We did it! Our class of ’61 succeeded in funding our recognition of Pete Meinig’s contribution to Cornell. On June 10 the dedication of the Peter C. Meinig memorial reading room in Olin Library was held. The new Meinig Memorial reading room is on the third floor of the Olin Library which stands where Boardman Hall once stood. It is a spacious room with multiple reading tables all of which are wired for computers. The large windows look out on to Uris Library (formerly the Main Library) and on to the quad. 

During the ceremony a formal presentation of the Class of 1961’s gift  to the Associate University Librarian, Bonna Boetcher, was made.  She expressed pleasure at having received such a unique gift. 

Ken Blanchard gave a moving and thoughtful presentation about Peter and their long-time friendship. He also mentioned Peter and his wife Nancy Schlagel Meinig’s (62) gifts to the University and Peter’s extraordinary leadership as the chair of the board of trustees during times of great challenge. Nancy also gave a gracious comment about the gift and its meaning because of the time which she and Peter spent in libraries during their undergraduate years. 

The two-hour event was attended by 38 people and 8 classmates including Walt Cottrell, Rosanna and Marshall Frank, Jim Moore, Warren Spika, Pat Laux Richards and Mort Hodin.

The memorial room initiative arose from an earlier conversation between class president Dick Tatlow and Nancy Meinig. With a major assist from Marshall Frank, the fund-raising campaign gained momentum and ultimate success. All of us should acknowledge and applaud Dick’s effort in bringing the memorial to reality. Dick asked that ladies in the Alumni Association be recognized also. Colleen Drozd (funding) and Jennifer Sawyer (major library contact) both played important roles in bringing the memorial to reality.

After a sustained period of the absence of Class Notes we now have a surge of responses. Larry Wheeler, our webmaster, writes, “We are planning to take a river cruise in the Bordeaux region of France. It has been cancelled twice due to Covid and we hope the third try will be the charm. In addition to being our class webmaster, I manage three other websites. I also mediate civil disputes at our county dispute resolution center (14 years now.) I serve as president of our condominium association where we have a vacation condo on the Comal River. Still playing golf once or twice a week and watching our grandchildren grow up and seek new careers.

Now from Margaret Williams Puck. (mwp8@sbcglobal.net) “We’ve moved to a Continuing Care Retirement place about 2 miles west of our home of 36 years in Encinitas. We’re enjoying all the activities available in a lovely setting and making many new friends. Like others we have 6 grandchildren ages 6 to 22, 5 boys and one granddaughter. We enjoy our frequent visits.

A brief note from Walt Cottrell, our class treasurer. He and wife Jean Cottrell ’63 continue to reside in Ithaca. They celebrated the acceptance of their granddaughter by Cornell as a sophomore for the Fall of 2022. Also submitting a Class Note, Howard Morse (hmorse@mica55.com) writes that he and wife Barbara are living in Manhattan and continue to pursue their interest in contemporary art.

Marilyn McCarthy Nutting is living in Wellesley Ma. “I’ve retired from my past work and now enjoy having a flexible schedule. I enjoy walking, biking, gardening, my volunteer work and singing in our wonderful church choir. One of these days I plan a return to Ithaca.”

James Baden and wife Sheila continue at Hilton Head Island (jamesbaden@cinci.rr.com). “I am working as a free volunteer at a medical clinic on Hilton Head as well as singing barbershop acapella music. Grandson is now a pilot for United but no free travel included.”

After a two and a half year Covid 19 hiatus Sue and I travelled to Paris and Scotland. High light was a black-tie anniversary formal dinner held on the HMS Britannia, the former yacht of Queen Elizabeth. Our hosts hold a destination celebration every five years. The yacht, a throw back to a past generation is a well-appointed museum and special events center. The other highlight of our trip was the suspension of negative Covid 19 testing for reentry to the US. The cessation of this requirement was announced the day before our return. Although we made all of our connections the trip was made more difficult given the crowds and understaffing at all the airports.

Ron Demer 62 sent a recent email informing me of the death of Charles ‘Chuck” Lee in May. Chuck had an outstanding career both as an executive and as a trustee and supporter of Cornell. Most notably he was CEO and Chairman of Version. Both the WSJ and The NY Times carried extensive articles highlighting his career and are available as internet files.

You are now receiving the Class Column News as part of the new Cornellian alumni communications hub. Please keep your news flowing to us. Doug Fuss <dougout@attglobal.net> and Susan Stevens (sastevens61@gmail.com)