1969

The summer travel season has brought its first visitors to the Pacific Northwest as Scott Balcomb and Janet, with son 80, spent a brief but enjoyable couple days en route to a long weekend with his brother Kenneth in the San Juan Islands. Scott shows no sign of slowing his law practice or his pursuit of fair treatment for Colorado in the ongoing quest for water among the western states. Knees suffering from high school football and skiing have slowed his golf game, however. Please be aware that the welcome mat is always out for you weary and thirsty travelers who find an opportunity to pass near Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Our alert Valley News reader Paul Tuhus provides information from that source in the form of sad news that Ray Dickinson died at age 88. Ray, as many of you remember, was the co-owner with his wife Velda of the Midget Diner on Allen Street, home of the 99-cent veal cutlet dinner, sometimes referred to as the "elephant scab."

Bill Kneisel was feted for his efforts on behalf of the Hopkins School (he was class of '65) in New Haven, Connecticut. He has retired after 13 years as a trustee for that institution and was given the Hopkins Medal in recognition of his contribution to the continuing excellence of that learning center.

While we are talking about acknowledgement, the American Institute of Certified Planners has inducted David Kinsey into the elite membership of AICP's College of Fellows. Of the 15,000 practicing urban and rural planners in North America certified by AICP fewer than 350 have attained the status of fellow. David has been noted as a leader in protecting coastal resources, vindicating constitutional housing obligations and achieving smart growth in New Jersey. David and Susanne are living in New Jersey with older son Rafe, a junior at Stanford, and son Alex, a senior in high school.

Still in the recognition mode, I report that David Abbott has been named to honorary membership in the American Institute of Professional Geologists. This award is extended to those who have an exemplary record of distinguished service to the profession and the institute. David has been a practicing geologist for more than 30 years, with 21 spent as a geologist for the Securities and Exchange Commission. He and wife Sue live in Denver, and David periodically runs into fellow '69s Lonny Donovan and Thain Ramey. Just like the days of Professor Stoiber's class, David finds some of the best parts of his job are the field trips, but he provided a sobering view of man's mineral consumption and referred us to a Web site, www.mii.org, to view the natural resources we each require. David writes a regular column for the magazine The Professional Geologist titled "Professional Ethics & Practices."

Regrettably we have lost another classmate. Tom Bartosiewicz died November 23,2005, after a battle with prostate cancer. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

Please keep sending e-mails and cards to Allen Denison and me, and check the class Web site, as it is constantly updated.

P.O. Box1447; Anacortes, WA 98221;(360)588-8852;wheat69@earthlink.net