Fall 03 Class News: 1963

 

As I write this piece the Falcons have 5 wins and no losses with Navy up this weekend.  This issue of Checkpoints will show up on your doorstep after the reunion probably close to Thanksgiving.  I will refrain from talking about said reunion other than I am looking forward to being with all of you again, catching up on what’s going on in your lives and maybe writing about the happenings for the next issue of the magazine.

 

Showdown at TPC Tampa

 

 

The following was received from “The Venk,” just after the deadline for the summer issue.  “In late June, former roommates Ken Habedank and Bob Venkus finally competed head-to-head in a rugged golf match on a neutral course north of Tampa.  Often scheduled but just as often postponed due to weather, injuries, etc., the match play event drew little attention in the golfing world (delayed broadcast on ESPN-3?) despite its importance to the two combatants.  Facing a diabolical course design, hazards populated by gators and snakes, and brutal Florida temperatures and humidity, Danker and The Venk finished with identical (but respectable!) scores in the low 3-figure range.  But, due to superior betting skills and his willingness to challenge the General's addition on key holes, Bob received substantial winnings in ceremonies at the 19th hole.  Ken hopes to recoup his losses at some future, TBD sporting event - perhaps a drag race pitting his Harley against Venk's Corvette.  Both are sure to be expounding on their competing versions of the face-off in Tampa at the November reunion.”

 

Allen_Nogaki_Bornzin.jpeg

Nogo, Spence and Grant

 

Grant Bornzin sent the photo printed here.  The event is the Orange County AOG Annual Picnic in Irvine, CA. From left to right are Warren Nogaki (Nogo), Spence Allen, and Grant.

 

If you haven’t been to the Class Web Site you should make an effort during your next “browsing” exercise.  Gil Merkle says we have plenty of storage space on the web site.  It would be a good place to hold interesting stories from classmates.  The ‘guest book’ provides a convenient place for short notes; but, the site could also hold interest stories from classmates who would like to be a bit more verbose.  Class Web Site:  http://www.usafa63.org/.  Here’s a thought:  send your electronic copies of reunion photographs to Gil.  A photo gallery of sorts would be an excellent addition.

 

Class Trivia from Tom Fryer:  Who are the only two members of the Class of 1963 to call Kansas home?  One, of the two Kansans visited Tom’s office the other day in Manhattan.  The Reverend Jerry Adinolfi is the Rector of St Paul's Episcopal Church in Coffeeville, KS.  Tom reports Jerry looks great and they had a good time talking about old times.  Unfortunately, Jerry reports he will not be able to join us for our 40th—he has a function involving the Bishop at the same time.  By the way, you can contact Jerry at the following e-mail address:  radinolfi2@cox.net.  Now . . . who might the other Kansan be?

 

Linda and I heard from Jack & Jo Ann McTasney and Chief & Barb Nacrelli this past month on the occasion of our 40th Wedding Anniversary.  Jack reminded me that it just seemed like yesterday when in 1962 he, along with Bob Rex, met my new best gal, Linda, on the train heading home to Chicago from the Academy after June Week.  Linda had come to the Academy for our Ring Dance.  I on the other hand was headed the other direction and 3rd Lt.  Jack reported just finishing a 30-mile solo-backpacking trip in two and a half days through the Desolation Wilderness west of Lake Tahoe.  Mosquitoes ate me up, he said, or he would have taken the four days and three nights for the hike as he had originally planned.  Weather was terrific and scenery was awesome.  John Nehring and Jack were supposed to hike the Ruby Crest Trail in Nevada but John dropped a washing machine on his big toe putting that plan to rest for the time being.

 

Chief and Barb Nacrelli writing us from St. Louis added that their son, daughter-in-law, and their only grand child, Jimmy age 5, live nearby us in Portland, Oregon.  Chief says he and Barb have a conflict with attending the reunion but they are trying to work it out so they can get there.

 

I was visiting Boeing Flight Test recently to give a class on changes in the European regulatory environment and was able to speak briefly with Charles Gebhardt.  Turns out he will stop flying for Boeing in May.  We started talking about retirement locations and I was telling him about the benefits of Tucson.  Charles said they have a place in Green Valley, Arizona just south of Tucson.  Still a small world isn’t it?

 

Larry Hoffman sent me a letter about the wedding of his son Matt and bride Cheri last spring.  The photo shows all.  Larry is presiding over the wedding and is unable to keep a straight face.  Larry reminded me that Florida law allows Notary Publics to perform weddings and he has used this authority more than this one time.  If you recall, Larry also performed the ceremonies for Hank Kramer and his bride Celeste.

 

<<Place Photo Here>>

(hard copy picture enroute with article)

 

News Flash!  Retired Air Force General will seek GOP nod for Senate.  That is what the headline read in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch dated, Saturday, September 6th.  The retired general mentioned in the article is none other than our John Borling.  John said he is seeking the Republican nomination for the Senate seat being vacated next year by Illinois Republican Senator Peter Fitzgerald.  That said, the article reported that John was the seventh Republican to announce his candidacy and at least two more say they might run.  Even more Democrats have announced or say they plan to run.  I think you will agree that John is a natural for the Senate.  Besides being smart, handsome, an all round great guy with a terrific family, he grew up in Chicago and now lives in Rockford where he heads an energy service company, Performance Consulting Group.  John previously headed the Chicago’s United Way campaign which raised $95 million said the paper.  Why the Post-Dispatch you ask?  John flew around the State of Illinois to announce his candidacy and stopped at the St. Louis Downtown Airport at Cahokia.  Go John!  Send me a ballot, I’ll vote for you.  Maybe we can get some of our Cook County friends to vote the Mayor Daly way?  You know, vote early and vote often!

 

That’s it for this time.  The next Class News should have a lot more news and some extra pictures.  Until then, take care and Beat Navy!