1970

Loads of news on hand, plus a lunar eclipse in Modesto tonight. Seems like the perfect combination with which to excise excess vapors by writing a column. So onward.

Call him modest. Call him bashful. But regardless of your call, it's obvious that TimFrawley's legion of admirers love to report on him. And report, and report! Tim is to be congratulated on his recent appointment as Sacramento County's chief deputy for the district attorney's office. This is the highest non-elective position in the office, which consists of 117 deputy district attorneys as well as a staff of nearly 250 additional employees.

Tim's promotion follows over ten years with the office, mostly assigned to the major-crimes unit. In this capacity he generally prosecuted murder cases, often those of an unusually sensational nature. Most recently he's been involved with the prosecution of a Sacramento landlady accused of housing at least nine extra borders under the tomato Eatch out back. Tim's record of convictions as been remarkable, prompting his superiors to describe him as "one of the most exceptional prosecutors in the state." Henceforth he'll turn his attention to administrative matters as well as emphasis on domestic violence and political corruption.

Stephan McKeown's professional resume has been impressively expanded since we last heard of his activities. Stephan has been both a fine artist and a student of the arts almost continuously since graduation. His studies took him on to Yale and Cornell, as well as schools in Edinburgh and Stuttgart. He lectured on drawing, sculpture, and design at the University of Vermont from 1976—79. And he has mounted solo exhibitions at various galleries in New York, California, and Texas.

Stephan says that his work pays artistic fashion no heed. His subject matter over the years has ranged from landscapes to images of war. He has concentrated on narrative painting infused with a sense of history. This consciousness of what we leave behind has led to his current focus on portrait painting. He regrets that many consider portraiture "the orphan of art" and calls it instead an "unsurpassed form in which an artist can respond directly to life." He further describes portraits as "biographies in paint... which link the past with the future, using memory and metaphor."

Stephan doubled the number of artists in the household by marrying Ilene Sterns in 1982. They occupied a loft in Brooklyn until last year when an extended sabbatical of sorts led them to the quieter climes of seaside Scituate, Mass. At this writing they are readying for a move back to the city. It is hoped that you can find Stephan if you share an interest in art, because he would very much like to hear from classmates who enjoy discussing the subject.

I must close this month's column with the sad news of Crawford Hinman Jr.'s death injuly. An obituary will follow as soon as possible. Crawford's death is at least the fourth of our number since I commenced writing this column. Although I have done my best to provide fitting and personal memorials, this is certainly the most difficult aspect of the job. More than anything else as class secretary, I would appreciate hearing as soon as possible from any of you who were particularly close to a deceased classmate. I don't always know who you are, and regret the delays sometimes encountered in making those determinations and then tracking you down. Needless to say, personal recollections and testimonials from close friends during college days make a difference. Special thanks to those who have helped in this capacity in the past. It's not easy. Perhaps we're still too young to have comprehended the reality of our mortalities.

P.O. Box 3934, Modesto, CA 95352-3934