This may truly be the “winter of our discontent” as each of us awaits their turn to get the Covid-19 vaccine. It has been a challenging year unlike any we have ever known, but I think for some of us it has put things in perspective. We have slowed down a bit, perhaps traveled a little less, and come to treasure some of those precious things that we typically take for granted, such as our health and the chance to spend time with family members. I hope that you and yours are safe and healthy as we all long for a return to some semblance of normalcy.

For me, staying in touch with classmates brings some light and joy to what could be an otherwise grim landscape. Shel Prentice reached out from Naples, Florida, where he lives with his wife, Barb. Here is his report. “Barb and I spent 10 days out in Los Angeles and Newport Beach, California, visiting our ’01 daughter. We spent a lovely part of an afternoon with Chuck Leer and his wife, Mary, who had just returned to their condo in Marina Del Rey, California. Chuck looks great after having some medical challenges a few years ago. Chuck and Mary were married on June 24, 1972, and had dated for several years before that. I also heard from Jack Manning, who had finished up quite a tour in his new RV. Jack was dropping off Peggy in Oregon and then driving the RV to Phoenix for the winter. Jack offered to stop in Los Angeles to pick me up for the rest of his trip. It was a tempting offer, but I stuck to my travel arrangements and came back to Naples with Barb.” I don’t know, Shel. A road trip with Jack might have been pretty interesting, but I’m sure that Barb was glad you made the right choice! Obviously, Shel’s report predated the more recent lockdown of California ordered by Gov. Newsom in December 2020.

Wayne Pirmann also checked in. Wayne is the managing member (general manager and owner) of Mighty Kicks East Valley and Mighty Kicks Phoenix, “part of a nationwide franchisor operation that focuses on developing basic soccer skills and character simultaneously as soon as kids can walk.” He recently self-published a book directed toward American Christian men, but readable by anyone, titled Self-Control: No Compromise. It is available through Amazon under his name or that title.

Sadly, I must report the deaths of three of our classmates. Frederick Giandomenico passed away in November of this year at his home in Walpole, Massachusetts. Henry Menzel died in December of 2017, but his death was only recently confirmed to us by the College. And finally, Peter Gambaccini let us know that his friend and our classmate Harry Falls passed away in July last year in Las Vegas. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of all these men who are gone too soon. The hill winds know their names.

—David Hetzel, 997 State Blvd., Franklin, TN 37064; dghetzel@gmail.com