1944

In his 30-year stint of filling 270 columns like this, FritzHier wrote a novel about us, some 80,000 words that reported the good times of our lives, the weddings and offspring, the triumphs, travails, travels and trivia. How does one follow our extraordinary classmate? Humbly.

Let's go from A to Z. Who remembers Arthur "Bud" Summerfield, only with us freshman year? Fellow Michigander DaleSisson reports that Bud is another of the myriad members of our generation restored to health by a heart bypass. In the "Z" column, Ray Zrike's son, Ray Jr., who works with Pop importing expensive breakables, married the daughter of a Houston cardiologist last summer. Nice to have one in the family.

Gordie Plummer, an Ohioan since 1957, is playing golf this spring with former TRW colleagues in the Cleveland area. But the major sport for die Plummers is ice dancing! Their 17-year-old granddaughter Katie Collins and her partner travel far and wide for national and international competitions. "Where it goes," says Gordie, "nobody knows, but it is one BIG commitment for the parents, as well as the kids—even the grandparents!"

We asked John "Travelin"' Billington, about his homestate senator John McCain. Our John admires McCain, but thinks the Vietnam hero would have difficulty working with the Washington bureaucracy. "Besides, I'm close to being a 'states-right advocate' with the exception of foreign policy," says John. "Let the state and local school boards work out the educational agenda. In the meantime, wear cotton and eat peanut butter sandwiches."

John 'n' Janet also reported bi-coastal visits with classmates last year. Saw Puss and Bruce Thomson in Virginia before our June reunion. Then, on vacation in San Diego, the Billingtons drove up to Dana Point for lunch with Carol and DickRanger. When not traveling, John volunteers at University of Arizona Medical Center, encouraged by Monte Duval, prime mover of the medical school and its first dean. Monte trained for his medical practice carrying trays in Thayer dining hall. Remember?

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