This year most of us are either in or approaching our Medicare-qualified age and coincidently speaking more often of retirement. Some of us have taken the leap but there are many who are committed to ongoing employment. A recent retiree is Bob Throndsen, who is stepping down after more than 30 years with KOMO News in Seattle. Bob has been in broadcasting his entire career, which is no surprise to those who remember his WDCR days. His time at KOMO prompted co-workers to describe him as a newsman, teacher and mentor. His last role was as news director for KOMO Newsradio, which this year won Edward R. Murrow awards for best newscast and overall excellence. Others in the class have been weighing in on the subject, and Wally Sizer confirmed he was planning retirement next year but realized he is looking forward to another year of teaching so is now thinking 2015. He offered the conundrum we all face: If he knew he would be dead in five years he would retire now while still healthy and active but if he has 15 or more healthy years he would work another five or 10. Dudley Kay has warned us that he may work two more years then cut back to a consulting, do-what-I-want-when-I-want kind of thing, which would involve travel and visiting any of his classmates who would provide “quality guest accommodations.”


Tupper Kinder has contemplated retirement for several years, recognizing the satisfaction of his years working as a litigator but also thinking he no longer needs that stress. He is now working half time with his firm and looking forward to even more time with grandkids, friends, travel and “just screwing around.” Peter Imber had a long and distinguished career with ABC News but seized the opportunity to move on in 2010. He and his wife moved to Maine and they haven’t stopped being busy since. He’s teaching at a local senior college, providing media training to women candidates running for office in Maine, playing golf and traveling extensively. He has been asked if he gets bored being retired, and explains he is as active as he has ever been, even working harder in some ways. “It’s like summer camp…only there’s no bugle at day break and no counselors telling me I have to stop playing baseball and learn to canoe. It’s perfect for me.”


We still have many classmates working at their original jobs. On a recent trip to the West Coast Jo and I met with Dr. Craig Miller at Stanford School of Medicine, where he is the Thelma and Henry Doelger Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery. Craig is looking trim, fit and continues what has been his professional nonstop schedule of teaching and surgery. He does take time off in the summer to recharge and do some hunting but then it is back to work.


Unfortunately we must report the passing of Michael Hermann on April 18 and Jim Gardner on April 30. Their obituaries are on the class website and will be in an upcoming newsletter. 


—Steve Larson, 9101 W 146th St., Overland Park, KS 66221; (360) 770-4388; wheat69@earthlink.net