By John A. Wilkinson
You have probably already received an appeal from secretary Peter Knudsen (SM) to complete the form with personal coordinates for an up-to-date class directory following our 65th reunion. Please do return it. Many of us at this stage of our lives are downsizing with new addresses and we all need them to maintain contact.
Peter has also decided to include the over 40 vignettes submitted by classmates on their undergraduate years. They make for enjoyable, often hilarious, reading.
In addition to recent presentations, including one with Dan Horowitz (TC), the Tuesday Tea Committee has added a video on our website (yale60.org) featuring David Sellers (TC) describing his concept and creation of the Giamatti Bench on the Old Campus. It is a fascinating account of how artists think and execute their ideas.
And Conrad Cafritz (TC) recommends that we revisit the article by Vincent Scully in our class book from 1960. The Scully piece, “Modern Architecture at Yale” (p. 255), written 65 years ago, heralds good architecture’s celebration of “the vitality of life.”
A son of Matt Riddle (SM) has informed me of his father’s death and, though no obituary has yet been received and posted on our website, I noted in Diabetes Care, a journal edited by Matt, an interview with him where he stated that his English honors major instilled the empathy which influenced his care of patients and indeed his choice of diabetes as a medical specialty. I wonder how many of us can credit our undergraduate major as a significant influence on our careers. Engineers, scientists, architects, obviously. Others? Let me know.
One classmate who certainly has had his life determined by a course and its professor is Bill MacKinnon (DC). Bill’s friendship with Howard Lamar—who taught many of us History 37, The Trans Mississippi West—resulted in a parallel career, beginning with General Motors and as an amateur historian of the American West. Bill has written five books and over 130 articles on the subject, recently winning an award from Westerners International for his article on Billy the Kid.
Obituaries newly added to our class website (yale60.org):
David Brenneman (TC). Dave’s fascination with travel and different cultures began with his teaching of English in Puerto Rico while serving with the US Army, and deepened with his hobby of photography as he traveled extensively. His passion for viticulture blossomed into a career as a wine distributor and expert on food and wines worldwide.
John Carpenter (SM). Carp spent most of his professional life in the foundry industry, running the family company, Carpenter Brothers, and became a national leader in the industry. He was an enthusiastic beekeeper for over 50 years, amateur astronomer, and a hiker of Arizona’s mountains.
Lewis Hamilton (JE). After Yale, Dewey attended Columbia’s College of Physicians and Surgeons and spent much of his professional life as a neurologist with P&S affiliates and with a particular interest in rural health prototypes. Fly fishing, shooting clays, and golf were his pastimes as well as a passionate commitment to conservation.
Robert Resnik (SM). As an obstetrician, Bob spent his career focusing on women’s health and training future physicians. His textbook, Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Principles and Practice, became the standard tome in this subspeciality. He served as president of the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society and received many awards from his colleagues.
Tempus fugit, sumus hic.