Class News:  1963     Fall 2008

We recently learned from the AOG that our classmate Gregory W. Halley, CS 07 passed away on 10 July 2008.  Greg died as a result of Stage IV melanoma that was diagnosed about 18 months ago.  A Memorial Service was held 13 July at the New Bridge Grange in Oregon.  Condolences may be sent to his family in care of his wife, June:  Mrs. June Halley, 42886 Old Foothill Road, Richland OR 97870-6658.

John Heimburger wrote to say he had driven up to New Bridge to attend the memorial service and couldn’t say enough about Greg’s family; wife June and three sons Dirk, Bret and Mark.  All three sons served in the Army or Navy and were presented flags by the VFW.  He also said that area in the corner of Idaho-Oregon-Washington is sure pretty country.

John included an update of his son, Kais, who is a First Classman this year which I can’t believe—it seems like Kais was just a Doolie a little while ago.  Kais will be a Group Commander this summer.  Time is really flying.  He also attached a photo of wife Chris, Kais, and Cheyenne (daughter who attended Ring Dance with one of Kais’ classmates).  Some really good looking folks there.

Spoke with Neil Sorensen a few days ago who is working on the “Gone but Not Forgotten” input for Greg.  We also talked a little about Neil’s woodworking efforts on Whidbey Island, WA and fishing in Idaho.  Neil sent a brochure about a wood show called “Woodpalooza.”  It is the 5^th annual Show of the Whidbey Island Woodworkers Guild being held August 30^th through September 7^th and he is displaying some of his woodworking pieces at the show.

Mick Roth forwarded a picture taken in early in May, when he and Jerry Thies hosted a reunion of their Pilot Training Class, 65-B, from Williams AFB.  Mick said that many of our '63 classmates plus a number of Germans who were at Willy with them were there and the picture below confirms that.

Kneeling L to R: Jim Allburn, Ken Kopke, Hank Hoffman, Gordie Bredvik, Joe Coates, Jerry Thies, Fred Bauer Standing L to R: Hans Muermans, Ron Mc Collum, Jim Diffendorfer, Tim Gallagher, Steve Dotson, Lucky Ekman, Mick Roth, Bob Mc Beth, Chuck Ogren, Bob Venkus, Mike Goold, Willi Goebel, Bodo Meyer, Bob Parlette, Jack Zygner, Fred Lindahl

When this issue of Checkpoints arrives in the mail box you will most likely be getting ready to travel to Colorado Springs or may already be there.  So there isn’t much to be gained by writing about Reunion plans and events.  Still it seems important to mention two of the items that have been cussed and discussed over the past few months: the Class Gift, the Class Cups and what we may want to do about the 50^th in 2013

I know some guys are not coming to Colorado this time but many of us have definite plans to be at the 50^th so we should really begin now to make that event even more special.

Much of the Class Gift discussion seems to be focusing in on the possibility of our class supporting an oral history program headed by the USAFA Department of History (DFH).  The program was briefed to the Dean by DFH and according to Drue DeBerry the Dean was very enthusiastic about the project.  The vision is to establish a financially independent USAFA Center for Oral History requiring a rather large endowment as well as annual operating funds.  It has been suggested that we the Class of 1963 form a class gift committee to lead the fundraising effort for this or some other project in connection with our 50th reunion.  Anyway the Class Gift, the Class Cups and the 50^th Reunion will be a part of the Class Business Meeting on Friday afternoon during the Reunion.

Ken and Kay Broman sent their annual Christmas Letter and photo last December which included a description of their trip to India and, do to space requirements, it was not possible for me to include the information about them in the winter or spring editions of this column.  That being said, the write up on their trip last November was so remarkable the letter was put in my “looking for an opportunity” folder to be sure I could share it with you at some point in time.  Alas, Ken and Kay tell their story:  “. . . the highlight of the year was our trip to India in November. We have been talking about going for three years and it finally came about. The flights were long and we were delayed in London arriving in New Delhi 9 hours late. But from then on, things went well.  New Delhi is huge and attracts the richest and the poorest. Some of the beggars can break your heart.  We traveled by bus to five different areas.  The roads can be quite primitive and the traffic varies from large trucks, buses and tractors to cows, camel carts and bicycles.  We saw the Taj Mahal in the late afternoon sunlight and it is beautiful.  We rode elephants up to the Amber Fort in Jodhpur.  We spent two nights at a castle-like setting just outside Ranthambore Wildlife Park and on three jeep safaris into the park saw tiger, deer, antelope, bear and crocodile.  The Indian people are friendly and the women dress in brightly colored saris; many men in bright turbans.  The children have learned to ask for shampoo that tourists take from their hotel rooms.  We explored fabulous palaces and forts high on hills.  We strolled in an island park in the middle of a lake.  We timed our trip to take in the annual Pushkar Camel Fair.  A small town of 20, 000 people hosts 200,000 for two weeks.  Over 25,000 camels, cattle and horses arrive for selling and trading.  We slept in tents with carpeted floors and flush toilets.  But the running water was cold and we were allowed two buckets of hot water a day.  We rode a camel cart out into the midst of all the people and animals and watched the sun set through the haze of dung-fueled campfires.  Our two weeks passed quickly and we endured the long flight home.  We were happy to taste American cuisine again.”  Thanks guys it was obviously a great trip.

Cut Line:  Kay and Ken at the Taj Mahal

Earlier this month I exchanged notes with Denny King asking for any inputs he may have for the Class News.  He did say he can’t do the AOG Class Advisory Senate job any longer and there may be some guys in the class who would love it and I wish one would volunteer.  So, if you are interested send Diff a note or an e-mail and maybe apply for the job.  Before you do; however, go the AOG Web Site and under “About the AOG” click on the Class Advisory Senate button and take a look around.

That’s it for this time.  Be careful out there and we sincerely hope to see you at the Reunion in October.