1946 - 60th reunion

Short of a conference call to the entire class, let this synopsis serve to update our SVHO (sometimes vigorously healthy octogenarians). We stand in awe of the returnees, who included the following: Molly Albrink, still the scholarly professor enlightening students and the universe as a true pioneer in all things regarding triglycerides and serum fatty acids. Bill Banfield—watch the litigation dramas of raising sheep, researching unknowns and remaining an NIH alumnus. Tim [Aaron] Beck, receiving more monetary awards than Tiger Woods while continuing to reap accolades from colleagues around the planet. To think he hated Psychiatry 101! Sandy [Sanfurd] Bluestein—the # 1-seeded U.S. senior tennis player, who spends more time on the clay courts than on Wall Street. He has been most generous in supporting (anonymously) many Yale projects and scholarships for students and radiology residents. Sandy continues to serve as a board member of the New York City Opera. Tickets anyone? Tom Doe—his kiddie patients are now all grandparents and call him at midnight about their own grandchildren. Ho hum. He and Bert [Lambert] Filerlearned the virtue of “tincture of time” from the Daniel Darrow/Grover Powers dynasty and are now both “coasting.”Bert was recently honored for his ongoing work in St. Raphael’s Pediatric Clinic. Marty Gordon and partner-for-life Evelyn are now living in a North Branford, Conn., retirement community where the swimming pool dip in the a.m. is 88 degrees Fahrenheit, unlike the frigidity of Linsley Lake. The Cushing/Whitney Medical Library continues to be Marty’s home away from home. The Peabody Museum contributed all the avian specimens for his current exhibit, “The Flu and You—Old and New Threats,” posted on the Medical Library website. Jack Neville and Laura White are the most unchanged, youthful couple, even registering early for our reunion. They bask in and on the Cape, where they are active in the community and with their kids.

Jim Kleeman is still seeing patients in between his appointments for renal dialysis. The class graduation plaudits now are continuing for staunch fortitude. Linus Cave lost our Dusty to renal failure and the aberrant cerebral beta protein. Six daughters watch over him in New Jersey now. Eli Wing continues to be a civic leader and fulfills the role of internist to the Rhode Island masses. He also finds time to treat the sugar cane workers in the Caribbean islands.

There are many who wanted to come but were thwarted by unavoidable reasons. Bill and Midori Wedemeyer send their very best. They joined the Gordons during the International Medical Film Awards in Los Angeles. A hilarious mini-class reunion per Bill’s wit and Midori’s docent guidance were typical and valued. Bob Cooper and Linda now live in Florida, enjoying the perks of retirement from the Air Force. Subdural decompressions for injured flight deck pilots were done per Harvey Cushing’s mentoring. The Coopers may move from their usual Delaware homestead. Vinny and Rosina Longo were unable to attend due to illness. Vinny was a Pfizer consultant during the early Viagra era and can describe the patho-physiology of erectile dysfunction in the classic manner for those whose current focus requires his fund of knowledge. Vinny and June Pepe continue to enjoy the benefits of their gynecology dynasty while joined by son—guess who signs out to whom when not in Florida? They send their regrets to the class.

Dick and Mitzi Sisson had to cancel their reunion plans due to sudden illness. Her recovery from surgery has been greatly successful. Dick has recently retired from an outstanding surgical career, teaching students and house officers at Washington University Medical Center and running his own private practice. The Sissons are closely united with their children and hope to visit on the way to Boston. Don Shedd has been the constant caregiver for wife Charlotte; both have just been honored as founders of Hospice Buffalo by a special endowment of half a million dollars in their honor. Kudos to them both!

Hal King and Betty have yearned for this reunion. Retired as cardiovascular surgeon and professor emeritus of the Indiana University Medical Center, Hal’s impact on that institution continues. Tom Coleman, always warm and generous to others, and Babette send their best for “this historic reunion event.” Ruth S. Kempe and her late husband Henry pioneered the profession’s long-needed attention to child abuse. Ruth continues to lecture as associate professor emerita at the University of Colorado. Sixteen grandchildren require her to manage an Excel birthday flow sheet and tons of balloons. Julie Sack’s vision and other impairments precluded his coming to New Haven. Greg Flynn’s fabulous ophthalmology practice has been closed for several years while Peggy and he enjoy the benefits of a retirement community. We’re too late to ask for cataract treatment with professional courtesy. Greg’s recent illness precluded the long-awaited trip to New Haven. Elaine Yudkin managed to join us, since the class has always been so treasured by Jerry during his long neurological illness. She freely discussed her coping with the family Huntington’s gene, helped by Dean Alpern’s characteristic attentive empathy. Mary Wagner and Norma Whelan, along with our other endearing class widows, have each expressed their warmest wishes to all. Mary Judd called from Hawaii, “thinking of us fondly on this day.” Susan Owens emphasized how important the Class of ’46 has always been to Bob’s life. The extended ’46M camaraderie continues, and all await our next reunion in 2011!

Marty Gordon, SVHO