1959 - 45th reunion

Two score and five years after graduation the Class of ’59 gathered to celebrate the advances in medicine, such as artificial joints, improved diets and the cardiovascular benefits of shuffleboard, that made our attendance possible. Friday night at Dave and Joan Reed’s megahome there was a silver sea of gray heads with a few shining domes bobbing up in their midst, all gathered around the lobster pot. A debate raged among our chronologically gifted group on the pros and cons of retirement. The advocates, led by Herb Kaufmann, held that even if you win the rat race, you are still a rat, while the cons discussed “phased retirement” and elder mentoring. Ace Barnes pointed out that being antiquated is an asset in some third-world countries. Mimi Wolf and Bob Amick’s wife Carol continued discussing artificial joints, both anticipating hip replacement soon (Mimi by Kris Keggi the following week).

Saturday night Nick Passarelli arranged for us to enjoy the imaginative productions of world-class chefs as well as the air conditioning at the New Haven Lawn Club. (Remember the heat wave of ’94?) It was really cool—and tasty. Bob Fisher announced that contributions of the Class of ’59 were outstanding during this past reunion year. Our class contributed $93,623 in gifts and pledges to the School, and our class scholarship fund now has a market value of $364,594. Bob is now a High Poobah at the Alumni Giving office.

Nick reported that we had broken the record at 72 percent attendance and he brought us up to date, not unkindly, on some of the nonattendees. Then the band struck up a tango and we danced away a beautiful evening.

All of us were pleased that two special ladies, Ellie Skinner (Dave) and Bunny Prokop (Jim) attended. Bill Heydorn did not attend because of the recent death of Joan. First-time attendees included Mark Bitensky, Linc Potter and Kent Morest.

Others present were Bob Amick, Frank Beer, Jack Bowers, Ed Clayton, Sid Cohen, Bud Dawson, Ron De Conti, Gerry Fenichel, Bob Gonyea, Gerry Gordon, Rod Hartmann, Len Inker, John Jasaitis, Ed Kaminskas, Kris Keggi, Mike Lee, Ray Mark, John Marsh, Brian McGrath, Pete Molloy, Ron Morris, Jack Poglinco, Joe Saccio, Mark Schwartz, Dick Senfield, Sandy Solomon and Jim Stagnone.

See you in ’09!

Asa Barnes