Contact Information: Change existing to the information provide here
Norman I. (Skip) Lee
63119 East Cat Claw Lane
Tucson, AZ 85739
Tel: Home: (520)825-7980
E-Mail: Primary
54wrs@msn.com
Alt:
lindaandskip@robsoncom.net
Can you believe it’s been a year since we were all together at the 40th Reunion? I was reminded of the rapid passage of time when Bob Hayes wrote to announce the annual ’63 mini-reunion planned for November 13th. The date is unusual but unavoidable because the Navy game was moved up to a Thursday night (TV). At the November gathering there will be the traditional tail gate prior to the game (San Diego State) the cup turning ceremony at the AOG after the game plus a catered meal with more visiting, etc. Obviously you won’t receive this information until after the event happens but hopefully I will get a report on the doings and maybe a photograph or two.
There appears to be an obvious “do better” here for your scribe—to better anticipate the annual mini-reunion like checking in with the Colorado contingent on their plans before sending in the Summer Checkpoints Of course this action plan presumes some planning will have to be in place by June. Plan B: put the first home football weekend in October on our calendars and plan on being there. Given the increased flexibility in my life that is to be my plan!
When I got my copy the Summer 2004 Checkpoints I was very surprised and saddened to read of the passing of another of our classmates Bert Reinstein.
In checking the Guest Book on our Class Web Site I found the following note from Lisa Bryant Adams, Bill Bryant’s daughter: “I just wanted to thank you for saying something about my Dad, (Lt.Col. William F Bryant Jr, retired) He had a wonderful career and I couldn't be more proud. He served his whole life dedicated to protecting his family and his Country and he will never be forgotten. His untimely death was so unexpected, especially since I thought of him as invincible. Again thank you for remembering him on your site. God Bless... nooneyon@aol.com.”
Speaking of “do betters” the AOG seems to be making progress on their vow to improve communications with the membership. I was happy to see plans for an improved AOG Web Site as well as a decision to have board members attend meetings at AOG chapters this year. The Board also made a major step toward improving the election process for Board members. Many of us think a number of our classmates are extremely well qualified to serve as Board members. Some have indicated a desire to do so and we should encourage them to submit their names or after checking with the potential candidate go ahead and nominate them ourselves. If you are interested in serving on the Board Tom Fryer says a “package” needs to be prepared and submitted to the AOG. You may also be interested in serving on the Nominating Committee. To serve on the Board or to nominate a classmate for the Board, please visit the AOG website (www.aog-usafa.org) for additional information. Jim Diffendorfer put a little blurb on the Class Web Site (see the Guest Book) saying if you want more information you can contact him at jimdiff@foxinternet.com or at james.h.diffendorfer@boeing.com.
Tom Fryer wrote that after 21 years in the USAF and 21 years as a banker/broker he will retire from his job and he declared Friday, July 29, 2005 will be his retirement date. Tom and Angie do not plan on moving. They moved to Manhattan, KS in 1981 and it looks like they may never leave.
If you remember we reported wedding bells for John Bellotte and Ingeborg (Susi) Molitoris. Well, thanks again to Dick Slowik, I got a picture of the happy couple.
The happy couple
Last month a few of our classmates, Jerry Westerbeck, Dick Guild, and Doug Hardgrave attended a political rally in the Nation’s Capitol. Jerry sent along a few photos taken during the rally and one of the photographs just begged to be published. With the rare exception, politics is one thing I really try to avoid in this column—doing so is a sure way to lose friends and negatively influence people. By the time you see this, however, the election will be over (or will it?) so I guess it is ok to pass it on.
Political rallies are physically taxing
In July I got a note and photograph from Ken Broman. Ken retired in mid May from the construction business. His final project, the new US Courthouse in Seattle, will open this fall. Based on what he has been doing since May there hasn’t been much time for grass to grow under his feet. The retirement date was set for the day before leaving for two weeks in China. He then rode his bicycle on the Grand Excursion trip from Rock Island, Illinois to St. Paul, Minnesota—a 400-mile ride along the Mississippi River. The end of the trip in St. Paul also happened to be Ken’s 63rd birthday. If a 400-mile ride in the mid-west wasn’t enough Ken then rode the STP (Seattle to Portland) again. He says he wore his USAFA jersey the first day and part way through the ride a fellow biker came up along side and asked what year he graduated. According to Ken; “When I said 1963 he could not believe it. It was John Gavin, another Golden Boy who lives in Yakima and was doing the ride also. We rode along and talked of the Academy. Small world.” Ken seems to be really enjoying himself but I’m worn out hearing about all the activity. Ken sent along a picture but due to AOG limitations we are restricted to three photos per issue so I’ll save it for the next time. You can reach him at kekfbroman@earthlink.net
Ken is not the only actively retired member of the class. John Nehring reported on the second annual McTasney-Nehring outdoor adventure that took place in Colorado over the July 4th weekend. John and Jack backpacked 16 miles from the trailhead north of Crested Butte to the trailhead south of Aspen. John said that his and Jack’s 1991 vintage vehicles, seen in the picture, boast a total of a half million miles. After completing the trip, John said his legs felt like they had at least as much mileage on them as the two cars.
"Old bodies, old cars - both still rolling along!"
Special note: Art Kerr ’61 sent me a short note about a scholarship that was established as a memorial to our classmate, Tom Fiedler. The information was forwarded to Art by the fellow who organizes their EC-121 Connie reunions and who also wrote a couple of books about that old operation. The scholarship was established at Assumption High School of Davenport, Iowa in 2000 and is funded by Tom’s family. It awards a $500 scholarship each year to a student based on financial need.
That’s it for this time. Please note the updated contact information—Linda and I are now happy residents of Arizona—the Golf Cart is on order! Take care.