Class Note 1969
Issue
November-December 2026
Class Note 1969. The August social hour was lively with laughs and reminiscences. A while back Jim Staros started the monthly bull sessions where we kick around shouts and murmurs. “Jug” Jensen, David Abbott, Greg Lau, Peter Schaeffer, Allen Denison, Steve Horowitz, and John Leavitt spun stories, some of them probably true. Greg shared tips about fishing Lake Michigan, and Schaeffer recounted his recent afternoon tea with President Beilock, with whom he is delightfully enthralled. It never hurts to have an insider hotline to the throne.
The brothers of Alpha Chi Alpha also Zoom. Bill Yellowtail of Montana political fame invited us to come flyfish in his backyard. John Briganti, “Boo” Gandy, John Duke, Bruce Hamilton, Andy Meyers, and Allen Simpson filled out the roster. Briganti and classmate “Yogi” Glaser for many years have been distinguished meditation teachers.
Bob Sturges is the new hot item on Instagram, “A Boomer’s Voice,” sharing wisdom, wit, and real talk from our generation. Craig Miller and Bruce Alpert boast of retirement, but every time we look up they’re at another big meeting of famous heart specialists.
The regular ’69 Sunday night Zoom meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous—“The Baker Bunch”—is going strong as well, having met now 300-plus times. I have contact information.
Peter Elias masters your world-class website, and Allen Denison produces your excellent newsletter, which includes essays, memorials, updates, and details about upcoming “Casual Conversations” moderated by Arthur Fergenson.
Sad news: Dave Wakelin writes that my Duke Med classmate Skip Kessler passed in August. Skip was a Tri-Kap. He was a neonatologist, lived in Maine for years, then in Bend, Oregon. He is survived by wife Dianne and daughter Briarly ’00, who graduated with Dave’s son, Ben ’00. My longer note is on the email list. Send your reflections.
On a personal note, I would love to see y’all come back to the class email list, which somewhat fell apart some years ago. Times have changed and the list is fun again. That’s where you get updates about the bull sessions, casual conversations, special events, and who knows what. Think about it. Contact me.
—John “Tex” Talmadge, 3519 Brookline Lane, Farmers Branch, TX 75234; (214) 673-9250 johntalmadgemd@gmail.com
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The brothers of Alpha Chi Alpha also Zoom. Bill Yellowtail of Montana political fame invited us to come flyfish in his backyard. John Briganti, “Boo” Gandy, John Duke, Bruce Hamilton, Andy Meyers, and Allen Simpson filled out the roster. Briganti and classmate “Yogi” Glaser for many years have been distinguished meditation teachers.
Bob Sturges is the new hot item on Instagram, “A Boomer’s Voice,” sharing wisdom, wit, and real talk from our generation. Craig Miller and Bruce Alpert boast of retirement, but every time we look up they’re at another big meeting of famous heart specialists.
The regular ’69 Sunday night Zoom meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous—“The Baker Bunch”—is going strong as well, having met now 300-plus times. I have contact information.
Peter Elias masters your world-class website, and Allen Denison produces your excellent newsletter, which includes essays, memorials, updates, and details about upcoming “Casual Conversations” moderated by Arthur Fergenson.
Sad news: Dave Wakelin writes that my Duke Med classmate Skip Kessler passed in August. Skip was a Tri-Kap. He was a neonatologist, lived in Maine for years, then in Bend, Oregon. He is survived by wife Dianne and daughter Briarly ’00, who graduated with Dave’s son, Ben ’00. My longer note is on the email list. Send your reflections.
On a personal note, I would love to see y’all come back to the class email list, which somewhat fell apart some years ago. Times have changed and the list is fun again. That’s where you get updates about the bull sessions, casual conversations, special events, and who knows what. Think about it. Contact me.
—John “Tex” Talmadge, 3519 Brookline Lane, Farmers Branch, TX 75234; (214) 673-9250 johntalmadgemd@gmail.com