As I write this, classmates are living the life of Riley in Park City, Utah, at a winter gala mini-reunion. On the ski slopes of Utah, Riley is a long way from home. I had requested updates, but the response has been radio silence. Riley must be having a fun time indeed. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
Omar Khan has retired, stepping aside from his position as chief technology officer at Common Sense Media in San Francisco. A nonprofit, Common Sense has been a leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families and schools. Its goal is to make the digital world work better for children. Omar, who I always thought had the coolest name in the class, will stay busy managing an archaeological website, collecting and writing about early South Asian visual media, and working on a movie about Pakistan’s independence.
Scott Osman is the coauthor of a new book, Becoming Coachable: Unleashing the Power of Executive Coaching to Transform Your Leadership and Life. In this season of my life I am increasingly convinced that each one of us should seek input from others, create space for reflection, ask open-ended questions, and experiment with new behaviors and ways of thinking. Scott, you are preaching to the choir, but we need to hear your sermon over and over again.
Begin planning now for our 45th reunion starting June 19, 2025. When we graduated the class of 1935 was celebrating its 45th get-together. In June of 1935 Hitler and Mussolini were in power. Babe Ruth had quit the Boston Braves. Huey Long filibustered against extending the National Recovery Administration. Bob Smith, class of 1902, started Alcoholics Anonymous. How much has the world changed since 1980? Talk amongst yourselves.
I have the sad duty to report that co-secretary, Rob Dinsmoor, died on February 23. In his last column, Rob wrote, “I’ve struggled to stay connected. I have come to cherish all the mini-relationships I’ve developed with local businesses, tellers, cashiers, old friends, and strangers I see regularly on the streets of my small town. The greatest boon to my local social life has been my friendly old beagle Jack, who is very well known around town, and I like to tell people that we were hired by the chamber of commerce to provide ‘local color.’ ”
I am grateful to have been connected to Rob. I am grateful to be connected with you. “But at my back I always hear, Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near; And yonder all before us lie, Deserts of vast eternity.” Peace be with you.
—Wade Herring, P.O. Box 9848, Savannah, GA 31412; (912) 944-1639; wherring@huntermaclean.com; Kal Alston, 948 Euclid Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210; alstonkal@gmail.com