From his all-season bungalow in Fort Lauderdale, Owen Cylke makes reference to an interesting article in the Washington Post concerning Cambridge research. In 1938, the year when many of us were born, Harvard began to study the longevity and happiness of their sophomore class. They’re still doing it, even with some of the original subjects, and with updates every two years. This stretching research is now under the leadership of Professor Robert Waldinger at the Harvard Medical School. He is available by way of a Ted Talk, which has been viewed almost 14 million times. The longterm study amazingly has concluded that it’s not wealth nor fame that determines a good life, but rather special, close relationships and love. Close relationship means spouse and family but also dear, long-lasting friends. The article makes reference to the Beatles, with their sweet song “All You Need is Love.” (Hi, Nancy, and thank Owen for spotting this article.)
Although the backdrop is World War II, Lew Lehrman’s Churchill, Roosevelt & Company has a subtitle of “Studies in Character and Statecraft.” The prime subject is how Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, and their closest advisers acted out their historic roles on the foggy stage of war.
There has been recent interest in the iconic Bart Giamatti sculptured bench on the Old Campus between Wright Hall and the High Street gate. Some members of our class have encouraged the alumni magazine to publish a full article in the near future, which seems likely. Led by Peter Knudsen, there will also be brochures on the Bart Giamatti Bench to distribute during walking tours of the full campus.
The executive committee of the class met at Mory’s in April. Those in attendance were Bob Ackerman, Dave Carls, Rob Hanke, Peter Knudson, Steve Lasewicz, Harry Mazadoorian, Arvin Murch, Al Puryear, Jim Taylor, Peter Welles, and John Wilkinson. Oh yes, also moi. Welles adroitly chaired the meeting, as he always does. Two venues were discussed for off-campus reunions. There was some consideration of Chicago, which will be reconciled before these notes are published. There was also an interest in Cambridge, not on the banks of the Charles River, but the one north of Big Ben. Jim Taylor, who spent two years at that university, is a strong supporter of that splendid visitation. Bob Ackerman, our astute class treasurer, reports that our treasure is $31,300. We are fortunate that Bob is invested and affiliated with the Yale endowment under David Swensen. Currently we’re earning 5.345 percent on our substantial balance. The remarkable Swensen shop has yielded an average of 12.6 percent over the last 20 years.
The baseball Bulldogs won the Ivy Conference Championship during this late spring. There were five from Texas on that team. Perhaps the two US Presidents who live in Texas are good luck for our team. George H. W. Bush was the captain of the Yale baseball team in his graduating year of 1948. George W. Bush ’68 was at one time the general partner of the major league team Texas Rangers. Of course we have one Bush family classmate, Bucky Bush, who is the brother of one president and the uncle of the other. Not too far from Texas, Bucky landed in St. Louis and became the well-known president of the Boatmen’s National Bank in 1978, the oldest bank west of the Mississippi River. As you would expect, Bucky was and is a strong Cardinals supporter. For many years, Bucky was a friend and neighbor of Stan Musial, thought by most to be the greatest player to have competed in the National League.
Do not be the only classmate who has not visited Yale60.org. Stayoung.