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CLASS NOTES
Stanley H.
Gotliffe We mourn the passing of Herb Spiselman, former class president, on January 29. He had suffered a severe stroke in late October 1999, following which he remained hospitalized in Chicago, undergoing extended treatment. Herb, a member of the fencing team during his undergraduate years, returned to the sport after his retirement from the FAA (assistant chief controller, JFK tower). For many years he regularly worked out with a local college fencing squad, describing how "the kids love to take on the old man." He will be long remembered for his service to the College and the Class, as well as for his ability to organize tennis tournaments and his skill as a raconteur. He leaves two daughters, two grandchildren and a dear companion, Judy Sagan. I realize that as our numbers shrink, there are fewer of you out there, but this column is shrinking as well. So please write!
Herbert
Mark There is much to report! Mark Kahn, has retired from full-time teaching at Wayne State University. His colleagues and former students there have set up a named scholarship in honor of him and his wife. Mark now finds time for bridge, swimming and occasional duty as an arbitrator. He gets to New York from his home in Dearborn, Mich. fairly often to visit family. Early this winter, I was at the Columbia Club to attend a lecture and ran into Manny Lichtenstein. We spent a pleasant hour in the bar discussing books, history and the environment before going to the lecture. Manny lives in Princeton. Also living near Princeton is Charles West, who has retired from the faculty of the Princeton Theological Seminary. In a recent phone call, we talked about our mutual travel experiences and agreed that retirement is a full-time occupation. Our wives were classmates at Barnard and we plan to get together at their upcoming class reunion in June. Abe Loft recently conducted a master class for music students at Brown. He and Mel Hershkowitz, who is on the Brown medical school faculty, enjoyed a non-musical reunion, to the surprised amusement of the assembled music students. Abe believes that the future of music in this country depends on the flourishing of chamber music. He is doing everything he can in support of that cause. Don Mankiewicz is up to his old tricks. He reports progress on a script for a projected TV program. During an Arizona vacation this past winter, my wife and I enjoyed visiting with Judge Len Garth and his wife, Sarah. Joining us at dinner one evening was Bill Feinberg '40, also a senior judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals. It was a great evening, with good talk, good company and good food. Vic Zaro, busy again, has been in touch with Frank Schiff, Dave Kleiner and Seymour Nagan. Vic also asked me to start planning for our next reunion, our 60th. Mel Hershkowitz and Len Garth will serve as my co-chairs. We need input, so let's have suggestions for activities, location and progress. You can use our new directory to reach any of us. Call me directly if you would like to be on the committee. Finally, we were all saddened to learn of the death of Herb Markel. Herb had been general counsel for GTE. I regret to say we didn't see each other, even though we lived in neighboring communities.
Dr. Donald
Henne McLean Lou Gallo writes from North Arlington, N.J., introducing his newest publication, Jesus Was a Worldbeater (privately printed): "As Columbia College freshmen we were obliged to read something from the Book of Job (but nothing from The New Testament); in which Job's wife says to her husband 'Curse God and die.' Out of that hotbed comes this book! Hail the gadfly! Hail Socrates! Hail Columbia!" Alvin Yudkoff has published a biography, Gene Kelly: A Life of Dance and Dreams. He is still involved in documentary film production - very much a team game. The pleasure of writing a book once in awhile is that it is a solo act.
Walter
Wager Gordon Cotler - our multitalented author, article writer and script wizard for television, radio and film has contributed to Television Quarterly a graceful recollection of writing for the Edgar Bergen radio show's last season. Dr. Philip E. Duffy - following the warm reception of his first two collections of insightful fiction works, Chase Publishing has issued the distinguished and retired neurologist's new The Head of the Bull and Other Short Stories. Residing with spouse, Natalie, in Connecticut, he also edits the American history magazine My Country. Classmates may enjoy The Head of the Bull by sending $15.95 to Chase Publishing, P.O. Box 1200, Glen, N.H. 03838. Dr. Martin Beller - the very vigorous retired surgeon reports from Gaines, Pa., redoubt that chip off the young block granddaughter, Elizabeth Beller, graduates in June from Penn, where she'll press on for a master's degree in Asian studies. He also sends good news that Richard A. Zucker, M.D. is recovering from surgery. Walter Wager - and splendid spouse, Win, were among the worldly throng who assembled on March 10 at the New York Hilton to hail the impressive song and dance journalist - son-in-law Bob Liff in the press corps' annual "Inner Circle" revue that spoofs politicians (fish in a barrel?) and raises cash for charities. It was rowdy, loud and often amusing, as savvy Roger Lehecka '67, alumni aesthete and administrator, and high culture Lisa Wager (with-it mate of Mr. Liff) may confirm. While class correspondent is an apologetic luddite with no E, F or G mail, he does offer a fax number to accelerate communication of news of your doings, status, honors. That fax is (212) 769-2725.
Clarence W.
Sickles Six classmates returned the Columbia reunion questionnaire. The Lion is grateful for these responses. Dr. Albert S. Beasley of Westport, Conn., writes: "Hang in there! Keep active and involved. Society and the world needs you." Albert is still practicing pediatrics after 45 years with no free time after educational and community activities. Dr. Jack J. Falsone of Westport, Conn., is a semi-retired internist and pulmonologist doing volunteer work at a free clinic in Norwalk. Dr. Jack Oliver of Ithaca, N.Y. was on the faculty at Columbia from 1957 to 1971 and at Cornell from 1971 to 1993, when he became professor emeritus. As a member of the National Academy of Sciences, Jack wrote two books: The Incomplete Guide to the Art of Discovery and Shocks and Rocks: Seismology in the Plate Tectonics Revolution. Dr. Lawrence S. (Larry) Ross of Avon Park, Fla., is fully and happily retired and finally settled with wife, Marilyn, in their Delray home. Like many collegians of the World War II era, Larry feels linked to the Columbia classes of '45, '46 and '47. Dr. George T. Wright of Minneapolis, Minn., won't be at this 55th reunion but maybe the 60th or the 75th. That's class optimism, which probably comes from his published poems: Aimless Life: Poems, 1961-1995 (Minneapolis, North Stone Editions). Your correspondent reported the celebration with wife, Jean, of their 50th wedding anniversary on February 11, which was also his 79th birthday and the 35th birthday of his eighth child, Matthew. Hard to forget a wedding anniversary under those conditions. He works out in the gym with Jean three times a week and recommends it to classmates, health permitting. As mentioned last time, Harold Samelson and I are co-chairing the reunion. We seek your help (especially in writing fund-raising letters to classmates), suggestions and advice for the reunion weekend. The committee established a class goal of $55,000 (an obvious amount), with 65 classmates having contributed $19,500 to date, and about 250 potential contributors. An appeal letter from Harold and me should have been sent to you by the time you read this. I hope the response will be very positive as we use this way of saying how valuable our Columbia education was in preparation for our career and life. The College development staff reports alumni financial participation at peer schools ranges from 50-60 percent, whereas the percentage at Columbia is 30 percent. Let the Class of 1945 lead the way in changing this statistic! Our nominees for recognition this time are James R. Platt of Burlington, N.C., and Dr. Joseph A. Peterson of Long Beach, Calif. It would be good to hear from or about James and Joseph.
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