Tuesday, Feb. 2 marked a Zoom reunion planning meeting. Nine of us gathered in front of our screens. The meeting was led by Dick Tatlow, Jim Moore and Marshall and Rosanna Frank. Joining in the meeting were, Carol Franklin, Doug Uhler, Sue Lewis Garrett and Larry Wheeler. Plans are rapidly developing despite the uncertainties that will be resolved by the time you read this column. A further planning meeting will be held as needed following the CALC virtual meeting in late February. Remember, June 10 -13 are our dates.
Gary Busch posted an email update at the end of last year. “After my wife died I decided to downsize. Sold my house in Central London; sold my house in Venice (Italy) and moved to an apartment on the Thames in Chelsea. Still have our country house in Somerset which my children use more than I. Sold my cargo airplanes and our bulk carrier vessels and moved out of the African and Russian transport businesses. Life is a bit calmer without spending time in war zones. Still doing political consulting in Africa and Russia and publish my website
www.ocnus.net every day. I also have a monthly shipping column in a
commodity market report. It keeps me busy. This virus lockdown has allowed me to slow down and I suspect I might consider retirement soon. Regards to all.“
Gary Busch, 67 Cheyne Court, London SW3 5TT, UK
Joe Degenfelder’60 B ChE sent a lengthy note along with Pauline ’61 covering their recent activities. “Our travel was limited to a July drive to Lake Chautauqua to visit Don and Sandy Dewey and family. Joseph’s activity was extending a Veterans Remembrance Garden at Cleveland Cultural Gardens. In early October, The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve Univ. awarded Pauline an award for “Outstanding Healthcare Executive.” On October 28 Pauline fell, breaking her right hip, then operated on at Cleveland Clinic. Pauline’s recovery has been helped in January via a program in Chinese art highlighted by Dragon Day on Jan. 16. The next event for the Chinese New Year is with Margaret Wong & Associates, at her studio: a presentation of our Chinese Guanyin collection.“
Bill Kingston ’59 sent the sad news that John A. Sargent ’61 passed away in Orinda, California, on December 4, 2020. He had two Cornell degrees, a B.Chem.E and M.Eng., and a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley. Later spending a year studying French literature at the University of Besancon, sparking a lifelong love for French culture. Celebrated professionally in the dialysis field, his achievements in a 50-year career in kidney disease research extended the lives, and improved the quality of life, for tens of thousands of people. John’s zest for life was expressed in many ways, including incredible cooking, black diamond skiing, and traversing the globe to celebrate birthdays and witness solar eclipses. Cornellians participating in celebrations in France included Bill Schumacher ’57, Paul Grannis ’60, and Jackie Grimm Kingston ’61. John is survived by his wife of 49 years, Laurie, three children and five grandchildren. He will be fondly remembered for enriching the lives of all who knew him.
In January, I had the somber task of attending Don Whitaker’s memorial service at Hilton Head Island. Don graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. Following a stint as an officer in the Army, he enjoyed a lengthy career at Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati. Don and I were fraternity brothers and roommates our Sophomore year. Don married his high school sweetheart Joan and commuted regularly to Keuka college during their four-year courtship. She and Don retired to Hilton Head in 1999 and enjoyed an active life of golf, cruising, and engaging in the affairs of their community. As I spoke with Joan, we remembered Don, not only as a terrific person but as a highly disciplined individual. He was committed to his studies, baseball at Cornell and, above all, to his family.
Only one hardcopy Class Note was received for this edition from Doris (Webb) Davey. She can be reached at tdavey@twcny.rr.com and is enjoying life with her husband, children, and grandchildren.
This column submitted in February is the last hard copy version of Class Notes. As you are aware, after publication of the May/June 2021 issue CAM’s content will be transitioning to a free, digital-first publication as part of the new Cornell alumni communications hub, launching in July 2021. For those who prefer a more traditional magazine, there will also be a paid print option; details on its content and timing are still being discussed. Please keep your news flowing to us. Doug Fuss <dougout@attglobal.net> and Susan Stevens (sastevens61@gmail.com