Class Notes daughter graduated from Longwood this year and we were able to host his son, Josh Bissell ’18 (he graduated in three years), for Thanksgiving in Louisiana last November. Hopefully Marti will complete her overseas tour soon and will be back in Lexington making sure Gary stays out of trouble. “A lot of my training was done in Dallas, so I was able to hang with the Banigan brothers quite a bit. John Banigan is adapting to retired Navy life and is setting up a company that works logistical analysis. Mike Banigan is still running his businesses and trying to keep up with family events. I was able to attend his daughter’s high school graduation where I also saw his son, Jake Banigan ’18, who is in the Air Force in Florida. When I wasn’t in training events, I was hanging with them drinking good wine, and better bourbon. “My clan is doing great! Edith is keeping me in check and setting up the new household. Kate, our oldest, graduated from the University of Virginia in 2016 and picked up a full ride to the University of Texas Austin to get her Ph.D. in material science, and should be finishing up in the next year. Will is working hard at the local high school as a para-professional with the special needs students, as well as teaching swim lessons on the side. Our youngest, Sarah, has started her journey as a college freshman at Louisiana State University, which adds pressure for me to have to root for a Southeastern Conference team.” Amazing update, Wuzzer – thanks! We also heard from Bob Bradford who writes: “I’m still here at Fort Lee along with Scott Stables, Darrin Galleo and Kent “Clown” Doane. We all had lunch together catching up on who’s
Class of 1989: “Fitz” and John Osborn. 134
doing what and who in ’89 we’ve seen. Scott is now part of the Army Futures Command where he’s the capabilities branch chief. Darrin came to Fort Lee about a year ago, working as a numbers cruncher to do cost-benefit analysis on a number of sustainment programs. Clown retired from the National Guard here in Virginia and is working for the Defense Commissary Agency. I’m still working as the transportation force development division chief. Oddly enough, Clown was a commander of one of the units that we are the proponent of. “Ned Cox hold his monthly ’89 breakfasts to which I go when I can. I go when my days off are scheduled. The usual suspects that attend are Ned, Nat Cross, Eric Ames, George “Mutt” Armbruster, Dave Brow and Tom Hamner. Once in a while, Gary Sibayan and Tom “Buzzard” Spivey are there.” Thanks for the great update, Bob. Glad to hear you’re doing well! Dave Martin just missed grabbing a beverage with Mike Murray at Fort Lee. Mike is a teacher for the U.S. Marine Corps and was there as a student for a Defense Security Cooperation University course Dave was teaching called Programs, Oversight and Evaluation. Dave also spoke with Van Trumpore for about an hour recently. Van is helping Dave’s son, Declan, decide if he should go to school in Colorado; I think Dave could be swayed if Van decides to foot the tuition, but alas, I don’t think that’s in the cards. I’m sure Dave would be happy to field other tuition assistance from the class – wouldn’t we all! I heard from Fitz and John Osborn, as well. John was down in San Antonio for a conference, and with Fitz on home turf, it sounds like they had a great catch-up. Scary selfie included for full effect. I also heard from Steve Peyton who shared the 1987 news article from Washington and Lee University reporting on our little forced march to pay the Phi Psi fraternity house a visit back in the day. I posted in the class Facebook page for those who want to enjoy a little time capsule. Memories! Things are well in the Chiles house. Our granddaughter, Sawyer, turns three this weekend (am I even allowed to be a grandfather?), and we’re hopefully gearing-up for some good fall sports with the Indians on a late season push and the Browns actually looking competitive for the first time in – well, forever. Until next time, keep the updates coming!
1990
Daren Payne
Unfortunately, I have to begin these notes again by reporting the death of one of our BRs, Ross Fitzhugh. Ross passed away after a long illness in Champaign, Illinois. Ross was an academically distinguished cadet all four years and part of the RDC and House Mountain cadre. After leaving VMI during our 1st Class year, he went to the University of Virginia. He remained living and working in the Charlottesville area for most of the next 25 years. He roomed with Gordy Byrne and Mark Cheadle. Cheadle recalled Ross as “one of the most brilliant and headstrong persons I ever met. I’ll have a toast of Irish whiskey on his behalf tonight. He helped me through some extremely difficult times at school, and I have always looked up to him for his courage and values. ” His rat roommate, Tim Feagans, recalled, “I last saw Ross at our 15th Reunion, I believe. Ross was one of my rat roommates. India Company had the not so pleasurable experience of living on the third stoop. Ross was on a U.S. Marine Corps scholly, very bright, motivated.” We started off this reporting period with great news from Mike Mullori that our very own BR Tommy Pugh was selected for major general in the Army. By the time you read this, the second star will be pinned on as he becomes the first in our class to reach this level. Big congrats to Tom and the family on such a great accomplishment, and best of luck as they move on to their next posting. I also had a visit from Mark Dick who was in town for the annual Kappa Alpha induction and initiation ceremony. Mark is getting bored with the life of leisure and looking to get back to work soon. Around the same time, Chuck Smith was in town to watch his son graduate with the Class of 2019. I think Chuck may have dressed up and marched in the New Market parade, but I’m not positive. Barry Johnson was also in town to see his son, Carter, graduate but I am positive he was not in the parade. Around the greater Lexington metro area, I frequently run into the usual suspects such as Chris Larlee (most recently at a Kappa Alpha function), Neil Whitmore (who is running once again for
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