Class Note 1985
Issue
November-December 2021
Friends, while I missed the virtual reunion in June, we did have a wonderful mini-reunion in Deep Creek, Maryland, hosted by Pam and Barry Bass and featuring (“featuring” might be a bit strong here, as this wasn’t really a performance) Kathy ’83 and Russ Mitchell, Eileen ’83 and Jack Sylvia, and Lynne Zeisler Petkovic. The weekend was full of food, beverages, biking, boating, dancing, pickleball, and, most importantly, long-term friendships. Cindy asked me recently what things make me happy—that weekend had it all!
We have news from Missouri (and what column is complete without Missouri news) about our own Linda Blockus. Linda, currently the director of the office of undergraduate research at the University of Missouri–Columbia, has been elected to the executive board of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR). Representing CUR’s undergraduate research programs division, Linda began a three-year term on the board this summer. A biology major at Dartmouth, Linda earned her Ed.M. in educational leadership from BU and her Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis at University of Missouri–Columbia. She also was a visiting student at Ohio State (as an undergrad) and Stanford (as a graduate student), as well as a fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Center for Advancing Science & Engineering Capacity. Linda served on the CUR executive board, 2009-11, and as a councilor in CUR’s at-large division, 2002-05. CUR supports faculty development for high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. Way to go, Linda!
Sadly, I must share the passing of two classmates. Rob Patterson passed away in June. While I don’t have other details, our best wishes go to Rob’s family.
We also lost Doug Tillman in July. A release stated: “It is with shock and terrible sadness that we share the unexpected death of Doug Tillman, due to a cardiac event. A Dartmouth ’85, Doug was a petty officer, second class, in the U.S. Navy from 1991 to 1996. During his Navy stint, he discovered a love of programming, which led to his successful career in computer programming at Grainger, Textura, and lastly as director of development operations and project management for the construction and engineering global business unit at Oracle. He had an insatiable curiosity, deep intellect, and a love of life. He was passionate about his dogs, books, travel, piano, cooking, great wine and spirits, and many languages. His greatest accomplishment was his wonderful family, which he loved fiercely. A longtime resident of Gurnee, Illinois, Doug leaves behind his beloved wife of 28 years, Cathy Cook Tillman; three children; and three grandchildren.” For more details go to www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/gurnee-il/douglas-tillman-10260434.
In these unsettled times, I’m sure we’re all looking for something to make us feel good and happy. Might I suggest watching Ted Lasso. I’m very confident it will bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.
—John MacManus, 188 Ringwood Road, Rosemont, PA 19010; (610) 525-4541; slampong@aol.com; Leslie A. Davis Dahl, 83 Pecksland Road Greenwich, CT 06831; (203) 552-0070; dahlleslie@yahoo.com
We have news from Missouri (and what column is complete without Missouri news) about our own Linda Blockus. Linda, currently the director of the office of undergraduate research at the University of Missouri–Columbia, has been elected to the executive board of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR). Representing CUR’s undergraduate research programs division, Linda began a three-year term on the board this summer. A biology major at Dartmouth, Linda earned her Ed.M. in educational leadership from BU and her Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis at University of Missouri–Columbia. She also was a visiting student at Ohio State (as an undergrad) and Stanford (as a graduate student), as well as a fellow at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Center for Advancing Science & Engineering Capacity. Linda served on the CUR executive board, 2009-11, and as a councilor in CUR’s at-large division, 2002-05. CUR supports faculty development for high-quality undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship. Way to go, Linda!
Sadly, I must share the passing of two classmates. Rob Patterson passed away in June. While I don’t have other details, our best wishes go to Rob’s family.
We also lost Doug Tillman in July. A release stated: “It is with shock and terrible sadness that we share the unexpected death of Doug Tillman, due to a cardiac event. A Dartmouth ’85, Doug was a petty officer, second class, in the U.S. Navy from 1991 to 1996. During his Navy stint, he discovered a love of programming, which led to his successful career in computer programming at Grainger, Textura, and lastly as director of development operations and project management for the construction and engineering global business unit at Oracle. He had an insatiable curiosity, deep intellect, and a love of life. He was passionate about his dogs, books, travel, piano, cooking, great wine and spirits, and many languages. His greatest accomplishment was his wonderful family, which he loved fiercely. A longtime resident of Gurnee, Illinois, Doug leaves behind his beloved wife of 28 years, Cathy Cook Tillman; three children; and three grandchildren.” For more details go to www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/gurnee-il/douglas-tillman-10260434.
In these unsettled times, I’m sure we’re all looking for something to make us feel good and happy. Might I suggest watching Ted Lasso. I’m very confident it will bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.
—John MacManus, 188 Ringwood Road, Rosemont, PA 19010; (610) 525-4541; slampong@aol.com; Leslie A. Davis Dahl, 83 Pecksland Road Greenwich, CT 06831; (203) 552-0070; dahlleslie@yahoo.com