Look alive with Seventy-Five!

Dear ’mates:  Here we are in mid-summer and the Flower children show no signs of slowing down.  You’ve kept our class gouge locker fully stocked.  So, without further delay, let’s start sharing the news and pics.

Steve Ferguson presented the Class of ’75 Leadership Award to LT Allen Siegrist ’99, Ops Officer of DONALD COOK.  Commodore Larry Tindal (COMDESRON TWO) joined COOK’s wardroom and CPO mess at the ceremony on the bridge.  LT Siegrist forwarded a nice thank you note to Steve Hubbard.

<photo 75#1:  “Class of ’75 Leadership Award presentation on board DONALD COOK”>

Bernard Bailey continues to share his leadership and business expertise with high tech and security industry companies.  At the annual shareholder meeting of Spectrum Control, Inc., Bernard was elected to his first term on the company’s board of directors.

<photo 75#2: “Heely-Shannon Change of Command at Pax River”>

Both Kevin Nietmann and Chris Cikanovich sent reports from Patuxent River NAS on the fine March ceremony in which RDML Bill Shannon relieved RADM Tim Heely as PEO Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons.  The festivities also included Tim’s retirement from active duty.  Bill says getting his picture in Shipmate is a rare occasion.  (He also admits that he never sends us anything.)  Standing in the photo: Class “little sister” Mary Kilcline Novak, Jack McCorkle, Steve Howse, Tim Heely, Bill Shannon, Ken Bobb, Neil Tollesfrud, Kevin Nietmann, Dave Frost, and Grant Begley. Kneeling: Chris Cikanovich, Mike Thumm, and Glenn Canigiani.  It should be noted that the three in front volunteered to kneel because they were confident they could rise without assistance.

Tom Donaldson’s wife Debbie sent a nice note from Arizona:

"We really enjoy the southwest lifestyle...after all those years in humid environments the dry heat is a lovely change! Tom is the Sr. VP of Business Development for Applied Energetics, Inc. in Tucson.  They are doing some cool things with laser guided energy.  Tom does a fair bit of traveling, so tries to connect with family and friends wherever he goes.  He saw Carol and Roy Hawkens awhile back and celebrated Roy's selection to be a Judge.  Roy is the godfather to our daughter, Krista.  Tom had dinner with Angie and Pat Connally a few months ago.  Pat was our best man 31 years ago!  Peggy and Grant Begley recently visited us.  Our firstborns were born minutes apart at Ft. Ord during our PG school days.  They are now sharing another milestone date...Grant, Jr. is getting married on May 10th, and our daughter, Krista, is expecting on that date.  So, the circle of life for 75ers continues!"  [Scribe’s note: Krista’s baby girl, Avery Claire Nixon, was born May 7^th.]

<photo75#3:  “Connallys with Tom”>

<photo 75#4: “Donaldsons and Begleys”>

Jane and Walt Flippin enjoyed the events surrounding the commissioning of USS NORTH CAROLINA (SSN 777) in Wilmington in May.  Kirk Donald (Director, Naval Reactors) and Jay Donnelly (Commander, Submarine Force) were proud participants in all of the ceremonies.  Jane and Walt enjoyed visiting with Kirk and Diane and Jay and Mimi.

<photo 75#5:  “Donald, Flippin, Donnelly”>

We were well-represented at the annual International Chapter Officers Forum (ICOF) in Annapolis.  Sixty-six of the 100 chapters sent representatives.  The Class of '75 had the most with five.  Pictured here from left to right are Fred Weber (Chicago President), Gene Griesau (Capital District NY President), Alex Plechash (Upper Midwest President), Skip Lind (Arizona President) and Dave Maslow (South Carolina Midlands Trustee).  Not pictured but present were Ron Casey who works on the USNAAA staff and Kerwin Miller who showed up later.

<photo 75#6: “USNAAA Chapter Officers Forum”>

Two more from the 25^th Company update:

Mike Groothousen lives in Naples, Italy with his wife, Tricia.  Mike is the last member of our company on active duty and is also our only Admiral.  Mike was CO of USS HARRY S TRUMAN and is currently Commander, Navy Region Europe Commander.  Mike’s son Rob is a USNA grad (Class of ’04); he is a HS-60 pilot.  Mike’s daughter, Megan, lives with her husband in Tallahassee where they are both music teachers.

Kenan Knieriem lives in Honolulu, HI.  Kenan was a blackshoe and retired as a Captain in the Naval Reserve.  Kenan is a First Vice President with Merrill Lynch.  His son, Kenan, is a USNA grad (Class of ’06).  Just like his Dad, he was a member of the soccer team and is now in training to be an EDO.  Kenan’s daughter Katherine is a recent American University graduate. 

In the mood for a humorous novel that will take you back to Bancroft Hall in the 1970s?  Imagine a book about eight 23^rd Company plebes during the week of the Air Force game.  Now imagine it being written by a rugby player and retired Marine.  John Scanlan ’83 brings you Dink-Gadink.  It is a fun read.  Type to you again next month.    ---  ’75 Sir!  Larry

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Last modified: December 22, 2009