1960

Events move fast in our class. We no more have finished our resoundingly successful 45th reunion, but we are thinking about our next mini-reunion earlier than ever this fall. It will be September 30 to October 1. We hope for a great turnout.

Our reunion June 13-16 drew the second highest turnout for a 45th, at least 184 classmates, second only to the class of 1953, which had 196. Considering that we began in a terrific heat wave and ended with a chilly day, and every outdoor meal was forced by rain indoors, we thought that was pretty good.

Kudos to Dick Chase and Bill Gundy for arranging such a splendid get-together. Life moves on, and we must make the most of it. Shortly before the reunion Judy Kohn's mother died at 92, and John Walker lost his eldest daughter, Janine, to cancer at 42. However, Hap Dunning stopped in Philadelphia to help his mother celebrate her 90th birthday.

Fittingly, a high point of the reunion was the class symposium on health, 90 minutes in the Filene Auditorium. John Kersey, M.D., of the University of Minnesota Hospital, outlined five steps we could take to maximize our chances of long life. These are: 1) implement an exercise plan, regular and active; 2) improve our diet, five fruits and vegetables a day; 3) take our prescription medicines; 4) take regular medical exams, especially for the prostate and the colon; and 5) keep playing, keep enjoying life. Bob Kenerson, M.D., of the Harvard Medical School, spoke of psychological needs. He described old age as an opportunity for growth, talked of meeting the challenge of aging and said he doesn't undertake psychological therapy until it's decided conditions are promising for it. In the discussion afterwards Neil Koreman, M.D., of Hialeah, Florida, added the importance of not smoking and no alcohol while driving.

At this sparkling symposium, John Dimling Jr., of Nielsen Media Research, spoke of demographics. The actuarial tables indicate 88 percent of us '60s living today will be alive for our 55th reunion. John ran into an argument, though, when he expressed fear there was so much Spanish spoken, there is danger the United States is becoming a bilingual country. Tom Kirby responded from the audience, there have always been other languages spoken without ill effects.

I don't mean to denigrate Mort Kondracke, whose political lecture at another symposium drew interest, not to say consternation, when he speculated that Vice President Cheney could decide to run for president in 2008, and another high point of the reunion occurred when outgoing class president Rick Roesch became the fourth class member to receive the College's Distinguished Alumni Award. The earlier three were Peter Schwartz, Gene Kohn and Mickey Straus. Meanwhile, elected new class president is Ken Johansen, for many years our successful head class agent.

Outside the reunion Dick Griggs informs me that New Jersey members of the class have begun periodic lunches together, similar to ones held in Norwich, Vermont, and San Francisco. The next one is September 28.

5522 Nagle Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401;(818) 994-9231; kennethireich@yahoo.com