1959

A double-barrel, unrelated, blast from Minnesota! Tom Noonan, a history professor at the University of Minnesota for 35 years, was featured commentator on a Nova special aired on PBS last year. Tom, fighting health problems, left teaching in 2000 but continues his research on European Russia in the Viking Age. Collaborating Tom's celebrity, Will Hartfeldt sent a note mentioning he had seen the PBS program as he channel-switched from his home in Edina, Minnesota. Will, with wife Shawn, has retired from the leadership of a small company which grew from Will's law practice, and are now contemplating the next phase of their lives. Their one daughter Sara begins her medical career this fall.

Our class "counselor and conscience," Read Heydt, recently celebrated 21 years as an ordained Episcopal priest. Rather than retire, Read-has moved from Jacksonville to Clearwater to serve an 18-month contract as an interim rector. "Interim ministry" is a rapidly growing specialty in all denominations, and seems to fit Read perfectly at this particular time in his career. Son Charlie, a recent college graduate, is teaching English in Japan, and younger son Michael is entering Junior year at Colgate.

A sad note from Bob Lapadula, now living in Somers, Connecticut, laments the passing of his partner of 20 years, Rod Cary. Before settling in Connecticut more than 15 years ago, Bob had lived in New York City, Seattle and San Francisco.

After spending three years in Siberia (by choice), Peter Richmond is now teaching for the University of Maryland at its campus in Schwarisch Gmund, Germany. Teaching is a second career for Peter, after many years in industry, and he appears to be enjoying every minute of the new experience.

Closer to home, Bill Truex was recently elevated to the prestigious College of Fellows by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Bill was one of 72 architects, nationwide, to be invested at the national convention of the AIA held in Denver. The designation of fellow is awarded to members of the AIA whom the institute deems have made contributions of national significance to the profession. After receiving his master of architecture degree from Harvard, Bill settled in Burlington, Vermont, and continues to serve as a principal in the Burlington-based firm Truex Cullins and Partners.

"It was almost as if we were still rooming together in Hitchcock," reports Bill Beshore. Bill, along with Fritz Arens and Joe Scardapane, traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the wedding of their old roommate Scott Bush. Wonder if Dubya was there?

Kurt Wehbring reports from Portland, Oregon where he is chairman of the Dartmouth Club of Oregon. Kurt is ably assisted by Doug Adams on the executive committee. They hope to host President Wright before year-end. Kurt is serving as executive director of the Northwest Early Childhood Institute, a non-profit group devoted to promoting the social and emotional development of children.

Fall in New England...remember?...great time to re-connect.

Middle of the Road, Newport, ME04953! (207) 368-4319; (207) 368-5029 (fax);gilman@ctel.net