R Connections

Submitted by: Kimberly Scanlon

HARPSWELL – Dr. Estelita L. Saldanha, 97, of Harpswell, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2019, at home, surrounded by his family. Estelita (East) was born in the Portuguese colony of Goa, India to the late Vitorino and Maria Saldanha. The youngest of seven children, he was predeceased by siblings Jerónimo, Hipolito, Estefania, Julia, Alberto, and Ursula. He was the beloved husband of 62 years to Louise Angela Ridley Saldanha, of Bath, England (d. 2013) and loving father to their son Charles (d. 2012).

Estelita was a professor of psychology, who began his career at the age of 17 teaching English at the local Lyceum. He was educated at the historic Rachol Seminary in South Goa; St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai; the University of Lisbon (B.A., 1943); the University of Nebraska (B.S., 1946, M.A., 1947); and Cornell University (Ph.D., 1950), where his dissertation focused on relational learning. He served as an assistant professor at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin (1950-1954); researcher at the Medical Research Council, Cambridge University, U.K. (1954-1957); associate professor at Wells College in Aurora, New York (1957-1966); and full professor at the University of Southern Maine, Portland (1966-1985), from which he retired professor emeritus while continuing to teach part-time into the 1990s. Estelita specialized in behavioral and educational psychology. Renowned for the narrative clarity and liveliness of his lectures, he frequently spoke from memory, while consistently incorporating the latest research. He was an editorial reviewer for numerous psychology textbooks and a contributor of research papers to the Acoustical Society of America.

Estelita came to the United States from Europe in 1945 at the age of 23 on a Liberty ship – part of Operation Magic Carpet – in the company of returning American troops; he became a U.S. citizen in 1964. He was an avid gardener, who enjoyed sharing his experience with family and neighbors. An interest in timbre cues and the identification of musical instruments informed his love of opera and classical music. Students, whose professional aspirations he helped to shape, appreciated an advisor who was generous and warm-spirited. Colleagues respected a departmental chairman who was loyal, independent-minded and steadfast in support of traditional liberal arts. Above all, he was devoted in retirement to the loving care of his ailing wife Louise, who predeceased him by six years.

Estelita is survived by his sons, Ashley and Guy, and daughter, Clarissa, of Harpswell; grandson Adrian of Montreal, Canada, granddaughter Kaitlynn of London, England, and a large family of nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews across England, Canada, India and the United States.

A funeral mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Church – All Saints Parish, in Brunswick, Maine on Friday, May 10, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.FuneralAlternatives.net

Arrangements are under the care of Funeral Alternatives. Brunswick.

Submitted by: Guy Saldanha

DU Gathering, classes of 1979 – 1982: Bill Kriese ’81, Jeff Gilmer ’81, Greg Cox ’82, Andrew Schmidt ’81, Rick Roseneck ’80, Dirk Wilkin ’81, Phil Ouellette ’80, Dan Bestul ’80, Sandy Vahle Bestul ’79, Tom Abendroth ’81, Andrew Miller ’80, Susan Angell Schmidt ’80, Bob Furniss ’81 and Jon Sterling ’80.

Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus

Submitted by: Andrew Schmidt

Robert (Bob) Bradbury ’12, age 30, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Thursday, April 4, 2019. He was born January 10, 1989 to Ken Bradbury and Kari Sherman. He attended Oregon schools and graduated from Oregon High School in 2007, where he enjoyed art and Spanish classes and played goalkeeper on the soccer team. His talents on the soccer field earned him a position on the varsity soccer team at Ripon College. While at Ripon he majored in Education and English, graduating in 2012.

Robert was known for his adventurous, energetic, and creative spirit, and translated these qualities into coaching, teaching, music, and art. He had a gift for working with children and made a tremendous impact coaching soccer and snowboarding, guiding hiking and camping trips as a camp counselor, and assisting kids with special needs in the classroom at Monona Grove High School. He was part of a very supportive recovery community in Madison and Fitchburg where he enjoyed sharing his passions for guitar, writing, art, and yoga.

Robert is survived by his parents, Ken and Kari, sister Ann Bradbury (Andrew Navarro), aunts Jeanine Sherman, Laurie Sherman, and Hester Bradbury (Ignacio Navarrete), and cousins Andy Navarrete and Paul Navarrete, as well as many close friends.

A celebration of Robert’s life will be held at Tyrol Basin Ski Area on Sunday April 28 from 1-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to a scholarship fund established in Robert’s name at https://recoveryfoundationinc.wildapricot.org/Memorial-Donations in Madison or Millennium Soccer Club, P.O. Box 5171, Madison, WI 53705 Donation envelopes will be available at the celebration.

Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus

Ben Firgens ’14 is one of just ten graduate students to receive the Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Award at Penn State University.

The award is sponsored jointly by the Graduate School, through an endowment of the same name, and the Office of the Vice President and Dean for Undergraduate Education. You can read more about the program here: http://gradschool.psu.edu/graduate-funding/fellowships/programs/gradteach/

Pictured with Ben is Penn State’s President, Eric J. Barron.

Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus

Gavin Zastrow ’97 of Oconomowoc, WI- Published a book, A Marshland of His Own, through Orange Hat Publishing, November 2018.

Summary

A Marshland of His Own is author Gavin Zastrow’s first time experience with death.  Twenty Six years ago, Gavin’s friend committed suicide. One year later, he decided at the urging of his friends, family, and teachers to turn that experience from a short to a book.

This book was written from the point of view of a high school student.  Outside of grammatical changes and minor edits, all the thoughts and events hold true to that high school voice.

A Marshland of His Own is divided into three arts: mourning, mending, and moving on, which follows the grief Process Gavin went through and how that process he learned to heal and move on with his life.  This event marked the turning point between the end of the naivety of childhood and the complexity of adulthood.

Available for purchase at:

Barnes and Noble Link: https://www.facebook.com/login.php

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2qwQw2R

Books N’ Company Link

https://www.booksco.com/book/9781948365482?fbclid=IwAR0E6FQ5hpfovHyKJBl-rsb2vMrQvtxTtiw3-iARjG8ICBWX_saGeQbPXC8

Submitted by: Gavin Zastrow

Gene Kain, Professor Emeritus of the Art Department, will be showing recent art at Amy Mietzel’s ’91 gallery in Madison in early May. Mietzel is also a practicing artist whose work is now being shown in several venues.

Submitted by: Gene Kain

The Midwest Chapter of  Medical Library Association is holding a full day workshop so that librarians in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, and surrounding states, can learn more about being part of the disaster response and preparedness efforts in their communities. Its been great fun to reach out to Steve for assistance in locating local speakers. His position on the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors provides him insight into the emergency response workforce in the Madison area.  You never know when a fellow alum will have the exact answers that you need!

Submitted by: Siobhan Champ-Blackwell

Living in Eagle Colorado for 22 years now and still loving it.  I’m finishing up my fourth year of teaching 5^th grade (career #4!) and I think I’ve finally found what I want to do when I grow up.  I do still work part-time for Vail Resorts as well, and just hit my 25^th anniversary with them which means a lifetime ski pass!  My oldest son, Ben, graduates from the US Naval Academy this May, and is commissioning into the Marines as a 2^nd Lieutenant, heading to Flight School in Pensacola.  My middle son David is finishing his second year at the US Military Academy at West Point, and will be playing with tanks and armored vehicles this summer.  Youngest son Sebastian (currently a sophomore in high school) has been named to the AAU National Karate team, and will be heading to Budapest and Slovakia to compete in June, before heading off on a service trip to Nepal in July.  If anyone ever gets up to the Vail / Beaver Creek area, let me know!

Paul Witt ’86

970-471-5380

[email protected]

Submitted by: Paul Witt

Dorothy Ellen (Neuenfeldt) Norris, 83 of Minneapolis, MN, passed away on April 10, 2019.

Always called “Dottie,” she was born on April 21, 1935, the third daughter of Lorena Mae (Swick) Neuenfeldt and Ernst Fredrick Neuenfeldt on the family farm at Ripon, WI on Co. KK. She grew up on the farm and attended Osborn School and graduated from Ripon High School.

At age 14, Dottie contracted polio and spent 2 months in the hospital. Polio caused the loss of the use of her legs, and she had to learn to walk again.
This may have given Dottie her outlook on life – to learn and live in, “What is” and not, “What if’.” She received a degree in nursing from Fond du Lac and served as Director of Nursing at Ripon College for 31 years, retiring in 2000. After her retirement she lived independently in Yuma AZ for many years before moving to Minneapolis where her family was able to help care for her.

She was married three times; to James C. Prellwitz, Lawrence Sommers, and Jerry Norris. She is survived her three children, Michael (Susan Haas) Sommers, Cindy Sommers (Berlin), and William (Jeannie) Sommers (Pennsylvania), sister, Marjorie Lind of Berlin and brother, Ernst Ray (Ida) Neuenfeldt of Ripon, grandchildren Kathryn (Adrian Malloy) Sommers, Bonnie (Chris) Budelier, Alma, Zoe (Ben), and Noah Sommers Haas, Maxwell, Bianca and Olivia Sommers, nine great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Carol Wilcox, her brother, Fredrick Neuenfeldt and her son, Mark.

Special Thanks to her caregivers at Hometown Senior Living in the Twin Cities.
A memorial service will be held later at Nepeuskun Cemetery near Berlin, WI.

Class Agent: Emily Meyer

[email protected]

(920) 369-8707

Spring 2019

Hi Everyone~

I hope this letter finds you happy, healthy, and warm (especially if you’re in the Midwest that has been perpetually cold since the beginning of 2019). Stephen and I have been settling into a new routine since he started a new career with BNSF Railroad this past fall and we prepare to welcome our 2nd child in April. We’re also on the cusp of signing the final paperwork to purchase our first house (finally) and are very excited to move into something that is not an on-campus, 2 bedroom apartment after way too many years of living on college campuses.  Between Polar Vortex Days, Snow Days, and a busy work schedule, I’m still not sure exactly what month or what day of the week it is. Thankfully, things seem to be calming down a bit, and hopefully our schedules will be back to semi-normal soon-ish.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about out upcoming reunion and how there is no way we graduated 10 year ago! And while somethings never change (like me procrastinating writing this letter until right up to the deadline) and others change very quickly. I’ve been fortunate enough to be back to Ripon and to visit campus frequently since we graduated, and am amazed and the changes, renovations, and improvements that have occurred since graduation. Some are small like the fire pit outside what we know as The Pub (now The Spot), while others were major undertakings like the Willmore Center. While I’m sure we all fondly remember our time at Ripon, it is wonderful to see the college continuing to advance and challenge itself to continue to improve the education that Ripon students receive. This is one of the main reasons I choose to give back financially and in service to the college.

So, now it is time to think about celebrating the past 10 years. Please join me in Ripon for Alumni Weekend (June 27-30). The weekend is full of opportunities to reconnect, celebrate, and honor our classmates (JENAN KHARBUSH ’09 will be receiving an Outstanding Young Alumni Award and BRITTANY DICK ’09 and JOSHUA KRAEMER ’09 will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame!). Information (and soon registration) can be found online at https://www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend/

Shameless plug: if you’re tired of getting letters from me and are interested in writing one yourself, volunteer to be a Class Agent!  I promise the time commitment is low, and I am happy to answer any questions you may have; I do plan to continue in the role as well, but wanted to extend an invitation if you’re interested in joining me! Contact Amy or Yvonne at [email protected] in Constituent Engagement for more information.

Finally, here are a few updates you all have sent in:

ANN KENSETH BERGFELD ’10 and ROBERT BERGFELD ’09 of Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, write, “Currently married to Robert Bergfeld, Ripon Class 2009 for 6 years. We have two daughters Amelia (4) and Calliope (3). I am a case manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Wisconsin and currently finishing up my social work certification through Upper Iowa University and Robert works as a Relationship Manager for US Bank in Wausau.”

SHAWN F. KARSTEN ’09 and CARISSA ZUERCHER KARSTEN ’10 of Ripon, Wisconsin, had a baby boy, Adler Adrian Karsten, who was born on 12/7/18.

JOSHUA KRAEMER ’09 and KATIE KRUEGER KRAEMER ’09 of Cedarburg Wisconsin, manage their nutrition company Isagenix which provides natural nutrition products for weight loss, energy and performance and healthy aging. In addition, Katie manages their Anytime Fitness in Hartford and Josh is the Regional Personal Training Manager for 3 Anytime Fitness locations: Cedarburg, West Bend and Hartford.  Josh and Katie also recently welcomed a daughter to their family!

HALEY MADSON ’09 has been named the new Director of Communication and Special Events for The Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership.

TOM MILLER ’09 has been on staff for University of Minnesota Crookston football program for the past three seasons has been promoted to defensive coordinator. Miller will also retain his title as assistant head coach.

JONATHAN PARETSKY ’09 of Neenah, Wisconsin, is a research scientist at Georgia-Pacific.”

CURTIS SCHMITT ’09 and his wife SARA KUSSMANN SCHMITT ’08, who welcomed a baby boy (Finley John) on October 18, 2017! Curtis and Sara both work from home, which allows them to spend lots of time with Finley.

ELIZA CHERRY STEPHENSON ’09 and BRUCE STEPHENSON ’09 of Ripon, Wisconsin, write, “We welcomed Vivian Lorraine into our family on 5/24 at 8:30 pm. She is so precious.”

Stay warm, stay in touch, and I hope to see you at our 10th Class Reunion at the end of June!

~Emily

Submitted by: Emily Meyer

Class Agent: Nick Spaeth

[email protected]  / 262.227.6097

Spring 2019

Fifteen years guys…fifteen years.

I’m guessing some of you embrace the passing of that time, and others struggle with the idea. Fifteen years is equal parts unfathomable and impressive. Hard to believe that 15 years ago, we graduated from Ripon…how can we be that old??? Yet, remarkable that it’s been that long, when it oftentimes seems just like yesterday! Regardless, it’s reality. The other reality is that our alma mater has gone through some impressive changes over the past 15 years, yet also retains the identity and personality that attracted us to the campus in the first place. You really need to come back this June for our class reunion and see all the changes for yourself.

If it’s been a few years since you’ve been back, you need to check out the new Willmore Health and Wellness Center. Our old Storzer is hardly recognizable!

If it’s been a decade since you’ve been back, you might not believe that the road running through campus that many of us zipped down on our way to a meal, class, practice, or Miller’s, is no longer. While you’re admiring that change, you can also now sip on a drink from the Starbucks on campus.

If you’ve never been back, well, good luck wrapping your head around all the changes! Do yourself, and all of your classmates, the favor of coming back and revisiting old memories.

The dates are June 27-30. If you golf, plan to be there for the outing on Friday. At minimum, join our class for our reunion dinner on the evening of Saturday the 29th. Book your hotel room now!

Class Notes:

MARY DANIEL DEAN ‘04 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is being honored as a 2018 40 Under 40 award winner by Association Forum. The organization seeks to advance the professional

practice of association management and serves 47,000 association professionals who, in turn,

serve more than 37 million members. Dean is a client executive for Executive Director Inc. in

Milwaukee.

CAROLYN DUVEN ‘04 graduated with her PhD in Higher Education in August of 2018. She moved to Georgia with her husband and started a new position at Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville, GA. She coordinates institutional retention efforts and new student orientation. 

LISA HENKE GRAF ‘04 teaches 8th grade Earth Science at Merrill Middle School in Oshkosh. She is honored to be part of a leadership team that drives PD in our building. She designed a year-long genius hour project for her students that have gained significant momentum. Every day, she contemplates having her students sign up to be part of a reality series about life as a middle schooler! When not in her classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband Jacob & their 4 kids; Ella (13), Brennan (11), Connor (9), & Addison (7).

SARA WICHLACZ HANEY ’04 and TIM HANEY ’03 welcomed a second son to their family in May 2018.  Sara has returned to work at a private college prep school teaching Grades 1-9 Science in Calgary, Alberta Canada

ANDY MIELKE ’04 lives in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, with his wife Jessica and two boys AJ and Hank. He is the Purchasing Manager for Signicast Investment Castings in Hartford, Wisconsin.

REBECCA PERKINS ‘04 of Dubuque, Iowa completed a master’s degree in

nonprofit management from Our Lady of Lake University.

RACHEL SCHMIDT PUFALL ’04 After 25 semesters (12.5 years) as the 4K-8 and for the last 2 years 4K-6 school counselor in Washburn, Rachel took the reins of the 7-12 Counselor position in the district in January. She’s enjoying reestablishing relationships with former students and building new ones with new students and coworkers. Her brain is constantly challenged as she learns new things every minute. When not enthralled in work she continues to chase around her 2 active young children and husband, Frank.

MIKE ROMAGNOLI ‘04 was required to do six hours of volunteer translation work at an area agency in his first semester as a graduate student studying Spanish at Illinois State fourteen years ago. He chose to work with the Community Health Care Clinic (CHCC), and he’s been with the organization ever since. In early November, Romagnoli became the CHCC executive director. On his first day volunteering at CHCC, Romagnoli was trained by a volunteer physician who was fluent in Spanish. After that first day, however, the physician never returned and Romagnoli suddenly became the only Spanish translator at CHCC. Seeing the need and the importance of the work, he volunteered as much of his time as possible, continuing well past the six hours required for his course and into the next semester. The following summer, he officially transitioned from volunteer to staff member.

MICHAEL TIMM ‘04 of Cudahy, Wisconsin is working with Reflo Sustainable Water Solutions as a Manager for the Milwaukee Water Stories Program.

PAULA RICHARDSON TOMPKINS ’04 will be running in the Boston Marathon for a second time this April.

See you all in June!

Nick

Submitted by: Nick Spaeth

Class Agents:

Trista Moffat Larco

[email protected]

781.799.4839

Mike Berens

[email protected]

Spring 2019

Happy March,

It has been a cold and snowy winter here in Wisconsin! We know that most of you won’t believe this, but the weather has been so terrible that Ripon College actually canceled classes and delivered meals to the students in their dorms. Oh how times have changed! We remember walking back-and-forth to classes in -50 degree temperatures and 12 feet of snow…uphill both ways, of course!

Once we dig out of this horrible Wisconsin winter, we are going to be headed towards summer and that means it is time for our 20th Class Reunion. Can you believe it???? We are so old!!! We hope to see all of you this summer at Alumni Weekend, June 27-30. Our reunion is at J’s BBQ, Downtown Ripon from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday (June 29). Afterwards, dessert will be served at The Spot (complete with a chocolate fountain), live music, and s’mores at the fire pit. All for $30 per person. Full weekend details and online registration are coming April 1 to www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend, but also watch your mailboxes for the official Alumni Weekend brochure. If you haven’t been back to Ripon in a while, this would be a good time to make the trip. There will be many more fun activities and it would be great to re-connect with all of your old classmates at Ripon. I hope to see you there!  

We did not receive any updates from our classmates this season, but who needs to just read about them? Come to our reunion and talk to your old friends in-person to see what they have been up to. Make your plans now to visit Ripon!!!!

We hope you had a wonderful 2018 and hope to see you this summer at our 20th Class Reunion.  

Trista Moffat Larco,  Michael Berens

Submitted by: Trista Moffat Larco

Class Agent:

Kimberly Woolley ’94

[email protected]

www.facebook.com/kimbo.woolley

www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-woolley-a903959

Spring 2019

Greetings, Class of 1994!

I hope you are all doing well. I returned to campus in February during the Polar Vortex for trustee meetings. It was a good reminder that I am a wimpy Californian now unable to withstand killer temperatures (literally). I am really looking forward to returning to campus in June when it should be warmer!  

June 27-30, 2019 is Alumni Weekend and the 25th year reunion for the Class of 1994. I hope you will join me in celebrating this milestone. Here are a few fun reasons to join me:

• I plan to puzzle over the question of how I got this old this quickly while drinking beers and eating Roadhouse – it’s still there and the mozzarella sticks are still delicious. In addition, the town of Ripon has improved since we graduated and now includes J’s BBQ; it has great pulled pork and is run by two cool women. So you won’t go hungry!
• If you eat a lot at Roadhouse and J’s, you then need to visit the newish Willmore Health and Wellness Center (former Storzer Center). Many of our classmates contributed to the fund to build the Willmore Center, which is named after one of Ripon’s very successful female alums, DENA WILLMORE 67. It’s unrecognizable as Storzer and is now a beautiful, airy fitness center.
• Those were the carrots and now the stick.  If you don’t come, CARRIE ROCA- DAWSON ’94 wants me to remind you that you won’t be able to defend yourself against the pictures from the 90s.  There was no social media when we went to school but there’s nothing to stop us loading old photos to websites at the reunion…

If you come to the reunion, please come with an appetite, stories from the good ol’ days and funny photos.  I’ll hit you up for money for our class gift in a separate letter.

Class Notes:

Thank you to the classmates who reached out to me with updates.  Here are what some of our classmates are up to:

MIKE BASILE ’94 retired as the coach for the Pewaukee High School boys basketball team after his twins graduated from Pewaukee and headed off to college.

MICHELLE BENEDICT ’94 of Honolulu Oahu, Hawaii, spends up to 20 hours a week teaching tricks to puffer fish at the Dolphin Quest in Hawaii.  She has taught over 15 species and more than 50 individual fish impressive cognitive games that can take between a few sessions and a few months.  Her video of a trained puffer fish has gone viral with over 13 million views. Read more at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/any-fin-is-possible-meet-the-reel-y-obedient-fish-who-can-perform-tricks-from-swimming-through-hoops-to-recognising-shapes-and-colours/vi-BBLU3Eb

KATHY BRADY HAUSCHILD ’94 of Tustin California is working as a Senior Environmental Scientist at APTIM, an engineering and construction firm.  Her work includes groundwater and soil remediation reporting, Phase I environmental site assessments, Phase II environmental site assessments, asbestos and lead reporting, soil gas surveys, storm water reporting, compliance, and health and safety.

TODD JOHNSON ’94 was featured in a short documentary film about veterans working in the National Park Service. He works as a park ranger and social media coordinator for the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in Lovell, Wyoming. Todd also wrote a blog titled

“President Trump Needs to make some Huuuge Changes, and Soon.” My favorite line from

the blog is “The Trump decision-making matrix seems to have more in common with an Etch-A-Sketch than a deliberative process”. You can read the full blog at:

https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/the-administration/335317-president-trump-needs-

o-make-some-huuuge-changes-and

Oscar Nominated Film from Ripon Alumna

This has nothing to do with our class but I think it’s very cool so sharing in case you missed it.  DIANE MOY QUON ‘79 has received an Academy Award nomination as a producer of the independent documentary film “Minding the Gap.” Quon majored in economics at Ripon. By the time you read this, she may have won the Oscar for Feature Documentary. The film portrays three young men who bond together to escape volatile and violent families in their hometown in Illinois. You can watch it on Hulu and hopefully on Netflix soon. We watched it with a group of friends recently and enjoyed it.

All the best,

Kimberly

Submitted by: Kimberly Woolley

Class Agents:

Nicole Lindberg

[email protected]

(612) 929-2188

Mitch Rosin

[email protected]

(708) 309-8556

Spring 2019

Greetings in the middle of one of the coldest winters on record! It has been another hectic year for Nik and Mitch with travels everywhere, and tons of family obligations. Mitch hit 2 million miles on United (and that’s not counting any other airline) and Nik has been throwing her expertise and energy behind several organizations that all would benefit from your support. Check out her Facebook page for more details.

• We are also working to make our 30th Reunion the best ever! Mark your calendars for Alumni Weekend, June 27-30! Not only is it our reunion but two of our fellow classmates are receiving the Distinguished Alumni Citation Award: COL James E. Czarnik ’89 and Kathryn R. Schultz ’89. They will be honored at the 1851 Awards Dinner Program on Friday, June 28. Our reunion will be on Saturday night (June 29) in The Bovay Terrace from 6:30-8:30 p.m.  Join us for food, drinks and fun! Then head down to The Spot for dessert (complete with a chocolate fountain), live music, and s’mores at the fire pit. Full weekend details and online registration are coming April 1 to www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend, but also watch your mailboxes for the official Alumni Weekend brochure. We hope you will join us!

Keep an eye on our class Facebook page for updates, tidbits, and other useless information.

We look forward to seeing you in a thawed out Ripon in June!

Mitch & Nikki

Classmate News:

TONYA BARNETT ALLING ’89 moved to a small town, only to learn that dancing there had been banned. She has worked with small group to help the townspeople rethink their rules, and in doing so revitalized their spirits. She plans to be footloose and fancy free at the reunion this summer.

SARAH ALMQUIST ’89 took in a stranger that was left behind. Though she is not sure where he came from, they are working out a way to phone home. So Barb may have a guest with her at the reunion. TBD

KELLY KORDES ANTON ’89, when not working on communications for MillerCoors, is honing her skiing skills on the slopes. She is working hard to master the K12 slope and has started a Go Fund Me page to make sure she always has two dollars. Summer means no skiing, so she can attend the reunion.

DAVE BARRETT ’89 had an amazing day off in Chicago with his two best friends. They enjoyed the Art Institute, took in a baseball game, encountered a parade, and dined on Rush Street. Just a warm up for the fun of our reunion.

TRICIA POTTER BAUER ’89 spent time over the summer with her family at a resort in the Catskills. She and the dance instructor really clicked, and were the stars of the end-of-the season show. This summer, she can show off her moves at the reunion.

CAL BERGMAN ’89, Associate Dean for the College of Letters and Sciences at UW-Madison, is also in an exclusive club. Club members recite poetry, explore philosophical ideas, and enhance their lives through an appreciation of literature. He also appreciates how fun it is to come back to visit Ripon!

KRIS LARSON BESLER ’89, as a high school counselor, oversees Saturday detention. She observes, that students come in thinking they are so very different from each other, when in fact they have more in common than they realize. A fact she thinks we may also see with our Ripon classmates this summer.

BRETT BORK ’89 once a struggling artist, bounced from one dead-end job to another, until he found love while working in a department store, proving that love is more than window dressing. Learn more about this and more this summer.

CRAIG CASPER ’89 and KRISTA CALHOUN CASPER ’89, having tired of living in the attic and feeling invisible, have finally found a way to cohabitate with their new tenants. Maybe they will all join us this summer!

TOBI CAWTHRA ‘89 continues to work as a dancer and  lives in Berlin. She recently was appointed as lead dancer, but the woman she replaced accused her of witchcraft. She is working with an inquisitive psychotherapist and a member of the troupe to uncover dark and sinister secrets as they probe the depths of the studio’s hidden underground chambers. She will be bringing her dancing skills to Ripon for the 30th Reunion Weekend.

KATHY HANNES CESARIO ’89 and MARK CESARIO ’92, struck an animal with their car while returning from a hunting trip. The animal appeared to be dead, so they added it to their hunting gains, and drove home. But, as you guessed, “it” wasn’t dead. You’ll have to ask them what happened next if you see them at the reunion.

CAROYLN AGACINSKI CLARK ’89 reports that he has become a mysterious force that will decimate the population, and warns — if you see him, you will die. The survivors must now avoid coming face to face with Healy, who takes the form of their worst fears. Searching for hope and a new beginning, women and children have embarked on a dangerous journey through the woods and down a river to find the one place that may offer sanctuary. To make it, they’ll have to cover their eyes from the evil that chases them — and complete the trip blindfolded. He will present on this journey at the Alumni Reunion in June.

LINDA GLAUBITZ DECRAMER ’89 and LAIRD DECRAMER ’77, write, “The Ripon tradition continues. Although our kids are polar opposites, Callista (suave, sophisticated and likes to tango) and Sullivan (overzealous, long-haired and always looking for cash) they both work tirelessly towards their goals.

PAUL DONALDSON ’89 joined Professor Jones in pursuit of the Holy Grail of dressage. This has proven to be harder than expected, and only for the pure of heart. Maybe his quest will be fulfilled at the reunion.

GIGI HICKS DECKER ’89 took a road trip from Chicago to New York, during which she argued with a friend about whether men and women can ever truly be strictly platonic friends. During the reunion, we can try to help her answer the question of whether men and women can stay friends without sex becoming an issue between them. Guess we will find out the truth after he road trip to Ripon in June!

CHERYL FRANZKE FEATHERSTON ‘89 reports that she recently shared a contentious car ride from Chicago to New York, during which she argued with a friend about whether men and women can ever truly be strictly platonic friends. Ten years from now, they plan to meet at a bookstore, and in the company of their respective best friends, in an attempt to stay friends without sex becoming an issue between them. Updates will be provided in June!

DARLENE HONIE-LOYER GERICK ’89, like Tobi, had an adventure in babysitting. Responding to a frantic friend’s call, Darlene with three kids in tow, went to pick her up at the bus station, only to blow a tire on the expressway. Having forgotten her wallet at home, she couldn’t pay for the repair. Long story short, she protected the kids from some unsavory types, rescued her friend, and had everyone tucked in before the parents got home. Fill in the details during the reunion.

JIM GLADE ’89, worried that his wife might be playing Patty-cake with someone else, hired a detective to snoop on her. But what the detective discovered was a plot by an evil developer to take over the community where they live. The three join forces to stop the take-over, and that’s all folks, until the reunion.

JULIE TAYLOR GONDAR ’89 and MICHAEL GONDAR ’88, and their two sons live in a town plagued by bikers and some mysterious activities. Armed with holy water filled squirt guns and a trunk filled with wooden stakes, they are sure they can continue to enjoy this beautiful beach community. If not, at least they can take a break in Ripon this summer.

ELIZABETH NICHOLS “SCOTTIE” GIROUARD ’89, in order to save her home from foreclosure, has set out to find a pirate’s treasure. Find out if she found the booty during the reunion!

GRANT GRUDZINA ‘89 writes that as a German immigrant living in a trailer in Kansas he is the victim of a botched sex-change operation, but continues in his search for stardom and love. He plans to drive his trailer to Ripon in June for alumni weekend.

RAMON GUZMAN ’89 has signed with the Cleveland Indians, despite having poor pitching skills. Meanwhile, RUBEN GUZMAN ’89 is following the voice in his head, and has started construction of a baseball field. Strike up a conversation with the twins at the reunion to learn more.

PHIL HARTY ’89 reports that he is troubled that he has little access to his children, and decided to hatch an elaborate plan. With help from his creative brother, he dressed as an older British woman and convinced his ex-wife to hire him as a nanny. He will not be joining the reunion, as he is working to replace parts of his wardrobe that recently caught fire.

TED HARWOOD ’89, while babysitting, and desperate to quiet the child, wished the child to be taken away, and was shocked it worked. Now guilt ridden, he had to retrieve the boy from a maze. Fortunately she is back in time to join us at the reunion.

KATHY HAYEVSKY ‘89 reports that her kingdom has become trapped in perpetual winter. She is proceeding without fear, and has joined forces with a mountaineer named Kristoff and his reindeer sidekick to find Kathy’s sister, Snow Queen Elsa. They hope to break her icy spell. Her epic journey has led them to encounters with mystical trolls, a comedic snowman, harsh conditions, and magic at every turn, but she continues to bravely push onward in a race to save her kingdom from winter’s cold grip.

DAVE “CHUCK” HILLMAN ’89 has seen his days as a daredevil (some might say maverick) pilot have come to an end. He looks forward to having more time to play volleyball, sing Righteous Brothers tunes, fish, and attend Ripon reunions.

MARC HEALY ’89 was accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist, Michelle Trujillo Brown-Droese ’89. Marc’s wife, Heidi Zwart Healy ’90, seems unfazed, and will assume they will both be back for the reunion.

SUE CLOT-JOSEPH ’89, having just returned from a trip to New York City, is the new owner of a used leather jacket and some Egyptian earrings. She is going to be in the groove at the reunion.

DAVID LUONGO ‘89 writes that he doesn’t have much going for him during the weekdays. He still lives at home and works as a paint store clerk in his Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood. But he lives for the weekends, when he and his friends go to the local disco and dance the night away. When a big dance competition is announced, he convinces his friend to be his partner. The two have started training for the competition, but he thinks there is a romantic element, also. He will demonstrate stayin’ alive at the Reunion in June!

JAMES MADDISON ’89 is proud to announce that his band, the Wyld Stallyns, have gained quite a following. It hasn’t come easy, however. He has had to spend an inordinate amount of time in a phone booth, and with lot of crazy characters. Maybe he will play for us this summer.

JOHN MATHEWS ’89 and MEAGHAN MAHONY MATHEWS ’91 had a typically crazy holiday: the light display wouldn’t light, obnoxious family members pumped sewage into their drain, and his annual bonus turned out to be a jelly of the month club subscription. They hope their plans to drive out West to visit a theme park go more smoothly. Either way, they plan to be back in time for the reunion.

ANNE BURCHMORE MIES ’89, along with seven friends and a saxaphone, are still trying to navigate life after college. Her friends gather nightly at their favorite bar, where relationship and work drama play themselves out. Friendships are tested, and in the end some seem to be adulting better than others. See who navigates their way to the reunion this summer.

DON MCCREATH ’89, has experienced it all in his travels: difficulties getting a taxi, getting bumped from first class, flight cancellations, delayed trains, even a burning car; but rooming with a shower curtain ring salesman pushed his limits. Learn about his escapades this summer.

KRISTIN ADOMEIT MOORE ’89, had her life turned upside down by an inheritance — of a baby. More suited to the board room than the playground, she struggled to find her way. Thinking moving to a Vermont cottage would help, she realized, through batches and batches of applesauce, she hadn’t found that balance. However, she has been able to leverage her sauce making skills into a profitable company, and now indeed does have it all. See what else she can dish up this summer.

BARB THOMPSON PAMPERIN ‘89 reports that she is living in an England of the future, and spends her time getting high at the Korova Milkbar before embarking on “a little of the old ultraviolence,” while jauntily warbling “Singin’ in the Rain.” She has agreed to submit to behavior modification technique to earn her freedom; and is conditioned to abhor violence. She will be at the reunion, but isn’t sure if she will be sane.

MITCH ROSIN ’89 writes that he has been running an art gallery in a small Greenwich Village hotel for many years. The management wants to replace his less-than-thriving gallery with a coffee shop. Always irascible but now increasingly erratic, Mitch is a cause of concern to family given the effect of senility on the family.

AMY ROSNER ’89, along with two others, have started a spirit removal service, housed in a refurbished fire station. She could hold the key to a fun reunion.

PATRICK SCHMIDT ’89, completed his apprenticeship with the notorious sailor, Roberts, and now captains his own ship, complete with a swashbuckler wardrobe of black. It would be inconceivable for him to not make it to the reunion.

KATHRYN SCHULTZ ’89 reports that being a wealthy and uptight person, her children when faced with the prospect of a new nanny, were pleasantly surprised by the arrival of the magical Mary. Her children embarked on a series of fantastical adventures with Mary and her friend, Bert. The children tried to pass on some of their nanny’s sunny attitude to their preoccupied mother. Kathryn will be at the Reunion, complete with her umbrella, which allows her to fly!

DAVID STAPELFELDT ’89, enjoys kickboxing and spending as much time as he can with the beautiful, intelligent valedictorian before she leaves to study in England. Hopefully he, and his boombox, can make it for the reunion!

CHRISTOPHER STOTT ’89 saved Brooke Shields from drowning. Blows reward money hiring Van Halen to play his birthday party. A party to remember, just like our reunion.

TINA MUDGETT TINCHER ’89 drove her crappy blue Chevy Nova to Beverly Hills, where she is involved in an investigation involving bearer bonds. (What? Those again.) Now back in Detroit, she thinks Ripon will be the perfect place to reunite this summer.

JOHNNY VERNON ’89, an entrepreneur, automobile dealer/hustler/bookie, learned his estranged father left him from his will, yet $3 million went into a trust fund to be distributed to someone. That “someone” is Raymond, his unknown autistic brother. Who’s on first? That’s right. See you at the reunion.

MICHAEL WAUGH ’89 owns a pizza parlor in the Bedford-Stuyvesant district of Brooklyn. Do the right thing, and come to the reunion!

TIMOTHY WIEDMEYER ’89 has been hired to help drive an aging widow. He can drive his way to Ripon, too, and join us at our reunion.

Submitted by: Nicole Lindberg

Class Agents:

 Connie Herbon Moser

[email protected]

(847) 548-2732

Vicki Vicha Erickson

[email protected]

(847) 546-2775 

Spring 2019

Happy Spring Everyone,

Looking forward to seeing many of you at our 35^th reunion on June 27 – 30, 2019. We will have a Blues and BBQ dinner on Saturday night celebrating life and sharing stories. Thanks in advance go out to DAVE SHOGREN ‘84 and his blues band who will delight us with music as we enjoy a BBQ dinner. The location for Saturday night is at 220 Elm Street, two houses from the Commons. During Alumni Weekend, other opportunities exist for fun such as the Doc Weiske ’50 Memorial Golf Scramble where I know VICKI VICHA ERICKSON ‘84, DONNA REARDON GOLDBERG ‘84, LINDA GIUFFRE ANDERSON ‘84, SUE SHEPHERD ‘84 and I will enjoy sun, laughter and golf. At this point, we have heard from SHELLEY ANDERSON BYRNES ‘84 and DESIREE SWENSON STROM ‘84 who will also attend the reunion, with RUTH FEIERABEND ‘84 and ANN WILLIAMS LUNDBERG ‘84 as tentative. Hopefully we will see many others there.

With the opening of the Willmore Center and many upgrade activities across the college campus, I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised by the positive changes that have taken place. These changes must continue and absolutely rely on your gifts to the college. As it is our 35^th, please take a moment to consider increasing your donation to the Ripon Fund as a shout out for our reunion.

Again, we hope you will join us in celebrating life and our 35^th reunion. As always, I have asked one of our classmates to write about themselves so here is MIKE GALVAN ‘84 and his update:

MIKE GALVAN ‘84: Well, I can’t believe our 20th anniversary is finally coming up. We’ve done a lot in these few years….wait. I guess it is a bit longer than that. I don’t think in all these years, I’ve contributed to this grand publication, so here is my story:

After graduation, (yes, I had to take a few classes at UW-Milwaukee the summer of ’84 to graduate), I went off to the Army as an ROTC graduate. I did the Military Police Officer Basic at the former Fort McClellan, Alabama. After completion, I went to my first duty station, 16th MP Brigade (Airborne), at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. There, I did the typical Army officer stuff:  platoon leader, executive officer, etc. Then, I moved into staff positions as the assistant operations officer for the Provost Marshal (base police chief) and logistical officer in a transportation unit coordinating worldwide troop and equipment movements.

Once I was promoted to captain, I went back to MP Officer Advance Course at Ft. McClellan, Alabama. After completion, off to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) where I was the operations officer for the Provost Marshal of the 2nd Infantry Division, just south of the Demilitarized Zone. I took command of the 2nd Military Police Company and was in command during Desert Storm. The normally one year assignment stretched into nearly 2 years in Korea. I was given two options after that:  go back to school for a Master’s and teach at West Point or train and work in a secondary specialty. Since my undergraduate time was not so stellar, I trained to work in psychological operations, which included lots of cultural stuff and language training. I got out of the Army when they enticed me with a bunch of money as they needed to downsize the military.

After returning back to Wisconsin in 1992 after the military, I decided to continue in law enforcement. In 1993, I was hired as a patrol officer in Appleton, Wisconsin. There, I ran into many classmates and fellow alumni. By 1996, I began training as a state trooper. For 15 years, I patrolled the highways of Northeast Wisconsin….in a Ford Crown Victoria, a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, or in a Dodge Charger. It was fun.  Right after Governor Walker signed Act 10 and all the unrest at the capitol, I was selected for promotion to the Dignitary Protection Unit. Our mission was to protect the Governor and other officials we were assigned to. We accompanied him and transported him everywhere. I was on the detail while he ran for President. I had a front row seat to history. I saw things and went places that “regular” people do not have access to. It was amazing:  oversea trips, White House, NYC, many states in the Union, and just about every city, village and town in Wisconsin…probably every county fair or breakfast on the farm….I think my most favorite place to go was Ripon College. Every June, Badger Boys State is held at Ripon. The Governor, a Supreme Court Justice, and the Adjutant General of the Wisconsin National Guard would land in a US Army Blackhawk helicopter on Upper Sadoff. I would either be on board or as the arrival agent when it landed. Then I’d transport the Governor around to the dining hall, then down to the gym for ceremonies. I was on the detail for nearly 5 years and met more Ripon alumni.

For my last two years in the State Patrol, I supervised operations in 5 NE Wisconsin counties. I retired in July 2018. I did a lot of cruises and other traveling…then I got bored. I got back into transportation and drove motorcoach (and traveled), school bus routes and charter trips, part-time.

Now, I just started my new part-time job. After some training in Fort Lauderdale, I am now the chief security officer on the Norwegian Sun. Right now, I am on a South American itinerary sailing off the coast of Chile, down around Cape Horn. Later next month, we will head up the west coast of South America, traverse through the Panama Canal, and go to Colombia before heading back to Miami. Then off to Havana and the Bahamas…not bad for a part-time job…6 months a year.

Well, that is my life.  If my itinerary supports it, I will be at our “20th” reunion in June. Until then, hasta luego.

Thanks to Mike for the update!

Take Care,

Connie

Submitted by: Connie Herbon Moser

Class Agent:

Kevin L. Warmack

(773) 220-5360

[email protected]

[email protected]

Spring 2019

Greetings All,

As I sit at my desk at Bankers Life Securities in Chicago to write this letter, I look at the calendar and note that it’s the day after Valentine’s Day (and Royce Dunbar’s Birthday – Happy B-Day Royce). I note that it’s Friday – a pay day (YAY!!) and that in 4 months and 12 days, we will begin gathering for Alumni Weekend, June 27-30 and celebrate 40 years since we walked out of Ripon. In effect, this is our 100 Days (give or take a few days but who’s counting) till party time – Ripon style. So in that vein, I will start lifting a beer (water) and get the 100 Days Celebration started.  Let’s begin with some Class of 1979 News and Notes.

Class of 1979 News and Notes

Sunday, February 24, should mean a lot to all of us. Our own Producer Extraordinaire, DIANE MOY QUON ‘79 is up for an Academy Award being nominated for being the Producer of the film “Minding the Gap”. Even if she doesn’t win (NOT!!), this shows everyone that there is a great life after age 50!!    

Another great example of life after age 50 is through JENNIFER BRENGLE GIEDD ‘79.  Jenny has begun working towards a PH.D in Education. I think thus far, she has completed 6 courses and has found time to make some Tomato Basil soup! Save me some!!

BOB GRANT ‘79 has sent some dispatches from Daytona Beach, Florida, where the Great American Race is held. But one dispatch that Bob sent continues to play in the theme of life after 50. Bob talked about finding work outdoors and he has – becoming Bob the Builder when he spent 3 days framing an addition in all types of weather.  

JIM GOODRICH ‘79 has entertained all of us with his dispatches from around the world after retiring last year from teaching.

In case you’ve been hiding under a rock, BETH PALMBACH NEMECEK ‘79 celebrated Christmas in a most marvelous way…she got a kidney!! She is doing fantastic and now my Bionic Co-Chair and I (remember I got a pacemaker/defibrillator in August) are ready for you.

40th Reunion Class Gift – Now is the time for all of you to begin to think about making a gift to Ripon College. Any gift will help. And if you give now rather than wait until reunion weekend, that gift counts towards the overall class gift.

40th Reunion – The party starts on Friday, June 27 after the Doc Weiske ‘50 Memorial Golf Scramble. I am planning on playing in the golf scramble and hope that we can get a couple of Class of 1979 foursomes out there. Great time at Lawsonia (tough course but fun). For Friday night, most of us usually go to the 1851 Alumni Awards Dinner, etc. but this year, let’s gather at Norton’s and eat, drink and be merry. The big reunion party is Saturday night at the Willmore Center (f/k/a- Storzer). That is the early line. Let me know your thoughts

Closing

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, and drop me a note so I can make your class letter the best!!!

Love Always, 

 Kevin L. Warmack, ‘79

Submitted by: Kevin Warmack

        Class Agent: Jan MacLeod

[email protected]

(630) 920-2450

Spring 2019

Greetings, Classmates!  Is everyone getting excited about our 45th reunion?

Plans are coming along and the fire pit outside the Union has been reserved for us to relax and hang out on what I hope will be a lovely June evening (dinner will be served inside). Be watching for registration materials coming your way soon or visit online at https://www.ripon.edu/alumni-weekend/.

This has been a challenging winter for so many of us. I feel very fortunate to be able to say the worst thing I have had to deal with is a mild case of cabin fever. My volunteering duties at the public library have given me ample opportunities to get out of the house, and the new book group I started there keeps me busy reading about new book possibilities. Andy will be retiring in another month, so we will be spending more time with our two grandchildren as well as helping our younger daughter plan her wedding. Time flies when you’re keeping busy, and having fun!

In late November, I met CHRIS OVERLY WALLACE ‘74 of Homer Glen, Illinois and her Green Lake neighbor at Norton’s, and let me say, the old fashioneds we’re just as good as you remember. After dinner we made our way to Thrasher Opera House in downtown Green Lake for a fabulous concert by Judy Collins (photo on the left). We were joined there by DEBRA HORN-PROCHNO ‘74 of Ripon, Wisconsin. We had a lovely evening reminiscing, and listening to many of the songs that made up the soundtrack of our Ripon College years.  Judy’s songs and stories made for a truly magical evening.

In other Wallace news, Chris got a new puppy just before Christmas and named him Rip! Her granddaughters adore him and Chris says he is lots of company. He’s not too fond of going out in the cold, but if you ask me, that’s a sign of intelligence.

GEORGE BOOTHBY SR. ’74 of Montvale, New Jersey,  was selected to be a Scoutmaster for Northern New Jersey Council for the 2019 World Scout Jamboree that will be held in the U.S. and hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

In addition, he was asked to serve as the Contingent Leader for all eight troops and leaders for Area Five in the U.S. Northeast Region. George will be responsible for providing guidance and supervision to a total of 300 scouts and scoutmasters. He was honored to be asked and thrilled to assist everyone. Troop meetings will begin in late fall 2018 and run through June 2019. The 2019 World Scout Jamboree will begin July 22nd at the Bechtel Summit in West Virginia.

Boothby became involved with the Boy Scouts of America in 1992 as an assistant den leader in his hometown, and he was hooked. Volunteer activities run in the family, as his wife, LOUISE RENIER BOOTHBY ’75, volunteered with the Girl Scouts of America for 12 years, his son, George Jr., is an Eagle Scout, and his daughter, Catherine, is a Gold Award recipient.

Thanks to decades of volunteering with Boy Scouts, George is always prepared. While eating lunch with a business friend in New York, he found himself in the midst of a life-or-death situation. George’s associate began choking, his facial color changing with every passing second. While other patrons were frozen in place, he acted quickly, performing the Heimlich maneuver and saving his friend’s life. George was driven to respond quickly after decades of experience working with the Boy Scouts of America.

XAVIER POLANSKI ’74 of La Grange, Illinois, writes, “I turned 65 last December 5, and I retired in the middle of February 2018. I worked as an engineer with Commonwealth Edison’s (now Exelon’s) nuclear power plants for my entire career, most years as a ComEd employee, but the last 15 years as an “outsourced” contractor doing Exelon work. We will continue to live here in our La Grange, IL home, where we have lived since 1987. So far, retirement is very good. Since my wife Joanna is doing very little around the house because she is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, I have taken over all home-care chores, including cooking. This is all fine, since my mom taught her two children, both boys, to cook and clean. Joanna had maintained an extensive garden, and since I have loved plants since Boy Scout days, I enjoy doing that, also. I am doing more at my parish, St. Cletus (where I have joined the Chancel Choir), and I continue to play racquetball twice per week. Add visits with friends, and life is full.

Joanna, who is five years older than me, is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. That means that she still mostly manages by herself, and it is safe for her to be in the house alone. At this stage, she has trouble finding words when she wishes to say something, and she can no longer handle complicated things like the checkbook. The Illinois primary elections in the spring baffled her, so she is no longer voting. She gave up driving a couple of years ago. We enjoy the goodness of each day, as it comes. There is an Alzheimer caretaker support group in La Grange, and they can offer advice as the disease progresses.

Our son Tom, who graduated from Beloit College, is fluent in Spanish and spent his Beloit junior year studying in Quito, Ecuador. (Yes—all classes were in Spanish.) He later married a young lady from Quito that he met while studying there. They live in Quito, where Tom is just completing a successful five-year program in Clinical Psychology. He will be glad to help any of you with psychological issues, but know that the trip to appointments would involve connecting flights and would take a minimum of eight hours of airport travel time. You’d be alright, because he still remembers his English.”

ELIZABETH HENDERSON BARRATT ’74 of Carmel Valley, California, writes, “I’m continuing to devote hours on research and article publishing activities at the Carmel Valley History Center. Dick and I had a fantastic SF Giants Spring Training trip to Scottsdale, AZ this spring! Life is Good!”

DENNIS FRAHMANN ‘74 of Cambria, California, has written a new book which came out a few weeks ago. I ordered it on Amazon and then dropped him a line right after I started it to say how much I was enjoying it. I also asked him if he and husband Robert were planning to come to Ripon for the reunion. Dennis said that sadly they were not planning to join us this year but definitely plan to be back on campus for our 50th. He then added, “Yikes, can’t believe I said that. Graduation only seems like it was yesterday.” How true, Dennis!

So while we will miss Dennis, I hope YOU will be there and that you will contact your Ripon pals and urge them to be there, too. Mark your calendars now to attend Alumni Weekend June 27-30, and call your favorite hotel to reserve yourself a room. I will be looking for you on campus, and we’ll see each other around the fire pit outside the Union. S’mores for everyone!

Jan

Submitted by: Jan MacLeod

Jack Saunders Parker Jr. November 24, 1945 – February 27, 2019 SAN DIEGO Capt. Jack, as he liked to be called, passed away from a lingering illness in his home in San Diego on February 27, 2019.Born in Boston, MA in 1945; he called California home for over 50 years, residing in Berkeley, Malibu, Van Nuys, and Shelter Island. After graduating from Deerfield Academy and Ripon College, he attended University of California – Berkeley in the field of drama and theater and the Lee Strasbourg Theater and Film Institute in Los Angeles. He registered with the Screen Actors Guild as Jason Parker – the name that stayed with his immediate family.Jack had a curiosity and zest for participating in life; continually learning from the varied people he encountered and seeking experiences and adventures which challenged him. From acting to special effects engineering, to ranching and volunteer fire fighting, to sailing and acquiring his Captains license, to opening a business services store and creating his own photography dark room, he never stopped asking questions and wanting to share/teach others what he learned.

Jack leaves behind loving daughter, Raine and husband, Tony Pushckor and granddaughter, Sky of Issaquah, WA; stepdaughter, Tracey Grady and her beloved family in Shoreline, WA; sister, Diane (Greg Peters) in Shelburne, VT; many caring cousins; and his special friend and caregiver, Vicki Everett. He was recently predeceased by his devoted parents, Jack and Betty Parker of MA. A private family ceremony is planned for April 6 in San Diego. Memorial contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) where he brought animals rescued in fires around Malibu. (5206 W. Jefferson BLVD, Los Angeles, CA 90016 or go to SPCALA.com (“donate”).

Submitted by: Yvonne Nicklaus