Class Notes Jan/Feb 2003

The class is like a family, and social life within families is as natural as life itself. Often, there are events within events at our frequent reunions, or parties are held at various places elsewhere in the country.

DICK PRIOR came from Savannah not only to our Columbus weekend mini-reunion, but also to a swim team reunion of 12 from the classes of 1959, 1960 and 1961. Sixties attending included BILL MCCLUNG, PETE CRUMBINE and MIKE GROWNEY, who graduated with our class, although he entered in the Class of 1958.

"We had a mock swimming meeting, two short relays, one won by the Class of 1960," Dick reported. "Hundred-yard relays. Each person did 25 yards. No one wanted to go further than that. Our wives are in good shape, but the men are in terrible, terrible shape." Maybe, Dick is too modest about their present condition, but he does remember, "We had a freestyle relay team when we graduated which was fourth or fifth in the country."

DICK OSSEN was at the mini-reunion, but mentioned also he was going to Hyannisport the following weekend for a clambake hosted by GEORGE RUSH.

I called George, who told me of his plans to serve two-pound lobsters, clam chowder, steamers and corn on the cob. Golf was also on the schedule, and invited were also BOB DERDERIAN, TOM MURPHY and TOM REILLY. BILL GOULD was also invited, but couldn't make it. "It's kind of a wrapup on the year," George said.

Dick Ossen, by the way, a professor of marketing at Bentley College, is not a pessimist on the economy. "In the long term, you have to be an optimist," he told me. "History proves if you wait long enough, good things happen. There are these big bumps in the road now, but the economy always returns in the long term."

It's always fun to see classmates I didn't get to know too well in Hanover. I had a nice talk at RICK ROESCH's buffet with GEORGE BRUDER, now retired from representing electric utilities before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Among his recent exploits was riding the 184-mile canal path from Georgetown to Cumberland, not all at once but in four rides. George is listed in Who's Who as president of the bar association practicing before the Federal Power Commission, which he worked for just out of law school.

And it was great seeing a couple of classmates who have been coping with health problems, both looking quite chipper, DICK DAVIDSON and CHUCK KAUFMAN. Also JIM ADLER's wife, Brooke, recovering nicely from double knee surgery.

It was great coming to Hanover at close to peak fall color. And we hope to see even more classmates in Chicago next June. GENE KOHN is heading up an effort to encourage some past nonparticipants to come to the Windy City.

--KEN REICH, 5522 Nagle Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401, (818) 994-9231 (h), (213) 237-4712 (fax); e-mail: ken.reich@latimes.com