Class Note 1966

A couple of our classmates are affected by and have firm opinions about the current political situation.

Bob Page of San Francisco-based DPK Consulting reports that his international work focusing on the rule of law and government accountability is being affected by the administration’s foreign aid cutbacks. “Our projects in countries such as El Salvador are being slowed while our project in Palestine was actually closed down,” Bob says. “Still we move forward with work in many hot spots such as Afghanistan and Iraq, among others.”

Unlike many of us, Bob is still playing one-on-one basketball with his 12-year-old son, Nathaniel, a ball-boy at University of San Francisco games. “Still holding my own, but the injuries mount.” Bob and Grace spent a week at their family homestead in Vermont and hosted Barb and Bill Duval for a day “which we cherish.”

Dr. Bill Ramos is an obstetrician and gynecologist whose A to Z Women’s Center in Las Vegas has performed legal abortions for decades. He has watched the tide of anti-abortion legislation being passed by states across the country with alarm. “It seems inconceivable,” Bill writes, “that the states that are passing the most restrictive laws are doing so ‘in order to protect women and families,’ yet they provide the least prenatal and maternal support and have the highest maternal and neonatal death rates. Fortunately,” he adds, “I am still in Las Vegas, which is a much more progressive venue.” Bill sold his medical practice at the end of 2018 and is “trying to fully retire.” He’s down to working one day a week. A longtime pilot, Bill suffered a minor stoke this past June and has been indefinitely grounded by the FAA. So Bill and Judith, his wife of 35 years, will be visiting their seven kids located from California to Vermont and Florida to Montana by car or commercial flights.

Vanna and Terry Ruggles, married 52 years, have had their share of medical challenges and have even helped form the first Stroke Survivor/Support Group in the Greenfield, Massachusetts, area. But Terry seems busier than ever. As a member of the town library foundation board he’s helping raise $2 million toward a new library. He’s worked to save an historic dam and create a recreational area. He’s on the board of Greenfield’s community TV station and he helps liaison with Pioneer Valley Symphony donors. Terry and Vanna also spend considerable time with their two sons and six grandchildren. “Keeping busy is our secret for staying healthy,” Terry reports.

Ann and Peter Prichard will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this November. Peter spent the summer reading, swimming, and trying to learn how to fly fish. But don’t let that fool you. The former editor-in-chief of USA Today in the early 1990s, when it was the largest-circulation newspaper in America, remains fully engaged as the chairman of the wonderful Newseum in Washington, D.C.

It’s been a rough patch for our class. Our deepest sympathies are extended to the families and friends of classmates who recently passed—Steve Lynch, a dedicated jobs training coordinator; Chris Scott, a globe-trotting internal auditor; Dr. Walter Stern, an ophthalmologist, teacher, and researcher; and Jim Skiles, a respected Federal Trade Commission and association lawyer. Much more about each in the online Dartmouth Alumni Magazine.

Be well.

—Larry Geiger, 93 Greenridge Ave., White Plains, NY 10605; (914) 860-4945; lgeiger@aol.com