Along with teaching high school math at Poynette High School, I have also been named an Assistant Professor for Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and will be facilitating a community of learners as they work to complete their Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning.

1970

Susan Hecht Gebhardt

815-464-5761 / 815-260-1656 / [email protected]

Hello again to the Class of 1970,

I hope you are enjoying a great summer with your families and friends. BILL GEBHARDT ’69, and I had a wonderful time in Hawaii. We enjoyed beautiful weather, sightseeing, a little golf, and just missed the flooding in Kauai and eruption of Kilauea on the big island. We stopped in Napa, California on the return trip for more sightseeing and wine tasting. We were home long enough to receive the wine we had purchased and repack before traveling to Florida to begin the remodeling of the condo we bought in Fort Pierce. Next winter it should be ready for guests in case any of you are in the area. This summer has been busy with our little granddaughters, golfing, and working on the family cottage in Wisconsin.

Class Notes:

In March, JOAN REINKE ZIEGLER ’70 emailed some of the AXO’s of the class of ’70 with a great suggestion. She wrote, “This is the year we all turn 70, a good time to plan a 1 or 2 day outing at a resort to celebrate our friendships.” She suggested June and offered several good places. After much emailing over several months, ten of us met at The Abbey on Geneva Lake, Wisconsin. Those attending were: CHRIS LYDON JONES ’70 (AZ), COLLEEN BURR KAMIN ’70 (IL), CONNIE JAYE HARRIS ’70 (IL), MARY GEIGER VAN DYKE ’70 (MN), CASSY BROOKS CURTRIGHT ’70 (AZ), LINDA WOHLSCHLAGER LARSON ’70 (SC), BEV RICE TRIER ’71 (AZ), SARAH RANDAHL HARMON ’71 (WI), plus Joan (WI) and myself (IL).  Cassy commented, “We had a fabulous time eating, drinking, catching up on children, grandchildren, spouses, retirement, etc.” Connie added, “It was the perfect 3 day un-weekend…great lodging, delicious food and wine and wine and wine as well as an indoor track to our rooms! We have so many good Ripon memories but finding out what everyone is up to now was just as much fun.” Mary Lynn remarked, “Isn’t it amazing how those few years (I left mid junior year!) could form such long lasting friendships.” All of us send many thanks to Joan for this wonderful idea and for organizing everything.

COLLEEN BURR KAMEN ’70 of Chicago, Illinois, writes, “What an unbelievable stroke of luck that I showed up at the First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Chicago in August 2017. As I was reading down the church bulletin, a name stood out. GEORGE MANNING ’70 is the Music Director of the church. Yep, George Manning…class of 1970. I introduced myself and George broke out into an AXO song (that I couldn’t possibly have remembered). George has become a treasured friend. Ripon comes back to us in the most miraculous and joyful ways.”

DAVID BUHNER ’70 of Valparaiso, Indiana, writes,  “Like many of our classmates, I finally decided to retire and start travelling. Retiring at the end of February, we spent two weeks on the beaches of Punta Cana in April and will do 12 days on a Viking River Cruise in June. I also finished the wine cellar in our new house, so if you or our classmates ever plan to come to Valparaiso, Indiana, give a holler and we’ll share a bottle (or two) of wine.”

SHERYL SWENNES SCARLETT ’70, of Glenshaw, Pennsylvania writes: “I didn’t weigh in before on the choice of a reunion venue, so I thought I would now. I actually think the college does a good job on the dinner, and it’s nice to be on campus to get together with people from other classes afterward.”

LINDA TRACY FONDA ’70, of Freeport, Illinois shares some sad news with us: “DAVID FONDA ’70 died February 21, 2018. He is survived by his wife, LINDA TRACY FONDA ’70, two children and two grandchildren.” She adds this quote from Russell Kirsch: “Nothing is withheld from us what we have conceived to do.”

Thank you all for sharing a bit of your news with us. As we approach our 50th reunion we have a lot for which to be thankful, and we are also aware how important it is to make every minute count. Please continue to keep in touch with your Ripon friends and to send me your news and reunion suggestions. Also, please send Ripon any changes in addresses and emails.

SUSAN

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Mara Latsons Warren ’61, Karen Schneider Center ’61, “Sugar” Evann Maltby Balmes ’61, and Mary Bachus Miller ’61 gather in Lake Geneva and share great memories of Ripon.  So many stories, so many laughs…always such fun when we get together after all these years.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Barbara Williams Clay

[email protected]

 Spring 2018

Hello Ripon Class of 1983!

It is time for the class agent spring letter and I hope to reconnect with you in person this summer for Alumni Weekend and our very special 35th Class Reunion. When is this “great event” you ask? Mark your calendars and make your reservations for June 21-24, 2018. Our 35th Class Reunion celebration is just around the corner.

LEXIE SHEPARD KERMANI ’83 is sending out a letter in support of our reunion that is filled with memories and it is our hope that it will inspire you to join in the fun and support Ripon’s efforts. We have secured “The Spot,” (formerly known as The Pub) for our specific class party on Saturday evening, June 23. Now if that doesn’t bring back memories… well, it is new and improved and a wonderful venue for our gathering.

I also want to make you aware of an opportunity to participate in Ripon’s first-ever Giving Day: #OneDayRally. In honor of Ripon’s founding in 1851, our #OneDayRally giving day will be held for 18 hours and 15 minutes on April 25, 2018. Anything donated that day by members of our class will be put towards our class reunion gift.

In years past, we have risen to the occasion to support Ripon both in participation and funding. I am confident that we can continue this tradition. Here are some fun facts about our last two reunions:

Alumni Weekend 2018 and our 35th Reunion looks to be a blast, and we hope you’ll be able to join us on campus in June. Full weekend details including schedule and registration are available online at www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend.

Please let me know if you would like to participate in the reunion planning. If there are professors that you would like to us to invite, a memory that you would like to share, or if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact any of the following:

News from classmates:

DAVID MATACZYNSKI CLANAUGH ’83 of Duluth, Minnesota, writes, “Working hard to revitalize the Habitat for Humanity mission in the Duluth, Minnesota-Superior, Wisconsin region as the affiliate’s executive director.”

Wishing you the best in 2018,

Barb Williams Clay Class Agent 1983

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Co Class Agents:

Cathy Lothrop Hager

[email protected]

Cell: 925-984-6713

Peter Hintz

     [email protected]

     Cell: 920-229-4399             

           Kristin Rasmussen Olson

                [email protected]

Cell:  507-279-1091

Spring 2018

Dear Class of ’82

Your Class Agents all wish you a Happy New Year and hope you are doing well.  

We noticed that our wonderful picture on Green Lake wasn’t included in the fall publication, so here it is.  We had such a great time and this is just too good not to share:

There are some changes coming as to how alumni news will be shared.  

• • R Connections will become an annual fall publication, therefore there will be no spring 2018 version mailed to alumni.

• Obituaries are going back to the Ripon Magazine starting in July 2018 and no longer be included in R Connections.

• A stronger Class Agent, class letter and news note presence online is being developed for release this fall.

What we were told is that once the Office of Constituent Engagement gets our letter, you should have it within a week as an email, and it can be posted on our Facebook page. This is really good news, as sometimes the news is stale by the time it reaches you. You will still hear from us twice a year but get one magazine a year.  

There are a couple of class notes and one passing.  

CHICAGO — On Sept. 9, the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science presented its annual College of Health Professions Distinguished Alumnus Award to DAWN LABARBERA ’82, Ph.D., PA-C, and director of Trine University’s emerging Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. She earned a Master of Science in physician assistant studies from Rosalind Franklin University, then called Finch University, in 1994. She helped drive the early growth and development of RFU’s physician assistant program, joining the faculty in 1996 and serving over the next decade in numerous capacities, including assistant professor, assistant program director and coordinator for admissions, research and clinical education. Dawn has practiced clinically throughout her career and has served as a part-time family practice PA since 2013 with Lutheran Medical Group in Fort Wayne.

THOMAS G. DORSCHEID ’82 of Janesville, Wisconsin, writes, “I now work at LeMans Corp. in Janesville, WI. I have 4 grandkids and one more due in December. Life is good!”

And we remember:

DIANE BAUGHN ’82 Born July 3, 1958. Died October 7, 2017 at the wonderful age of 59. Daughter of Donna (nee Karolus) and the late Richard. Sister of Georgianna and aunt of Aubrey and Nathan Krzynski. “Please celebrate my life. I lived so much longer than ever expected and cherished life and all surrounding it. I truly came to appreciate the love of family. Being aunt to Aubrey and Nathan was the best thing that ever happened to me.” Diane enjoyed life thoroughly and embraced everything. Her passion was sharing smiles and positivity while helping others through teaching, listening and loving. She saw each day as a gift. Diane asked that her life be celebrated and her memory kept close in the hearts of those she touched. A Celebration of Life will take place Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon with a Time of Remembrance at 11:00 AM all at Forest Home Cemetery Chapel, 2405 West Forest Home Avenue, Milwaukee. Memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, 620 S. 76th St #160, Milwaukee, WI 53214 or to Diane’s family appreciated.”

***Mark your Calendars***

We are thrilled to introduce a brand new initiative this year – #OneDayRally – a Giving Day for Ripon College – which will take place on April 25. Running for 18 hours and 51 minutes (5:09 a.m. to midnight), the College’s committee has planned extensive social media posts and events to encourage both new and loyal donors to increase their support of our College.

I (Cathy) plan to participate, so expect to see a post or two from me leading up to this day! And I am big on Facebook and dabble on Twitter.  

If you are in the area, go to the Alumni Weekend, June 21-24. We had such a blast, and there is much to see. If you can get there, go for some or all of the weekend. If you have any news, please feel free to share with any one of us or directly to the Office of Constituent Engagement. We love hearing about your travels, job updates, relocations, retirements, children or grandchildren and their achievements, or anything you want to share.  

All the best,

Cathy, Peter, and Kristen

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:

Lawrence “Larry” Nikolaus

[email protected]

Spring 2018

Greetings, Class of ’81!

Thanks for those of you have that have visited the “Ripon Class of 81” Facebook page.  If you haven’t been there check out some of pictures I found of the good old days.

I am still working for MITRE and supporting the AF’s missile warning radars. I am also beginning my 13th year as Scoutmaster for Troop 194 and was proud to announce our 84th Eagle Scout in 30 years.  My wife, KATHY HARBUT NIKOLAUS ’81, continues to work as a physical therapist and in August, Kathy rode the 65-mile Tour of the Moon cycling event through the Grand Junction and Colorado National Monument. We had the chance to visit our youngest daughter in Germany this summer as she ended her year as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. Practice for our soon to be empty nest status.

Best,

Larry

Class Notes:

DEBORAH CIZEK SMITH ’81:  Sorry to start off on a sad note.  I received word that Deb passed away suddenly a year ago in February.  At the time of her death, she was living in Hinsdale, Illinois and was employed by Advantage Sales and Marketing.

JEFF MCANDREW ’81: In the spring of 2017 my son, Ryan Jeffrey McAndrew, graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a business degree from the Lubar School of business. In May of 2017, I won 2nd place in the Jean Nelson Essay at the Lakefly Writers Contest in Oshkosh. The award was presented May 12 at the annual writer’s conference. I am also president of the Wordsmiths Writers Club in North Fond du Lac, which has sponsored a scholarship for students at the local high school for the past two years.

DAN FINKELSTEIN ’81: I’ve been retired from corporate life for about 9 years and I have a retirement gig that I absolutely love. I test drive cars for Roush. Last year I drove 103,456 miles, flew 33,145… and found time to play 45 rounds of golf.  Mary and I have been married for almost 35 years and still live in Troy, Michigan.

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agents:

Jeff Penney

Peggy Gero DaValt

Spring 2018

“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.

~Henry Van Dyke

Greetings Classmates!!

It’s that big celebration year!!

Greetings and happy birthday to those of you who likely already have or will be turning 60!!

Welcome to the next decade of our lives!! Just where did that past years go? I have pondered this over the past several months as I notice my high school classmates and college classmates all turning 60.  When I was 18 – 60 was ancient. Now that I’m almost there, I don’t feel ancient, I feel more like a classic – aged appropriately as I have gone on life’s journey through time. For four short years, starting in 1976, many of us took a trip to a small, Midwestern town, named Ripon, for college. While there we learned about life. When we left there, we continued to learn about life. Life is cyclic. Right?

Change

As with anything we have learned – change is always there. You will notice some changes to what Ripon College is doing to keep you more connected to them.

Here are three exciting newsworthy items, as they affect us (your class agents) and you (eventually)

• R Connections will become an annual fall publication, therefore there will be no spring 2018 version mailed to alumni.
• Obituaries are going back to the Ripon Magazine starting in July 2018 and will no longer be included in R Connections.
• A stronger Class Agent, class letter and news note presence online is being developed for release this fall.

Class News

As always, there are some of you that do keep in touch with me either via Facebook, the Ripon College Class of 1980 Facebook Group and by email. Please continue to share information with me. I love connecting with all of you, and while that is often not reciprocated, I have come to learn, that maybe, just maybe, not everyone has the same relationship with Ripon College as I do as, or as I think they should and I respect you for your beliefs.

For now, you get to have me as that life-long cheerleader for Ripon College. As my journey has taught me, the four years that I spent there, were perhaps the most amazing 4 years of my life because of all of you that I have met and cared for along the way. Plus I had fun while at Ripon College!!

SUSAN ANGELL SCHMIDT ’80

ANDREW SCHMIDT ’81

The big news from our family: our son, Alex, was accepted to the UW School of Law! He starts in August 2018. He is planning to return to Wausau to carry on the family tradition. He will be the fourth generation of Schmidt to practice law in Wausau. Andy and Sue enjoyed another summer at the cabin on Lake Superior. The older we get, the more we enjoy falling off the grid. There is something to be said for no electricity and no social media. We hear only the sound of waves crashing on the beach. We are enjoying another exchange student. She is from Spain and wants to be an attorney. Hmmmm, there seems to be a trend here!

From DEBBIE CLARK GLENN’S ’80 note to me: Mid October 2017, DEBBIE CLARK GLENN ’80 met up with ELLEN BARTH ’80, in Appleton, WI after she completed teaching at the Smocking Arts Guild convention in St Louis, MO. Debbie noted  she “Forgot how glorious fall is in WI”. They toured the state, viewing leaves and visiting Ripon alums…had dinner with fellow Alpha Delta Pi sisters, MARY BRANDT ’80 and CATHY SCHMIDT CRIST ’80 in Menasha, went for a tour of Birds and Art in Wausau and then to a show at The Grand in Wausau, entitled “Eagle-Mania” which is a cover band that plays all Eagles music and then met up with JANIE RUNKEL FREDRICK ’74 and toured Old World Wisconsin and a quick lunch in Madison with PEGGY GERO DAVALT ’80. Great seeing Ripon friends!

JEFF PENNEY ’80 –My youngest son just completed his basketball season on the freshmen team at Penn High School. They ended up losing in the league finals. The coolest part was his coach was his oldest brother. Other than that, it’s about time to watch the grass grow here in Indiana.

It’s time for work, so I must close. Be well and celebrate everything!! For those of you on Facebook, please make sure you continue to add to the discussion on the page for our Class. The Class of 1979, 1982 also have pages on Facebook. The link to ours is here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/283209381878413/

To Ripon College,

Jeff  and Peggy

Co-Class Agents

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:

Kevin Warmack ’79

(773) 220-5360

[email protected]

[email protected]

Spring 2018

Greetings All,

The Spring Thaw (in February) has hit. The Golf Show was this past weekend in Chicago, and of course I was there! We’re just over a year from celebrating 40 years since that fateful May day, Basketball season is in full bloom at Ripon as both the Men and Women’s teams have qualified for the Midwest Conference Tournament (The Women’s Tournament was held at Wilmore (Storzer) last weekend.) But it’s time to start spreading the news!  

So here is some Class of 1979 News:   

JAMES GOODRICH ’79 of Lomita, California, has been quite busy. In December, Jim married his longtime partner and friend, Allen Perlstein. Welcome to the Class of 1979 Family, Allen!  Then in February, Jim retired as a 5th grade teacher from Long Beach Unified School District.   Congratulations, Jim!

JAMES LAUFENBURG ’79 of Arlington, Virginia, is now the Director, Military District of Washington Ceremonies and Special Events at U.S. Government.

SUZIE MEIER ’79 of Chicago, Illinois, writes, “After 13 years in DC, I moved back to Chicago in November, 2017. (My timing could have been better given the winter we’re having!) Am really enjoying reconnecting with Ripon friends SANDY LUNDEEN MEYER ’79, MARYJO MACSWAIN ’77, BARB EDUCATE DOLAN ’78, TERRI FOLEY SCHNEIDER ’80 and others. I just started the 7th year of my consulting practice for nonprofit boards – still loving it.”

ERIC PETERMAN ’79 of Delavan, Wisconsin, is now working for Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative located in Sierra Vista, Arizona as the Public Relations Manager.  This is quite a change for him from being a newspaper man, even during those weeks on First Floor New Scott in 1975! Congrats on the move.  

Move over Harrison Ford, DIANE QUON ’79 of Lake Forest, Illinois, is here! Diane now has a second career as an Award Winning Filmmaker. Four years ago, Diane went back to Film School and eventually produced a film that was presented at the Sundance Film Festival in January. The film is a documentary entitled Minding the Gap. It is the story of three young men who bond together to escape volatile families in their Rust Belt hometown. As they face adult responsibilities, unexpected revelations threaten their decades-long friendship.  Diane and her team won the Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Filmmaking in the U.S. Documentary Competition. Here is a picture of Diane at Sundance. Congrats Diane, we are all proud of you!

40th Reunion Planning

Remember when we used to type “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.”  Well, I’m adapting this to state that now is the time for us to begin planning what our 40th (can you believe it, we’re as old as our parents were at this time!) Reunion Party is going to be. I’m expecting quite a few of us to show up and celebrate, so I’m looking for volunteers.  You can let me know by e-mail, carrier pigeon, snail mail, smoke signals, text, SMS, etc.

As always, it is a pleasure to write to y’all. Special thanks to BETH PALMBACH NEMECEK ’79 for those Facebook posts from the College. Let’s plan to get together soon. By the way, I may be in your neighborhoods (work travel). So watch out for a reach out for a beer or 3!

Also, when you got news, don’t hold on, drop me a note so I can make your Class Letter the best!

Love Always, 

Kevin L. Warmack, ‘79

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:

Alan Lawrence

920-730-9515 [email protected]

Spring 2018

Dear Class of 1977:

Last June our class celebrated its 40th Reunion during Alumni Weekend. A number of us made it back to campus to enjoy our class reunion. We are invited every year to participate in the weekend. There is plenty to do and enjoy even without “our” class reunion. Chances are good that you know people in other classes and that you’ll know people any year that you visit Ripon. It runs June 21-24 this year, with most of the activities on Saturday.  I’m planning to be there on the 23rd before 11:30, in time for the Class March and Celebration and the BBQ Lunch. Maybe I’ll see you there.

See the college website for schedules and registration.

https://www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend/

Facebook has helped many of us regain connections with our classmates. I have appreciated that opportunity.   Among them is my former roommate, MARK TESLIK ’76. I’m attending his marriage on April 14 at Devil’s Lake State Park.

The college sends notes when they hear from our classmates. LARRY LAUX ’78 of Dousman, Wisconsin, got together with his siblings including DONNA LAUX ’75 and went fishing in western Ontario. Yup, he caught some. Larry is married to NINA WULFF ’77.

I was also informed about the death of another of our classmates, JEAN UETZMANN PORDON ’77. Jean died December 27 at the age of 62. She was the wife of DENNIS PORDON ’74 for 40 years. Her obituary informed me that she had two children and has grandchildren. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and praise band, leading women’s ministry, and volunteering. Jean spent many years teaching at Divine Redeemer Lutheran School and coaching youth sports. She was always active playing tennis, kayaking, gardening, and sewing.

MARYJO MACSWAIN ’77 wrote to me about an idea to help celebrate Jean Uetzmann Pordon’s life. We are trying to do a memorial locker for her in the new Willmore Center. Contributors should send a check to Ripon College by April 15. You must note that it is for the Jean Uetzmann Pordon memorial locker. This will count towards your years of giving.

Always remember that your financial help is very important to help keep Ripon a competitive and quality institution. Your donations are important every year. Please consider making a gift to Ripon College this year. Your participation is very important. Please write back to me or to the alumni office.  We’d love to hear from you.

Always for Ripon,

Alan N. Lawrence

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:

Jondi Gumz ‘75

831-461-1120

[email protected]

WARREN BLUHM ’75 of Luxemborg, Wisconsin, writes, “Did I ever mention that CJ and I got married on Jan. 28, 2017? After 20 years of bliss, it seemed like time to make it wedded bliss…The Gannett machine spit me out at the end of October 2016. I started a local independent online news outlet called the Kewaunee County Comet (kewauneecomet.com) which is becoming moderately successful, and I am also the editor of the Oconto County Times Herald weekly newspaper… the one bit of breaking news is that CJ has retired from her career in chemistry (the last quarter-century as a chemist for a prominent nutritional supplement company) and is happily trying out other things to do with her time. She seems so happy that I am tempted to follow in her path, except I’m having fun doing what I’m doing.”

RICK ESTBERG ’75 of Severna Park, Maryland, reports that he’s in rehearsals for a new stage production in Annapolis, this time in the musical farce Lucky Stiff.  He plays, in one disguise or another, a New Jersey tough guy, an Arab, and an Italian tycoon, one of whom ends up being the “Stiff.”  He recently won a Toastmasters district-level humorous speech contest in Wilmington, Delaware, where the best speakers representing over 100 clubs competed. From 9 to 5 it’s still work at the National Security Agency, where he is a senior foreign relations staff officer.  He’s looking to retire sometime in the next year or two; he and his wife will finish up with 75 years of combined service in the Department of Defense.

RUTH GALES FRECHMAN ’75 of North Hollywood, California, is the president of the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She reports on Facebook, “Great day at Los Angeles City Hall receiving a proclamation from L.A. City Councilmember Paul Krekorian. Just had to say a few words to my fellow L.A. citizens.”

ANDY RICHARDS ’75 of Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, reports, “We are enjoying life in Central Florida, in a small town called Howey-in-the-Hills. Moved from Colorado to Florida several years ago, and definitely not missing the winters; however, we strive to be elsewhere during the summer months since the summer months are unbearable in Florida.  I am now fully retired and feel like I have never been busier.  I don’t understand how that works!  Darlene and I enjoy playing golf and travelling. We’re planning a visit to the Baltic countries this summer. I also hope to squeeze in some snow skiing this March. In addition to golf, I keep busy taking guitar lessons and cycling.” 

MARY JENKEL DELK ’75 of St. Paul, Minnesota, writes, “We just sold our house.  JACK DELK ’74 retires in April and we are building a home in Austin, Texas. We are looking forward to being close to our grandsons.  Look us up if you are in the area!” You can connect with Mary at [email protected].

DICK O’CONNOR ’75 of Olympia, Washington, writes, “Cathy and I celebrated our 40th last June with a peaceful three days at a B&B about a half hour away on south Puget Sound. I fished (but did not catch, typical), Cathy crocheted, and we did a little harp (her) and pennywhistle (me, or at least I am trying) practice just for fun. Getaways are underappreciated! We also visited friends in Orlando over spring break (first Disney trip ever, but one day at Epcot was plenty), enjoyed Thanksgiving in Denver (NANCY LAWS KERN ’75 is going to kill me if I don’t call her next time), and spent two days at B&B houses on the Cle Elum River in July with the five kids, spouses, and grandkids. I did catch a few trout there, but so did the grandkids, so we are not talking about high skill needed here. We currently have seven grandkids, with one coming next Saturday or so, and another in June. Retirement from the state looks like three-and-a-half years away for Cathy, so I’ll wrap up my high school teaching “second career” then as well. If anyone finds themselves in Washington State, particularly if you are heading near or by Olympia (state capitol, we all remember all 50 of them, right?), drop me a line and let’s catch up!” Catch Dick at [email protected]

LES PAGANO ’75 of Odenton, Maryland, writes to say his daughter was married in the Washington D.C. area on January 27. Classmates DAN RAK ’75, his wife ANN IBERLE RAK ’77, and Dan’s brother ED RAK ’77 were all in attendance.

JOHN DERGE ’75 reports from El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain, where he and his wife moved last August. He writes, “We love it here.”

Nice to hear from BOB SEGAL ’75 who is in Dublin, Ohio, LAURIE LANDIS WOLFORD ’75 who is in Lone Tree, Colorado and BECKY HADLEY ’75 who is in San Antonio, Texas. Connect with Bob at [email protected]. Laurie at [email protected] and Becky is at [email protected].

Thanks to MARK WRIGHT ’75, for his 12 years of service on the Ripon College Board of Trustees! He stepped down in October.  Mark is married to MARCIA WILSON WAHOSKE ’75, and they live in North Mankato, Minnesota.

Mark writes: “I did visit the Willmore Center (the newest building on campus) and it is really quite a work of design and utility.  The indoor track and lobby are probably the two most impressive features and we hoped they would be during the design phase.  I would encourage alumni to help the college by working with the Admissions Office on recommending students and meeting with potential applicants.  Ripon, like every university and college in the country is working harder than ever to secure an entering class.  The college has the facilities, staff, faculty and coaches to operate with more students than currently on campus.  Ripon’s new Catalyst program puts us ahead of most schools with recognizing the skills graduates need to get a job, perform well in their career, work in a collaborative manner, utilize data effectively and objectively and continue to adapt to changes in needed skills.  In the greater scheme of things, Ripon is much the same relative to having small classes, clubs, fraternal groups and sports teams.  The big changes are in the addition of support services to help students, students having cars to come and go, courses in many areas with a more specific subject matter, the need for a more updated physical plant (this is a continual issue), and students being more engaged in social change, such as supporting public causes.”  

In February, Mark was at Grinnell College watching the swim team at Conference and hosting his 12th annual parent and team dinner for 50-plus people at Relish, a local restaurant. He writes: “This will be one of the largest groups ever to attend Conference.  The women’s team made Academic All American status for the 8th semester in a row.  No other Ripon team even comes close, from what I know.  For two semesters in 2015-2016 they ranked No. 3 and No. 2 in the entire country among all schools from D-III to D-I.  Their team averages were 3.64 and 3.86 for twelve women swimmers!”  

Mark semi-retired in August.  He writes: “Two organizations have retained me to do small business and financial consulting which is keeping me busy.  Marcia and I were in Chicago where we visited “the bean,” walked down the Navy Pier on an absolutely frigid and windy day and saw Hamilton, which was everything that people have said about it.  The singing and performance were amazing.  If any classmates have an opportunity to see the roadshow, which is about to begin touring the country, they should.  It is very good!  Very little speaking, almost all singing and the tunes are great.  We would recommend borrowing the CDs from your library and listening to the music for the week prior to seeing the show…  Marcia is currently recovering from foot surgery and should be back on her feet by late March.”

STEVE ANDERSON ’75 of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is president of Anderson Agency, Inc. in Plymouth, Minnesota. He writes: “It is amazing how quickly years pass and you reflect on events at Ripon when you were 18 years old. I remember freshman year and applying for a draft number for the Vietnam War. I also remember racial and political unrest not only at Ripon but campuses all over the country. Occasionally on my way to a cabin in Northern Wisconsin, I sometimes wonder about how much progress we have made as a country. As a parent of four and a grandparent of one (soon-to-be two) I am not always proud of some of the things we have neglected to fix during our watch. However, I am hopeful that there is some small way each of us will have an opportunity to make our world a better place for those who follow us.”  

I’m going to leave you with four words: Big Island Hawaii vacation.

Let me elaborate: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, coffee farm tour, a Santa Cruz surfing history connection, ripe papaya and secluded beaches, need I say more? I hope to have more news for you next time. If you have a new email, please let me know so we can stay in touch and mark your calendar for our next reunion in 2020, the last weekend in June. See you then!

Your Class Agent

JONDI GUMZ ’75

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:

Jan Petrovski MacLeod ’74
(630) 460-0320

Spring 2018

Hello and welcome to our class letter for spring 2018!  We might even call this The Food Issue because there will be a few food references ahead. One way that I know for sure that spring is coming is because today I received an email from one of my favorite drive-ins telling me they are opening for the season next weekend. Can gardening and deck-sitting be far behind?
Life has been pretty full since my last letter. Our granddaughter has kept us laughing, and we’ve enjoyed taking care of her on occasion to give her folks a break. Hard to believe she’s going to be joined by a sister in June and we can’t wait!
We managed to get tickets for the musical Hamilton, and recommend it to everyone. Not only are the music and acting fantastic, but the staging was incredible.
We took advantage of Chicago Restaurant Week and met our daughters for a lovely lunch at Trattoria #10, one of our favorite places in the city. We also give two thumbs up to Rivers, Catch 35, and Atwood. Add those to your list for the next time you are in Chicago.
Our winter was further enhanced by a delicious chicken & wild rice soup recipe from NICK VANDER PUY ’75 of Mellen, Wisconsin.  It’s too long to print here, but if you follow Nick on Facebook, he was kind enough to copy it there.  Add to that TIM VERNIER ’74’s old fashioned recipe, and you have the makings of a fine evening at home. Perhaps our class should publish a cookbook!

Speaking of TIM VERNIER ’74 of Tomah, Wisconsin, his long-awaited second novel in the Dick Stranger series was published in November. It’s called Lightning’s Landing, and I am looking forward to reading it, since I loved the first one so much. They are available at select retailers around the Tomah area, but also on Amazon. Congratulations, Tim!

SUE ALLEN GREEN ’74 formerly of Naperville, Illinois, is now settled in her new home in Roanoke, Virginia.  She’s very happy to be back in a milder climate and closer to her granddaughter. I hear that, Sue!

JANE RUNKEL FREDERICK ’74 of Shorewood, Wisconsin, will be visiting her daughter, Sarah, in Arizona and then on to California at the end of February. Jane says she and husband JOHN FREDERICK ’73 will be attending Alumni Weekend in June and hopes to see everyone there.

BARB BECHLER FLYNN ’74 of Carmel, Indiana, has managed to take part in a number of marathons over the winter, most notably a Donut 5K on December 23 and several in Disneyworld the first week of January, and she’s got the medals to prove it!  Barb says we shouldn’t be too impressed because she walks these courses, but I think it’s awesome and I hope to see her in Disneyworld next January.

ERIC SORENSEN ’74 of Marengo, Wisconsin, traveled to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the Siouxland Renaissance Faire Winter Feast on February 17.  He said, “It’s hard for an old guy being Mustafa’s roadie but well worth the effort to help out a wonderful little Renaissance Faire. A grand time was had by all!”

I am hoping to make it to Alumni Weekend (June 21-24) this year, but a lot will depend on when my new granddaughter arrives. If you plan to go, don’t wait too long to make hotel reservations.
          In the meantime, I plan to take in the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, and meet up with CHRIS OVERLY WALLACE ’74 for lunch, among other things. If you are in the area, give me a call. I am having a lot of fun being retired and being able to make my own calendar and timetable, and would enjoy your visit.

Hope to see you soon!

JAN

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer

239-390-1349 or 630-987-9388

j[email protected]

Dear 45th Reunion Class of 1973:

Do you feel as I do, that it cannot possibly be 45 years since we paraded down the lawn in front of the Union to get our diplomas? The years have flown by, and even though it’s been that long, many of my Ripon  memories  and friends I made there are fresh in my mind. GARY LEDERER ’72 and I treasure our Ripon friends and just recently hosted JOHN CLARK ’71 and his wife Patti here in Florida for a few days of golf. And a few days later we were again on the golf course with LINDA BRASSINGTON DANIELS ’72, and her husband Dave, and KAREN TESCHNER DORN ’72 and her husband Al. It just feels good to be with Ripon friends, and that is why I am so looking forward to our 45th Reunion on Alumni Weekend: June 21 to 24.

I hope many of you are planning on attending. Your Alumni Reunion Committee is working hard to make our Saturday night event memorable and fun. It will be a cocktail party held in the new Wilmore Center.  If you  have not seen the new health and wellness facility, you are in for a real treat! It is truly impressive. I have heard from a number of classmates who plan on being there: BRUCE CLAUTER ’73, ROB LEITSCHUH ’73,  DAVE  BUNTEN ’73, JIM STONE ’73, TIM PETERSIK ’73, DOREEN CONFORTI CHEMEROW ’73, MIKE JUNEAU ’73, KATE

PARRISH MILLER ’73, JOANN SELLECK ’73, JANE SCHORE ’73, and the list goes on. Hopefully we can add you to the list of attendees. Sign up is now available at https://www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend/. Golf on Friday morning, Awards Dinner that night, numerous events on Saturday during the day and our party in the evening. Please mark your calendars now.

As in all reunion years, our class is asked to step up our giving to the Annual Fund. Our class has been very generous in past reunion years, and I am hopeful each of you will come forward this year with a generous donation. You will, if you have not already, be hearing from DOREEN CONFORTI CHEMEROW ’73 and BILL MACLEOD ’73 regarding your gift. Our Ripon education helped each of us in our  careers and adult life, and giving to Ripon gives those coming behind us the same foundation of a great liberal arts education.

News from classmates:

JIM STONE ’73 of Brookfield, Wisconsin, sent a message via Facebook saying “I’ll be there (at the reunion) on Saturday with TIM PETERSIK ’73. We moved to 2885 N River Birch Drive Unit D, Brookfield Wisconsin, 53045, into a ranch condo. Both of our girls are at UW Milwaukee.”

I also got this message on Facebook from BLAKE  ISERMAN ’73  of Green Valley, Arizona, who writes, “I will not be at reunion. Moved to southern Arizona last fall when my wife and I retired. We are really enjoying Southwest culture – the sun and warmth aren’t bad either. I will likely travel north for part of summer and again in autumn  to bike with colors. Every day/night when I stroll outside I pinch myself and think ‘this is so nice.’ ”

ROB LEITSCHUH ’73 of Thetford Center, Vermont, writes, “I’m watching the snowfall as I write this here in Vermont. January was brutal with temperatures dipping to -22 degrees. I love Vermont but the winters are starting to wear on me. I’ll be coming to the reunion along with DAVE BUNTEN ’73 and possibly BILL MACLEOD ’73.

I’m looking forward to seeing many old Ripon friends.”

TIM PETERSIK ’73 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, sent the following email “I continue to enjoy retirement living in Milwaukee,  where I meet with fellow alumni on a pretty regular  basis. Among  these are classmates JIM  STONE ’73 and JOHN FREDERICK ’73, as well as JANE RUNKEL FREDERICK  ’74. I also run  into former students of mine from Ripon pretty often. This is a good location for seeing my daughters  too. Ripon alumna TALYA PETERSIK ’10 lives in La Crosse and Korinne (a Lawrence graduate) lives in St. Paul. It’s a hop, skip, and jump to  go visit them. When I’m not socializing with folks I enjoy going to the gym to fight off aging as best I can.”

JOSEPH SANDRIN ’73 of Bayside, Wisconsin, writes, “I’m still working in Saudi Arabia with a projected end date of December 31, 2019. Retirement is planned for a few months later. I’m still diving most weekends and working on my photography skills. Janice and I celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary in December, though it would be nice if we were together more. Janice had one hip replacement in 2017 with another planned for March of this year. I will be home for the event. Our son Joe and his wife Jenny added a new granddaughter to the family in September. On the other end, our oldest granddaughter Tristin is a sophomore in high school and now receiving college brochures and planning her college search. Her twin sisters, Gwen and Cheyne will begin high school in the fall. It would be nice to make the 45th Reunion; however, the twins 8th grade graduation is June 7 and I will have to be back at work before reunion weekend. I guess I will have to wait for the 50th.”

DAVE GROSSMAN ’73 of Lunenburg,  Massachusetts, emailed  this: “Well, I guess I do have news. In  the summer of ’74, myself, AL PACH ’74, and MARK WAGNER played at the PM. I sent the recording (an old reel to reel) to a studio in Tennessee in December. They will convert the concert to CD’s. RICHARD WEBSTER ’76 recorded us.

All Riponites. We all lived in a farmhouse out on Highway 23, just outside of town. The farmhouse was torn down, but I may be able to scrounge out a picture.

RUTH ANN DELESS SEAVER ’73 of Elkhart, Indiana, writes, “JACK SEAVER ’72 and I are in Marblehead, Massachusetts as I write, welcoming our newest grandson to our family. John “Jack” Henry Seaver was born on February 6 to our son and his wife. He joins his two sisters: Grace, age 6, and Kathryn, age 15 months. We will see our  other  two grandchildren – William,  age 3,  and Molly, age 5  months – when we visit our daughter, Laura, and her husband in Indianapolis next weekend. Unfortunately, we will not be attending  our  reunion in  Ripon  this year as our youngest daughter, Tracy, is getting married in June in  Napa,  California!  We look  forward  to  hearing reports on what I know will be a fun gathering. The more our family grows, the more Jack realizes that he needs to retire. His plastics business  that he started almost  20 years ago just isn’t as fun as visiting children and  grandchildren! Fingers crossed he will sell the business this year and we can  be footloose!  We are looking  forward to visiting JACKIE FARMER ANDREWS ’73 and MARK ANDREWS ’73 early March as well as meeting Lynn and Bob Schenk in Bayfield, Wisconsin to visit Nancy

and STEVE SANDSTROM ’72. Ripon might have been small, but we sure made some lasting friendships in those four years. If anyone is on 80-90, we are at Exit 92 Elkhart and would love to see fellow Riponites… provided, of course, that we are not visiting family!

BILL MACLEOD ’73 of Washington, D.C., writes, “Here’s what I know from folks who probably haven’t

responded: Retirement is over for DAVE BUNTEN  ’73, who  has returned  to high school, as a teacher  this time. The lead for the Night crawlers (who played at our 10th reunion, I think) is never far from one of his guitars, so School of Rock II could be in the making. Dave recently saw MARK LEFENS ’74 (finished at Utah State), and the Packers last fall. DAVE and ROB LEITSCHUH ’73 have booked their rooms for the reunion. For my report: I finished my year as Chair of the Antitrust Section of the ABA, visited Ripon last August, and stopped by again this February. The town and the school look better than ever. The first road trip through Kettle Moraine reminded  me why Wisconsin is a great summer getaway. In February,  the  temps dropped  below zero, but  that didn’t stop me from running laps around the tennis courts in the fieldhouse at the Willmore Center. This is the best track in Wisconsin – better than anything UWM has to offer. We’ll be reading about NCAA events there, but first we get to enjoy it ourselves this June.”

PAT WILKE EPTING ’73 and LEX EPTING ’72 of Aransas Pass, Texas, write, “we weathered the storms of Texas. It’s been quite the winter. As lucky as we were getting through Hurricane Harvey relatively intact, repairs in South Texas are progressing slowly as everyone is in line for the same contractors. Next week will be a big week for us as they start replacing our roof and we are rounding the  bend  on  getting some  of  the interior  repairs sorted. Of course, it’s also the week  that Whitney  and kids are flying down  from  Rhode Island and joining Lexi and her  kids in a trip to Grandma and Opa’s house! We are hoping for good beach weather.  The good news is that our city, Aransas Pass is showing good progress towards hurricane  recovery.  I’m looking  forward  to having everything under control by the spring, as we plan to be in  Ripon  for the reunion and can’t wait  to reconnect with our classmates again!”

SALLY LILLARD ADAMS ’73 of Thornton, Colorado, wrote “that her youngest daughter and husband have just moved back to Colorado so both her daughters and her 4 grandchildren are within a 10 mile radius.”

MARK CONRAD ’73 of Chetek, Wisconsin, says, “Greetings to all. This ‘maturing’ in age isn’t getting any easier. I’m still teaching. I’ll become a UW-Eau Claire employee July 1, 2018. I’m also talking to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, as we are moving back to Minnesota. The house is up for sale, and we’re getting close  to sale with a nice, professional couple. One day at a time… ”

MIKE MIZEN ’73 and PEGGI SEELBACH MIZEN ’74 of Lakewood, Ohio, write “We continue to fool ourselves regarding skiing abilities every February. So far no senior olympics for us but the ability to continue to be with family remains paramount. Here we are in Snowmass, Colorado  at “Longshot”  with our  younger  daughter, Jennifer, and her husband, Joe. The fun trick about this run is a hike uphill  that approaches  a simulation  of  a cardiac stress test. But the reward is a 3.5 mile trail though some beautiful forests and trails. For the past week we have been averaging 20-30 miles per day with about  20k vertical feet as documented  on  the iPhone app. We are also getting used to the grandparents role. In April our grandson, Kael, will turn 1 year. With Alison and Trip also living in Lakewood, the ability to be with them is precious. We are undecided about the reunion. Peggi turns 65 tomorrow and we are trying to get all of the family in one location this summer. Alison is a teacher  but Jenn, Joe, and Trip have to juggle  time off. So we’re still in  the planning stages for something in Ohio or Pennsylvania  and that will take priority.”

MARIAN OSSMAN ’73 of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, says “Right now I am in Vermont skiing. I’ll be heading home tomorrow (2/10). Retirement is fabulous: I ski all winter, horseback ride weekly, sail all summer and travel in between. I won’t be able to make the reunion since we have our granddaughter for a month starting mid-June. Busy is good! You could add that I keep in touch with KAREN ‘MURPH’ LOWERY ’73, who was out in Telluride, Colorado this February and plans to hike the Grand Canyon on her way home. Also, I have recently been in contact with DANIEL MOCHALSKI ’73. Every now and then it’s a blast to jump in the Way Back Machine and reconnect with old friends!”

JAMES HAWES ’73 of Skokie, Illinois, writes, “Life has been full of activity here. Last fall, I finished a consulting

project with Team Play, an arcade games company. I’ve worked for the Team Play guys a few times before, so this was a command performance. On the contract, I composed and designed two user manuals. This time, I wrote everything in HTML. The output is a ‘single-source’ file for three applications: reproduction on the web, printing by a commercial printer, or printing on an office laser printer. The Internet version is interactive. Isn’t technology grand! Last fall, I also signed a contract with a publisher to print my book on mechanical television. Here’s the flavor of that effort, which I began in grad school: Mechanical television prototypes before the “tube” proved that television could operate. For about six years, entrepreneurs large and small attempted to market these prototypes. The Great Depression didn’t exactly help sales. But necessity is the mother of invention: some people actually built their own sets! They watched shows from various cities such as London, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. A few university hosted stations went on the air, too. (One was at my grad school University of Iowa. While there, I searched for any remnant of the station. What I didn’t know is that in the 1960s, Iowa shipped the equipment to the Smithsonian.) The medium frequencies that television then used allowed nighttime shows to “skip” across great distances. People several hundred miles from a transmitter could receive evening programs. The pictures were coarse-grained. Although they were monochrome, typical images had a sepia tone. This warm, orange tinge was favorable to flesh tones of all races. Experiments with full color and 3D produced useful results, but no marketable products. Shows consisted of Vaudeville-type acts, singers, cartoonists, and even some shadow boxing. Because of the low resolution, almost all the pictures were close-ups. But the audience was smart: the movie house down the street was cheaper. And the pictures were sharper. Plus, you never had to adjust the framing, or change the batteries. Along with my written research, I’ve built several mechanical television projects of my own. Some of these can actually put out rudimentary pictures, but everything is experimental and he apparatus is makeshift. I have much fun between electromechanical disasters. This is the only way to learn what the inventors must have encountered so many years ago. With the economy improving, a new consulting project is upcoming. Just last night, I heard that a local company approved my latest contract proposal. Perhaps my 43-year effort on the TV book might take several more years, but obviously I’m in no rush! My wife Jean retired several years ago. Maybe I’ll have to join her before I can start cranking out new chapters. By the way, she plans another wonderful garden this year. I look forward to more fresh produce!”

JAMES THOMPSON ’73 of Salem, Oregon, wrote, “James B. Thompson’s new series of artworks dealing with contemporary environmental damage, Water is Sacred: Water is Life will be exhibited as a solo show at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art in Salem, Oregon this coming spring in their Atrium Gallery. The dates of the solo exhibition will be April 14 to May 13, 2018, with a preview reception scheduled for Friday, April 13 from 6-8 p.m.

Thompson describes his new art series, Water is Sacred: Water is Life in this brief  statement: Every culture  has at one time or another revered water, used it in  rituals and as part of spiritual  practice. Its significance  to early peoples can be read in the way it punctuated the landscape and how  the ancients  responded  to its absence, presence, ebb and flow. Water is considered to have healing properties and is celebrated as a source of life itself. Water must break before we are born and it is into the water we return when the boat is pushed out. Yet we waste this precious substance and put it at risk to our peril. If, in fact, water is sacred and water is life – rather than a commodity to be bought and sold – then, what on earth have we done here and what is to become of life itself?

Hopefully the images he sent along will be published…that is beyond my expertise. I sent them along to the college with the hopes they will get printed.”

Thanks, MARTY MORRIS ’73 for saying I could make something up about you! Luckily for you some more classmates came through with news after I begged, so I do not have to resort to fabrications. However, BILL MACLEOD ’73 has offered to make up gossip, so if I get no response for news for our next class letter it may be filled with his and my imaginings! Marty by the way is moving to Portland, Oregon and at his writing was shoveling snow!

DONNA JENSEN SWEET ’73 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, writes, “While the entire world seems to be retiring around me, instead my business partner and I chose to expand our business. So now Haven Interiors Ltd. has its original location in downtown Milwaukee, and a new location in Geneva, Illinois. Needless to say, days are very

busy. My son, who is 34, lives and works in LA  with his wife Daniela. And my daughter, JORDYN  SWEET ’10 (29 and a Ripon alumna) lives and works in Milwaukee. Her wedding comes up in the fall, so perhaps one of these days I will experience the joy of grand parenting, as so many of you already have.”

KATE PARISH MILLER ’73 of Richland, Michigan, says “I am definitely coming to our 45th Class Reunion in June and enjoying helping on the committee. I have become an activist for  the environment  with 350.org and  on my own. Pipeline 5, which crosses under Mackinac Bridge, is of great concern. After #45’s State of the Union  speech 350.org launched a Fossil Free Fast livestream which I co-hosted in Kalamazoo. Now to promote the right candidates for the November elections and continue to work with our Senator, Governor and Congressman. My family is all fine. Grandchildren are always a delight.”

BOB BRENNAN ’73 of Baraboo, Wisconsin, writes, “My wife, Sue Mueller retired from her position as Assistant District Attorney in Sauk County, Wisconsin. Baraboo is the county seat and also where we live. I retired a few years ago and had enough of Wisconsin winter, and so now I spend winter in Albuquerque, New Mexico. If Sue and I can stay together a couple more months, we will celebrate our 40th anniversary on April Fool’s Day, Sue’s choice of dates. I’m not sure if I will be at the reunion or not.”

KATE LUHMAN WILLIAMS ’73 of Glendale, Wisconsin, states “I don’t know if this counts as news, but I am happy to report that, after reading about my classmates’ retirements for years now, I will be retiring from my full time law practice in May. I have been with the same firm for 32 years, so I will miss the people I work with, but I am looking forward to having “free” time. I may even make it to the reunion in June. My older son is a law professor in Anaheim, so I will also be making some trips to warm and sunny Southern California.  Looking forward to it!”

The hardest part of these letters, especially now as it seems to happen more frequently, is passing on the news of classmates who have died. The death of JOHN STIERNBERG ’73 came as a shock to many of us. John was founder and president of Stiernberg Consulting. Many of us  remember  his bluegrass music from our  days on campus. Do you remember he put together a great CD of  music from our college years for our  25th  reunion?  He is survived  by his wife Jeanne, his mother and brother.

Also, RAYMOND COX ’73 of Northfield, Minnesota, died in November after a seven year battle with cancer. Ray was the owner of Northfield Construction Company. He got great satisfaction from helping create strong and beautiful homes and buildings in his community.

Thanks to everyone who stepped forward with news for this spring class letter. Obviously begging works!

Gary and I look forward to seeing many of you June 21-24 for Alumni Weekend and our 45th Reunion. It really will be a great time.

Stay healthy, be happy, and travel safe!

JEAN KIRKPATRICK LEDERER ’73

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:

Jim Beisner

770-227-2410 / [email protected]

Spring 2018

Greetings Class of 1971,

It is hard to believe another school year has about passed by. One thing I do know is Ripon is still providing the same quality education we experienced so many years ago. Our continued financial support of this vital mission will ensure incoming classes will experience the best quality education possible. There is a change to the publication process coming this fall: R Connections, the semiannual newsletter, will become an annual fall publication. Obituaries are going back to the Ripon Magazine starting in July 2018 and will no longer be included in R Connections.

Here is some class news:

MARY MCNALLY ’71 of Seattle, Washington, writes, “I retired for two years and then returned to work in fiscal budgeting for the University of Washington. I am loving this second career!”

As we look back at our experiences at Ripon, we can all see the benefits we derived from that special time. In some way, the Annual Fund assisted all of us. It underwrites all aspects of yearly operations, including, but not limited to, laboratory supplies, technological innovations, library resources, faculty support, financial aid and scholarships, athletics, opportunities to study abroad, the arts and facilities. I urge your consideration to increase this year’s gift in recognition of all we have accomplished because of Ripon College.  

Always for Ripon,

JIM

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:

Susan Hecht Gebhardt ’70

815-464-5761 / [email protected]

Spring 2018

Hello from snowy Chicagoland. Life has been busy since the last newsletter.  The holidays certainly take on a renewed charm with grandchildren. BILL GEBHARDT ’69 and I hosted my family, which meant there were two little girls, our granddaughters, running around. One little boy who was crawling around and another, due any day, were the grandsons of my sisters. They really make Christmas fun.

We are counting the days until we leave for Hawaii. After two weeks there, one on Kaua’i and one on the big island, we will tour Napa, California for a few days. Ten days later, we are off to Florida. In January, when we were experiencing subzero temperatures, and Bill was suffering from golf withdrawal, he investigated condos for sale in Fort Pierce, where his brother DAVID GEBHARDT ’66 and sister-in-law spend winters. We have visited several times and enjoy their golf community. As luck would have it, we found a place, and oddly enough it is the unit below the other Gebhardts. In less than a week we flew down and bought it. We will start some updating of the condo in March. Then it’s back home for a rest before it is warm enough to golf here.

Now for some news from our classmates:

JIM HARMAN ’70 and SARAH RANDAHL HARMAN ’71 of San Antonio, Texas, responded to my request for a possible venue for our 50th Reunion. They write, “A suggestion for cocktails and dinner would be Tuscumbia. Sarah and I have found the food to be consistently good there.”

CHRIS LYDON JONES ’70 of Scottsdale, Arizona, writes, “2017 was an interesting year. I’m adapting to life as a ‘widow,’ but finding continued joy and support from friends and family. The best of the year was watching my 7 and 5 year old grandchildren grow into awesome little people and a fabulous trip to Ireland with a fun group of friends. Plus, summer in Milwaukee is a lot better than in Arizona, and while there, I got to see some of my old Ripon buddies!”

MARK HENKEL ’70 and HILDE BORMANN HENKEL ’73 of Rudolph, Wisconsin, write, “Mark is still practicing law, but less so. Hilde is leaving the county board this spring after 18 years. They have taken over the operation of Stevens Taekwondo Academy in Stevens Point and continue to teach martial arts. Lots of visits to the grandkids and work on the hobby farm and woods are keeping them healthy, happy, and busy.”

JOHN ‘BEAUX’ LEONARD ’70 of Cornwall, Vermont, writes, “After graduation I spent a year in Denver, Colorado. I returned to Boston in the spring of 1971. I rented an apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts with JOHN ‘SHADOW’ THOMPSON ’71, Michael Peterson (would be class of ’72 who left school following his junior year), and M. Greely ‘Mike’ Summers, who attended Ripon for only the ’70-’71 year before transferring to Boston University. We took in JOHN ‘RALPH’ WOLFE ’69 when he returned from the army, and we have remained close friends since. 69 Magazine Street in Cambridge was a fun time for a couple of years; many stories. It was interesting answering the phone with 3 Johns and 2 Mikes in the house. The picture was taken in October last year in Deer Isle, Maine on the occasion of brother and trustee John Wolfe’s 70th birthday. The celebration was a three day event planned by his wife, Ruth Lamdan, and included many of their friends from Maine and Philadelphia, and of course the RC group representing 5 consecutive years. Included in the picture celebrating with John Wolfe are me, JIM DANKY ’70, JOHN THOMPSON ’71, Michael Peterson, and Mike Summers.  

In Hoc, JOHN ‘BEAUX’ LEONARD ’70.”

Thank you for sharing your news with us,

SUSAN    

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:
Deborah Johnson Van Slyke
480-284-5564 / 619-889-5061

Spring 2018

Class Notes:

Congratulations to KEN LUBER ’60 for his musical abilities. He has co-written a musical, entitled “Esperanza the Musical of Hope,” with his composer Saverio Rapessi. Ken and Saverio also wrote a song, “The Revenge is Near,” for the highly-awarded film Odeon. The song won Best Song at the Italian Oniros Film Awards. Once again, well done from all of us.

JANET GORN ’60 has no retirement plans on the horizon. She is a Diplomat with the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. She has had temporary duty assignments in Buenos Aires, Bucharest, Paris, and Vienna this year. In Paris, she served as the U.S. Representative to the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency Steering Committee meetings and in Vienna was the U.S. Representative and Head of Delegation to the Meeting of the Parties of the Joint Convention on Nuclear Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste. She was named a lifetime achiever by Marquis Who’s Who. Check out her extension career in the 2017-2018 Who’s Who in America.

DANNY HOLDEN ’60 and DEE GRAY HOLDEN ’60 of Littleton, Colorado, have been traveling with a Mediterranean Cruise in September 2017 and then a golf trip with friends to Marbella, Spain. Dan golfed in Spain while Dee walked on the beach and practiced her Spanish. They are very proud of grandsons serving in the Military. Beckett is finishing nuclear engineering training in the Navy and Cooper was commissioned in December at graduation from Northern Arizona University. He is in training now with the USAF in Panama City, Florida.

We lost two of our friends since the last alumni update. LIVIO VALLI JR. ’60 passed in Chicago on October 22, 2017. BILL BROOKS ’60 was a beloved Biology Professor at Ripon for 35 years and he passed this winter. There was memorial service for him on March 16 at the college.

As for me, the four cats and I are enduring a cold spell in Scottsdale…58 degrees and waiting for the heat to rise again. An ex-employee asked me to return to help with interviewing prospective new employees so I am enjoying working a day and a half a week. I think keeping active will help me keep writing the newsletter for a few more decades.

DEBORAH JOHNSON VAN SLYKE ’60

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Spring 2018

Class Agent:

Pat Ostrom Kohnen ’64

925-201-7377 / [email protected]

Greetings, Classmates,

The last few letters have appeared in the R Connections booklet. In the future an R Connections booklet will become an annual fall publication, and the spring letters will be sent by email and/or regular mail. For this letter, I will request that it be emailed to class members with emails and sent by regular mail to the other members. Obituaries will be going back to the Ripon Magazine starting in July 2018. A stronger Class Agent, class letter and news note presence online is being developed for release this fall.

As we all know, our lives are filled with both happy and sad things. My brother Terry did not come to visit me for my fifth Christmas here at Stoneridge Creek because he died suddenly in early September. He was still teaching at the University of Michigan Dearborn campus. I enjoyed a Lewis and Clark paddle boat trip on the Columbia and Snake Rivers in early November. I traveled with Cleve Beck, a friend who also lives at Stoneridge Creek. One day at lunch we met TOM HUGDAHL ’62 and JACKIE BLODGETT HUGDAHL ’62. He is Ripon ‘62 and she is Ripon ’63 although she left after sophomore year to go to nursing school. It is indeed a small world! We had fun sharing Ripon memories. This spring I have a trip planned to Ashland, Oregon for theater performances and my first Road Scholar trip to Sedona, Arizona and the Grand Canyon. I suspect that many of you have traveled with Road Scholar (formerly Elder Hostle). In late June I will be going on a Crystal Alaska cruise.

I have news to share from three of our classmates:

LINDA FLAMME HANSEN ’64 of Racine, Wisconsin, writes, “Married April 21, 2017 to Randol Hansen; 3 children; 8 grandchildren. Retired, but still a church organist! Love to travel!”

JAMES HAAG ’64 of Charleston, South Carolina, writes, “Been a long time since Ripon. But ask the guys on the wrestling team, how many will keep doing the same thing in 53 years? I guess I couldn’t get enough of the wrestling back at Ripon. I am still training in BJJ. Even went to Israel a year ago to train with the real practitioners. I manage to mix it up with the young guys about 3 days a week, and there is something to be said for age and sneakiness vs youth and vigor.  Like I say in Krav Maga, if you don’t cheat, your tactics suck. Living in Charleston, South Carolina, and would enjoy hearing from any other old time Riponites.

MARY ANN SIMS TROMBETTA ’64 of East Setauket, New York, writes, “Still married to Angelo after 53 happy years. Retired as an ESL teacher in 2003. Divide our time between Setauket, New York and Marco Island, Florida. Enjoy our son and daughter, their lovely spouses and their four beautiful smart granddaughters-2 in elementary and 2 in college.”

I enjoyed reading the winter issue of the Ripon Magazine which focuses on giving back, volunteering and helping those less fortunate. President Zach Messitte closes his message by saying “Being a part of the Ripon community means that we are duty-bound to be our neighbor’s keeper in what we do today and hope to accomplish tomorrow.”

Please join me in making a donation to the Annual Fund. I continue to be grateful for my time at Ripon. If you come to San Francisco please contact me for a visit.

I wish you a happy and healthy spring and summer,

PAT KOHNEN

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:
John Hyde
[email protected]

Spring 2018

Greetings ’65 Classmates,

I am writing in 70 degree weather from Donna and my house in Pensacola, Florida. We were at our northern Wisconsin home for Christmas with my children and five grandkids. However, it was so cold, -20 degrees, that we left before New Year’s.

We will probably go boating this weekend with the temp climbing into the low 80s. We are members of the Pensacola Jazz Society, which organizes enjoyable jazz programs twice a month and the annual Jazz Fest the first weekend in April. For Jazz Fest, my role is to solicit and organize members to work various shifts in the merchandise tent. The two days of great bands is free to the public. It’s a nice venue in a beautiful park setting. There is a variety of music venues and festivals here and along the coast of Alabama.

In June, we have three days planned in New Orleans which is a little over three hours from Pensacola. We plan to see Maroon 5 perform and just sort of hang out for three days. At the end of June we leave Pensacola for our lake house in Conover, Wisconsin and will be there for two months. Our neighbors along the lake have become good friends and they attended our wedding in in nearby Eagle River in August of 2016. Donna and I will once again organize Cousins Camp which is all five grandkids and no parents. The kids love the lake and going tubing behind the boat.

In August, we will spend a few days at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island where we honeymooned in August 2016.

Sincerely,

John Hyde

Classmate News:

JIM THORSEN ’65 of Idaho Falls, Idaho, writes, “Nancy and I will head north to Idaho in April from our winter home in Tucson, stopping to visit friends in Las Vegas along the way. Summer in Idaho is wonderful, and we’ll play as much golf as possible. This fall, we might take a trip to the U.K. to visit friends like we did last year. A visit from our Japanese Sister City is being set up for the fall, then back to Tucson before the snow flies. Have a great summer.”

JOHN BURROWS ’65 of Jacksonville, Florida, writes, “It is hard to believe how fast 2018 is going by. In April NANCY OSTERMEIER BURROWS ’66 and I will be celebrating 50 years of marriage.  We are both healthy, for which we are thankful, and I continue the recovery process from having my prostate removed in September.

We continue to enjoy travel and were just in Sarasota for a long weekend and marveled at how the downtown has grown since we moved in 1974. We have the names of some great restaurants if anyone is going that way.

BARB BERGER LASCODY ’67 and LARRY LASCODY ’65 stopped in for the night on their way back to Atlanta. I tried to show them the benefits of having Netflix, Prime Video, and Acorn TV, but Larry just kept seeing dollar signs. We are most thankful for our time at Ripon.”

DONALD “WIN” RYDER ’65 of Fennville, Michigan, writes, “I really appreciate the time and energy you put into this. I am still working and plan to keep at it. Mary and I are off to Eastern Europe this spring and to Portugal this fall. We still live in Lake Effect Snow Michigan so we break the winter up with visits to Florida, Southern California and Texas.”

JOHN NEWHARD ’65 of Suffolk, Virginia, writes, “We were a little late getting to Florida this year due to my slow recovery from Achilles’ tendon surgery. We made up for it however, by enjoying visits in Sebring, Florida from LARRY LASCODY ’65 and BARB BERGER LASCODY ’67 and RICK WEBB ’66, all classmates from Ripon College.”

JANE PERSON ’65 of Petaluma, California, writes, “It is hard to believe that the Northern California Wine Fires were a little over four months ago. My home and town did not suffer the fires, but neighboring communities had mass destruction. The fires started on a Sunday night about 10 PM. By 2:30 in the morning I had my first ‘can I come and stay with you’ phone call.  By five that morning I had six adults, three cats, and one dog as evacuees. One residential area that burned is near two of the Sonoma County/Santa Rosa hospitals (both were closed and evacuated during the fire and for weeks afterward). As such, many medical professionals lived near there and lost their homes I have heard 400 medical personnel—including 200 doctors—lost their homes. Everyone here knows people who suffered great loss.  

What warms my heart to this day are the thanks poured out to the First Responders who saved many, many lives, especially in the first 24 hours of the fire. People were in bed asleep. There were no warning signals—mainly people going door to door to their neighbors. The winds were fierce that night and for days to come. Wind in my backyard sounded like a freight train. It was this wind that blew the sparks all over the place, spreading the fire with a fury. Some folks were burned alive in their homes. Signs are still up thanking the First Responders. My community—Petaluma—responded with evacuation centers, restaurants serving food for free, and donations of time, clothes, and money. Petaluma Rocks.

Oh, one more thing—just got home from having lunch with MARY FRASER ’66 and NANCY WADLEY KEOUGH ’67. Great to get caught up with college friends.”

MARY ‘MJ’ KROENING ’65 of Naperville, Illinois, writes, “We just got back from spending the month of January in Naples, Florida. Though it was a bit chilly, it sure beat being in Naperville! Once we returned, it snowed nine days in a row – so much for warm memories! I always take my ukulele wherever we travel. Found a group that meets weekly, so I had a chance to meet some great folks and keep on strummin’ while we were away. Fun!

Now that we’re back, my calendar has filled up with all kinds of stuff. I see all my doctors and oncologists. I can’t believe that it’s been almost 4 years since I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. So far so good. Every day is a blessing. For the past few years I’ve been volunteering at Samantha’s school for a program called Brain Fuel. The kids spend their lunch and recess time with me as we discuss a book. It’s been great – Sam says she loves having me as her teacher!

I continue as worship team chair at our church. We’re having a retreat soon to figure out what a progressive worship service looks like. I love our church. We are small, open and affirming, and quite diverse. John and I were two of the founding members and are so pleased that we’ve created a church home where so many feel welcome and loved.

Next thing on the calendar is my annual trip to Denton, Texas for the Texas Storytelling Festival. One of my mentors, Tim Tingle, storyteller for the Choctaw Nation, will be one of the featured tellers. Can’t wait to see and hear him again! He has taught me so much. The end of May we’ll be heading to Seattle again for our grandson’s wedding. It’ll be great to see so many of our grandchildren (4 there) and great-grandchildren (3, with another on the way.) All are doing well and seem to be very happy. 

Wishing you and all of our classmates good health, happiness and peace.”

BOB FLECK ’65 of Columbus, Georgia, writes, “We are looking forward to another Golden R reunion and Alumni Weekend. This last year my wife, RUTH POTTS FLECK ’66, and I visited two Ripon alumni who live in Hawaii. A great time seeing two islands through the eyes of those who have lived there for years. My wife had total knee replacement early this year and is just now (mid-February) able to drive and walk without assistance. We plan on visiting the Green Lake in late March and then returning again in the summer. Along the way we will spend some time at Hilton Head and Pensacola Beach. 

I continue to ‘play’ with a lathe and seem to turn some items that are appreciated by others. I am now thinking of getting a third lathe. As anyone who has done any craft knows, you are always just one tool away from having the perfect set up. I am also thinking about doing some part-time teaching at a university.”

CRAIG FERRIS ’65 of Chevy Chase, Maryland, writes, “Hell, no. I won’t go.” That was my immediate response when the love of my life for nearly 43 years said to me at breakfast a couple of months ago: “I think that it is time that we think about selling the house and moving to a condo with an elevator.”

But Nancy was partly right. Living in a two-story house with a finished basement is not easy at our age. Plus she has a problem with her left ankle that she tore up nearly three years ago when I dragged her on a trip by railroad down the ancient Silk Road across the ‘Stans from Beijing to Moscow. Even though it was a luxury train, there was a large gap between the railcar and the platform at the station in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. I said would catch her when she took a large step off the train. But she feared we would both go crashing down and said she would just take a giant step. As I feared, she hit her ankle at a bad angle and fell. Nothing broken, but upon our return to the U.S. she learned that she had torn several ligaments. First a “boot” and then a high-tech ankle brace have stabilized her. But going up and down the stairs is now not easy for her. And I have to confess that I have gotten to the point that hauling the laundry hamper three floors from the second floor to the basement and back up again is now drudgery.

But we have lived in our house for nearly 32 years and want to “age in place.” We have spent a lot or time improving the house and manicuring our garden. The thought of giving it all up and selling was difficult to fathom. There had to be a better way.

Then I spotted an advertisement for a new condo complex nearby with four-story units that have individual elevators. It seemed like the perfect solution until I realized that the price tag was well over a million and we would still lose our garden.

So I “Googled” residential elevators and found several companies that would install an elevator in our house. But we don’t live in a mini-mansion and finding space for a large box-like elevator seemed impossible.

Then I found an elevator that is right out of the Jetsons–a plastic tube inside an aluminum 37″ frame. It’s a pneumatic vacuum elevator–think of the pneumatic tube at your friendly neighborhood bank branch–that will take one of us from the basement to the first floor and on to the second floor all driven by a vacuum pump.

The local agent discovered that there is a clear path from the basement rec room to a corner of the living room and up to a closet just off the upstairs hallway. Believe it or not, Nancy thinks it’s a great idea. The elevator has been ordered and sometime in April while we are on vacation a crew will come in and cut 37 inch holes in the living room floor and the living room ceiling. Then after the dust settles and we return, a crew will remove our front door and install the tube and frame in three one-story pieces that will be bolted together and all connected to a compressor in the attic.

So stay tuned–with luck we get to stay in the house we love and I get to pretend to be George Jetson!”

STEVE PETERS ’65 of Marquette, Michigan, writes, “So far my year has been ruled by my doctors. I had a partial cornea transplant and cataract surgery in my right eye on February 1. At my one-week check the doctor said that the eye was healing better than expected. My vision has greatly improved already and should get better as the healing progresses. The healing period for a partial cornea transplant is six months. Next up is a bladder cancer check to see if any low-grade non-invasive tumors have reappeared.”

RICHARD MENSON ’65 of Dunwoody, Georgia, writes, “I just got back home after spending two months in Florida. I managed to get in 23 rounds of golf. Our oldest granddaughter, a freshman in high school, swam in the state high school swim meet while we were away and my other granddaughter, who is in seventh grade, swam in the state age group meet and made one final. They live in Athens, Georgia where my daughter is a physician. My other daughter works at LSU and is in a Doctoral at Azusa Pacific. We are taking the family on a River Cruise in June from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam. Lynne and I are planning a trip to Vietnam to visit many of the places that I saw when I was there from January 1969 to August of 1970. Looking forward to my 50th anniversary of graduation from Northwestern Law School in the fall.

JAMES SEBBEN ’65 of Littleton, Colorado, “About two years ago, my first daughter moved out to live with her college friend in an apartment and the second moved home to attend a local junior college. Last September, the first daughter moved back home when her roommate decided to move home to save money. So now I have two daughters and all their stuff back in the house. Next week we should close on daughter #1’s new townhouse, and daughter #2 will move with her to share expenses. It may take a while, but eventually we will get our household back to some semblance of normal with only daughter #3 at home. I continue with my hobby of making bamboo fly rods and fishing trips. Went to Chile and Alaska last year while this year will be going to Mexico and Panama.”

LEE WARCHUS JR. ’65 of Tyler, Texas, writes, “2017 was a fairly active year with my wife and I moving to a new address in Tyler, Texas, a road trip to Arizona, and spending the holidays with our family. With five children, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild, we feel blessed. Christmas seems extra special with the excitement of the young ones opening their presents.

Last summer, some friends asked me to join their bowling team. After much consideration I said yes and, after over 35 years, picked up a bowling ball. At one point during my first practice game, I fell and went sliding down the alley on my stomach with the ball. This caused my teammates and a number of other bowlers to run to my rescue. After recovering from my embarrassment, I began thinking that maybe I had made a very bad decision joining the team. Well, our team, made up of male “senior” citizens, a 72 year old (lowest average), a 74 year old (me), an 80 year old (who just got married) and a 96 year old (highest average), finished the first half of the season in first place. We feel fairly proud of this, since the league consists of 18 teams of men between 18 and 96 years of age. We are the target of a lot of “age” jokes around the alley, but we have earned a position in the league championship series at the end of the season.

Luckily, Tyler, Texas, even though there was plenty of rain, was not hit by the main force of Hurricane Harvey. The city felt the effects of many refugees and the needs of a lot of recovery organizations headed south to help. Sadly, there are still people without homes as a result of this storm.

Finally, for those who are wondering, Texas is still alive and well. If you ever plan to visit, remember our motto: “Don’t Mess with Texas”

DAVE WORDEN ’65: We welcomed the New Year with great news that we’ll be having another grandchild in Oct., #6! Terri and I have embraced being grandparents and spend a lot of time in California at our Oceanside condo seeing the grandkids in Tarzana and San Diego. We’re excited to be taking a cruise to Alaska this May which will take another check off our Bucket List. We’re staying busy with family, hiking, and golfing, so our health is good. We hope all our classmates are in similar condition.

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Spring 2018

Class Agent:

Nancy Ostermeier Burrows ’66

[email protected]

2018…Hard to believe that we are approaching March. Spring is here and all of our allergies are in full swing! JOHN BURROWS ’65 and I feel very blessed to be approaching our 50th wedding anniversary in April. We met at Ripon and certainly appreciate all the good times, friends, and wonderful education we received at Ripon. We recently enjoyed having BARB BERGER LASCODY ’67 and her husband LARRY LASCODY ’65 stop in on their way back to Atlanta. There is really nothing better than reminiscing with old friends and laughing at the crazy times we enjoyed together. Please know we love visitors! Here are a couple of photos of our recent visit.  

      Barb and Nancy

Larry and John

Sincerely,

Nancy

Classmate News:

DAVID FUKUDA ’66
[email protected]

I am writing from Irvine, California, where Judy and I just moved into a CCRC called Regents Point. After 44 years in Maui, we made the big decision to leave Hawaii and be closer to the grandkids in Colorado Springs and Nashville. It is something we weren’t planning on for another 10 years, but the type of unit we were looking for came available so we jumped on it. Still getting used to the change in routines replacing yard work with pickle ball and swimming, and taking the kids to Disneyland instead of the beaches on Maui.

PAM KURZ GOODE ’66

[email protected]

Lots of travel for the Goodes in the past few months! In the late fall, we took our oldest grandson on a week-long trip driving through South Dakota – Badlands, Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, etc.- and to the Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. We also made some stops on the way out to see the Corn Palace, St. Joseph’s Indian School, and an archeological dig. A great time was had by all! Mid-December to mid-January was spent in Akumal, Mexico (the Caribbean side of the country) with the kids and grandkids joining us for the middle two weeks. There is so much to do in the area, most notably the Mayan ruins, cenotes, snorkeling, etc. We liked it so much we have booked again for next year! Then, after three weeks at home, we spent 10 days touring Costa Rica in February. It is a beautiful country with amazing flora and fauna. We toured a coffee plantation and oxcart factory, walked on hanging bridges, took an aerial tram over the rainforest (no we did not zipline!), cruised on a couple of rivers, etc. If you haven’t been there, put it on your list. Now we have settled in for the rest of the winter. The only thing on the docket is an April trip to Syracuse, New York to visit our son and his family and to take our middle grandson on a trip to see all things related to the Roosevelt family in the Hyde Park, New York area.   Hasta la vista!

Terry and Pam in Costa Rica!

ROGER GREILING ’66

[email protected]

My wife Mindy and I recently spent four days in Vero Beach, Florida (escaping Minnesota just before 12″ of snow fell) visiting LINDY MASSON KASTENDIEK ’66 and her husband John. In addition to enjoying the warm January weather, we had the opportunity to spend relaxing time with them, see a bit of east central Florida, and enjoy their cooking as well as meals at ocean-side restaurants. There aren’t many of those in Minnesota. As Lindy commented, it was the most time we had spent together since Ripon days. After a trip to Belgium and France last summer we have a cruise planned to Cuba this fall – which hopefully will be allowed. There is just one grandchild: a 13 year old in Washington, D.C. who we always enjoy greatly, when we have a chance to see her. Health is still good for both of us (knock on wood) and we remain active in a variety of activities.

HELEN HANSEN ’66

[email protected]

2018 finds us in much better shape to travel and generally get out and about, despite Bob’s surgeries in the fall and a somewhat colder Minnesotan winter. Got Snow?! The Twin Cities not only survived the Superbowl, but also served as a superb host. We are proud of our hometowns. I’m enjoying a February trip to San Diego to see my daughter Mary, and looking forward to a March trip to Vero Beach, Florida to see Bob’s brother. My youngster, Bob, is turning 70 this year. Yawn! But we will celebrate his youth and charm in style. Happy belated Valentine’s Day to everyone from sunny Southern California.

MARY RASCHKA SIKORA ’66

[email protected]

I continue to keep my mental acuity sharp by tutoring college algebra, trigonometry, precalculus and calculus at Valencia College, where I had been a professor for many years. The one-on-one with students is a treat as I am much appreciated for explaining concepts to them that they did not understand from the classroom or online. The lack of making lesson plans and grading papers is an added benefit. In September, I attended my 55th High School Reunion in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin with my Ripon roommate, JANET HOLLATZ ’66. We didn’t understand why so many old people were in attendance as we could not have been their age, but I guess we were. My husband, Joe, and I will take our first Disney Cruise in April with our wonderful family.

TERRI KRIKORIAN WORDEN ‘66

[email protected]

Hi everyone! Our biggest news is that another grand baby is on the way. Our son and his wife are expecting baby #2. That will make #6 for us, and 4 grandchildren under the age of 3.Wow, what a workout! We continue going back and forth to California to see our daughters and their families and to help babysit. Our older 2 grandchildren continue to visit us and bring a friend. Last year, we took a cruise from Montreal to New York City. The weather was perfect. One highlight was visiting the 9/11 museum, which was both sobering and inspirational because of all the acts of heroism. This year we are taking a cruise to Alaska. Everyone came to us this Christmas and it was a memorable one, including sick babies, but it was full of fun and laughter despite the coughs and colds! Hope all is well with everyone.

Our best to all of you. TERRI KRIKORIAN WORDEN ‘66 and DAVE WORDEN ’65.

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Kathy Santimays Dunn

[email protected]

Spring 2018

“There’re only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right way to look, believe, do and mostly live.”

            Dalai Lama

The older I get (and I can’t believe how old I am!) the more I value the gift of another day.

How fortunate we all were to celebrate our 50th Reunion last year. Many of you may be joining your “younger” spouses this June as they enjoy a 50 year reunion. Though try as hard as they may I don’t think they can top ours!

Our generation seems to understand the importance of keeping active and fit. Take for example DICK WRIGHT ’67 who bravely still participates in triathlons! He actually received the Incredible Hunk award at our reception. LUCY BROOKS WRIGHT ’67 keeps her amazingly youthful appearance with Pilates, Jazzercise, and yoga.

BILL ’67 and JUDY ’68 WILKINSON NEILL are escaping Wisconsin winter weather by enjoying some weeks on Anna Maria Island. After spending a lot of time at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Florida is a very well-deserved sojourn.

KARON BRO STOPPS ‘67 and husband Malcolm continue to enjoy their five grandchildren. A trip to Mexico with two of them was an aquatic adventure. Perhaps a vacation after the vacation was needed!

LARRY and BARB LASCODY have also enjoyed vacations with their two daughters’ families, most recently a cruise to celebrate their anniversaries.

Suffice it to say all the grandchildren of our classmates seem to be the smartest, most athletic, most beautiful, most handsome and kindest children ever created – at least according to their grandparents.

Speaking of grandchildren some of yours are beginning to look at colleges. Of course I’m sure you are encouraging them to visit Ripon.

I was reading an article in the Wall Street Journal about the advantages of a liberal arts education (WSJ-Opinion page-March 3-4). The following quote particularly stood out to me as a summation of liberal arts at Ripon.

“Liberal arts courses don’t offer clearly defined answers to questions. Rather, they nurture disagreements among students and help them develop the ability to marshall cogent arguments in support of defensible positions. The ability to express a viewpoint verbally and then articulate it in writing is skill that will serve graduates whether they are pitching a business plan to a venture-capital firm or writing a report to shareholders explaining why their portfolios took a hit last quarter.”

In my opinion some majors (at other schools) hyper focus on one area and don’t integrate it with the whole.

Clearly we all made the right choice by attending Ripon. Our successful careers, friendships, and families were all positively influenced by that decision.

Have a happy, healthy spring!

Kathy

Submitted by: Olivia Heck

Class Agent:

Scott A. Nyquist ‘69

Home: (239) 732-0523 / Cell: (630) 632-1619

[email protected]

Spring 2018

Hello Class of ’69!

I’m writing this in mid-February and for most of you it was a pretty cold and snowy winter. You’re probably reading this in May and glad the weather is warm now. I hope you have made plans to visit Ripon in 2018. Alumni Weekend, on June 21-24, would be a great time, but come whenever you can. If you haven’t been to campus in a while, you will notice some changes. Make sure you take time to tour the new Willmore Center, Ripon’s state-of-the art athletic, health and fitness center. It is truly spectacular. There have been improvements in other buildings too, so walk around and think about those days back in the 60s when we were students. Take time also to walk through downtown. Some of the places there when we were students are still there. (Alas, the Rippin’ Good Cookie factory is closed down.) For some of Ripon it seems time has stood still. Find your way to Lane Library and spend some time in the Archives looking through old Crimson yearbooks or issues of the College Days newspaper. Visit your old dorm rooms and think about your college roommates. Do you keep in touch with them? If you were a science nerd, poke around Farr Hall. Visit the Pub (now known as “The Spot”) and The Great Hall in Harwood Union. Tour the remodeled S.N. Pickard Commons. (Remember the food fights there?)

OK, now to the news from the class. Here are the updates you guys sent me:

MARK BAUER ’69 of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, tells me, “I retired about 3-4 years ago. I am keeping busy while my wife Cindy is still working in Urgent Care. We have two sons living in the area, one a pediatrician, the other a dentist. Another son and daughter live in New York City. He is a sound engineer and works with a major podcast in California. My fourth son is a radiation oncologist in the Phoenix area. As such we spend a lot of time traveling with family between and on both coasts. I remain busy with some ‘babysitting,’ watching grandsons playing basketball, taking a German language class, having carnivorous plants, and I occasionally visit to my 100 year-old mother. I am looking forward to this next June for the Beta Sig get-together. We were in Bavaria last fall and are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon this spring. I am involved in my medical school class reunion this year.”

FRED KIEKHAEFER ’69 of Castle Rock, Colorado, says, “I’m building my second prototype of a new marine drive system here in Colorado. (It’s an odd place to design propulsion, but the view is great!) The first one is being rigged into a new test boat in Florida. I’m 5 years post-Mercury Racing presidency and 4 ½ years into this project. A U.S. Patent was issued to me on December 26 for this variable pitch surfaced drive – so I’m pumped! I can’t wait to get wet in February. Recently, I hosted a tour of my humble operation for a dozen current Ripon students and staff who were interested in hearing from alumni about “what it takes” to succeed in education, career and life. I think I was more impressed with them than they of me. It was fun. Life is good.”

NANCY OLIVER LEIFHEIT ’69 of Elmhurst, Illinois, writes, “Most of our traveling this year was in the U.S.  We spent time in Seattle with our kids and grandson, in Nashville for a family wedding, in Charlotte, North Carolina, for another family wedding, and in Wisconsin at our cabin. To top it off, my husband DAVE LEIFHEIT ’67 and I went to Costa Rica this January and enjoyed the 94 degree weather before coming back to more than 8 inches of snow! The next few months we are volunteering with AARP Tax Aide doing taxes for those who appreciate the help. At the family wedding in October, we were with all 8 Oliver siblings in North Carolina, including my brother SCOTT OLIVER ’69! Such a fun reunion!”

TOM MACE ’69 of Menasha, Wisconsin, writes, “Not much personally to report, but some sad news. Last week, I attended the celebration of life service for REV. PETER BIRD ’66. He was a senior when we were freshmen. Pete died from complications of cancer just before Christmas. Through several years of therapy, remission, and resurgence, he maintained the same cheerful attitude he had when we were in Phi Delta Theta together. Pete and I met again at St Thomas Episcopal Church in Menasha when I retired from NASA and returned to Wisconsin at the end of 2012. We instantly became friends. I am richer for our re-acquired friendship and poorer for his loss.”

PHIL MCCULLOUGH ’69 of Woodstock, Illinois, sent this update: “I am still teaching and seeing patients at the medical school at Northwestern. Pat and I are enjoying our grandchildren (we have 3). In November, my daughter, KRISTEN MCCULLOUGH GRANCHALEK ’04, CHRIS OGLE ’80 (Dean of Students at Ripon), and I released a little book: Mental Health and the Adaptation to College. It’s available on Amazon.”

BARRY MORTON ’69 of Laguna Hills, California, writes, “Last October, The Other Half (BOB FERNBACH ’69, JEFF SCHEFERMAN ’69, DAVE RICHARDSON ’69 and I), gave a concert in Southern California for a great crowd of about 100 of my neighbors and friends at our community in Laguna Hills. This was our 6th annual performance there. We even got paid this year, and were comped apartments during the 4-day stay. Jane and I are completing the expansion and redecoration of our mountain cabin on the shore of Big Bear Lake in Southern California. There will be more room for the kids and grandkids when we’re done. Last summer Jane and I went to Wool, in Dorset in the U.K., to celebrate the first wedding anniversary of our daughter Emily to a wonderful Brit named Simon Parsons. We partied with his British family and friends who weren’t able to attend the 2016 wedding in Long Beach, California on the HMS Queen Mary. Then, as long as we were in the neighborhood, we spent a few days in Paris before the flight back to Southern California.”

SCOTT NYQUIST ’69 and CYNTHIA SANBORN NYQUIST ’69 of Naples, Florida, write “The biggest news is that we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on March 9. We’ve been in Naples for more than 5 years now and love it. Cynthia volunteers at the Naples Botanic Garden, and I volunteer at St. Matthews House (soup kitchen, food pantry, homeless shelter, substance abuse program) as well as at WINK TV in Ft. Myers, answering the consumer hotline and helping people solve problems. Our house survived Hurricane Irma back in September without a scratch. We were in Germany when the storm hit, watching the radar on our iPhones. We almost didn’t get back because the airline we flew over (Air Berlin) went bankrupt so we had to scramble to get a Delta flight home. In October, Scott spent a long weekend on Longboat Key with three fraternity brothers: ART SCARLETT ’69, ROB HANDEYSIDE ’69, and STEVE LEITSCHUH ’69. We enjoyed a visit from BILL NEILL ’67 and JUDY WILKINSON NEILL ’68 in January and a visit from ART SCARLETT ’69 and his wife, SHERRY SWENNES SCARLETT ’70 in March. We’re excited about the 50th Reunion for the Class of 1969 next year.”

JOHN RICCIARDI ’69 of Tampa, Florida, writes, “My wife and I are in the process of moving from Tampa to Raleigh, where our son lives. We are excited about the next chapter in our lives as well as our March trip back to Saudi Arabia to visit our daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids.”

DAVE SINISH ’69 of Collinsville, Connecticut, wrote me “The extreme cold this winter has reminded me of the squeaky snow when walking back to the dorms after dinner at the Commons. It was a big deal when it got below 10 degrees and the women could wear slacks to dinner. Those woolen socks purchased at the Ripon knitting factory were great. Life is full with real estate, yoga, Farmington River steward activities, and elected Town positions. For the numbers, married 48 years, two children (one a concrete carpenter, the other an air quality compliance officer) and four grandchildren. Last count was 19 canoes and kayaks. Still afloat.” 

BOB ‘OTTO’ WACHHOLTZ ’69 of Papillion, Nebraska, says, “I finally retired on January 31. My bride retired in November, so now we have to figure out what comes next. I’ve been the Air Force liaison to an organization called Civil Air Patrol since 1987, so I have completed the paperwork to join them. I also plan to return to the links and donate golf balls to the various hazards as I used to. I like to get my money’s worth by not staying on the fairway. My bride has hinted that she may join me. Plus, I still have softball and nearly year-round ice hockey to keep me active, thus confirming my motto of “never too old to be stupid.” Sadly I never learned a useful trade around the house or in the garage. And if all else fails then I can feed my addiction to watching TV (ask some of the DUs from our era).”

As always, I want to urge all of you to make a gift to the Ripon College Annual Fund in 2018 if you have not already done so. Don’t forget to include the College in your estate plan. It’s easy to do. For more information, contact the Advancement Office at (920)-748-8351 or [email protected].

50 Year Reunion Plans:

Remember, our 50th Class Reunion will take place on Saturday, June 29, 2019. I hope all of you will try to attend. Please put this date on your calendar right now. Also, it’s recommended you make reservations at a Ripon area hotel well in advance, as the number of nearby hotel rooms is limited. Please try to arrive on Thursday, as the College has many events – some exclusively for the 50th Reunion Class – planned for the entire weekend.

I am looking for volunteers to serve on the Reunion Committee. The work involves participating in quarterly conference calls to plan reunion events, as well as contacting classmates to personally invite them to attend the reunion. The committee begins working on the reunion starting in July, giving us a year to create the best reunion ever! Please volunteer! Some decisions to make regarding the reunion are: where to have it, what type of food to serve decorations, music, etc. I’d like to find a way to livestream the reunion so those who couldn’t make it can see it in real time. Also, each year, the 50th Reunion Class is responsible for the non-denominational Service of Remembrance from 8:30-9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning of Alumni Weekend. We can choose the music and also the readings and ask whomever we want to speak. Last year’s special guest speaker at the service was English Professor Emeritus Doug Northrop.

Remember to send Ripon College your new address if you move and to notify them of a new email address if you create one. Keep in touch. I love hearing from you guys.

Always for Ripon,

SCOTT A. NYQUIST

Submitted by: DevStudent