MIT Class of 1963, Class Notes for May 2005 issue of Technology Review
This column is built on real correspondence from four classmates - January always brings a supply of news for this space. *Don Dreisbach writes that he is still teaching philosophy full time at Northern Michigan University. "With a son just starting high school," he says, "there doesn't seem to be much point in retiring." He expects a sabbatical in 2005 to work on a book on Nietzsche and Paul Tillich. *Donald Yansen sent an E-mail to let us know that he is currently working on a new concept in economic development in Bangladesh, though still home based in Lexington, MA. He says it is excitement beyond description to be able to try something he dreamed of doing as a senior taking "The Economics of Underdeveloped Countries" from Evsey Domar. The other big thing in Donald's life is becoming a grandfather in the summer of 2004. He says, "It's hard to imagine how much a little guy can infuse you with joy." I can identify with that, having done the "grandfather trip" four times now.
*Karen (Affeldt) Langrock, most recently with the Seattle Monorail Project as Segment Manager for Urban Design and Permitting, will wed Marty Smith on June 4, 2005 in Sammamish WA. Congratulations in advance! We go from celebrating a new marriage to celebrating a long-standing one. In mid-September 2004, Marty and *Steve Ditmeyer celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by inviting a group of friends along on a cruise on the Potomac River in Washington, DC. It turned out to be a mini MIT reunion. Other 1963 classmates present were: *Bruce Krewinghaus (also a high school and grade school classmate of Steve’s), *Jack Harman (best man at Steve and Marty’s wedding, and a long-time transportation colleague of Steve’s), and *Lou Thompson (another long-time transportation colleague of Steve’s). Other MIT alums present were Arrigo Mongini, ’61 (yet another transportation colleague who, with his wife Ingrid, introduced Steve and Marty to one another) and James Stark Draper, ’62 (Marty’s brother). Marty, had worked at MIT for 10 years with UROP and as a regional director of the Alumni Association. Steve is teaching at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) in Washington, DC, where he holds the Department of Transportation Faculty Chair.
We note the passing of two classmates. The daughter of *Yagiv Krzekicki (who later changed his name to Kadar) informed us that our classmate passed away in February 1998 in Ashland, MA. Yagiv received degrees in mechanical engineering and management while at MIT. The family of *Alfred W. French III informed us that Alfred passed away on Oct. 19, 2004. He was the third in his family to graduate from MIT. His father graduated from the Institute in 1926, and his grandfather graduated in 1889. Alfred moved to Minneapolis, MN with his family in 1965 and established an architectural practice and served as an assistant professor of architecture at the University of Minnesota. He was a member of the Capitol Area Architecture and Planning Board in St. Paul, and was a major participant in the redevelopment of the state capitol area. In 1982 he moved to Naples, FL, where he designed many important public buildings and private residences, and led the effort to redevelop downtown Naples. Our condolences to both families.
Regards to all. You can reach me at: Mike Bertin, 22 Gillman St, Irvine, CA 92612. E-mail: MCB1@aol.com. If you want to schmooze, call me at (949) 786-9450.