Class Note 1963
Issue
July-August 2026
Class Note 1963. We have lost our 307th classmate, Dr. Gordon Weir, a leading diabetes researcher who contributed to the discovery of GLP-1 treatments for obesity. Gordy died on March 27 in Boston after living with Parkinson’s disease for many years. He was 85.
Gordy was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His father and grandfather were doctors. Before Dartmouth he attended Lawrenceville, where he was a member of the swim team. A loyal ’63, Gordy served on our class executive committee.
His research was largely conducted in partnership with his wife, biologist Dr. Susan Bonner-Weir. They met on a double date—each on a date with someone else—and married the following year. They began their careers at separate medical institutions in Boston, and when they moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1977 began working together and ended up running their lab for more than four decades.
Gordon’s research was defined by his conviction that diabetes was, fundamentally, a simple problem: The human body produces insulin to regulate blood sugar, and those with diabetes don’t produce enough insulin because there aren’t enough functional beta cells within their pancreas. His research focused on finding ways to replace or restore the beta cells. Gordy expected diabetes to be cured in his lifetime, and, while that reflected his optimistic personality more than the medical reality, his work brings that goal significantly closer.
At a time when many of us struggle to stretch our bodies, Steve Macht is stretching his brain! Our talented classmate will be in a new film, an adaptation of “The Dybbuk.” Steve, approaching 84, has the role of Rabbi Samson, the elder authority of a mystical community who is summoned to perform an exorcism on a young woman possessed by the spirit of her dead beloved.
Our favorite ringmaster, Paul Binder, reports that he and Celia are moving into a “very nice” senior living community in Bradenton, Florida.
Art Williams, Bob Humboldt, Bob Bysshe, Daryl Smith, and Chuck Wessendorf got together to play some golf in Palm City, Florida, as they’ve done for the past 35 years or so! (Not long after this gathering, Chuck passed away.)
—John Merrow, 201 East 79th St., Apt. 5D, New York City, NY 10075; (646) 373-3034; john.merrow@gmail.com
Back to 1963 Class Year
More of 1963 Class Notes
Gordy was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His father and grandfather were doctors. Before Dartmouth he attended Lawrenceville, where he was a member of the swim team. A loyal ’63, Gordy served on our class executive committee.
His research was largely conducted in partnership with his wife, biologist Dr. Susan Bonner-Weir. They met on a double date—each on a date with someone else—and married the following year. They began their careers at separate medical institutions in Boston, and when they moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1977 began working together and ended up running their lab for more than four decades.
Gordon’s research was defined by his conviction that diabetes was, fundamentally, a simple problem: The human body produces insulin to regulate blood sugar, and those with diabetes don’t produce enough insulin because there aren’t enough functional beta cells within their pancreas. His research focused on finding ways to replace or restore the beta cells. Gordy expected diabetes to be cured in his lifetime, and, while that reflected his optimistic personality more than the medical reality, his work brings that goal significantly closer.
At a time when many of us struggle to stretch our bodies, Steve Macht is stretching his brain! Our talented classmate will be in a new film, an adaptation of “The Dybbuk.” Steve, approaching 84, has the role of Rabbi Samson, the elder authority of a mystical community who is summoned to perform an exorcism on a young woman possessed by the spirit of her dead beloved.
Our favorite ringmaster, Paul Binder, reports that he and Celia are moving into a “very nice” senior living community in Bradenton, Florida.
Art Williams, Bob Humboldt, Bob Bysshe, Daryl Smith, and Chuck Wessendorf got together to play some golf in Palm City, Florida, as they’ve done for the past 35 years or so! (Not long after this gathering, Chuck passed away.)
—John Merrow, 201 East 79th St., Apt. 5D, New York City, NY 10075; (646) 373-3034; john.merrow@gmail.com