(Items are  listed newest to oldest.)

We've heard from the University that David Kendall died on July 16th. No additional details available at this time..

From Tom Donnelly, 7/24/09: "We began our discussions with Akerman Senterfitt [Government Affairs and Public Policy Practice] in the Fall of 2008 and then brought the balance of Jefferson Government Relations over here in March of 2009. We essentially doubled the "then" size of their Washington, DC "Policy" shop, though it has grown additionally since. It does allow me to finally plan for retirement and I have promised them two years to both solidify client relationships and pursue some new business in areas such as health care reform where I am still passionate.

The synergies have been excellent and the firm has a significant healthcare practice across its fourteen offices. I am looking forward to winding down slowly, being at '61s next two reunions, as well as the 50th Reunion of the Princeton Footnotes (which I helped found) which will be on campus on Columbus Day weekend in October."

Thomas R. Donnelly, Jr., Akerman Senterfitt, Consultant
(202) 393-6222 tom.donnelly@akerman.com

Ben Turnbull sent this press release and remarked, "Getting here was not as challenging as Wally Phillips's Kilimanjaro, but sometimes it felt like it." [see below news item about Wally]

July 9, 2009: The Governing Board of Zoos Bank has appointed a new senior management team composed of highly experienced expatriates partnered with Mongolian professionals for a minimum period of 6 months in order to improve Zoos Bank’s standards and operations in line with international best practices.

‘We are confident that, strengthened by our team of international and Mongolian managers working together on a clear strategy, we will bring the best practices to bear in meeting the challenges of the bank in today’s market,’ according to the Acting CEO, Ben Turnbull.

‘We strongly support the introduction of a new management team and believe that it will help Zoos Bank in strengthening its position on the market. The Bank of Mongolia appreciates the efforts of the EBRD in putting the new management team in place. We are committed to continue close cooperation with the Zoos Bank to further improve its operations and corporate governance’, said the Governor of the Bank of Mongolia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Zoos Bank, Ulaanbaatar, Ben Turnbull, Acting CEO, +976.11.33.0573, Bank of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar  [tigerben@msn.com] 

Nancy and Chip Hatch's daughter Katie gave birth to twin boys on February 11. The boys' names are Eli Dillon Carlson and Daniel Sinclair Carlson (Danny). All are doing very well. Classmate Bob Towler, who lives in San Rafael, as does Katie, has been standing by with a network of his family and friends to give logistical support.

On 7/6/09, Kathy Wall reported that our class's Annual Giving results for '08-'09 were 61.6%, $169,116....380 donations out of a roll of 617 potential donors. Thank you for your support.!!!  Last year we achieved 64%...$196,169, which was the first time in 12 years that we missed the 65% or better mark.  The University as a whole had 57.7% participation.

John Cooper emailed her on June 15: "I've seen a good bit of Tony Atkiss over the last few years because of our common interest in Woodrow Wilson. I've just retired at Wisconsin, although I've got an arrangement to teach second semester for a few more years. I've got a biography of Wilson being published in the fall."

LESLIE EPSEN died on June 27, 2009 after a 9-month battle with non-smoker lung cancer.  In 1988, she married Bob Epsen, who had been a roommate of her brother Olin West. Leslie and Bob had known each other for 30 years. They resided in Tiburon, CA.  Since Leslie was an avid lover of animals, in lieu of flowers, her family suggests donations to: Canine Companions for Independence, P.O. Box 446, Santa Rosa, CA 95402-0446

On 6/17/09, Peter Georgescu emailed class secretary: "Wife Barbara and I,  together with six other couples and great people, spent two weeks in Syria this June. It was a spectacular adventure and exceptionally rewarding. We all know how important Syria could be as an agent for peace in the area. I'm sure we all hope that can come to be. The richness of Syria's historical treasures is difficult to overstate. From early Bronze Age relics, colossal Roman ruins (Palmyra), the oldest Christian churches in Maalula and Rasafa to the magnificent mosque in Damascus. One of the highlights of the trip turned out to be the sites at Emar. In one of the most remarkable finds from early Bronze Age to Islamic treasures, we came across the digs of Princeton's own project led by Department of Islamic Art History and Archaeology, Chairman Thomas Leisten [pictured at left with Peter]. His work on behalf of Princeton is truly groundbreaking at all levels. In addition to his valuable work as a professional archaeologist, Professor Leisten is clearly helping build bridges with what we hope will be an important future ally. A small world indeed.

P.S. Our two weeks have been among the most exciting trips we have ever taken. If any classmates want to contemplate a trip to Syria, we strongly recommend it and will be happy to be contacted and share details at: peter.georgescu@yr.com "

In class secretary's 6/28/09 email: "I just want you to know that Wally Phillips is my hero and should be the hero of every septuagenerian (as well as all advanced-stage sexagenarians). He just returned from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It took nine days, accommodating for the altitude, dodging rock slides, with temperatures as low as 5 degrees in the upper heights. He did it just for the challenge and in the company of two much younger, experienced mountaineers, so impressing the native guides that they started calling him "Simba" –– which as all fans of Tarzan movies will remember means "lion." Even tough-guy Ernest Hemingway just wrote about the damn thing. He never climbed Kilimanjaro at any age. Wally did at 70."  All the best, Frank Deford

June 12.2009 News Release: [MN] GOVERNOR APPOINTS THREE TO RACING COMMISSION
Saint Paul - Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of James S. Lane III to a three year term on the Minnesota Racing Commission. Lane, of Medina, is a self-employed attorney with a practice in business, corporate, real estate and equine law, including thoroughbred horse breeding and racing. He is a former director of communications with the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association in Lexington, KY, and was also vice president, secretary and legal counsel with North Ridge Farms, Inc., a thoroughbred horse breeding farm. Lane is a past president of the Minnesota Horse Council, and VTH Partners - an auxiliary of the U of MN Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and serves on the Animal Humane Society of the Twin Cities Board of Directors. He earned his law degree from William Mitchell College in St. Paul.

Roland Kuchel, 1/29/09: "After serving for three years as Ambassador to Zambia, I retired from the Foreign Service in 1997 after a varied and wonderful State Department career. My wife Marianne and I live in Fairlee, Vermont, not far from Dartmouth College which is sort of a next best solution to Princeton. I do some teaching, support local arts organizations such as Opera North, and volunteer as a docent at the Hood Art Museum. A university community in a rural country environment is hard to beat. Many good wishes to you."

As Dave Beall, St. Albans '57 class secretary reported in their alumni Bulletin, and passed along by another St. Albanian, George Brakeley: Huston Simmons and his operatic diva, Gaële Le Roi, were married on December 6, 2008, in France. Huston reports: "We met six years ago and maintained a trans-Atlantic relationship until the middle of 2008, when we decided to get married. The ceremony took place in the beautiful sixteenth-century town hall of Orléans.  We are planning to live in Washington and do some traveling from here."

Podcast from the CDC in Atlanta: Living a Less Salty Life: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. A diet high in sodium, or salt, can raise blood pressure. Dr. Darwin Labarthe discusses the importance of lowering your salt intake in order to minimize the risk of developing hypertension.  Released: 4/2/2009.  Joe Prather reported spotting an article about Dar's work in the 4/21/09 New York Times while vacationing in the Virgin Islands with Ev and some of his grandchildren.

"Bill O'Connor's second granddaughter, Amy Donovan, will be a member of the Class of 2013, thus joining her older sister, Kaitlin '10, at Princeton and on the field hockey team. These young ladies are the daughters of my Goddaughter, Katie O'Connor Donovan '86 and John Donovan '86."  -- Ken Scasserra, 4/19/09.

Dick Emerick of Savage, MN passed away on March 31, 2009 after a battle with cancer. He was a graduate of the  University of MN law school, and a member of Law Review, Minnesota Bar Association, and a charter board member of the Upper Midwest Koi Club. He was an avid Koi collector; a hobby in which he found much enjoyment. At his request, no service will be held. Memorial donations may be made in his name to AKCA Project KHV, Attn: Doug Dahl, PO Box 4045, Oakhurst, CA 93644 to help fund research of a deadly Koi virus. [Thanks to Jim Lane for letting us know.]

Al Oestreich in his wanderings on the internet came across this photo and article  about our classmate Marron Fort.  Since it was in German, Al was kind enough to render it into English for us:

Marron is an expert in Plattdeutsch = Low German or "Platt" and in Frisisch = East Frisian languages. These are Germanic languages rather close to English in many ways. It's also the language of the northern Netherlands. Here is Al's translation:

An invitation from the Lingen [a city in Lower Saxony] regional group council to a lecture on Plattdeutsch [Low German] and Friesian from Lingen to Langeoog - a region and its language- December 14, 2006, by Professor Marron Fort. The language and library expert goes into the question of who still speaks Low German, and when?

The American-born black Dr Fort was head of the Professional Section on East Friesland Low German and East [Saterland] Friesian languages in Oldenburg. Dr Fort is well known for his translation of the New Testament and the psalms into East Frisian. He began his studies in German, English, and Mathematics at Princeton in 1957. In 1961, he received a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania with a study-exchange in Freiburg where he worked on his dissertation on Low German as spoken in Vechta [Lower Saxony, Germany]. From 1969 to 1980 he taught and did research as Professor for German at the University of New Hampshire. In his lecture he will discuss the history of Low German, including family names and place names and about the special mentality of the speakers of the languages. He has always believed a researcher into a language should master it.

Joe McGinity passed along this photo from Nick Gotten.  From left, Pamela and Nick, Patty and John McLaughlin, Joe and Maureen, Marcia and Dick Ringel '62. "We gathered here in Naples last Wednesday, 1/28/09, and had just finished dinner and untold bottles of Tuscan wine. I was too drunk to walk - always carry a crutch just in case. Note the scholarly dangling specs on Dick and me, vs. the perfectly professional pocket carry of Nick and John. Conversation was brilliant all night, but I'm hazy on the details."

[Joe later reassured us that in fact he was holding the crutch for someone else, and his opponents still had better watch out for him on the tennis court.]

Roland Kuchel has sent us the sad news that his roommate Walter Petraitis of Kula, HI, died Dec. 27, 2008, at Maui Memorial Medical Center. Private services were held. Walt was born July 29, 1939, in Montclair, N.J. He was a retired entrepreneur. Their other roommates were Tim Scarff, Pete Marcus, Ted Ramsey, and Dick Whitaker.

The class welcomes our newest officer: Jim Lane has accepted the Planned Giving chairman's post. We appreciate Ted Athanassiades's years of service in this position.  Click here for more information about the planned giving program, and scroll down the page to view the list of classmates who have already stepped up.  You can visit the Class Officers' page for Jim's contact info and get in touch.

Grandpa Jerry Graber wrote to Kathy Wall: "Jan.14, 2009, Lucy (Lucia Jacqueline) and Eve (Martha Eve) came into this world at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Danny ['94] and [daughter] Julie are living in Santa Fe for nine months as Danny has a fellowship developing his thesis into a book. Corey Rose is doing great not yet having seen her sisters as they are in the neonatal intensive care unit, but doing well. With the Hoffmans, Danny's folks, we have leased a lovely two bedroom home about five minutes from Julie and Danny's home. Once the girls get home we are going to alternate stays in Santa Fe for several months. Hope all is well with each of you."

Class secretary George Brakeley has received the list of this year's '61 scholarship winners along with  letters of appreciation from two of our scholarship recipients..

Holiday e-card received from Dick Greminger: although Sharon is in a cast from wrist surgery, he reports lots of interesting travel (with some of their children and grandchildren) this year, including Tampa, Big Sky Montana, Yellowstone, and San Francisco for Jennifer's graduation.  "Our dog Molly is the love of our life and is the unquestioned ruler of the house. SHARON AND I ARE CERTAINLY BLESSED WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY -- God bless you one and all" ****Dick and Sharon.

Canterbury School alumnus Ken Scasserra reports that his '57 classmate there, John D. O'Neill, will receive the Canterbury Medal awarded for "extraordinary efforts" to advance their mission.  It will be presented at a special ceremony at the Union League Club in NYC on January 22. 2009.  John has served on the Canterbury board since 1986, and as its Vice-president from 1992 to 2007.  Our class is well represented at Canterbury -- Bill O'Connor won the medal last year.

John, like Ken, has been very active in hockey associations, and his golf prowess is well known to our classmates he leaves in the dust at our annual Florida golf outings.  He has served on the boards of four golf clubs, and on the Exec Committees of the Metropolitan and the U.S. Golf Associations.

The Davis Brown law firm honored Stephen W. Roberts for 43 years of service on November 6, 2008. Steve  is the firm's full time lobbyist at the Iowa legislature. He is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and recognized by Best Lawyers in America (R), Corporate Law and Government Relations. Roberts has been the Iowa Republican State Chairman, Committeeman for the Republican National Party, and active in leadership roles of many regional and local organizations.

"It is with great great sadness we have to report the death of Bill Rudell. Jim Lane phoned us this evening after learning from Paul Rubincam. Bill died in his sleep last night. Jim will call us as he learns more detail. This is a true loss to the class and many of us who will never forget his wonderful smiling face."  -- Kathy Wall, 11/20/08.  Services were held 11/28, at First United Methodist Church in Burbank. Click here to view the program.

His widow Jacquie's address is 1743 Rudell Road, Burbank, CA 91501. She suggested that classmates might wish to donate to the Princeton Class of '61 in his memory.  For Annual Giving, you should have received a card from Kathy and Rick Wall recently, or you can give online.  For donations to the Class Scholarship fund, please click here.

Click here for an interesting Burbank Leader article about Bill's productive life. Last year, Bill received an award from Botswana.  Click here for details plus photos.

On Nov. 3, Bill Miller wrote to the Class Secretary: "Near the end of August, Tom Garrett and Paul Sanger organized a reunion for nine of us who roomed together senior year. Enclosed is a picture and from left to right are Eddie Brown, Scott Driscoll, myself, Tom, Paul, George Barker and Tal Mack. Unfortunately, Rick Butt and Toby Rankin could not make it. We gathered in Santa Rosa, California where Tom lives and were treated to delightful tours of the wineries in both Napa and Sonoma Valleys as well as terrific dinners. I think we are a young looking crowd! I thought this may be of interest [to the class]."

On Sunday, November 9, 2008, Jim Zirin interviewed Frank Deford on his DIGITAL AGE program aired on  New York's WNYE (Channel 25). The topic was Will The Net Change The Way We View Sports In America?  You can watch it online by clicking here.

From: David A Sawyer, 11/02/08: Hi George: "Actually I was at Princeton only two years, plus a month or two into a third when I left for the Army. My two years at Princeton were a fascinating sabbatical between my first and last years at Missouri. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to see what the Princeton scene was all about and especially to experience and compete in the superb academics; the upper class social scene of that day I cared less for though I know that Princeton is in that way much more advanced a place now as Woodrow Wilson's dream is finally starting to come to fruition with Meg Whitman's magnificent contribution. As for my bio since the 25th, I retired from Chicago Title in 1999, luckily got mostly out of the market before the crash, then returned to KC and in the course of omnivorous reading in history and politics since that time have become more staunch a liberal than ever whose favorite membership is the Center for American Progress. As for family, I was divorced long ago and never remarried but am kept busy with siblings and nieces and nephews and other extended family here in this beloved city where my family has been since 1835 and whose unexpectedly nuanced history intrigues me. Despite threescore and ten, I am, with the taking up of cycling as a conditioner, getting into reasonable shape (though nothing like when rowing with the crew on Lake Carnegie) and plan to be around yet a good long while. Thanks for your inquiry--I'll get in the habit of communicating periodically over time."

Your webmaster Len Berton's hiking group was featured in the Fall 2008 Litchfield Hills (CT) edition of Seasons magazine.  Click here to view the article.  He hikes at least twice a week, and leads the group featured in the magazine one morning per week in the Fall and Spring seasons.  Len has also completed over 325 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Delaware Water Gap, PA across NJ, NY, CT and MA and a bit into VT. Aside from the exercise and the scenery, the best part is meeting really great people.  Turns out one of the guys in the group is a Yalie, but we let him hike with us despite this shortcoming.

10/16/08 Event: Princeton in Africa honored Ambassador Frank G. Wisner, Vice Chairman of External Affairs, American International Group, at the Racquet and Tennis Club, NYC. Frank will receive the Princeton in Africa Medal.

"A South African photographic safari brought Marlene and me to Singita, an outstanding game preserve in South Africa's Krueger National Park. There, in the gift shop, I ran into Ted Newlin, whom I hadn't seen for almost 50 years. He and his wife Carole were traveling with Jim Blair and his wife. I later saw Jim on the plane and it was fun catching up after this chance encounter so far away from Princeton, NJ. Jim's wife took pictures of the three of us when we arrived by plane at Johannesburg." from Jim Zirin to the Class Secretary, 10/7/08.  "Hugh and Donna Scott were also trekking thru Africa at about the same time, but alas, we never overlapped", added Blair.

9/18/08 - To the Class Secretary: "This year my son and I moved racing up a notch to Formula Continentals. The colors and number on my car say a lot (photo attached). Still tuning our cars, but he was third at Road America June Sprints (run annually since 1955) and I was fifth. Sunday I won the FC race at Road America where SCCA Runoff Championships will be the next three years. Still working full-time which interferes with my racing addiction, but no other maladies yet. Definitely running slower, but the car doesn¹t know how  old I am." John Greist  [Ed. note: check out the number above the left rear tire!]

Joe Prather, our class reunions co-chair, has been elected Executive Officer of the African Professional Hunters Association.  Its members are all over the world, with the majority living in Africa.  The Association's president is Valéry Giscard D’Estaing, the former president of France.

The primary objectives of the APHA, which was founded in 1993, are: To ensure the continuation of Safari hunting in Africa; To ensure that Safari Hunting is undertaken only in an ethical manner; To collaborate with and assist all Government authorities and realistic NGO’s concerned with all aspects of the conservation of big game and its environment; To ensure that African game continues to be conserved for the ultimate benefit of the local people who live surrounded by it. Such benefits are best derived from Safari Hunting, the activity that is in the forefront of wildlife conservation. The Association believes that the indigenous people benefiting from their resource of big game will ensure its conservation and that of its environment.

Joe hired your faithful class webmaster, Len Berton, to take on the web duties for www.africanpha.org.  Joe recently created African PHA Foundation, Inc. for those who may wish to make tax-deductible donations to this cause.  Joe and Len have developed the website for the Foundation.

© 2009 The Princeton University Class of 1961, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA
Webmaster: Len Berton '61