Fall 2007

Pat Moran (now deceased):

 Hi, classmates!  When I started to think about the 55th Reunion column, I was overwhelmed.  How do I mention all the classmates I spoke to?  How do I mention all the campus improvements I observed?  How do I pay homage to our classmates who have passed on but who are with us in spirit?  Where do I start?

First, let me thank Reunion chairman Bill Smith (Deceased) and his staff for a wonderful 55th Reunion.  Bill has run very successful reunions without much fanfare or kudos.  Thank you, Bill.  I'm sure your efforts had something to do with the class winning two awards, one for attendance and the other for parade performance.  Our president, Bob McCann (Deceased), won the highly coveted Alumni Award, the highest award an alumnus can achieve.  Frank Sgambelluri's (Deceased)'s research showed that 581 of us graduated, about 395 are still alive, and 41 came back to celebrate our 55th Reunion together.  I think that is remarkable.  In addition to Bob McCann (Deceased), Frank Sgambelluri (Deceased), and Bill Smith (deceased), those who returned are as follows: Arndt, Arnold (deceased), Barba, Beck, Camarda, Larry Collins (Deceased), Field, Flynn (Deceased), Fortney, Fountain, Gibson, Gordon (Jim or Richard? - Both Deceased), Hill (Deceased)Pat Moran , Hoyt, Kaplan (Deceased), Kerr, Kuss, Levan, Liddie, Merksamer (Deceased),  (deceased), Orr (Deceased), Paules (Deceased), Pitsilos (Deceased), Ed Purdy (deceased), Randall (Deceased), Reisman, Saxtan, Schaphorst, Schlichtmann, Schmidt (deceased), Seville, Shaw, Szvetecz, Trost (Deceased), Washer, and Wellen (Deceased).  All things considered, the camaraderie, the renewed friendships, the nostalgia, the good weather, and the good food made for a fun time for all.  The weekend flew by.

Other news: Andy Gibson sent an e‑mail covering the memorial services for Ed Leidheiser held March 31 in Flat Rock, N.C., at Grace Lutheran Church.  Andy, Harry Smeal (Deceased), and Bob Scarr (Deceased) - All "52" - attended.  Reflections on Ed's full life were made by his family and his wife, Mary‑Lou.  Ed will be sorely missed.

Our current Class of 1952 Scholarship recipient, Riyanka Pai '10, sent a very appreciative letter thanking us for making her college experience possible, saying she hopes to use her materials science and engineering degree to work for NASA.

That's it for this edition.  Drop me a line and let me and the class know what you are doing in “upper middle age."

 Deceased

•   William A Gowder

•   Edward S Leidheiser

•   Ernest A Rainey

•   Donald G Rodham

•   Donald E Stamm

•   Harry Stowers

 Pat Moran (now deceased)

Revised:  June 08, 2023