Class of 1964 Shipmate Column for April 2006

Greetings to the GREAT Class of 1964. As we write, the Annapolis area is about recovered from our first big snowstorm (about a foot of snow in some places), Navy Basketball got a good N-Star win over Army, Lacrosse looks to another NCAA tournament high seed type season, and Navy Baseball under new head coach Paul Kostacopoulos at 4-0-1 is off to it’s best start since 1981.
Updates for the class from Class President Davis Tuma were in Grant Fulkerson’s last class update e-mail but for those who don’t see that (and because they bear repeating), some short synopses of David’s update are as follows:
Company Representatives: Andy Thompson sent out the job descriptions for our Company Reps. We now have Company Reps for all companies and are following up to fill positions for Alternates - about half are now filled.  If you would like to volunteer as an alternate, contact your company rep (on our website) or Andy (Andy.Thompson@verizon.net)
Navy and Marine Corps Stadium Fundraising: Class of 1964 Battle Arch: The project has gotten off to a good start -- more than $91,000 of the $250,000 needed in funds and pledges has been received by the Foundation for this project. For those who have not yet sent in support for 2006 and made pledges to the project, please take the time now to pledge. Send Tim Wolf (tim.wolf@usna.com) an email letting him know how much you want to send for 2006 –2008.
President's Circle: The Class of 1964 has the most members of the Alumni Association President’s Circle with 57 members.  The minimum requirement to be a member is a $2500 pledge. I would like to see us stay in front and set a goal for this year of at least 64 members – just 7 more!  For those of you who are members or will be, I would appreciate your giving consideration to designating your President's circle contribution to our Navy and Marine Corps Stadium -- Class of 64 Battle Arch Project. For more information on the President's Circle, go to:  "http://community.usna.com/NC/PC/PC.asp I appreciate your support in this -- thanks.
Leaders to Serve the Nation Campaign Final Report: The final tally of documented private gift commitments is $253.7 M!!! Naval Academy Alumni contributed 67% of the Campaign total.  Congratulations to all who supported this effort. 

Alumni Association Board of Trustees Nominations: Ballots for the Board of Trustees election will be in the March issue of Shipmate.  Votes must be in by 15 April.  I urge you to vote.

Sadly, we report the death of a former classmate, Tom Gallagher.” Thomas H. Gallagher, 64, of Plymouth Meeting, PA, a lawyer and a sports coach and official, died of cancer Friday 13 January at home. Mr. Gallagher maintained a law practice in Philadelphia until becoming ill. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy until sustaining an injury while playing football, and then earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Memphis. He also graduated from Widener University Law School and was a Naval Reserve veteran. In addition to his wife Gail of 34 years, a daughter, Kirstin Colloton; sons Colin and Justin; a sister; and two grandchildren survive Tom. A Funeral Mass was said at St. Philip Neri Church, 437 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill. PA and burial was held at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Cheltenham, PA on 17 January"

Len Wass submitted a post Katrina New Orleans report from Dave Lester: Excerpts are as follows: “We have gotten many e-mails wondering how we are handling the aftermath of Katrina and we really appreciate the concern. Except for a week in Cabo San Lucas with the Dunn’s and a couple from my neighborhood (.. paid for well before the storm)… we have been bustin’ ..to recover income. So far we have increased our income from "zip”, which worried me early in the game, to almost 30% of the pre-Katrina level. Bottom line, we’re gonna be okay – especially considering the condition of many others here and the overall condition of the city and surrounding areas… In the past week, or so, we just got electricity available in the areas around my shopping center…. Dave”

In the category of classmates doing amazing things, this one in continuing education, Bob Bartlett submitted this update he got from 12th Company-mate Jim Miller, who has been doing some business in PR of China since 1984: “This past July I graduated from the College of Intensive Studies of Beijing Language and Cultural Institute with an "Outstanding Student" award in Northern Mandarin. I would add that Mandarin is such a complex language that I have barely scratched the surface. When asked about the experience of living in a Chinese University dorm and going to school there, I say that the room reminded me of 1960 in Room 5461, only colder. It was an extraordinary experience….Jim.” Same category but now onto “ Senior” (maybe Geezer??) Athletics, Bob Jones sent along the following note updating Tim Meyers (no Geezer and always athletic) softball exploits: “Bob, I head to Phoenix on the 28th for three softball tournaments. I am a "rookie" this year with the Over 65s. This will be my first tournament with an Over 65 team. I also play for a nationally ranked Over 60 team (Portland Disposal), and we will start playing in May. Believe it or not, we have been hitting three times a week since January…. I played in an October tournament in St. George, UT. There were 171 Over 60 teams… and 16 Over 80 teams. 20,000 Senior citizens (Over 50) competed in 22 sports. The Opening Ceremonies speaker was a competitor in the 100-yard dash (he was 104 and needless to say he won the Gold Medal). I am also involved in the USS Ranger Museum Foundation as the Executive Director. We are a non-profit organization trying to find a home for the decommed Ranger. Here is our website / _http://www.ussrangercv61.org/_ (http://www.ussrangercv61.org/) . .. Talk to you later, Tim”

In the “where are our 64 classmates now?” category. Denny Pignotti, our immediate past corresponding secretary extraordinaire, sent along the following: “Dottie and I are now well established in our new home in 105 Prairie Ridge Drive, Lexington, IL. We are a mile from our daughter Deann and her husband Jay, and our grandson Dino. Lexington is a small rural town (1800 people) in Central Illinois 15 miles from Bloomington - Normal, IL; 55 miles from Peoria, and 120 miles from Chicago. My info in the class database is up to date…Denny”

Tom Swartz sent a great synopsis of his Christmas card list. A much-edited version with classmate status is as follows: “ Rog Sweeney and Barb seem to be back in Wausau, Wisconsin. Their photo included eight young, good-looking examples of Midwest vitality, which could be either grandkids or a cult they may have started. Bob Milhiser and Carol sent a page with jealousy photos. I became jealous as I saw them in Japan, Bangkok, Sydney and Santoo Island, Australia. They now have three grandsons. Bill Archibald and Carol sent a photo of a seaplane and their family standing on water. Maybe you learn how to do this if you live in Foster City. Bullet Bob Bartlett and Edie have been to Florida, the South Caribbean, the rodeo in Reno, Mount Rushmore, Myrtle Beach and the Eastern Caribbean. Bob still pretends to be a consultant. (I believe it is another name for a travel guide!). David Lipscomb and Judi are keeping Lafayette, California fair and balanced in all things. David is still into fly fishing (why anyone would want to catch flies is beyond my pay grade). Bill Holmes and Pat are now official southerners, having resided the prescribed number of years in Loganville, Georgia. Win Petereson and Marcia mentioned their trip to the 40th Submarine Schools class reunion in New London. Win is working, developing renewable energy (in my case, this means taking lots of naps). They hide out on Mercer Island near Seattle. Fred Crawford and Donna live in Woodbridge, Virginia, while Fred travels to Idaho, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and California on business. Shel Zane and Gwen do not understand the word “vacation” since they live in Hawaii. Shel continues to buy, sell and construct islands and countries. Marty Block and Marcia sent greetings from Houston. They baby sit their three grandchildren, celebrated Marti Gras in Galveston, took a two-week cruise though the Panama Canal and cruise to Bermuda Tom Barnett and Maggie Maguire sent a great picture with their daughter, Megan, and her new wings. She should be flying helos soon. Waddy Garrett and Connie sent many pictures including their daughter, Caroline, son, Parker, and vacations, on their sailboat, in Kenya, in Maine and in Petra, Jordan. They were smiling in every picture. Their son Parker a submariner is scheduled for a May wedding at the Academy Chapel. Conrad Lautenbacher and Susan are pictured in their card with the Lautenbacher clan in inner tubes. Now, why can’t the head of NOAA get a ship or even a riverboat? Rick Mahan and Barb are living the good life in Danville, California. They went scuba diving in January 2005 in Palau. (Did anyone see them in “Survivor Palau?. …Marilyn and I are enjoying retirement, traveling and embarrassing our two naval officer sons, Luke, the submariner and Mark, the prospective pilot. Tom”

So who went where with the ‘64 Flag?? The following was sent by Marty Evans: "In keeping the Great Class of '64 Flag moving, six stalwart skiers brought it not to the top of the world but to the top of the great skiing Mecca of Vail/Beaver Creek. ..We enjoyed a week of near perfect weather ..while guests of the Terwilligers. Pictured are (L to R) Jerry Evans, Hugh Risseeuw, Bruce Terwilliger, Ed Conant, Woodie Vaughn, and Tom Stick.  Jerry's wife Marty was the photographer.  We all thought she was also going to be the chief cook and serving wench for the guys since she was the sole female but that didn't happen.  Other than a few aching knees, the only casualty the entire week was caused when Ed Conant leaned forward unexpectedly when the safety bar was coming down in a timely manner.  The injury would not have been so severe if there had been some padding on Ed's head but alas Ed is follicly challenged. Great time was had by all..

< Insert Digital Photo #1 …..”64 Flag at Vail “>

As, always, remember those in harm’s way and Take Care, Classmates. S/ Jim Shanahan