Class of 1985
Class Notes
View All Notes for Class of 1985Mark your calendars! The class of 1985 will gather in person in Hanover for our 40th reunion from June 18 to 21, 2026 (Thursday through Sunday), joining our friends in the classes of 1986 and 1987. More details are coming, and we hope you will spread the word and consider joining us for a weekend of camaraderie, reminiscing, and memory-making next year.
Jeff Weitzman, our Dartmouth85.com class webmaster, is enjoying retirement and having time for some adventures. Highlights include cycling trips to the Alps in Italy and France and an amazing trip to hike the Inca Trail in Peru. When his wife, Rachel, retires, who knows what adventures await? At home he’s busy overseeing a construction project at his synagogue and a renovation at his home and getting into classic retired-guy activities such as joining a book club and an a cappella group. Of course, lots of skiing in Tahoe, California and visiting both sons in Crested Butte, Colorado. Jeff and Rachel’s daughter is relocating to New York City next year, so some East Coast trips are coming, which we can assume will include New Hampshire for reunion.
Close friends Anne Schonfield, Cathy Wasserman, Fiona Harrison, Shirley Idelson, and Stephanie O’Neal gathered at Cathy’s house in Olympia, Washington, last year for their second mini-reunion since graduating. When not playing in the Pacific Northwest, these five women are making their mark in their respective fields. Fiona is a professor of physics and chair of physics, math, and astronomy at Caltech. Cathy, recently retired, was thestate epidemiologist for noninfectious conditions at Washington State Department of Health. Stephanie is a retired lawyer and adjunct instructor at Los Angeles Valley College. Shirley is the director of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit Management. Anne runs her own consulting firm, working with foundations and nonprofits. Anne writes, “We spent the weekend hanging out, had several dinners, went for a hike in the rain, walked to a local parade in downtown Olympia (also in the rain!), and generally caught up. It was so wonderful to see each other.”
Lisa Eisenberg Merrill, based in Seattle, is in the business of making travel and creative dreams come true. From her website, “Lisa is a travel and social impact photographer who creates images to evoke wonder, inspire action, and strengthen communities. She and her husband, John, founded Merrill Images in 1996 and their work is used by travel destinations, outdoor adventure companies, and nonprofits and featured in books and magazines around the world.” Lisa says she loves helping others nurture their creativity with any camera (including a phone) and welcomes ’85s to join one of their immersive and transformational travel trips in the Galapagos, Mexico, Alaska, Vietnam, Costa Rica, or Slovenia.
Following up on my coeditor and budding chef John MacManus’ previous column, he learned that the amount of actual key lime juice, adjusted to the desired level of tartness and deliciousness, is the key to perfection for his pie recipe. And, of course, willing consumers—yes, please!
—Rebecca Blake Osborne, 42 Olive St., Newburyport, MA 01950; (603) 381-4164; rosborne29@comcast.net; John MacManus, 118 Ringwood Road, Rosemont, PA 19010; (610) 331-6417; slampong@aol.com
Obituaries
View All Obituaries for Class of 1985Craig Byrne ’85
Craig Byrne ’85 died peacefully in his sleep on June 30 at his home in Chelsea, Vermont. Craig had survived almost two years of treatment for metastatic osteosarcoma, his second round of cancer in 12 years.
