Classes & Obits

Class Note 1962

Issue

September-October 2023

A hearty wah-hoo-wah for Rog Usborne for a marvelous “Sail the Trail” cruise. For photos and details, see Al Huck’s newsletter and Kathy Schwartz’s photo album.

Jim Blair writes: “The Ridgewood dinners, so well organized by the late Irwin Kramer since 2011, reappeared last May 16 at La Lanterna restaurant in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Present were Wendy and Jim Blair, Ronna and Ed Steingold, Ross Burkhart and Elaine Oserhaut, Tyko Kihlstedt, Dorothy and Frank Kehl and their son, Doug. Carl Funke, Barry Alpern, and Bernie Jacobs expressed interest but were unable to attend this first revival. We launched this first post-Covid gathering with a toast to Irwin.

John Allen writes from Owings, Maryland: “After 45 years as a producer of educational and documentary films, I enter my fourth consecutive year of teaching high school named ‘Teacher of the Year’ for Calvert County Maryland Public Schools. After graduating from Dartmouth in 1962 I received an M.A.T. from Wesleyan University and taught at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. I soon gravitated into the film business, getting an M.A. from Northwestern in radio, television, and film.

“Since 1981 my wife, Rhoda, and I operated our film production business, Signature Communication, in Maryland. This business led me to far-flung places—Kyrgyzstan, Chile, Dominican Republic, New Zealand, and the South Pole—and opened opportunities to interview people who have helped shape American history and culture, such as the ‘Little Rock Nine,’ Maya Angelou, Buzz Aldrin, Anthony Fauci, and Japanese Americans interned in World War II. Retiring from the business in 2018, I returned to teaching again, this time featuring the film, broadcasting, and journalism content I had embraced professionally for more than 30 years, leading to the present award. Rhoda passed away in 2021. I continue to teach and produce documentaries. It has been a fun ride.”

Correction: Nancy and David Pritchard have moved to Columbus, Indiana, not Ohio.

I regret to report the deaths of Ronald N. “Tag” Tagney of Vero Beach, Florida, on May 1; and professor Daniel P. “Dan” Tompkins, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, on June 10.

David L. Smith, 1814 Columbine Place, Sun City Center, FL; (775) 870-2354; david@davidlsmith.com