Class Note 1988

I am very sorry to report that Heather (Van Blarcom) Gumuchian passed away in July. She leaves behind her husband, Gary Gumuchian, and two children. If you would like to contribute to the memorial endowment fund established in her name, contact the Congregational Church of Littleton, Massachusetts. If you knew Heather and would be willing to share some memories, I would be grateful for your help in creating an obituary for our class website that captures some of her kind and wise spirit.


With apologies for the abrupt transition, our class also has some celebrations to report. Karl Engkvist got married this summer—congratulations Karl and Aja. I had the pleasure of attending Paul Steinwald’s wedding to Laura Nosko in July—look for a full report of this joyful occasion in the newsletter.


I begged my friends for permission to share their good news: Kate Kellogg wrote Challenging Operations: Medical Reform and Resistance in Surgery and is a professor of organizational studies at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. Pam Codispoti and Mark Habner welcomed twin boys last January. Colin and Ryan are full of fun and ready to rumble! 


Here’s a great new book by Wendy Pabich, Taking On Water: How One Water Expert Challenged Her Inner Hypocrite, Reduced Her Water Footprint (Without Sacrificing a Toasty Shower), and Found Nirvana.Described as “part memoir, part investigation, part solution manual,” this sounds like a must-read for anyone concerned about our fresh water supplies (or interested in Wendy’s blissful Idaho existence). 


Even though I‘m writing this during the Summer Olympics, you are reading it when the international sports euphoria has faded. So here’s a headline from the Valley News to set our sights on 2014 in Sochi, Russia: “The Doc Answers the Call for Team USA.” Our own Doug Weiss is the volunteer orthopedic physician for the U.S. men’s under-18 hockey team. Congratulations, Doug, and best wishes for a great hockey season to all.


Cheers, 


—Jane (Grussing) Lonnquist, 4510 Drexel Ave., Edina, MN 55424; jjlonnquist@earthlink.net