Pres: LCDR Dennis Sullivan, USN (Ret.)
Sec’y: CAPT Thomas G. Kiefaber, USN (Ret.)
11814 Triple Crown Road, Reston, VA 20191

   Ned Floyd organized and orchestrated a masterful reunion agenda and filed this report: "The Class of 1955 held a Mid Term Reunion (MTR) in San Diego from Wednesday, 30 April, to Sunday, 4 May. The Shelter Pointe Hotel and Marina was the reunion hotel. Wednesday evening featured dinner at the ADM Baker Clubhouse. On Thursday, the Class enjoyed a picnic at Ballast Point and an evening cocktail party there at the Oceanview Terrace. On Friday, the Class visited the Wild Animal Park followed by lunch at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. That evening, '55 enjoyed a dinner cruise on San Diego Bay. Saturday, the Class visited DECATUR (DDG-73) and had lunch aboard. That evening, '55 held its reunion banquet at the Shelter Pointe Hotel and Marina. Some also participated in golf and tennis. Bill Lavallee had the low score on the links while Pat Greene more than held her own against the guys on the courts. A lot of old acquaintances were renewed. Those attending the reunion included: Donna and Bill Ball, Vern Carlson and his fiancé, Nubia, Norm Channell with Elizabeth Ward, Marilyn and Dave Dunn, Lynne and Ned Floyd, Pat and Guy Grafius, Pat and Bill Greene, Lu Gregg, Phyliss and Paul Grozen, Winnie and Ralph Grutsch, John Haynes, Mary Ann and George Johnson, Lavon and Dick Jones, Tom Kiefaber, Al Kozischek with Mary Ann Anderson, Betty and Bill Lavallee, George H. Martin, Celina and Ed McHale, Ray Medeiros with Barbara Obinger, Penny and John Nyquist, Eileen and Carl Oates, Peggy and Wally Olsen, Carol Schrader, Trish and Don Shelton, Tom Shine with Pat Curley, Katie and Paul Slack, Margot and Gary Snyder, Marge and Tom Stallman, Mary Lou and George Stott, Denny Sullivan, Madeline and Bud Summers, Jack Tallman, Cheryl and Jeff Thurston, Fred Tolleson, Juanita and Seaborn Wade, Peggy and Hugh Webster, Karen and Bob Weir, and Peggy and Otto Zipf.

   Bob Fountain masterminded a very eventful afternoon for the annual joint Mid-Atlantic get-together in the Northern Neck of Virginia on 23 April. A scrumptious luncheon was served up at the historic Mount Holly Steamboat Inn in Montross. At the turn of the century, the Steamboat Inn was a regular port of call for steamboats plying the Potomac River between Washington and Baltimore. A highlight of the luncheon was Bill Young, a living history interpreter, who did "I Have Not Yet Begun To Fight," a first person impression of Captain John Paul Jones performed in the costume of the Continental Navy. Following lunch, Classmates were invited to Betsey and Bob Fountain's nearby country estate/farm for refreshments and relaxation. Attending this function were: Marge and Don Alderson, Don Conner, Pat and Bob Englert, Gwen Farino, Spud Flowers, Pat and Bobby Freeman, Betty and Tony Hastoglis, Ray Hine, Ann and Jerry Holland, Hartley Holte, Nancy and Don Kellerman, Sabra and Bill Kennington, Tom Kiefaber, Tom McIsaac with Joan Connerly, Bob Miller, Sharon and Kirk Rowe, Jackie and Mort Rubenstein, Dolly Streit, Denny Sullivan, Pat and Paul Sutherland, Karen and Pat Taylor, Fred Tolleson, Cal Weaver, and Peggy and Otto Zipf.

TAPS

   Arthur B. Allen (15) passed away on 10 January in Houston, TX. Arthur Allen was a dedicated pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, TX. He is survived by his loving wife, Maureen Allen; daughters, Lisa and Jennifer Allen; and sister, Barbara Blunk Maureen Allen who can be contacted at: 20118 Atascocita Shores Dr., Humble, TX 77346; 713-772-3185. In remembrance of Art, Bruce Newell wrote:

   I first remember Art singing a solo, "The Palms," on Palm Sunday in Chapel sometime during our time at USNA. I thought somewhat in awe how God had blessed him with such a voice. Then I served with him in STEINAKER on First Class Cruise. No Midshipman on that cruise tried harder to contribute to the mission of the ship. I was the Midshipman "XO" on that cruise. We had to "evaluate" each other, and while he was not a star in the "grease" department, I still recall the words I wrote about Art Allen, "No Midshipman on this cruise set a better example of the moral character expected of an officer in the Navy." I am not at all surprised to learn that he was called to be "—a dedicated pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church—." Rest in peace good and faithful Classmate.

   Ed Kane (NG) died on 10 May of complications from lung cancer in Baltimore. Ed was Baltimore's water taxi pioneer and renowned curmudgeon of the Inner Harbor. In addition to his wife Cameron, he is survived by three children, Barbara Daily of Hunt Valley, Mary Ann Breschi of Phoenix in Baltimore County, and Terrence Kane of Baltimore. Cameron Kane can be contacted at: 1611 Shakespeare St., Baltimore, MD 21231; 410-563-9316. In remembrance of Ed, Bill Smith wrote:

   Ed Kane, Al Winters, and I were Plebe Summer roommates. That began a long and happy friendship with a real Navy man, Ed Kane. Ed had been a weatherman in the Navy and "knew everything" about the Navy that was worth knowing. He introduced us to the Navy in a way the Boat School never could and rounded out the education of the lesser of the species. He was great fun and introduced those of us lucky enough to join him, to the wonders of Baltimore, whenever we could get to his hometown. Ed finally failed math in his Youngster Year and left the Academy to return home and marry his childhood sweetheart, Mary Jane. He never let a day pass that he would not be sorry for his premature departure from his Navy. I saw him infrequently during the years and enjoyed a meal and a chance to swap stories, of which he still had many. The last time I saw Ed was about three years ago when I had lunch with him and his new wife, Cameron, a lovely lady who complemented his enthusiasm for life with a sense of humor all her own. He liked to recall that the reason he started his boat business was to keep his family together and at one time all the children worked at some capacity in the business with him. He was living with Cameron, in a charming place near the inner harbor. His enthusiasm for his Navy remained great and he gave much time and effort to the visiting ship program. His next project was to write a definitive history of the Atlantic raiders who were the fore runners of the Navy, and who operated out of the port of Baltimore, near his current quarters. He even had just gained access to some family letters within the city to help him with the project. That was just another way for him to express the wonder and the love he felt for his Navy. It looks like that story will have to wait another day. He was a warm and wonderful shipmate. Sailor rest your oars!

   Daniel E. Peckham (2) passed away on 22 May of a sudden heart attack in Olney, MD. He is survived by his wife, Dori Daniels Peckham, and daughters, Donna Watson and Amy Rubino; and son, Michael Peckham. Classmates Denny Sullivan, Tom Kiefaber, John Snyder, Don Sturtz, Al Dawson, and George W. Martin, attended a memorial service for Dan at the Oakdale Emory United Methodist Church in Olney on 29 May. Dan's widow, Dori, can be reached at 15317 Basswood Ct., Rockville, MD 20853; 301-929-1091.

   Betty Cann, the loving wife of Tom Cann, died suddenly in mid-April of a stroke. She was remembered at a service/inurnment held in the USNA Chapel and Columbarium on 7 May. Attending from our Class were: Peggy and Otto Zipf, Joan and Ken Tracy, Martha and Tony Bracken, Roz and Mal MacKinnon, Sabra and Bill Kennington, Dick Peterson, Pat and Joe Dunn, Joannie and Dick Morgan, Buddy Parker, Fred Tolleson, Nancy and Don Kellerman, Jean and Darrell Westbrook, Tom Kiefaber, MG Buchanan, and Carol Turner.

   A great time was had by all, on 14 May, celebrating with our "50 years after" compatriots, the Class of 2005. Our Class was invited to their luau at the Academy, celebrating the end of their second year. The luau featured "Famous Dave's Bar-B-Q," and we provided two ice cream wagons with 1955 banners (professionally arranged by Ray Hine). '55ers participating in the festivities were: Denny Sullivan, Ray Hine, Jack Baldwin, Ted Parker, Hartley Holte, Tom Cann, Fred Tolleson, Don Kellerman, Steve Lowe, Tom Kiefaber, and Herb Gamache. T-shirts, appropriate for the occasion—on the front "Youngster Luau C/O 2005" and on the back "Halfway There…"—were handed out. It was a magnificent opportunity to give something back by bonding with and supporting the Class of 2005. It is very stimulating to talk to these fine, young men and women. Our nation's defense is in good hands! We'll join them again on 18 August at a formal dinner when they reaffirm their commitment to the naval service. "Old sailors never die, they just keep making pests of themselves."

   Ted Parker put together an exciting Class luncheon in Annapolis on 4 June. The purpose of the luncheon's location was to allow Classmates the opportunity to hear about our Class 50th Anniversary Projects, and also to visit the Crypt of John Paul Jones and the Naval Academy Museum. We enjoyed a buffet luncheon at the USNA O'Club and listened to Scott Harmon '64, museum director, and CAPT Kevin Sinnett '79, NAAA, discuss Crypt/Museum and Stadium renovations, respectively. A tour of the Crypt and Museum followed. Attending were: Dick Peterson, Anne and Ted Parker, Ray Ways, Tom Kiefaber, Marge and Tom Stallman, Jack Baldwin, Denny Sullivan, Shirley and John Camp, Wes Saunders, Margot and Gary Snyder, Tom Cann, Tom McIsaac, Ray Hine, and MG Buchanan.

   Heard from Bill Anders. He's still doing air shows:

   I fly USAF "Heritage Flight" formation passes and mild acro with F15, F16, and A10s. I also do USN "Legacy Flight" shows in our F8F-2 with F18s. It's dark and dirty work but somebody has to do it! Check out our museum web site: heritageflight.org.

   I saw John Snyder and his wife, Elsie, at the Battle of Midway Shindig at A-N CC on 5 May.