Class Note 1978
Issue
November-December 2020
Four classmate stories below in the time of Covid.
Things got crazy this spring for Frances Hellman,who wears multiple hats at University of California, Berkeley as a physics professor, staff scientist, and dean of the division of mathematical and physical sciences. “All my various jobs were managing to coexist until Covid happened, at which time my dean job multiplied about tenfold, worrying about remote teaching, international students, research shutdowns, helping staff and everyone else to work remotely. I am working seven days a week, long days, for months now, on Zoom calls continuously. It’s exhausting and not sustainable, but necessary right now. The good news is that I live in the Berkeley Hills, where my husband and I are able to take beautiful long walks almost daily.” Frances is currently vice president of the American Physical Society and will become president in 2022.
Philip Flink says,“I have been hiding out with my wife, Anne, and our four dogs during the Covid pandemic in Dorset, Vermont, and have absolutely no desire to travel anywhere else. It’s beautiful here, very little Covid, and people are still respectful of each other and remain vigilant. The family (including our first grandchild, born last November) comes and visits on occasion to add some spice. Whenever I get restless, I walk out my door and take a hike with my dogs in the surrounding hills and mountains. I have also managed to cut and stack multiple cords of firewood from all the storms this last year. I cheated, as my family bought me a hydraulic splitter last holiday season. It may not be for everyone, but works for me and, I hope, Anne.”
Rick Spier says, “Patricia tested positive for Covid-19 in early March. While she didn’t get seriously ill—no fever, shortness of breath, or cough, she was severely fatigued for about eight days. All the while, of course, she was worried that any moment might be the one in which she might go into a steep downward spiral, so the fatigue was compounded by extreme existential stress. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, although it took another five days for her to fully recover her energy. Since we were cooped up in the same house together, I presumably had it, too, but was completely asymptomatic.” Rick suggested I ask classmates who’ve had Covid-19 about their experiences—please feel free to share.
Jim Bullion says, “Ellen and I moved back to Hanover in January and bought a house out near Lyme, New Hampshire, in May. It’s wonderful to be back ‘home’! We are both still working so this isn’t retirement yet but it will be a great place to stay forever! Kids are doing great. Our middle girl, Callie, is heading to Afghanistan in October for a nine-month tour as an Army intelligence officer doing signal intelligence work. Our youngest, Kate ’16, Th’18, got Covid but kicked it off after about a week and is fine now. Let us know if you’re in Hanover!”
Send news!
—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com
Things got crazy this spring for Frances Hellman,who wears multiple hats at University of California, Berkeley as a physics professor, staff scientist, and dean of the division of mathematical and physical sciences. “All my various jobs were managing to coexist until Covid happened, at which time my dean job multiplied about tenfold, worrying about remote teaching, international students, research shutdowns, helping staff and everyone else to work remotely. I am working seven days a week, long days, for months now, on Zoom calls continuously. It’s exhausting and not sustainable, but necessary right now. The good news is that I live in the Berkeley Hills, where my husband and I are able to take beautiful long walks almost daily.” Frances is currently vice president of the American Physical Society and will become president in 2022.
Philip Flink says,“I have been hiding out with my wife, Anne, and our four dogs during the Covid pandemic in Dorset, Vermont, and have absolutely no desire to travel anywhere else. It’s beautiful here, very little Covid, and people are still respectful of each other and remain vigilant. The family (including our first grandchild, born last November) comes and visits on occasion to add some spice. Whenever I get restless, I walk out my door and take a hike with my dogs in the surrounding hills and mountains. I have also managed to cut and stack multiple cords of firewood from all the storms this last year. I cheated, as my family bought me a hydraulic splitter last holiday season. It may not be for everyone, but works for me and, I hope, Anne.”
Rick Spier says, “Patricia tested positive for Covid-19 in early March. While she didn’t get seriously ill—no fever, shortness of breath, or cough, she was severely fatigued for about eight days. All the while, of course, she was worried that any moment might be the one in which she might go into a steep downward spiral, so the fatigue was compounded by extreme existential stress. Fortunately, that didn’t happen, although it took another five days for her to fully recover her energy. Since we were cooped up in the same house together, I presumably had it, too, but was completely asymptomatic.” Rick suggested I ask classmates who’ve had Covid-19 about their experiences—please feel free to share.
Jim Bullion says, “Ellen and I moved back to Hanover in January and bought a house out near Lyme, New Hampshire, in May. It’s wonderful to be back ‘home’! We are both still working so this isn’t retirement yet but it will be a great place to stay forever! Kids are doing great. Our middle girl, Callie, is heading to Afghanistan in October for a nine-month tour as an Army intelligence officer doing signal intelligence work. Our youngest, Kate ’16, Th’18, got Covid but kicked it off after about a week and is fine now. Let us know if you’re in Hanover!”
Send news!
—Rick Beyer, 1305 S. Michigan Ave., #1104, Chicago, IL 60605; rickbeyer78@gmail.com