The column you are about to read sets a record for most input in a non-homecoming month. I apologize in advance for paraphrasing actual text sent, but, after splicing together all the actuals I was at almost triple my allotted words. Now, it’s only double.
Joe Bridge sends: Doing reserve duty as XO COMFLTACT HQ Det Chinhae, ROK and who’s in the Navy Command Center with me, but Truman Johnson "T.J."Best, AOIC for COMNAVFORKOREA Det Chinhae, ROK, and Todd Hellman, also in the Reserves. Joe, wife, Mary, Kate (8), and Daniel (Mooseboy) (1) are at 25553 Niles St., San Bernardino, CA 92404-5665, (H) 909-889-4840, (W) 909-422-8475, email: joebridge@hotmail.com. Joe with the Union Pacific Railroad and says Mooseboy’s stretching 18-months clothes and is already pushing tackling dummies.
An anonymous Naval Reservist writes: Sighted aboard IKE preparing for June deployment to the Persian Gulf were four 81ers. Chip "Bullet" Miller is CO of VFA-34, The Blue Blasters--it doesn't get any better than that! Chip says flying the Hornet is just slightly more exciting than flying his desk at the Pentagon. Dave "Woody" Woods is XO of VAQ-132, The Scorpions, when he’s not hanging out in the "dirty shirt" wardroom eating chocolate chip cookies. A nearing 40, ex-crew jock, Dave still challenges all comers in the squadron to the 1.5 mile run. At a cool 9:00 pace, he doesn’t have many takers. Mark "Shark" Cantrell is XO of VAW-127, The Tigertails. Mark and family have spent their entire career in the Norfolk area--almost like being in the Air Force! Ed "Junior" Turner is XO of VS-30, The Diamond Cutters. Craig Roll is PXO of VF-103, the Victories, and will relieve in September. At sea emails: COVFA34@eisenhower.navy.mil, WoodsDB@eisenhower.navy.mil, CantreJM@eisenhower.navy.mil, TurnerEL@eisenhower.navy.mil, RollCA@eisenhower.navy.mil. Chip Miller had data on four other `81ers, all at Cecil Field: Greg Nosal (CO VFA-82), Tom Gurney (Greg's XO), Marty Paulaitis (CO-VFA-87), and Ken Thomson (XO VFA-15).
Mary Notsch sends: Just thought I’d forward the attached photo of the doting Daddy (Frank Moreman) with Austin (10 month old daughter) on a trip to San Diego. Frank and I attended the wedding of Brian Kissel and Lizzy Bradley on May 15th in Mountain View, CA, small, but really beautiful affair at a winery. Also in attendance: Frank Marco (now of NJ) and Kelly and Mike Mahre (Mountain View).
Mike Porter contact info: PSC 559 Box 6043, FPO AP 96377-6043. Wife, Deb & 2 oldest went to Nagano for Olympics. Mike still under 18:00 for PFT--getting harder.
John Parkinson sends: Laurie and I just returned from a week on St. Johns, USVI. How ironic is that, given that we have two boys, Will, 3.5, and Alex, 11 months? Seriously, as horrible as it feels leaving friends in the DC area, I cannot believe that I am this close to the home from which I first entered the Boat School. A pay raise and a paid move later, this is great stuff! Actually, moving the electric utility industry into the competitive arena is a bit more stressful than I could have imagined, but I am having a perverse kind of fun in the process.
I send: I recently got a fancy request for the pleasure of my company at the VFA-97 Change of Command where one John McCandlish took the helm on 4/17/98. I couldn't make it, but, then again, he'd suffered the pleasure of my company for 3 years in a 2-man room on 3-0.
Jim Nault sends: Having a change of command on 6/12 (taking TOLEDO, SSN-769, from Bill Burke '78.
I send: Sharon Hanley Disher ’80 talked to 80ers and 81ers at the DC Area Class Luncheon, Ft. Myer E-Club on 5/21. Sharon recently published her book "First Class."
I send: Kay Hire flew on the shuttle as mission specialist recently. I visited the NASA website which invited email questions for the crew. I asked things like "How’s the cow?", "Where’s the Halsey Taylor Memorial?", "What’s up?", but got no response. Mission Control must not have forwarded because she surely would have responded with correct answers. (Also, big get together at Cary Jones’ folks place with pictures, letter, and major newspaper article to follow next month.)
Fuzz Harrison sends: Took my dive unit to La Maddalena, Italy, for an underwater debris cleanup job at the sub refit site on Santo Stefano. Been in contact with the on-site tender (SIMON LAKE) and the Squadron prior to going, but what a surprise when I met the SUBRON 22 CSO (with whom I had spoken twice), Rich Perry, previously of 22nd Co! Neither of us had recognized the names, but immediately blurted out a "Hey, I know you!" Rich is doing well. He’s married (Jenny) with a 4.5 year old (Julia). Rich had my wardroom over to his house for an outstanding dinner (wife from Sicily). They live in a gorgeous place outside Santa Terresa on Sardinia (or Sardegna, locally). He gave us a traveler’s intro to Italian driving to/from dinner. I figured Rich wouldn’t put us in harm’s way—at least intentionally. Once I convinced myself that if it was my fate to die on a skinny Italian road, it would happen regardless of how much I worried, the drive was much more enjoyable. His tenure in Italy was reflected in his "aggressive" driving style which is probably a matter of survival based on what I saw of the locals. Rich was very adept at straightening out narrow, curvy roads and handled the sudden appearance of a very large wild pig in the middle of the road very well (controlled rapid deceleration). Following my return trip from hell (compliments of Continental, not Rich—rental car agency closed at the airport in Olbia, misrouted bags, etc.)—I met up with my brother here at the homestead in Maine. He’s a LCDR rotorhead and is currently director of west coast SERE school at North Island. He’d been to NAS Brunswick to hob-knob with his brother east coast SERE school director who turns out to be ‘81’s very own Ed Gerkey. I told him Ed was a classmate and he should drop my name next time they meet (for what little good or irreversible damage it might do). One more thing. One of the SNs at Santo Stafano port services apparently is the son of my Co. Officer, CAPT Ed Eaton, from 1/C year. Pretty bizarre, huh? It’s a small world after all, la, la, la.
Don Logar sends: Thanks for including my name in the April column. It appears that I have just returned from the edge of the Earth in time to collect. You owe Otto Stutz and me a buck. He pointed out your challenge in the column.
Mike Kennedy sends: Hey Benz, Just got my April Shipmate and, having nothing better to do, I was reading the monthly bilge spewed by our good friend. He seems to think you’ve dropped off the planet and has wagered that you won’t contact him b4 Mother’s Day. That’s right. He has gone and electronically uttered this personal affront not only to you personally, but also to me since, as your plebe year roommate, he’s saying I haven’t done my personal best to keep up with your goings on and personally report them to him. I take this personally. So I’m going to ask you to please get on this matter and send the guy something to get him off my back. Consider it a pre-retirement duty. Thanks. (Sorry, no word from Benz, Mike). In other news, as you probably know my previous airline (Carnival/PanAm) took a Chapter 11 dump, which was really annoying since I’d just checked out in the 727 in January (all that training gone to waste). I am now in training with Challenge Air Cargo in Miami as a 1st Officer on the Boeing 757. Nice airplane, lots of moving electrons. Still hoping for a USAirways recall from furlough, maybe late ’98 . . . who knows?
Dave Portner sends: Well, the long awaited orders have arrived. To wit, CDR David Portner is to detach from present duty at Submarine Force Staff, Atlantic Fleet, attend six months of intense nuclear engineering and tactical training at various sites along the east coast, then report to the CO, USS L. MENDEL RIVERS (SSN 686) in Norfolk, VA in February 1999 as his relief. For uneducated land lovers, L. MENDEL RIVERS is one of the last STURGEON class built. It has all the recent weapons and underwater sensor advancements, but it’s premier capability is a dry deck shelter for covert combat delivery of SEALs (no, not the gray, hairy sea mammals, the elite combat raiding forces that no one talks about). Therefore, I will not only command an entire crew of submariners, but a platoon of these highly effective critters to boot. Well known to be the most versatile of all submarine classes, STURGEON is rapidly diminishing as these veteran leviathans reach the end of life. Unlike the LOS ANGELES class, many of which are going decommissioned with only half their useful life expended, STURGEONs have been held on active duty in preference to early members of that newer class, a testament to superior capability. Unfortunately, when my 30-month tour’s up, I’ll pass this proud ship to the blow torches and hacksaws at Bremerton. Mark you calendars now. I should take command in Feb 99 in Norfolk. It’s off-season so there should be plenty of hotel space.
Just returned from the trade school on the Severn where I and many other family members met to praise graduation and commissioning of my nephew, Ensign Daniel Keeler ’98. The week’s events astonished and amazed Dan’s younger cousins and I returned with several of my brood now eyeing prospects of Academy life. Dan is a third generation USNA grad, 50 years behind my father, Eugene Portner ’48. Coincidentally, you may recall that ’48 sponsored ’98 as noted in the last Shipmate.
As promised many months ago when Rebecca was born, enclosed is the most recent family picture. Email: dportner@aol.com. Address: 3704 Middlewood Ct. Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
I send: Mike Harber’s email: maharber@med.navy.mil.
Fred Tettelbach sends: You owe me a dollar, how do I collect? I did write once, a few years ago, so I haven’t totally dropped off (although I did do four deployments to Antarctica a few years back-does that count?). I’m still active duty, put on O-5 last Feb, currently XO at Naval Ice Center, Suitland, MD. Yes, the "ice" actually stands for ice. Our primary mission is sea ice analyses and forecasts in support of government interests, the major "interest" being Arctic sub ops. I detach in July and go across town to the staff of the Oceanographer of the Navy (N096) at the Naval Observatory. My wife, Karen, and I live in Alexandria with 19-month old son, Jackson, and a 2nd son due in late August (any ideas for a name?). We had tickets to Homecoming ’96 (15-year reunion), but Jackson was born late the night before the game. Email: tbach@erols.com. (H) 703-924-2925.
Ed Brownlee sends: Enjoying San Diego. Assumed command of JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 53) on Thursday, 2 April 1998 at NS San Diego.
Mary Bartlo Quatroche sends: You don’t know me, but you maligned me in your Shipmate column. Actually, I’m anxious to collect my buck before my sisters, Linda Botek ’80 and Patti Stevick ’87, or brothers-in-law, John Botek ’79 and Kevin Stevick ’84, cash in on my notoriety. We’ll see if they read the ’81 column.
Let me introduce myself. I’m Mary Bartlo Quatroche and I have not dropped off the edge of the Earth. I live with husband, Tony ’78, and two sons, Christopher, 9, and John, 10, in Salem, CT (nearly 8 years). Tony is now XO of Subschool. I left the Navy almost 5 years ago under VSI after 12 years as a Supply Corps officer. I had tours with HECTOR (AR-7), USNA (Officer Inspector of Uniforms and Head, Midshipman Service Facilities Division), NPGS (student), NAS North Island, SUBASE New London, and Naval Submarine Support Facility. I’m primarily a mom now, but my husband might convince you that I volunteer for a living. I have enjoyed serving on my local school board and Regional Educational Service Center Board of Directors for the past two years and was elected to another term last November. I’m the local Navy Relief Thrift Shop Chairman, Cub Scout Leader and Pack Treasurer. I’m also a baseball and, of course, a soccer mom. Confirm that you got this and I’ll tell you where to send my $1.
James Knock sends: Got the April Shipmate and you mentioned that I might have fallen off the edge of Earth so I’m writing to fill in over 17 years of my life. The real reason is that I live in CA and every dollar counts so it’s the dollar that got me to write (smile). I was an S-3A NFO in the Navy with the VS-21 Fighting Redtails, North Island, CA. After a glorious and fun (yeah, right) 3-year tour (mostly in hack) including two WESTPACs, I was sent to VT-10 in P-Cola to serve out my remaining 5-year sentence as an instructor of future NFOs. Before my parole, I got an MBA from the University of West FL. Pat Lien (35th Co.) and I went through the program together and, as usual, I had to carry him so technically, I have two MBAs, but, he’ll never admit to that. Also, Bob Skillen was mentioned as being lost. I last spoke with him about three years ago and he was a civilian living in P-Cola. He’d gotten his contractor’s license and started his own business building houses. I hear he is doing very well. While in P-Cola, I met and married the former Mary E. Gephart, but unfortunately we are divorced. I have one daughter, Lindsay Elizabeth Knock, the light of my life. She’ll be six in July. I left the Navy in April 89, was drafted by the FBI, shipped to the SF Bay area, and have been here for the past 9/10 years. I’ve worked just about every type of FBI case, but specialize in technical work. My squad is a group of agents who do all of the bugging, wiretaps, camera installations, audio installations, entries (Watergate, but legal by court order), etc. I also fly surveillance part time for the Special Operations Group (SOG). We fly Cessna 182RGs and follow bad guys. The job is fantastic and doing tech work is both fun and exciting. No suit or tie. I get to look like a regular "goober" working stiff because we’re supposed to go about our business unnoticed. Other FBI grads: Pete Hoffman (35th Co. ’82), flying full time in Pittsburgh and Rick Van Antwerp, tech trained agent, Portland, OR. Well, that’s about it. My memory is going. We are getting to that age, you know, and my head is so crammed full of data that I can’t remember past one day. Please give everyone that knew me my regards. Contact: 640 Center Ave. #111, Martinez, CA 94553. (H) 925-229-9114. Email: James_Knock@juno.com or jaknock@ix.netcom.com.
Katherine (Engelman) DuGene sends: Subj: I am alive. I must tell you that I was quite flattered when, after nearly 17 years without a peep from me, you asked about me in the column. I figure if that doesn’t get folks like me to pick up a pen or push "Send" on their emails, I suppose nothing will. First things first, it’s now Katherine (as opposed to Kathy). It’s not that I’ve become more "sophisticated" in my middle age. Katherine was always my name, but I was too much of a wimp to tell anyone during plebe summer.
Life is wonderful out here in Seattle, living over Pike Place Market, enjoying Starbucks every morning, and just appreciating the spectacular Pacific NW. I left the Navy in 1990 (hard to believe that long ago), went home to Washington State, did the MBA thing, and have been working in the Seattle Hi Tech world since then. I say working in Seattle, but, in reality, 70% is travel so I’m seldom home. My Dad (Class of ’30) passed away in 1995 which truly changed my perspective on life and priorities. About that same time, I received a letter completely out of the blue from John DuGene, whom I had worked with in my 1st duty station 16 years ago. Incredibly fine man (ok, really handsome, too). We arranged to hook up in San Francisco one evening and, while I thought he was still an incredibly fine man (ok, and still handsome, too), I immediately wrote him off because, well, after all, he was a Navy guy (been there, done that, and no thanks). But, when he showed up in Seattle one Friday night and asked me to marry him, I said yes. Next thing I knew we were in Lake Tahoe saying "We do." Oh, and he left the next day for a 6-month WESTPAC deployment as Air Boss on VINSON. Ah, the irony of it all. I had to laugh as I watched the ship pull out of Alameda that, after all of these years, I was back in the Navy fold. My Dad is doing high fives in heaven, no doubt. So there you have it. It is just like me to have 17 years all boil down to one hopelessly romantic event, but somehow, at nearly 40, that is what seems most important. Actually, it looks as though John and I may be moving to Newport so perhaps you will see/hear more of me. Perhaps . . . if I stop this insane job.
OBTW, I did attend Kay Hire’s shuttle launch in April (YOU GO GIRL!). It was magnificent as was she. Noreen Leahy was there, too, and we both cried like babies watching Kay blast into the sky. Also, I had the pleasure of spending some time with Cary Jones’ parents while there. We swapped old and wonderful stories about dear Cary. All in all, a very wonderful and emotional few days. Life is surely precious.
Greg Billy and his wife Janel were over for dinner the other day. He is CO of a sub in Bangor and looks about 25. I refuse to believe I am old enough to have classmates who are COs or that I am old enough to be married to an Air Boss. How did that happen?
I guess that’s it for now. Oh, as I send this email, it is the day BEFORE Mother’s Day (west coast time, anyway, which I think should count). Accordingly, I look forward to receiving my dollar bill ASAP. After all, if I am going to reconsider my career and follow my new husband to Newport, I may need it. Contact info: Katherine Engleman DuGene, Strategic Account Executive, MOSAIX, Inc., 425-558-8126, (pager) 888-807-6668, (fax) 425-558-6226, email: katedu@mosaix.com, (alphapage) 0895966@pagenet.net.
I send an email from Sharon and Tim Disher: With great sadness, I must share with you the news that Tim's father passed away peacefully last night at his home in Pensacola, FL. During this time of sorrow, it is a comfort to remember how luck we were to have had him in our lives as a father, grandfather, fellow veteran and friend. Donations can be made to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, Vice Admiral John S. Disher Scholarship Award, NAS Pensacola, FL 32508
Deceased classmates with children: Jamie Love (3), Dan DeWispelaere (4), Dean Perry (1)
Deceased classmates with no children: Ed Carmany, Tom Doyle, Cary Jones, Mary Kaye (Kopper) Olsen, Bob Matheny, Jeff Pearlman, Paula Plott, Mike Sperling, Paul Station, Cathleen Thomas, Scott Thomas, Mike Wilson, John Yandell, Glenn Ziegler
Deceased classmates unknown children: Bill Davidson, Bill Evans, Dave Nairn.
Before I go, a quick note. As you may have gleaned over the past 20-some months, I’m occasionally seized by dementia and, in a fit of resultant wackiness, take on other persona—Shakespeare, a burnt out surfer dude, a snob artiste, a pathetic yet deeply existential Everyman, etc. Despite my best efforts, these characters make utterances that are in keeping with, well, their character. Given that, said words should at no time be taken out of the context in which they are offered since such is not and has never been my intention. As I stated in my 1st column, my raison d’etre is to enlighten, amuse, charm, motivate, and inform and not necessarily in that order. But enough weighty words. Here’s to enjoying summer’s remainder. Here’s to being happy in our surroundings. Here’s to smiling at those we meet. Here’s to rejoicing in having attended the most powerful institution humankind has yet created. Yea, here’s to savoring our very existence on this fragile blue orb . . . What’s that sweetie? Oh, they’ve all tuned me out? Oh well, so it goes . . .
Later, .