Greetings, classmates! First a notice from our Reunion chairs, Pat Laux Richards and Rosanna Romanelli Frank. Classmates have already begun booking rooms at the Statler for our 65th Reunion, June 4–7, and we hope you, too, will be among them. Class functions will be conveniently located near University events. Caterers’ menus, including wines, are being carefully reviewed by our class “foodie.” Every effort is being made to ensure a memorable time for all. You won’t want to miss being with us.

On to classmate notices. May Lee Ling is happy with a “wonderful supportive family with 10 grandchildren.” She is taking classes from a college emeritus program. From Cornell she learned to keep learning. Charles Weinberg feels good getting up and enjoying his grandchildren. COVID kept him from traveling.

Gail Smith McDougall Sullivan enjoys being a grandparent. She writes, “I have joined a widow’s group again, since losing my second husband (of 16 years). I am savoring memories but have decided to sell our winter home in Costa Rica overlooking Lake Arenal, along with property on the Osa Peninsula there.”

Artist Charles Hecht, LLB ’63, apart from enjoying children and grandchildren, is “creating new sculptures in Maspeth, Queens, NY. I’ve been traveling with Leslie, most recently to Egypt and Sicily. I’m working part time as an attorney, working as a sculptor at my studio, and working on a book about living and working with artists in China. Cornell taught me how to budget my time and to focus on doing the best job possible.”

Robert Stamper ’61 is still teaching at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania.

Diane Baillet Meakem writes, “The biggest change in my life has occurred over the last two months. I have had to go on dialysis. After three silent years of kidney disease with no symptoms, my kidneys failed. The dialysis is going well and I’m getting back to my old life (albeit with twice-a-week treatments). Four grandchildren have graduated from Cornell and seven others have finished at other colleges and are out in the world. Five ‘younguns’ are in elementary school (another Cornellian?!).”

Robert Stamper is still teaching at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania. He credits Cornell for opening his mind to different cultures, approaches to problems, and perceptions of the world. Linda Whitman Bors is volunteering at several places in Ithaca. She says, “It’s a good way to stay connected with the community and meet new folks.”

George Sarkus writes, “Being in good health, active in many pursuits, and enjoying continuing friendship with my Cornell contemporaries brings me the most satisfaction.” He is life coaching to many, supports veteran causes, and looks to have new experiences when possible. George has wintered in Naples for 25 years, but spends summer and fall in Upstate New York. Cornell taught him to learn some new thing daily. He was exposed to many views and cultures. The most important learning, he says, was how to think independently.

Gus Kappler, MD ’65, writes, “My sister Helene mailed me 14 letters that I wrote to her from Vietnam when I served as a trauma surgeon at the 85th Evacuation Hospital, Phu Bai, Vietnam, ’70–71. The letters are a road map for my succumbing into a PTSD state. I am in the process of writing a book describing that predictable journey. It will supplement my 2015 book, Welcome Home from Vietnam, Finally: A Vietnam Trauma Surgeon’s Memoir. Hopefully those who read it will realize that no one is immune to PTSD. There is no weakness; there should be no shame. Seek others in the same boat to share common issues without stigmatization.” ❖ Susan Williams Stevens (email Susan) | Doug Fuss (email Doug) | Alumni Directory.