healing, getting a new hip Sept. 16 and just had two skin pre-cancers removed. Now I’m just waiting for a meteor to take me out! Otherwise, all is well on ‘Green Acres.’” Tim Berkhimer: “‘All right’ from Virginia Beach!” Vagel Keller: “All right. Nothing new to report.” Bob Magnan: “I just discovered last night that our BR Dave Kahle lives nearby. I haven’t seen or talked to him since graduation, but I’ll be making an effort to rectify that matter. On a happy note, son Chris’ schedule somehow placed him in Aqaba, Jordan. He took advantage and enjoyed a 36-hour R&R at a beachfront resort in the middle of a deployment. Again I ask: ‘Where were those deals back when we were kids?’ I was thankful for Easter Sunday lunch at the Gitmo Officers’ Club.” Joe Cafarella: “Retired life is pretty boring. Just babysitting five grandsons each week, playing in an American Legion golf league and taking care of the garden on the ole Cafarella homestead. “I did survive a couple incidents in Dayton
that made national news. First, we had 15 tornadoes go through the Dayton area on Memorial Day Monday after 11 p.m. We lost power at my house for four days but missed the main destruction of a Cat 3 tornado in Beavercreek by only two blocks. We got lucky! Second was the mass shooting in the Oregon District in Dayton just after 1 a.m. Aug. 4. Fortunately, all my family and friends were safe. Scary moments, for sure. So, until the next big scare, I just keep enjoying retired life as I hope you will!” Bob Eagle: “All up!” Joe Bright: “Checking in ‘all right.’ Still living in Salt Lake City flying for Delta Air Lines. Wife Ursula and I are in great health and immensely grateful for that. Enjoy sharing in our grandson’s growth, 5 years old now. Recently completed conversion to captain’s seat and piloting Delta’s new A220 (a Canadian built Bombardier jet which Airbus purchased the rights to). Great to fly a brand-new airplane fresh from the factory! Federal Aviation Administration mandated retirement age is fast approaching so we are beginning our search for a retirement place. Hello to all.” Rick Wetherill: “Present!” Scott LaCagnin: “Everything is going well in the Dallas area. I’ve moved from reserve status with Prosper Police Department to Prosper town marshal. I suppose I should be thinking about retirement, but what the hell.” Jimmy Leech: “All is well here in the Coastal Bend of Texas. Paul Campbell: “NSTR (Nothing significant to report).” Donald McGinnis: “All right. Still working on this estate. Sheesh.” Clyde Long: “Susan and I send greetings from Bristol, the official birthplace of country music and world’s fastest half mile!” Bob Fricke: “All right. Planning a VMIAA excursion to Fort Robinson, Nebraska, July 2224, 2020. Hopefully BRs will come. Check with Alumni Association for details.” Rob Traver: “Doing well, went hiking in Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier. Enjoying the Army Reserve retirement checks, but still working. I enjoy reading what everyone is doing. Need VMI civil engineering graduate students at Villanova.” David Colonna: “Still here!” Cliff Seibel: “Not much news from the north land. Did make it back to VMI in July, to show my grandson around. Haven’t been back in 30 years. Almost didn’t recognize Lexington! Lots
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