CLASS OF ’57 NOTES FOR MARCH-APRIL 2002 TECH REVIEW

From Alan M. May

Alex Bernhard reports that he is still practicing corporate law as a senior partner at Hale and Dorr in Boston although he is spending more and more time at his farm in New Hampshire, particularly now that Myra has retired from Harvard. He and Myra just returned from a month in the Dronne River valley in Southwestern France where they ate a lot of foie gras and walnuts, drank a lot of Bergerac and did some shopping in Limoges. While in Paris, he celebrated his 65th birthday with a dinner at the Train Bleu Restaurant in the Gare de Lyon where they could dine and watch the TVGs come and go.

Bob Rosin wrote last fall: “During the last two years, my life has turned upside down in many ways. At the beginning of 2000, I stepped down after 5 years as web-master for several, mostly non-profit organizations, including the principal arms of the Reform Jewish Movement. My hope was to spend much of my time in serious study of Biblical Hebrew and Jewish history. But, within, weeks Rosalie, my wife of 37 years, was diagnosed with cancer throughout much of her body, and I devoted my time to being her caregiver until she died at home in September of that year. Later in 2000, I refocused on my own needs and finally began a modest Jewish study program. In the spring of 2001, a woman I have known for several years entered more deeply into my life. Last June, Ayse and I spent a week in Barcelona, where she gave a talk, and Istanbul, where I met her parents and others in her family. In March, we moved into a condo in Red Bank, NJ, just a few blocks from the house in which I lived for 25 years. We plan to marry this spring, and we hope to come to the '57 class reunion as I renew acquaintances from many years ago.”

Phil Cammack writes: “We got another foot of snow last night. (Beautiful Sierra City, an old gold mining town, in the Northern Sierra, www.sierracity.com for pictures). I am still on the Planning Commission. Very interesting to be exposed to peoples views on the conflicts between the Social Contract and Private Property Rights. Would like to tell you about a trip we took, the like of which is highly recommended.

Had always wondered about taking a trip aboard a private rail car. So we did that. Betsy and I and 6 friends rented the Silver Iris and went from Davis, CA to Seattle and back. We parked at the station in Downtown Seattle-close to everything. We could stay aboard, or in a hotel. Aboard, we had 3 folks to take care of us--tough huh? And the food was excellent.

We took the ferry to Victoria and spent two days, and one night at the Empress. It was a thrill to go thru the Cascades. This was April, and there was still snow there (4000 feet elevation). We went thru several tunnels, the portals of which indicated the date of their building. Dates ranged from about 1928 until about 1934. They were fairly short, quarter mile to half mile, if memory serves.

The slope of the Cascades downward from the track was impressive. As I stood, in shirt sleeves, on the vestibule of the car (we were on the tail end of the train), and looked at the beautiful trees and down at the deep snow, I thought--on foot you couldn't survive very long up here without proper clothing. Just then I happened to see a couple of rusted out box-cars that had rolled down the bank. So I went back inside to the lounge where it was warm.

This trip was extremely enjoyable. The key is to only go with folks that are a pleasure to be with. This is a MUST. WE were still talking after 6 days in close confines. This trip was so much fun that I am promoting another trip with the same folks. This time, (are you ready?), we will take two cars and a few more folks. We will probably leave from Colfax, CA (historic town) go thru Chicago, Albany, and spend about 3 days in Rutland. VT. (To see the leaves in October--of course!--you need a 'reason' for a trip.) Then we will go to Toronto, (hook onto the Canadien-for you French), Winnepeg, Jasper Park for 4 days--Lake Louise, Banff, then to Vancouver, Seattle and back to Colfax.”

Bill Washburn writes from Parsonsfield, Maine that he retired in 1995 after 29 years with Polaroid. Bill’s favorite hobby is pursuing his interest in airplanes through visiting museums and airshows. Last July Bill visited the Oshkosh Air Show in Wisconsin.

Harold Miller writes from Wake Forest NC that in 2000 he retired as President and CEO of Millers Ace Hardware Stores. Harold says “I keep busy in Wake Forest as Chairman of the Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission. We have worked hard to obtain national recognition. Habitat for Humanity takes up the rest of my time. Christ Church Raleigh has built several homes, and during the summer I took several teenagers from the Church to West Virginia to work on houses. We hope to visit our oldest son, Bill and his family. Bill is the General Manager of the Cutler-Hammer facility in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.”

Darrell Fowler sent a brief note from Livermore CA to say that he and Marti are well.

I am grieved to report the death of three classmates: Paul G. Adler who died on June 17, 2001 and is survived by his wife Rachelle; Virgil S. Browne who MIT informs me died on June 26 1992; and Donald A. Peterson who died on September 11, 2001 in the World Trade Center.

As I write these notes (January 2002), I believe that our 45th reunion will closely resemble the format of the 40th, that is: it will be held in Cambridge starting with Tech Night at the Pops on Thursday June 6th, 2002, Friday excursions with the Class Dinner that evening, Saturday beginning with Technology Day speakers and perhaps a lunch and then the balance of the weekend an optional get-together at, I believe, the Mount Washington Hotel and Resort in New Hampshire from June 8th to June 10th. But, you will have heard more from Nelson Disco, our reunion chairman and his committee by the time these notes appear.

At our superlative Class of 1957 website http://alumweb.mit.edu/classes/1957/ you will find a plethora of information about your classmates including the last four years of these columns---Alan M. May, secretary, 3601 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas, TX 75219; (w) tel: 214-521-8533; (h) tel: 214-528-8812; (w) fax: 214-521-8544; my e-mail address is: ammay@jump.net