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Class News: 1963 December, 2009
Contact Information: Norman I. (Skip) Lee 63119 E Cat Claw Ln Tucson, AZ 85739-2058 Home: (520) 825-7980 Cell: (520) 241-3498 E-Mail: 54wrs@msn.com
In July the AOG learned of the death of Michael Bradshaw, CS-13, who passed away on June 30th. A Memorial Service was held July 6th at St James Episcopal Church in Jackson, MS. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Shirlee Bradshaw care of the AOG. Another successful mini-reunion! The weather was incredible, a record number of classmates were present and the Class of 1963 football team members were in town for the 1963 Football Team Plaque dedication. The day started at the traditional tail gate with more than enough marvelous food and drink thanks to the locals. At 1130 everything was packed up as we headed for the stadium for the pre-game ceremonies. Golf carts were available for those who needed/wanted help to get over to the game. Air Force prevailed over the Cowboys of Wyoming 10 to 0. After the game we assembled at Arnold Hall for the cup turning ceremony. The cups, the new brandy cabinet and the restored Chromolithograph Gyrfalcon were in their new location on the mezzanine overlooking the ball room. Bill Ball led us thru the cup turning recognizing the passing of classmates Mel Borland, Mike Bradshaw, Joe Cabuk, Bob Heavner, Rob Mahoney, and Jack Pierson. The ceremony was followed by a delightful buffet dinner in the adjacent north banquet room. During the dinner Jack Ott showed a fabulous video he created honoring our six classmates. Our sincere thanks go out to all who worked hard getting the new cup display in place and setting up the entire event. And, of course, special thanks go to Bob and Charlie Ann Hayes for pulling such good fun together. It was the best mini-reunion yet. If you ever contemplate coming to one of these annual gatherings please put it on you calendar for next year when the Falcons will be hosting Navy—probably the first weekend in October.
Cut Line: Most of the tailgate attendees left to right: FR: Jimmie Butler, Stinky Steinbrink, Art Johnson, Gordon Bredvik, Rod Johnson, DeVere Henderson, Bob Hayes, Gary Bender. BR: Drew DeBerry, Fran Porch, Dick Shutack, John Gavin, Dave Nuss, Wayne LeFors, John Borling, Jim Gaston, Denny King, Butch Verdier, Bill Ball, Dick Brown, Skip Lee, Lou Matjasko, Jack Martines
The photo is not inclusive because some came late after the photograph was taken or they were unable to attend the tailgate but were present at the A-Hall proceedings. Based on my memory those classmates not in the photo were Jerry Ahmann, Bryan Cary, Pat Chapman, John Fox, Charles Gebhardt, John Greenfield, Johnnie Hall, Jim Hauser, John Helinski, Dean Hess, Jim Lang, Bob Mazet, Chief Nacrelli, Jack Ott, Wilson Parma, Ed Reisdorf, Bill Simpson, Skinner Simpson, Jerry Thies, Bill Wecker and Jim Winzell. According to Bob, when you add those who attended the tailgate, the ceremony and/or the dinner plus the spouses, family and friends, over 90 folks attended the mini-reunion. To change the subject a bit, I was amazed to receive an e-mail from Joe Coates relating his and Linda’s adventures from a month in Iran. They toured 5,000 km with an English speaking private driver/guide who took them to such cities as Tehran, Hamandan, Yazd, Shiraz, Tabriz, Isfahan, and then flew to the holy city of Mashad. Beginning their tour in Tehran, it was quite a shock to see the SAVAK museum of torture used by the late Shah. Joe says they were always treated with respect and much inquisitiveness. Iranians who heard them speaking English would stop them and ask for their photos. They received many invitations for dinners in people's homes. Their most meaningful interaction with people was in the village of Kaleybar near the border of Azerbaijan, where they met a poet in the country that loves its poets such as Omar Khayyam, Sa'di, Hafez, and the beloved Ferdowsi, author of The Epic of the Kings (Shahnameh). Their favorite historical site was Persopolis, the ancient city of Cyrus the Great and the last hurrah for Shah Pavlavi before the revolution. The Coates were in Iran immediately before the elections and met may Iranians hoping for change from the strict Islamic government.
Cut Line: Joe and Linda at the Iman Mosque in Isfahan
The following photograph from Ron McCollum shows Ron, Mark Anway, John Hockemeier, and Hollie Thomas on a week long Barge/Bike trip with their wives to the Netherlands during August of 2009. A great time was had biking and especially reconnecting after 50 years.
Cut Line: Ron, Mark, John and Hollie
Fred Lindahl, an infrequent contributor to the Class News, says he has caught a glimpse of the error in his ways and sent a short report on the Air Force Academy Military History Symposium held in September. Its theme was 50 years of the Air Force Academy. Chuck Bush was on a panel that discussed the history and progress of diversity at the Academy. The session moderator was BGen Mal Wakin. If you remember, Lt. Wakin taught philosophy when we were First Classmen and at that time he was the only person in the Air Force with a PhD in philosophy. While there Fred met Jack McTasney and Drue Deberry as well as Chuck. The proceedings of the symposium will be published, and Fred thinks the articles will be of interest to everyone in the class. Jerry Driscoll reported his Daughter-in-law gave him 2 tickets to the first game at the new TCF (formerly Twin City Federal) Bank Stadium on the grounds of the University of Minnesota. The tickets were for the Minnesota Air Force game. Jerry invited 11th Squadron mate Mike Foley to join him and Mike agreed. Mike lives in the Seattle area but has family in the Minneapolis area. Jerry said the seats and the weather were great but unfortunately Air Force lost the game which according to Jerry they could have won. Other news: Jerry’s separation date from NetJets occurred on the same day of the game and he is now retired from the Air Force, from American Airlines, and from NetJets. Throw in Social Security and Jerry is dipping from many pots. Gil Merkle sent a nice piece about our classmate Gerald Sherrill whose final Air Force assignment before he passed away in 1989 was Professor of Aerospace Science at Purdue (1984-1988). Turns out the Cadets of ROTC Detachment 220 dedicated their Cadet Lounge to Gerald’s service in the Air Force and as the Commander of Det. 220. That’s it for this time. We had a marvelous time at the mini-reunion and I am convinced there are a lot of stories and recollections about our cadet days and subsequent careers both military and civilian that need to be recorded. You will hear more about that soon as the Class Gift Committee moves forward in the development of the 1963 Class Gift to the Academy. To all who sent photographs and stories over the past few months; thanks and my sincerest appreciation: wish there was room for all of it in this article. They will be included next time. Linda and I want to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season and a very prosperous new year. Take care.
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