Fall 2005

Pat Moran (now deceased):

Within a month span in late '04 I received two e-mails from two "Als" in California.  The first was from Allen Barclay (deceased), who retired from GE in 1985, consulted for three years and lived in Lake County, CA, for 15 years.  The Barclays moved to a Del Webb community in Lincoln, CA, in 1999.

The other Al, Alan Koppes (deceased) related that Jim Lovell lives in nearby Roseville, CA, and that he sees Dave Morrow (deceased) and Dave Ryerson (deceased) at mini‑reunions.  Alan keeps busy as a Boy Scout Council board chairman in northern California’s central valley and has traveled to Ireland, Sun Valley, Kona, and Santa Barbara within the last year.

John Kerr (deceased), my former roommate in Sigma Nu, sent along a great letter outlining a nostalgic trip back to the campus in the fall of '04.  He had his son, Jim, and his grandsons David, 13, and Matt, II in tow, and said that he liked the addition of the Adirondack chairs to the lower campus near the flagpole.  He also said that the Hill, which we climbed with ease 55 years ago, has become much steeper!  John, a retired doctor, and his wife, Mims, have moved to Hershey's Mill, about 10 miles west of their former home in Devon, Pa., to be closer to family.  Thanks, John, for a wonderful letter.

Alice Scully, Granger, Ind., sent a note saying that her husband, Oliver Scully, died on January 24, 2005 after a long battle with Alzheimer's.  On behalf of the class I extend most sincere condolences to Mrs. Scully and her family.

I receive periodic updates from Randy Zehner (deceased), our very diligent class agent, regarding the progress of the Lehigh Fund.  Randy happily notes that you are opening your wallets and donating generously.  We have exceeded our goal of $I00,000, and 60 percent participation is within sight.

I do have some news of my own this time.  Last May I had a heart "alarm," not an attack.  After textbook symptoms, I found myself in the Tucson Heart Hospital being monitored and prepped for an angiogram and subsequent triple‑bypass surgery.  I didn't know I had a heart problem!  Everyone in my family lived to be 85 or better (my mom was 94) and none had heart problems, as far as I knew.  Here I was, facing major surgery and just a little scared.  I had faith in my surgeon and in my Higher Power that I would come through the surgery successfully.

Fast forward one month: I came through fine and am recuperating nicely, thank you.  My surgeon is amazed at the progress I have made in such a short time . Having come through this crisis I am happy to report that my sense of smell is keener, my eyesight is sharper, my awareness of everything around me is more acute, and I am thankful to be alive.  I appreciate the wonderful Sonoran Desert, my wife, Daz, and the support of all my Lehigh friends.

 Pat Moran (now deceased)