Class Note 1956

In response to the request for news of the current status of Steve Katz, I received calls from Crile Doscher and Steve himself. Crile, calling from Florida, reported that Steve was currently living in L.A. and, although wheelchair-bound, is in reasonably good health. Steve confirmed all that and reported that after retiring as a colonel after 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, he lives with a caretaker following his wife’s passing.

Many of you are aware of the passing of Harold Gordon from my poem of the month titled “Farewell to Hal,” which I subsequently read at a memorial gathering in New York City on April 4. Other classmates attending besides me and Marsha included Alan Friedman and Diane, Tom Rosenwald and Abbie, Jack Tamagni and Judy, and Elliott Weinstein and Alice. In response to receiving my poem, several folks replied with a large number of nice emails—and one was of particular interest. Kirby Fowler wrote, “While Pat and I were in Florence, Italy, many years ago, we visited the Duomo cathedral. While standing in front of the altar, another couple stood next to us. We looked at each other with surprise. Hal and Joan Gordon greeted Pat and I as we stood there. I have many fond remembrances of Hal and Joan’s hospitality at their brunches as part of the class New York City mini-reunions.

I now sadly report that three other classmates have passed on. As the Barbary Coast jazz band marches up Main Street they are followed on this occasion by William M. Balliette Jr., Stephen J. Bissell, Donald Morton Lehrer, Arthur L. Lomker, Joseph Henry Nook, Thomas Riker, and Morton Atwell Shea. We, the living, bow our heads in silent tribute.

I close with a newly created poetic limerick titled “So Many Are Missed.”

Many classmates and wives have now passed,

At this stage of life much too fast;

Sweet Linda departed,

To leave us sad hearted,

All missed but we can’t be downcast.

The Linda in this poem is Linda Sokol, Don Sokol’s wife, who passed in January.

—Joel D. Ash, P.O. Box 1733, Grantham, NH 03753; (603) 863-3360; jash_125@comcast.net