1974
From Frank Doorley "Don: Before I start, does anybody ever call you 'Crud' anymore? What is your reaction when they do? I got a call a few years ago from Dave Gardner '75. He announced that it was d.g. from Dartmouth, and my brain went into solicitation mode. After almost blowing him off, he announced that he was 'Little Duke' from Psi U. OOOPS!
"At any rate, I laughed at the end of your last column with all of the New Trier grads listed. We've just moved to the Chicago area and began our house search in the New Trier district as my daughter starts high school next fall. We were prepared for a substantial bump in real estate prices, moving out of the wilds of Michigan, but nothing like Wilmette and Winnetka. By the time Marian (Meijer '77) got up to Lake Forest, it looked like bargain city.
"After 20-plus years with Dow Chemical, I jumped ship last fall. Took the family to Italy for two weeks over the holidays, then started with Price Waterhouse in Rosemont after the first of the year. I am managing projects for them involving SAP, a German software company about whom nobody has heard. I've been in this area for almost seven years, which makes me an old man and a bit of an expert, and the head hunters were calling all the time. Somebody finally made me the proverbial offer I couldn't refuse.
"After all that time in Michigan, never in a town bigger than 36,000, Chicagoland has been a bit of an adjustment. My commute used to be exactly the length of 'Willie the Pimp,' discovered by strange coincidence. Now it's 30 minutes and two toll booths up 294—on the good days.
"News of other '74s who rarely show up in print, other than black and white pictures in the post office: Rick 'Random' Sample has recently moved from the hub area to Richmond. He's putting all of his Russian experience into a venture capital fund which is attempting to convert Russian military plants to peaceful and, dare I say, capitalistic purposes.
"Rafael Castillo is in Boulder, Colo., working in risk management for Coors. He has two little ones, and rumor is that Rafael Jr. is setting up to break his dad's record of 96 straight hours in his pajamas (spring term, 1973, Hanover).
"Eric Van Leuven is still in Lancaster, N.H., as a psychiatrist. He started there many moons ago to pay off his government loan and never left.
"By the way, I have a wonderful picture of Ric Escherich wearing a pair of jockey shorts, a bow tie, and an extremely illegal grin. With the bonuses given out on Wall Street this year, that should be worth something. Unless he decides to get into politics, and then it would probably make him presidential material.
"Bumped into Jeff Badmington a few years ago in Houston Hoby Airport. He was sitting behind some people who knew me and mentioned my name, and he came over and said hello. He was into computer networking at the time if I recall correctly .
"Well, I guess I can clog the e-waves only so much. I'm off to beautiful Moline tomorrow to visit my client. Take care!"
And now a word from our sponsor, head agent Chris "Chief' Pfaff who e-mails: "Case, Thanks for the opportunity to put in a plug for the 1998 Alumni Fund. To all you fellow classmates reading this who have not given yet to this year's fond, please consider doing so before the June 30 deadline. Even if you can only give a modest amount, all levels of participation are welcome! For all you class agents, use the coming few weeks to be sure and contact fellow classmates of the Great Class of 1974 to get their pledges and gifts in to the fund. Personally, I have had a great time talking to classmates and find most folks are happy to give at some level. 1998 will allow our great class to build some momentum as we head into our 25th Reunion year."
The only other news is on KeithBellows, who was recently named editor of National Geographic Traveler, a travel magazine and sister publication of NationalGeographic. Prior to this, Keith was senior partner of Whittle Communications in Knoxville and more recently executive producer of Excite, the WWW site. Aye, lad, we can use ya' for the 25th.
Yours truly has been asked to assume a position on the Alumni Council, and I have graciously accepted the position on behalf of the Class Secretaries Association and the class of '74. So feel free to lay anything on me.
Looks like I'll be in Annapolis for a stint while I pursue my next degree, an M.B.A. (I hope at Wharton). Happy summer to all.
Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care, 7467 Ridge Road, Suite 130, Hanover, MD 21076;
Rafael Castillo's son is trying to break his dad'srecord of 96 straighthours in pajamas.DON CASEY JR. "72
