Did you miss last month's issue?  April Issue

The usual suspects and a few new faces showed up at the umpteenth '55 Dark Ages Party in the Washington DC area. It was held at the face-lifted Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA, and Denny Sullivan (13) flew in from Tahiti, just in time, to MC the gala event. Talk about going to extravagant lengths to get away from the dark ages! "And old tales be retold, and retold ...." A great turn-out included: Anne & Ted Parker (19), Nancy & Bob Hinton (23), Margo & Gary Snyder (01), Ann & Wes Saunders (23), Luz & Todd Meloy (14), Peggy & Otto Zipf (15), Jean & Darrel Westbrook (10), Jean & Norm Harper (04), Beryl & Dan Ebert (14), Denny Sullivan, Mary Gale Buchanan, Ginny & Don Conner (08), Angela & Demo Kolaras (14), Dori & Dan Peckham (02), Tom Davis (19), Lucy & Hank Mustin (12), Marlene & Al Dawson (05), Nancy & Don Kellerman (07), Bernie & Jim Powers (08), Martha & Tony Bracken (20), Ursula & Tom Kiefaber (19), Debbie & John Adams (12), Dottie & George Martin (14), Marlyn & Erns Anderson (13), Joy & Spud Flowers (03), BJ Straub & Joan Hamilton.

(PHOTOS #1 - Jim Powers, Don Conner & George Martin; #2 - Tom Kiefaber, Otto Zipf, MG Buchanan & Wes Saunders; #3 - Erns & Marilyn Anderson, Don Kellerman & Ted Parker; #4 - Debbie Adams, Hank & Lucy Mustin & Don Kellerman)

Denny Sullivan has come through again to bale out the column with a long and informative letter about his goings-on:

This is an update to cover some of the events that have constituted an interesting year. Last August, I visited the R. Herroot Valley in western Montana to catch up on old friends and relatives there. I also worked in visits to Yellowstone and Glacer National Parks. After that, it was on to San Diego to attend our West Coast Reunion. The entire week was very well done by Ned Floyd (18), Tom Shine (21) and others. No need to dwell on the reunion since it has been duly reported by our scribe in recent issues of Shipmate. It was so successful that we are considering mini-reunions in other cities - Chicago, Boston, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas or Las Vegas would be great. If any Classmates want to step up and sponsor a small reunion in some major city, we can provide publicity, start- up funding and even some bodies. Let your Class officers know. After returning to Washington D.C. in September, I went into the hospital for a total knee joint replacement to repair damage that had been bothering me for years. During my short stay at Mt. Vernon Hospital, I had calls, cards and visits from many Classmates, including Tom Kiefaber, Otto Zipf and Steve Ruth (14). Recovery at home was painful and slow - again, I had great support from Classmates, especially Bob Hinton who taxied me to and from physical therapy each week. By Christmas, I was moving around pretty well and by January I was back on the tennis court - doubles only, and no more sking. It was a great operation and one that has really let me do some of the things that were very painful in the past. If anyone would like to know more details about the knee operation and recovery, give me a call at (703) 683-0733.

In February, John Ganey (19) and I took a dream trip to French Polynesia aboard the M.S. PAUL GAUGIN, a small Radisson cruise ship. We flew to Tahiti on Air France via Los Angeles and boarded the ship in Papeete. We then set sail for Rariranga Atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago where we were able to swim, snorkel, scuba dive, tour or shop as we desired. (PHOTO #5 - Cruising ... at the bar!) The basic plan was to cruise at night to the various islands and to anchor during the day. The ship was small enough (300 passengers) to get inside the atolls and small bays in the islands. We visited Bora Bora, Moorea and other islands before returning to Tahiti. It was the trip of a lifetime - the only problems being sunburn, jet lag and weight gain.

Immediately upon return, I hosted the Washington area Dark Ages Party at the Army-Navy Country Club (reported elsewhere in this column). And then in early March, I visited Betsy & Bob Fountain (06) at their beautiful home on the Potomac in Virginia's Northern Neck. Bob had graciously volunteered to present the Class Leadership Award to LT Kurt A. Mondlak USN '92 of the USS LEYTE GULF (CG-55). (PHOTO #6 - Bob Fountain presenting award) The Class has been making this award since 1988 but the ship has been homeported in Mayport, which limited our attending. Last Summer, the ship moved to Norfolk and this provided an opportunity for more Classmates to attend. We had a good turnout for the ceremony on 3 March which included lunch in the wardroom and a tour of the ship. Norfolk Classmates in attendance were Charlie Plumly (16), Pat Taylor (16), Bob Miller (16), Frank Farino (10), Jack Foran (01), Carl Vogel (08), John Roberts (01) and Sid Woodcock (16). (PHOTO #6A - '55 Awards Ceremony) The ship is commanded by CAPT Charles S. Vogan, Jr. USN '72. This is a great event for both the ship's officers and the Class and we intend to continue it into the foreseeable future. The stay at the Fountain's was very pleasant. Bob has not let any grass grow under his feet since his retirement. He has 165 acres on Nomini Bay which he farms in a gentlemanly way. He is running for Chairman of the Republican (what other?) Party Council in Virginia's First District (Fredericksburg to Hampton); is an advocate for The Retired Officers' Association in the Virginia legislature, and is deeply involved in Westmoreland County economic development and in the local community colleges. Betsy continues her musical interests in Washington and is an active and enthusiastic member of the Arlington Metropolitan Chorus.

I received a nice letter from Bill Rentz (09), who is Vice President of the Experimental Engineering Corporation in Richland, WA, where the company is involved in cleanup of the Hanford site. Bill reports that he remarried last year and that he and his wife Susan divide their time between Richland and Atlanta, GA, where they are building a home in Locust Grove. Bill says he plans to retire for good in September, but we all have our doubts. In the meantime, he welcomes all Classmates to visit him and Susan in Richland - their phone number is (509) 943-2162.

We in Washington are planning for future Class functions, including a Class cruise next year, the 45th reunion in 2000, and a gift to the Academy for the 45th. But we need input and ideas for these things so keep working the internet and sending news and pictures to Tom K. (and I promise to get on the Class Listserv this year!).

The Washington DC Area '55 Golf Schedule has taken form with seven events planned by month as shown below. As in the past, an end-of-year awards dinner will follow the September outing. Also there is the possibility of dinner following the August event.

DAY DATE TEE TIME COURSE HOST/PHONE Tuesday 21 April 11:00 Reston International Ray Hine (703) 860-0691 Tuesday 19 May TBD Army-Navy Arlington Denny Sullivan (703) 683-0733 Tuesday 16 June TBD Army-Navy Fairfax Tony Bracken (703) 941-4614 Tuesday 14 July 11:00 Mt Vernon CC Tom Schultz (703) 360-4332 Monday 17 August14:00 Bell Haven CC Don Kellerman (703) 838-8635 Tuesday 15 Sept 14:00 Hidden Creek CC Ray Hine (703) 860-0691 Tuesday 13 Oct 10:00 Ft Belvoir Jim Poole '57 (703) 780-7351

It is with great sadness to report the passing of Donall G. Bourke (09) on February 28th at his home in Prescott, AZ. He had waged a long and courageous battle against cancer, fighting impossible odds but refusing to quit. The end came suddenly and mercifully with Nancy at his side. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, their two sons Dana and Jon, an older brother, and his mother. Bob Vollum (09) said it so well:

We as classmates will remember Don for his great warmth, his understated chuckle and sense of humor, and his unquestioned, deep, personal moral values, honesty and integrity. We will remember him as the Gym team parallel bars man nonpareil and the captain of the 1955 team. Those of us who sat through classes with him will forever wonder how he graduated so near the top since he fell asleep in virtually every class he attended and never had to put in much effort studying. Don left the Navy after his obligated service and joined the Jet Propulsion Lab back in those exciting times of early space research and development. After a few years with JPL, he joined IBM where he spent the rest of his career. He spent many years in Boca Raton, Florida and retired from there as one of a very select group of highly distinguished and decorated engineers. He held a number of patents, published many technical papers, and played an instrumental role in several of the IBM success stories. As a person and a friend, all of us who knew him, in whatever role, will remember Don Bourke as one of the genuine people we are sometimes, but rarely, privileged and blessed to have share our lives. He was one of the best and truly will be missed.

Our prayer and best wishes go out to Edmund L. "Ed" Turner (14) and his family. Ed is battling the effects of a serious stroke (while already fighting cancer). As of this writing (early March), Ed has therapy daily and Carol and the children say he has shown marked improvement. He's a fighter!

Donald L. Martin (06) - not to be confused with Donald Martin (08) - retired from Hughes Aircraft Co. on November 1,1995, after a very rewarding post Navy career. He did some consulting work with Delco Electronics for another 18 months, an extension of the work he was doing for Hughes just prior to retirement, and then quit for good in January of '96. Connie and he bought a boat and have been enjoying trips up and down the California coast and to Catalina Island where they were fortunate enough to obtain a mooring at Emerald Bay after being on the waiting list for several years. Also they have recently attempted to take up golf with less than impressive results but will stick with it and hopefully will eventually reach the point of not embarrassing themselves. For a trip to Catalina, call Don at (310) 831-7153.

Newcomers to the '55 Listserv include: Steve Lowe in Annapolis (LOWES@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu), and Donald L. Martin in San Pedro (DMartini@worldnet.att.net). Welcome aboard!

I am passing on some very welcome information about the widow of Dick Echard (14), Shirley, received from George Myers '58:

Dick and Shirley Echard lived across the street from me in Lexington Park, MD at the time of Dick's tragic accident flying home from the Penn State game in the Fall of 1965. He was an instructor at the Test Pilot School and I was one of his students. I have recently heard from Shirley and thought many of your Classmates might be interested in her life. After Dick's death, Shirley earned a PHD in Music and has taught for many years at Gettysburg College in PA. She is also the organist at a large Lutheran Church in Virginia outside of D.C. Their son Rick lives in New Hampshire, an accomplished sailor, who has delivered sailboats from the Northeast to the Caribbean, and their daughter Alison and husband live in Utah with their two children. Shirley lives in Falls Church, VA at 7648 Willow Point Drive, 22042. She is a wonderful talented person and I know Dick would be proud of her.

POTPOURRI. Jerry Gilstad (09) sent in a picture of him and his wife Edna and Alice & Dale Crosier (22). (PHOTO #7 - The Crosiers & the Gilstads) Dale & Alice motored out to Connecticut from Cedar Rapids, IA to visit their daughter in Norwalk and then spend the weekend with the Gilstad's in Niantic. Together, they ventured to the Meadowlands for their first Army-Navy game in over 40 years (a good one to wait for! Surprised they didn't run into Joe Armstrong (12) and Peggy & Otto Zipf pictured by Joe's RV at the game). (PHOTO #8 - Peggy & Otto Zipf with Joe Armstrong) Edna & Jerry retired this year from L&M Hospital and Electric Boat Corp., respectively. Their increased opportunity for travel will probably take them to see children and grandchildren in Alamogordo, NM, Augusta, GA and Minneapolis, MN. Classmates who are passing through southeastern Connecticut are always welcome to stop in for a visit. On the occasion of his1st Company Classmate, Ray Anderson, visiting the Pensacola area for the month of February, Steve Kaiser decided to take he and Nancy out to a special dinner at the O'Club for lobster tail and filet mignon. Then he got the bright idea to see if any other '55ers in the area might like to attend. After he started to call around ....wow....what a response! Ten couples signed up for a mini-reunion dinner. During his calls to area classmates, he discovered two more were traveling in the area and planned to attend. In addition to Ray & Steve, they were: Ed Ogden (23), Willie Fisher (17), Gordon Stephens (17), Hood Powell (8), Len Duffy (23), Gordon Guimond (10), Art Ruberg (17), and Bill Hepworth (9). Hope someone took pictures and sends them in! Paul Sutherland (07) sent in some great shots of Tidewater/NC class goings-on - four of the Class luncheon in Virginia Beach and two of some more Sutherland house guests on the Outer Banks. (PHOTOS #9 - Bill & Julia Stevens & Larry Frost; #10 - Brent & Dolly Streit & George & Diana Delano; #11 - Larry French & Dan Shields; #12 - Mal & Roz MacKinnon; #13 - Gary & Margo Snyder) Hugh Webster (12) had a get-together when the Mustins and the Emerys were in town (San Diego). Pictured are: Hank Mustin, Webby, Tom Emery (09), "Smoke" Wilson (17), John Nyquist (16) and Harry Schrader (13). (PHOTO #14 - Admiral's Row) Wonderfully embellished sea stories and grog were the order of the day. At a different gathering, Webby and Al Kozischek (02) are pictured with John "Muleskinner" Drew '42, our 3rd Battalion Officer in the good old days. (PHOTO #15 - Webby, John Drew & Al Kozischek)

Conceptual planning for the 45th Reunion has begun. Dates are October 18-22, 2000 and the Saturday football game is with Rutgers. We have over 100 rooms reserved at the Annapolis Marriott which is on the waterfront within walking distance of the Yard. We also have additional rooms reserved at the Days Inn on Route 50 (same as for the 40th). We still have a long way to go - if you have any ideas, put them on our Listserv or call me at (703) 759-7743 or another Washington area Classmate.

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