R Connections

Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer ’73

239-390-1349 / 630-987-9388 / [email protected]

Dear Ripon College Class of 1973, As I write this on June 4, the hurricane season has just begun in Florida. The weathermen tell us there are no severe storms predicted for this season, but that remains to be seen. It is hot, hot, and the humidity high. Afternoon thunderstorms are the norm, so Gary and I, while we love living here, will be heading out soon to avoid some of this. We will be gone when this letter is due into the College, so that is why I asked classmates to send me news early.

I have to say, I am really happy with the responses I got after I said I would accept any news including trips, broken ankles and news of grandkids! That brought a much greater response than my threat to make stuff up. I did not make any of these up. They are copied and cut responses I received from the person listed. I cannot attest to whether or not their news is real of fake, but here it is:

JACKIE FARMER ANDREWS ’73: “MARK ANDREWS ’73 and I are in the throes of selling and buying houses at the moment!  We did get away for two weeks in Switzerland, down (up) the Rhine to Amsterdam on our first adventure in Europe and we loved it!  Our favorite spots were Lucerne and the Alps and Strasbourg where we walked on cobblestones for eight hours eating our way across the city. Highly recommend Viking River Cruises!”

JANE BENSON ’73: “I am afraid my retired life is quite boring. I retired April 1, 2016, and love it but am still finding my way around this new part of my life. Since I retired, my stepbrother and sister both have passed away, and this last November my stepmother died at 109. She was great up until the end, still playing Scrabble, doing jigsaw puzzles that have 1,000 parts to them (MORE patience that I would ever have with those things) and enjoying life to the best of her ability. It certainly helps me to appreciate each and every day with the people I love. Got the obligatory hip replacement in February 2017. What a difference!  I went to Wales last year with a friend and loved it. It did spoil my love of lamb, though — more sheep in that country than people and lambs are cute as can be. Have a trip to northern Italy with the same friend in September. Not much else I am afraid. Rather boring. Oh, I am learning to play golf, too.” 

MARILYN BAXTER CARVER ’73 and her husband, Johnny, have just arrived back in Minnesota after spending the winter in Arizona. During their winters, they hike, take camping trips and play music as a duo. This winter they took a camping trip with their hiking club to Colossal Cave, southeast of Tucson, Arizona, where they hiked in the beautiful park outside the cave and also toured the inside of this world’s largest dry cave. They saw raccoon-like animals, called coatimundis that live in and around the cave! In the summers, they sail on Leech Lake, go camping and spend time with their two grandsons (ages 3 and 6) in the Twin Cities. They are pretty sure that their grandchildren are the cutest in the world! I am sure they are adorable, but Gary’s and my Emily is pretty darn cute!! JKL

KRISTINA DAVIS ’73: “We are doing sleepovers with our three grandchildren, Ivy, 9, Isaac. 7, and Quin, almost 5, taking care of our Appleton and up-north houses, and spending time with family and friends. Jim got his first taste of my hometown New York City in April visiting my family there. In May, I saw first cousins I haven’t seen in years in a Maine get-together. As a group fitness instructor through the American Council on Exercise, I have been doing community presentations on the benefits of walking and how folks can start their own in-home calisthenic walking program. I also volunteer at church.”

KATHY GRANUKE ’73: “My husband and I are going to Bulgaria in mid-June. He was invited to a math/physics conference in Varna on the Black Sea. I hope German will help to communicate! We also will fly to London to see his sister who is in a play. Also, our son Richard will get his master’s degree in information management at the University of Washington. He will be working for Allstate. One sad thing: we lost our dearly beloved cat, Luke, to carcinoma of the abdomen in April. His brother, Smokey, keeps us company still.”

DAVID GROSSMAN ’73: “2018 was a year for life-changing decisions. My wife, Robin, and I have become empty-nesters. Both our children live together in Berkeley. Too much house for us in Lunenburg, so we sold it and bought a nice bungalow on the Cape. It’s on Bumps River in Centerville.  We have our own dock for kayaking which leads right to the ocean. It was difficult for me to run my newspaper, The Lunenburg Ledger, from the Cape, so I sold it at the end of 2018. Retired life is great! Haven’t made too many long-distance trips yet but we plan to next year. The Cape house needed a lot of work which took up our time. We still own two other houses on the Cape which we use for income. The transition from working to not working was a little weird, but I got used to it. I’m the property manager for all three houses so that keeps me somewhat busy. Who knows what the future will bring?”

JAMES HAWES ’73: “My official ‘kind of semi-retirement’ began in late January. So ended sequels to the pinball cyber-technology book that I completed last fall. My business forges on, as I have ongoing projects. One of them: my web pages on the history of car reverbs. After the second page, the story is engineering nostalgia. (Not for everyone. But for intrepid souls that remain reading: https://bit.ly/2WqFxWB) Summary: The golden years of car reverb ran from 1964 to 1974. Reverb preceded stereo, but for a few delightful years, a driver could entertain riders with both. Over these years, the ordinary car radio became an ‘electromechanical concert hall.’ This captivating illusion owed its improbable existence to a spring: A spring that tinkerers borrowed it from a Hammond organ.

“Today, reverb is back. The low-rider culture adopted it. For this reason, my page 2 (reverb music recommendations) also depicts low-rider cars. Most of the best reverbable music is classic doo-wop, with emphasis on Hispanic and soul favorites. I wish that JOHN STIERNBERG ’73 and AZIZ GOKSEL ’72 were still with us. They’d get a charge out of this material.

“As part of the project, I built a reverb car amplifier. This was a difficult endeavor because the specified 50-year-old semiconductors are mostly obsolete. Some re-engineering was necessary. Next, I’m going to try to connect the little amp to an old car radio. By the way: Patching a 1960s reverb into a new car stereo would invite a scene out of ‘Mission: Impossible.’ Meaning, fire in the cockpit! Reverb for new cars involves rethinking. But with a will and a spring, the way presents itself.

“I’m also spiffing up my web page on the Apollo moon downlink facility. (July 20 is the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. I must hurry.) I’ve studied the Rube Goldberg electromechanics for converting color moon video to Earth video. Yes, electromechanics, including one of the earliest video disc machines, rather than computer memories. In the Apollo years, such memories weren’t up to video field storage. Researchers have peppered me with questions about the color downlink station. These questions helped me to update my story. And speaking of video history, I’m still working on my mechanical video book: How clocks became facsimile and then television.

“My wife, Jean, is even more active than I am. Yet her usual gardening season hasn’t really begun yet. We had a late spring here and then a lot of rain. On the other hand, her yearlong Christmas bread industry is burgeoning. Unfortunately, she’s fighting pneumonia now and hardly up to snuff. (Ha.) Fortunately with powerful antibiotics, she can still go on our evening walks.”

HILDE BORMANN HENKEL ’73 and MARK HENKEL ’70: “Well, today (May 29) is National Senior Health & Fitness Day, so all I have to share is that while we are happily semi-retired, we are very active in teaching taekwondo year-round (we are both seventh-degree black belts) twice a week and we have additional activities here on the hobby farm: raising a new batch of chickens and working up and weeding with our huge raspberry patch giant garden and literally acres of lawn.”  

CHRIS KOPEC ’73: “I am still teaching at Skidmore College (and my husband, Alan, still has his small-town law practice), and living on our farm in Cambridge, New York, with sheep, chickens, dogs. My son is getting married in September, coincidentally on what will be Alan’s and my 40th wedding anniversary (how is it even possible to be married for 40 years!!). Retirement hovers for us, but we have not yet answered its siren call.”

BILL LAKE ’73 and ROBYN MACKIEWICZ LAKE ’74: “So much has recently happened in Robyn’s and my life and we thought this would be a great time to recap the highlights and share them with you. To begin, we are proud grandparents to our granddaughter, Aria, who is about to turn 4 years old. What a bundle of energy! Next, we just celebrated our daughter, Jessica’s, wedding in New Orleans, complete with a ‘second line’ parade; and then we went off to the 50th anniversary of Jazz Fest. Of other significance, Robyn retired from her retail job and after 40 years, I retired from our family business at IMS. We now are doing a 50/50 split of our retirement time between the Eastern Shore, Cambridge, Maryland, and Ajijic, Mexico (crazy, yes?). And yes, golf plays a big part in both places. We welcome anyone who is interested in exploring Maryland’s Eastern Shore or has an interest in visiting us in Ajijic.”

MIKE MIZEN ’73: “Last weekend GARY SHARPE ’73 and Gail Sharpe’s daughter was married in Milwaukee. We spent some quality time before the wedding in Green Lake. We look forward to being together again in October when ROB GADDIS ’73 and JAN BEAN GADDIS ’71’s son will be married in Minneapolis. MARGARET SEELBACH MIZEN ’75 and I are well and remain blessed. Our grandson, Kael, always brings a smile to our faces whenever he is with us either in person or via FaceTime.”

KATHERINE PARISH MILLER ’73: “I have become a stronger activist for the environment. Michigan risks polluting all of the Great Lakes with Pipeline 5. Organization is working with all of the surrounding states petitioning. Oops, I won’t use this as a political platform! OK. Glacially slow work! I’m volunteering at Telluride Mountain Film Festival. My son married a lovely woman with two boys. He is 41 and always wanted to be a dad! My children and grandchildren are all well. So thankful. Also, I am building a passive/net zero house! Builders, architects, students, interested people will be welcome to watch and learn. Activism on many levels!” 

MARTY MORRIS ’73:“Enjoying spring and summer outdoor activities. Been beachside camping up and down the Oregon and Washington coast. Attending wine pairing dinners at Oregon wineries has been fun, too. Showing up at local festivals and exploring new neighborhoods adds to the excitement. It’s hard to believe we have been here a year now. Of course, it all hasn’t been fun and games. Had some major surgery to basically rebuild an ear. It turned out well. I’m hearing things that I couldn’t for 26 years! Total readjustment.”

BETSY MOLL REZEL ’73: “Here is what Bill and I are up to. We are loving retirement! In November we went to Egypt — unbelievable! The length of history in Egypt is so amazing and the size of some of the temples boggles the mind. The people we met were all very nice but I admit we did have security. In January we went to Chile and Antarctica. That trip was planned by my daughter (the one who lives in New Zealand). Torres Del Paine park in southern Chile was very beautiful. Antarctica was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We loved the penguins, and my son-in-law and I spent a night camping out on the snow. Bill and my daughter decided to stay on the ship. We visited Hawaii a couple of times this year to visit our grandchildren who are now 9 and 11. How is that possible? Time flies way too fast. We continue to volunteer for the zoo in Milwaukee while we think about what trips to take next. I feel so lucky that it makes me nervous to even say that. Wishing everyone the best!”

JOSEPH SANDRIN ’73: “I visited campus in April 3, 2019, to meet with science majors about careers in the sciences and how mine developed. I also gave a talk about my current project, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Gulf War Remediation and Restoration Program. The talk highlighted what we are doing to restore impacts from the 1991 oil spill and the impacts of troops in the northern desert area. I enjoyed the visit and got to see a much different campus from when we all arrived there 50 years ago this coming August. I am planning to return on May 24 for the 100th Ripon College ROTC commissioning ceremony. I was one of many commissioned in the past 100 years through the ROTC program and view Ripon College and ROTC as two keys to my success — both taking second place to my wife, Janice. We, too, have been together 50 years since January 1969 and married since 1972. Anyway, that is it for the moment. More to follow as it happens. Maybe retirement will come in 2020 or 2021. We shall see.”

CHRISTINE WOLK ’73: “I am going hiking in the Scottish highlands in 10 days. It is a bucket list item. It looks like a wet walk. Also heading to Poland in September with my then-89-year-old mother on a genealogy tour to visit the archives and my roots. I am not yet retired. I broke my ankle three to four years ago — a shopping injury — so not new news.” Glad you took me at my word when I was asking for responses. Happy you are recovered and off hiking! JKL

As you may or may not know, KEN MAGRATH ’73 passed away in December. BILL MACLEOD ’73 writes: “It took more than the Class of ’73 to celebrate the life of Ken Magrath. On Saturday, June 1, a rag-tag team – DAVE BUNTEN ’73, CHRIS DOHERTY ’74, THOMAS “FUZZ” FREESE ’74 and ANN GUNDERSON FREESE ’74, RICK GLAD ’74, BRUCE GRAY ’71, BILL HICKEY ’74, ROB LEITSCHUH ’73, DAN PINS ’72 and GEORGE STEVENS ’74 – all came to Darien, Connecticut, where JULIE FENWICK MAGRATH  ’73 and her family hosted a ceremony and party in Ken’s honor. BILL HICKEY ’74 captivated the congregation with a eulogy that recalled Ken’s wit, warmth, wonkiness – and countless folks Ken counseled back to health and happiness. Then we all retired to a bar that we immediately rechristened ‘The Spot.’  With brews in hand, we told tales about ourselves, each other, and mostly all you who weren’t there. 

“For the PG version of those tales, DAVE BUNTEN ’73 (Dr. Bevis) is still teaching high school in the north suburbs of Chicago. CHRIS DOHERTY ’74 (Cleanhead), is still dabbling in real estate in the north ’burbs of Boston, but we’re more likely to find him on the Gulf Coast of Florida, where he claims his handicap is lower than ever. He and Sheryl are heading to Pebble Beach to catch the U.S. Open, where they hope to see RICK GLAD ’74. (Sounds like a party at the doctor’s house on the course!) THOMAS “FUZZ” FREESE ’74 and ANN GUNDERSON FREESE ’74 are still the unlikely entrepreneurs of New Hampshire, where their business has morphed from selling camping gear to trading in cargo containers and truck trailers.  RICK GLAD ’74 and BRUCE GRAY ’71 are busy as ever, with Rick replacing knees, hips and shoulders in Wisconsin and Bruce on call in Ohio for every injury and illness that comes through the hospital doors. They cast sideways glances at health insurer BILL HICKEY ’74, who collects premiums from rich patients and doles out payments to poor doctors. ROB LEITSCHUH ’73 (Rat, for those who remember him only by the nickname) has a contracting business that keeps buildings from Dartmouth College to Florida’s coast in tip-top trim. A (finally married) DAN PINS ’72 is still buying and selling real estate in Summit County, Colorado. If you’re looking for a mansion on the slopes or a condo in Keystone, he can make a deal. And GEORGE STEVENS ’74 could have passed as class of ’83, if we hadn’t been there and didn’t know better. 

“Forty-five years out, we still revert to Ripon form when we gather. Fortunately, the statute of limitations has run on all the Ripon misdemeanors — the epic cream puff food fight, fake IDs, underage purchases from Uncle Milt, etc. — and we managed to avoid any new infractions all evening. Like our college days when hardly anyone could afford a car, we walked to our watering hole. There would be no driving home after someone announced, as Daryl always did at closing time in The Spot …

“Spoiler alert: I was the one who gave Daryl’s benediction. Then we all returned to our hotel, motel or wherever we had to go.”

GARY LEDERER ’72 and I may run into CHRIS DOHERTY ’73 and RICK GLAD ’73 as we are headed to Pebble Beach for the U.S. Open as well. Of course, by the time you are reading this that event will be long over. We are actually headed to California to see our 6-month-old granddaughter, Emily. From Facetime — which we think is the greatest thing ever — we can tell she has grown so much since her visit to Florida in March. We are keeping very active with our three guardian ad litem cases, spending a lot of time waiting in the courthouse for hearings, trials and mediations, as well as doing are monthly visits and then some. We are playing lots of golf, too, though neither one of us seems to be lowering our handicaps by much.

Thank you all so much who answered my plea for news. I do appreciate it. I also know everyone likes to hear what classmates are doing. So till the next time …

JEAN

Submitted by: Jean Kirkpatrick Lederer

Jim Beisner 

770-570-7725 / [email protected]

Greetings, Class of 1971! Here’s to another great year! It is hard to believe we were starting our freshman year 52 long years ago just as the Class of 2023 is doing now. Where did the time go? I remember very well my first few weeks of getting acclimated to classes and the campus as if it was just yesterday. Although there is a large time gap between our start and theirs, the quality of education has not changed in all those years. Through the support of our time, talents and treasures, Ripon College has maintained a superb educational experience. The update on current college activities along with honors of graduates and faculty as noted below, continue to show the excellent contribution Ripon makes to the nation and the state of Wisconsin. Speaking of time, we are coming up on our 50th reunion in 2021. More information will be forthcoming plans for our class gift.

RAYMOND ROBINSON ’71 of Key Biscayne, Florida: “Beginning to think of retirement, maybe to part time first, hoping to do some road trips and travels.”

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 Ripon 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 as a result of Ripon College. If you gave below the Heritage Society level, consider giving at that level. If you give at one of the society levels, think about increasing your gift annually to eventually elevating to the next highest society.

JIM

Submitted by: James Beisner

Susan Hecht Gebhardt

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

I hope all of you are enjoying summer and are far from the storms, floods and excessive heat which much of the country is experiencing. WILLIAM “BILL” GEBHARDT ’69 and I are glad to be home despite the constant rain. We were fortunate to have been in Florida when our son, Will, and his family moved into their new home, but Bill has been helping him to build a deck. Since Will is an engineer you can imagine it is not your average deck. The weather finally cooperated so the yard could be graded and the front yard landscaped. The girls have been having fun playing in the dirt!  Our older son, Matt, the club golf professional, has been busy trying to keep the course playable in between all the rain.  

Bill and I will be attending his 50th reunion at Ripon next weekend. It is really hard to believe that much time has passed and that in one year we also will be inducted into the “Golden R Club!”  We will be staying in Ripon, (not in the dorms, though that sounds like so much fun), since the Heidel House has closed. Fortunately we found out soon enough and were able to find accommodations. I will report back on all the events and the food to help plan ours. I hope to meet with the College personnel planning reunions to get things started. The College will be sending out a questionnaire soon asking for volunteers to help plan our reunion. Please take some time to read the information, offer suggestions and volunteer to help. I will send you updates as I get them.

MARK HENKEL ’70 and HILDE BORMANN HENKEL ’73: “Well, today (May 29) is National Senior Health & Fitness Day, so all I have to share is that while we are happily semi-retired, we are very active in teaching taekwondo year-round (we are both seventh-degree black belts), twice a week, and we have additional activities here on the hobby farm: raising a new batch of chickens and working up and weeding with our huge raspberry patch giant garden and literally acres of lawn.” 

JAMES WALSH ’70 of Mukwonago, Wisconsin: “Lucky man. Last five years survived heart stoppage, prostate cancer, bleeding stomach ulcer, hernia and right knee replacement. Life is great! Family is great, 11 grandchildren.”  

Thank you for sharing your news with us and for your support of Ripon. Please volunteer to help plan our reunion. I will send you my thoughts on the ’69 reunion later this summer. Also please notify Ripon of any changes in address, email, or phone.

Sincerely,

SUSAN HECHT GEBHARDT ’70  

Submitted by: Susan Hecht Gebhardt

Scott A. Nyquist

239-732-0523 / 630-632-1619 / [email protected]

Hello Class of ’69! It’s July 3, just four days after our 50-Year Class Reunion, and I am still feeling that wonderful feeling I felt at the party. We had about 50 classmates and about 25 spouses at the event on Saturday, June 29. It was held in Great Hall and the College had it set up and decorated beautifully. It looked like a wedding reception in the ballroom of a Ritz Carlton Hotel.

The party started at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour, then the class photo was taken on the steps of Harwood Memorial Union at 6:30 p.m. All classmates in attendance were awarded a certificate of induction into the Golden R Club (for 50 years as an alum) as well as a Golden R pin. The certificates and pins were presented by KIMBERLY LARSON ’08, president of the Alumni Association, and Ed Wingenbach, acting president of Ripon College. The Rev. JOHN BILLINSKY ’69 gave the invocation before dinner. Professor of English Emeritus Doug Northrop and Professor of Philosophy Emeritus Robert “Spud” Hannaford were our honored guests at the party. The food was delicious and the renewal of friendships even better.

After dinner, JANE WIESER BAKER ’69 had us howling with laughter as she read passages from (and made comments on) the Ripon College Student Handbook sent to us before we started in August 1965. Following that, several classmates shared Ripon stories, some funny, some poignant. The evening concluded with a 22-minute video presentation I put together about life in the ’60s, all set to the music of that era. It included a section called Classmates: Then and Now, where I paired recent photos of classmates who could not attend the reunion with their yearbook or Green List picture. (Everyone looked EXACTLY the same☺) The presentation concluded with a tribute to those class members who’ve passed away. It was an awesome party.

The next morning, our class hosted the Service of Remembrance, held every year to recognize those alumni who are no longer with us. BOBBI SUESS ANDERS ’69, FRANK ANDERS ’69, ALICE HALL HAYES ’69, PHIL MCCULLOUGH ’69, SCOTT NYQUIST ’69 and JOHN BILLINSKY ’69 were presenters at the service. Professor of Religion Brian Smith gave the invocation and Doug Northrop was a speaker. The entire service was orchestrated by VINCE AYE ’69. (Thank you, Vince.)

There were lots of activities over Alumni Weekend, including reunions of Beta Sigma Pi and Delta Upsilon, which those two groups organized. The Beta Sigs met for a brat fry on Thursday night then held an official reunion on Friday night at a local bar and grill so they could enjoy a traditional Wisconsin Friday night fish fry. The DU’s organized a boat ride on Green Lake as well as a dinner at a local restaurant. Several Kappa Delta’s held an informal “mini reunion” on Friday night.

Finally, I am proud to announce our class won the trophies for Largest Percentage of the Class at Alumni Weekend (30%), the Largest Percentage of the Class Contributing to the Ripon Fund (52%) and Largest Amount of Money Contributed to the Ripon Fund (more than $255,000). I want to thank all of you who gave to the College this past year.

I also want to thank the reunion committee for all their hard work to make the reunion a success: FRANK ANDERS ’69, BOBBI SUESS ANDERS ’69, VINCE AYE ’69, NANCY GONIA BAJOREK ’69, ALICE HALL HAYES ’69, SAM JOHNSON ’69, BILL JORDAN ’69, DEBBIE HAMELE KUKLA ’69, TOM MACE ’69, PHIL MCCULLOUGH ’69, DON PARK ’69, CHIP RETSON ’69, STEVEN RUOFF ’69, BOB “OTTO” WACHHOLTZ ’69 and JOHN WOLFE ’69.

MARK BAUER ’69 of Pewaukee, Wisconsin: “I truly enjoyed the reunion evening of June 29. That evening itself was highlighted not only by the wonderfully organized reminiscent and nostalgic video to popular late ’60s and early ’70s music, but the opportunity throughout the evening to reconnect with classmates, many of whom I had had little contact during the years at Ripon College. Yet it was amazing how many of those knew me or things about me. I have missed many reunions and now deeply wish I had attended many more. The event evoked some sadness as we are reminded how long it has been since those college years. On the other hand, we are so fortunate to be present at such an occasion in the company of people who can celebrate common experience ‘aus jenem, kurzen Schnitte des unseren Lebens’ (from that short slice of our lives).”

TERRY BROWN ’69 of Richmond, Virginia: “This is the sixth reunion that I have attended, having started with the 25th (where I was told that I should have been at the 20th, because that was the one with everyone). I like talking with people about how things have changed from what they had planned. The first three times I had a very enjoyable conversations with JOHN BRENNAN ’69 of Temecula, California, but have not seen him since. I hope that he is well and is doing OK. Checked out the dorms while on campus.”

JOHN ERICH ’69 of Scottsdale, Arizona: “The reunion was a special experience to have dinner with Dr. Hannaford on Saturday and engage with him again in some lively and stimulating conversation! We are fortunate to have had many excellent professors during our time at Ripon.”

ALICE HALL HAYES ’69 of Washington, D.C.: “The Service of Remembrance was a moving way to create a lasting memory of our dear classmates — gone too soon. Thank you, VINCE AYE ’69, for designing the ingredients of the program for us. It was my heartfelt pleasure to be a part of it and spend time with you.”

Congratulations to our classmate WILLIAM C. JORDAN ’69 who received an honorary degree from Harvard University this year. Jordan is the Dayton-Stockton Professor of History at Princeton University, a medieval historian and the director of the Program in Medieval Studies, director of the Shelby Cullom Davis Center for Historical Studies and chair of the history department from 2008–2017 at Princeton.

SCOTT NYQUIST ’69 and CYNTHIA SANBORN NYQUIST ’69 of Naples, Florida: “Alumni Weekend was so much fun. We enjoyed the Beta Sig reunion, The Other Half concert, the class reunion on Saturday night, the Sunday morning Service of Remembrance and many other events. It was wonderful to see all of our 1969 classmates and also many other friends from classes before and after ours. By the time you read this, we will have traveled to Germany in August to see our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. Life in Naples, Florida, is wonderful.”

I am planning to obtain photos from all who attended the reunion and will compile them into a 50th Reunion album. I hope by the time you read this, that task is completed and you’ve already seen them. Anyone who wants a copy of the presentation shown at the reunion should email me a request for it and I will share it with you. It is a huge file so it will take time to download.

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 ’69

Submitted by: Scott Nyquist

Lee Gordon ’66 of Newport Beach, California, died June 20, 2019. At Ripon College, he majored in philosophy and was a member of Sigma Chi/Omega Sigma Chi. He also studied philosophy at the University of Western Ontario in Canada. He enjoyed planes and boats. Survivors include his wife, Dr. Elaine Clough.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Washington, DC – Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate Douglas R. Cole of Ohio, to serve as Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Doug Cole is a Partner at Organ Cole LLP in Columbus, Ohio, representing clients in complex litigation and intellectual property matters.  From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Cole served as State Solicitor of Ohio in the Office of the Ohio Attorney General.  In that role, Mr. Cole briefed and argued cases in the Supreme Court of the United States, the Ohio Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on behalf of the State of Ohio.  Before serving as State Solicitor, Mr. Cole was a Professor at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where he taught courses in Corporations, Contracts, and Law & Economics.  Mr. Cole continues to serve as an Adjunct Professor at the law school.  Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Cole served as a law clerk to Judge Frank H. Easterbrook of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.  Mr. Cole earned his B.A. from Ripon College; his B.S.E.E., with honors, from the University of Wisconsin; and his J.D., with high honors, from the University of Chicago Law School.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Donald Reckinger ’47 passed away on Feb. 17, 2019. Entered Ripon College in the fall of 1941.  Member of Delta Sigma Psi. Served in the Army Air Corps 1942-1946. While in the service went to University of Wisconsin and the University of Chicago in Meteorology and then served on the supply air ship out of Brazil to Italy. Returned to Ripon in 1946 majoring in Math and Sciences. Graduated in 1947. He was in Education for 6 years. Received his M of Ed from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Changed careers and was a statistician for Kemper Insurance in Chicago for 32 years. In retirement lived in Florida and Wisconsin. Loved to travel, fish and garden and volunteered for AARP as a tax consultant for 20 years. Survivors include his wife, Marguerite L. Pautsch ’49, 3 sons and a daughter.

Submitted by: Marguerite Pautsch Reckinger '49

Naples, FL, Waupaca, Wautoma – Thomas William Poullette, age 86 of Naples, FL, formerly of Waupaca, and Wautoma, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 in Kenosha. He was born on August 3, 1932 in Wautoma to Morgan and Alice (Lindquist) Poullette, and was raised by his grandparents, Thomas and Emma Poullette. Thomas graduated from Wautoma High School with the Class of 1950 where he was active in football, basketball and baseball. He then attended Ripon College and graduated in 1954. Thomas then joined the U.S. Army Infantry and served in Germany from 1954 to 1956. He then returned to Wisconsin and taught Biology at Elkhorn High School and coached basketball. In 1957 he married Sylvia Dopp. In 1958 he entered Marquette Dental School and graduated in 1962, then returned to Wautoma where he started his dental practice, and worked until retiring in the late 90’s. In 1982, Thomas married Jo Ann Sweney Howard and the couple resided in Waupaca and Naples, FL.

Thomas was an active member of Trout Unlimited, founding member of Wautoma Rotary Club, Ducks Unlimited and American Legion. He was an avid fisherman who loved to teach others about his sport and worked diligently to protect the resources he loved. Thomas especially loved spending time with his family and friends in Wisconsin and Florida. He was a generous, kind and humorous friend to many and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Thomas is survived by his two sons: George (Sara) Poullette, Charles (Susan) Poullette; four step children: Mark (Tanya) Howard, Thad (Diana) Howard, Jay (Nicki) Howard, Anne (Cody) McInnis; eight grandchildren: Sam (Mara) Poullette, Madeline Poullette, Thomas Poullette, Alec Poullette, Dana Howard, Will Howard, Tess Howard, Millie McInnis; two sisters: Patty Mancouso, Kathy (George) Roerhig; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: Morgan and Marge Poullette; wife: Jo Ann Poullette on February 26, 2019, and his grandparents: Thomas and Emma Poullette.

Funeral services will be held at 12PM (NOON) on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Hope Lutheran Church, Wautoma with Military Honors to follow. The family will greet relatives and friends at church on Wednesday from 10AM until the time of services at 12PM with luncheon to follow. Leikness Funeral Home, Wautoma is assisting the family with arrangements.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Grace Hoag Scott died on Feb. 9 after a long, love-filled life. Born at home on Feb. 1, 1925 in Tomah, Wis., Grace was a graduate of Ripon College, loved teaching and taught biology and chemistry to high school and junior high students. She spent her life as a devoted Lutheran who loved her family fiercely, instilling the values of education and strength in her daughters Judi and Linda, and her grandchildren. She often told her daughters “you can be anything you want to be,” inspiring and encouraging them to excel in professional careers.

Two significant moves shaped Grace’s 94 years. In her twenties, Grace launched a new life in Chicago, where she met her husband Jim Scott. They were married in 1950 and enjoyed a loving partnership of 68 years. In 1968, Grace and Jim moved to Dallas with their family.

Grace was a voracious reader and was President of Friends of the Public Library. She was always up-to-date on current events and loved playing in competitive bridge tournaments. She loved her schnauzers and a good manicure. In later years, she was a baseball fan who loved the Texas Rangers. Her favorite vacations were cruises with her children and grandchildren.

Grace is survived by her husband, Jim; her daughters Judi Dawson (Dale) and Linda Newman (Todd); her grandchildren Katherine Beherec (Sean), Jack Dawson, Madison Newman, and Grace Newman; and great-granddaughter Jacqueline Grace Beherec. She looked forward to seeing her parents and sister Helen in heaven.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Milwaukee, Wis., June 3, 2019 – With a $600,000 investment, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation is supporting the next generation of scientific leaders through its competitive and longstanding Shaw Scientist Program. Three early career faculty representing University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin-Madison are each receiving $200,000 grants to advance highly innovative research projects with implications for human health.

“Wisconsin is brimming with talent, and by rewarding innovation, philanthropy can provide incentive for talented people to stay here, or relocate here, and contribute to bettering the health of others,” said Ellen Gilligan, president and CEO of the Foundation. “Congratulations to this year’s Shaw Scientists, whose promising research honors the goals of our visionary donor, Dorothy Shaw.”

Zachary S. Morris ’02 is assistant professor of radiation oncology and vice-chair of human oncology at UW School of Medicine and Public Health. He aims to study how different doses of radiation therapy may impact the ability of a patient’s immune system to recognize their cancer and how radiation dose may affect the susceptibility of cancer cells to that immune response.

Building from that understanding, Dr. Morris plans to test whether brachytherapy – a particular type of radiation therapy that involves implanting a radioactive “seed” in a patient’s tumor – improves the tumor’s response to certain immunotherapies. Melanoma will be the first cancer tested, with the expectation of expanding this research to a wide variety of tumor types.

“In today’s research funding climate, philanthropic support plays a critical role in the development of new concepts, enabling researchers to take new ideas and advance these to more substantiated concepts with preliminary data to support their feasibility,” he said. “Without such support, it is very difficult to pursue the research needed to move new ideas into viable concepts for grants. Yet, those new ideas are the critical engine for innovation in science and medicine.”

About the Shaw Scientist Award

The Foundation’s annual Shaw Scientist Program supports early career investigators seeking promising solutions in biochemistry, biological sciences and cancer research. The awards began in 1982 thanks to a $4.3 million bequest from Dorothy Shaw, widow of James Shaw, a prominent Milwaukee attorney. In addition to $2 million in special grants, the Shaws’ fund has awarded nearly $15 million in grants to 78 scientists from UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee since its creation. An advisory panel with scientists representing major U.S. research institutions recommends the winners.

About the Greater Milwaukee Foundation
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is Wisconsin’s largest community foundation and was among the first established in the world. For more than a century, the Foundation has inspired philanthropy by connecting generous people to community needs that align with their interests. The Foundation was founded on the premise that generosity can unlock an individual’s potential and strengthen the community as a whole for everyone who lives here. We work in partnership with those who are committed to ensuring greater Milwaukee is a vibrant, economically thriving region that comprises welcoming and inclusive communities providing opportunity, prosperity and a high quality of life for all.

Submitted by: DevStudent

William C. Jordan ’69, the Dayton-Stockton Professor of History at Princeton University, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Harvard University. Jordan is a medieval historian. At Princeton, he also has been director of the Program in Medieval Studies, director of the Shelby Cullom Davis Center for Historical Studies and chair of the history department from 2008–2017. He is a prolific author and editor, a fellow of the Medieval Academy of America, the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of several other historical associations. His current research focuses on French-English relations in the 13th and early 14th century. Also among the nine honorary degree recipients was Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, who was the principal Commencement speaker.

More information can be read here.

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/05/harvard-awards-nine-honorary-degrees-at-368th-commencement/

Submitted by: DevStudent

Submitted by: DevStudent

Jeffrey Robert Martin passed away at his home on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the age of 66, after a defiant and courageous, years-long battle with cancer. Jeff was born on January 27, 1953 in Racine, Wisconsin, where he enjoyed an idyllic, baby boom-era upbringing, spending the days of his youth playing street frisbee with his buddies and brother Jim in front of the family home on Thor Avenue and flaunting his mad academic skills at Park High School. Much to Jeff’s chagrin, he did spend one unfortunate year attempting to master the accordion his parents purchased from a door-to-door salesman, which became the stuff of family lore and fodder for many jokes in the years to come. After high school, Jeff followed in the footsteps of his parents, Peg and Bob, attending and graduating from Ripon College, where he met his future wife, partied with the Merriman House Fraternity and focused his studies on history and political science, ultimately graduating at the top of his class. Jeff married the love of his life, Mary, on a balmy August day in 1975, and they spent the next 44 years making a home in Delafield, Wisconsin. Jeff enjoyed a long career in sales, and when his three children were young, Jeff spent his time coaching youth soccer and basketball teams and timing at high school track meets. In his free time, Jeff enjoyed cultivating a beautiful rose garden at his home, filling the bellies of his family and friends with his home-cooked meals and treating his neighbors to his annual Fourth of July fireworks show. In his later years, Jeff’s greatest and most-treasured role undoubtedly was that of “Poppie” to his three grandchildren, who were a constant source of joy and pride. Jeff will be remembered for his calm demeanor, cherubic smile and trademark red hair.

Jeff is survived by his beloved wife, Mary, his children, Erin (Andy) Warmus, Andrew (Jenny Najduch) and Bryce (Fiance Liz chollet), his grandchildren, Kenzie, Callan and Anzolette, and his cherished sister, Jane. Jeff is further survived by his sister-in-law Kathie and nephews Matthew and Patrick along with other relatives and friends.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Peg Martin, his brother Jim, and his brother-in-law Gary.

Services will be held at Zion Episcopal Church on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at 11:00 AM with a visitation for family and friends starting at 10:00 AM

Memorials are suggested in Jeff’s honor to Zion Episcopal Church or to Delafield Arts Foundation (In care of Town Bank 400 Genesee St. Delafield, WI 53018)

To send flowers to the family of Jeffrey R. Martin, please visit Tribute Store.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Henderson, NV – Dwight Currier Harris, 87, died Thursday, July 11, 2019, under hospice care at 2012 Colvin Run Drive, Henderson, NV. Dwight was the loving husband of Marlys E. (Trimpey) Harris, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage.

Born September 4, 1931, in Pittsburgh, PA, he was the son of the late Elizabeth Zoe Currier Harris and Burtt Harris. Dwight attended Wayland Academy, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; Princeton University; Dickinson College; graduated from Ripon University with the dual major of Finance and French; and earned an MBA at the University of Indiana and University of Pittsburgh.

Dwight’s career in banking spanned nearly 40 years, including Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, PA, where he began investment research and analysis; Farmers Bank and Trust Company, Hanover, PA, as President and COO; and Peoples National Bank, Lebanon, PA, as President and CEO. In 1993, he joined the PA State Treasury as an investment officer and account manager until retirement in 2008. During his career, he served on various boards and community associations and was an avid fan of tennis, jazz, playing bridge, and gourmet food.

In addition to his wife, Dwight is survived by six children: Victoria Sands and husband Jeffrey of Burke, VA; Sandra and spouse Dianne Wainwright of Pittsburgh, PA; Judith Zang of Alexandria, VA; David and wife Katarina of Pittsburgh, PA; Ronald Davis and wife Ashley of Vancouver, WA; Jeffrey Davis and wife Connie of Apex, NC; brother Burtt and wife Carole; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandson; and was preceded in death by son Daniel Currier Harris.

Dwight never met a stranger and will be sorely missed by his family and many friends.

Private services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

Wayland Academy, 101 N. University Avenue, Beaver Dam, WI 53916 (Class of 1950)

Ripon College, P.O. Box 248, Ripon, WI 54971 (Class of 1954)

Nathan Adelson Hospice, 4141 Swensen Street, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Submitted by: DevStudent

On Thursday, May 23rd, 2019, Russell Clayton Ackley, loving husband and father of three sons, found peace at the age of 78.

Russell was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 4, 1941 to father Dr. H.M. Ackley and mother Marie (Krieger) Ackley . He graduated from St. John’s Military Academy in 1958 and later from Ripon College in 1962. Russ served in the Army as a Ranger in the 82nd Airborne Division during the Vietnam War and retired as a Captain in 1967. After his military service, he returned to Pewaukee where he served on the Pewaukee Village Board of Trustees and later as a Town of Delafield Supervisor.

Russ had many passions that he carried throughout his life. He loved to cook Chinese food of all types, either for his family or for large gatherings of friends. In the warmer months Russ spent many hours designing, rearranging and maintaining his many gardens with a particular affinity for hostas. He also had a great love of art. He particularly loved to paint, however, he enjoyed other mediums as well. When illness took the use of his right hand he taught himself to paint with his left. The one passion that never waned throughout his life and which he passed to his children was his love of the sport of sailing and for the Pewaukee Yacht Club. Russ started sailing at the age of eight and sailed in various fleets until his sixties and then became deeply involved in race management.

Russ is remembered by the following family members:
Loving and devoted wife of 56 years Nancy
Sons: Geoffrey Ackley, Glen (Naomi) Ackley, David (Liesl) Ackley
Granddaughters: Jordan, Suzanne, Lyndsi, Macayli
Grandson: Henry
Stepsisters: Yvonne (John) Miller, Kathleen (James) Rapinski, Carol (Peter) Strobel
Brother in Law: Walter (Sue) Hutt, niece Laura (Rob) Eschbach, and nephew Steven (Karen) Hutt

Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 5, 2019 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm, with Mass to follow from 3:00 to 4:00 pm at The Noble Victory Memorial Chapel at St. John’s Military Academy located at 409 St. John’s Road, Delafield, WI 53018. A memorial service with Military Honors will be held immediately following. A Celebration of Russell’s Life will start at 4:30 pm at the Pewaukee Yacht Club N22 W28204 Edgewater Dr. Pewaukee, WI 53072.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Pewaukee Lake Sailing School located at N22 W28204 Edgewater Drive, Pewaukee, WI 53072 or online at https://www.plss.org.

Special thanks to the members of the Town of Delafield Fire Department for their service.

Submitted by: DevStudent

John B. Fawcett, 82, of Duluth, died Thursday, May 23, 2019 at Essentia St. Mary’s, with his family by his side. John was born February 17, 1937 in Duluth to Keith and Helen Fawcett.  He graduated from East High School and went on to receive a degree from Ripon College. John went into the insurance business and eventually had his own agency. He married Judy Ingersoll on May 29, 1997. He was a member of Waters of Life Lutheran Church and an active member of the Vermilion Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Helen; siblings, Carolyn May Lee, Barbara Jane Maculay Forrest and Keith Peers Fawcett. John is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Alicia (JuanCarlos) Fernandez, Napa, CA; Jason (Daniela) Fawcett, Anchorage, Alaska; Krista (Max) Mosser-Bakken, Chisago City, MN; stepdaughters, Julie (Pete) Buol, Stacy, MN; Jennifer (Randy) Luraas of Chippewa Falls, WI and Jill (Dick) Kelly of Litchfield, MN; 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Visitation will be Monday June 10, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth. Memorial service will be held Tuesday June 11, 2019, 2:00 PM at Waters of Life Lutheran Church, 6221 Rice Lake Rd. Duluth. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2^nd St. Duluth, MN, (218) 727-3555.

Submitted by: DevStudent

Submitted by: DevStudent

Class Agent Gregg Petersen ’78 visits with Dave Jung ’78 (left) in Dave’s hometown of Purcellville, Virginia.  Dave is currently employed as Head of Government and Corporate Relations at German telecommunications firm Rohde and Schwarz.

Submitted by: Gregg Petersen

Submitted by: DevStudent

Submitted by: Gregg Petersen