1948

This column mentions a few '48s whose contributions have bettered society. My apologies for not including the many others. Referring to the great number of '48s who served Uncle Sam's armed forces in WW II, Korea, and Vietnam, we can't forget those who died for our country, such as Colonel Ken Hall in Vietnam and die many who were wounded. Marine Major Bob Sebilian was hit as an infantryman on Bougainville and later again near Pusan. Navy Captain Gene Finke was shot up in Vietnam. There were many others.

Our class produced 30 M.D.s. Many have made notable contributions to mankind. The late Dr. Phil Johnson's path-finder work with radiation in the treatment of cancer saved many, many lives at the heroic cost of his own. Dr. Bob Hoekelman at Rochester University's Medical School has earned acclaim for his research on pediatrics and on some of the awesome ethics problems of doctor-patient relationships. Dr. Sam Katz continues his teaching at Duke Medical School and his research on vaccines against MDS and measles in children. Dr. Jerry Lucey is pursuing an outstanding career as teacher and researcher at UVM-Burlington. His fundamental medical discoveries on extending infant life are witness to many major honors worldwide.

Scane Bowler and Rod Susen have been honored, respectively, for their dedicated organizational efforts and for extensive personal time passed with victims of cancer who so desperately need personal support during those lonely final days.

We must cite the pleasure brought to citizens of the Rocky Mountain region by Metropolitan Opera impresario Nat Merrill, whose Opera Colorado is an annual gala on the Denver stage. (What a backdrop for Giuseppe Verdi!) Plaudits, too, to Jim Nicholson who, while holding down a job in business, served for 20 years the College of New Rochelle, the final six as chair of its trustees. This institution, with its branch "campuses" in Manhattan, provides college education to many for whom such is normally out of reach due to age, means, or location. Jim's honorary degree at his retirement in 1991 pinpointed his "breadth of vision and boldness of action, always imprinted with your profound reverence for people."

Bob Jeavons provides direction and hope to fellow victims of arthritis. The late lan Macartney led Amoco in a tremendously important discovery of hydrocarbons in the North Sea, a then-unknown oil province whose production today gives the world some offset against OPEC oil power. Dick Sassenberg made a technical innovation that so enhanced the enjoyment of movies (and TV) that Gregory Peck handed him an Academy Award. Nor can we forget State Department Fireman Ron Spiers for his work at the front during the Cold War years, or Bob Huke's long years of research in helping rice productivity to increase and to grow where it could not previously grow.

Get your June 13-16 reunion papers in soon and your new class officer nominations. Call chair Lloyd Krumm or other committeemen if any questions. Your presence is demanded by your old friends. Come back for more in '94!

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