1956

Pete Purvis has responded to mention in this column as follows from Wilmington, N.C.: "Saw your latest column in die Alumni Magazine and behold, my name was in it concerning those from the '56 NROTC who went into naval aviation.

"As you know, I graduated from USNA in 1957 and went to Pensacola. As I started training, Len Clark was finishing, and I ran across him helping Gunnar Jensen (USNA '56) sell unfinished furniture from a small strip mall in Pensacola. I left the navy in 1968 following a '67-'68Vietnam tour in F-s4 from Coral Sea. Joined Westinghouse as an engineering test pilot in '68and stayed until '7l, when Grumman hired me as an experimental test pilot for a fun four years on the F-14 development program. Lots of interesting flying. Lost one aircraft to my own missile and became forever known as 'the guy who shot himself down.'

"See lots of Ted Sheridan. Our first encounter was in Pittsburgh when we both were with Westinghouse, and later in the same reserve F-8 squadron in Willow Grove. About ten years ago we met again by accident on the metro platform at Washington National. Since then we have been searching for ways to achieve prosperity by combining our talents. So far, no takers."

Jim Loughry reports seeing Beth and Jack Crowley in Tucson in March. "Jack and Beth Crowley are...ensconced in a casita at the Skyline Country Club. Something newsworthy has to come of this! Jake Haertl '61 informs me that Jack is playing his usual "difficult" brand of golf. Jack's saddle is temporarily stored at our place until his next mountain ride. We visited ASARCO's Mission Mine, watched the U of A win over a pitcher of stout at the Wildcat Club. The next trip is to the U of A underground student mine followed by a trip to a live, successful exploration drilling program at Copper Creek in the Galliuro Mountains. We plan to take in the re-enactments of the war between the states battles of Picacho Pass, Glorieta, and Valverde, N. M., at Picacho Pass. We are veterans of those conflicts because we attended the scene in 1997."

It is sad to report the recent deaths of four classmates: Bob Browne passed away on January 19 in Claremont, N.H., following a long career teaching English writing and literature at the prep and college levels. Leo Halligan of Ridgefield, N.J., died on November 21, 1997. Walt Granville-Smith died on November 1, 1997, in Mollusk, Va., after a career in advertising, marketing, and real estate. Gordon Davenport died in February in Lookout Mountain, Tenn. Gordy was president and CEO of Krystal Restaurants in the area and was associated with PO folks and Wendy's chains as well. I speak for the class with condolences to wives, families, and friends of these fine classmates who each left his mark on this world.

P.O. Box 1031, Burlington, NC 27216; (336) 227-1153