In the tradition of all great Jan/Feb columns, this one is big, no, not big, huge, no, not huge, colossal, no . . . well, you be the judge. Before I start, though, once again, I’ll apologize in advance for paraphrasing, restructuring, and otherwise reducing the size of submissions to make everything fit. First off, minutes from the Annual Class Meeting, 0730, 16 Oct 98, Alumni Hall.
Class Officers Present: Bob Ravener, President, Chuck French, Vice President, Mike Mahre, Treasurer, Dave Ciccarelli, Secretary, Noreen Leahy, At-Large, Dan Quattrini, At-Large. Class Officers Absent: Tim Disher, At-Large. Jim Ahlgrimm and Doug Heimbach were also present.
Bob called the meeting to order at 0815.
Jim moved to schedule the 1999 Class Meeting at 0830. Mike seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.
Chuck suggested that a Class election announcement be made well in advance of the 2001 election at which a new President and Vice President will be elected.
Mike gave the Treasurer’s Report. The Class Fund has over $24,000 in it. Between 31 Dec 96 and 30 Sep 98 the fund realized a 12% rate of return. The Project Fund has approximately $40,600 in it. Between 31 Dec 96 and 30 Sep 98 the fund realized a 7.6% rate of return. Dean Witter manages all Class monies. As a reminder, the Class Fund is money for Class functions while the Project Fund is money set aside for special projects.
The 25-year gift was discussed. Dan suggested that we identify a gift no later than the 20th reunion and then kick-off the fund-raising drive. Mike suggested contributing to the Five Centers of Excellence. Mike also described working through the USNA Fund which is a combined USNA/Alumni Association effort to raise money. Bob suggested that we develop a list of potential projects and let the Class vote on them. Dan and Mike will coordinate the effort with Mike as compilation point man. Dave will solicit ideas in the Jan/Feb Shipmate. Once a list is compiled and reviewed by the Class officers, Dave will publish the final list.
Jim led a discussion of Class scholarships (approximately $1,000/year of college) for children of deceased classmates. No final decision was made. Noreen suggested expanding Jim’s idea to include classmates in need and gave an example of where her high school had implemented such a plan. Chuck suggested that we recognize (as opposed to help) as many classmates as possible, but agreed that an exact number would be difficult to determine. Jim agreed to draft a proposal emphasizing "recognize" vice "help."
The 20th Reunion was discussed. Jim, Chuck, Doug Heimbach, and Ted Dumbauld’s wife, Marea, will team up to begin planning the event. Others are welcome.
The Class of ’81 4th of July Picnic is now an annual event.
Bob discussed the idea of buying a "Class House" in Annapolis to be used as the Class sees fit. No decision was reached.
Dave suggested having the Class sponsor a midshipman company and took point on exploring the possibility.
Mike moved to adjourn the meeting. Bob seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 0930.
Now, let me begin by hammering away at one of my action items. Bob and Chuck will be gracefully stepping down as President and Vice-President, respectively, at Homecoming 2001 (just under 3 years from now). Speaking from experience, it’s never too early to throw one’s hat in the political ring. If you have the inclination for either billet, let a Class officer know. Contact info’s in this column.
Next up, this 25-year gift thing is really big. You may think Homecoming 2001 (when we need to make a decision) is way off, but time has a way of flying whether you’re having fun or not. Answer me this, "How long did it take your kids to get from diapers to attitudes?" Get the picture? So start thinking. What would you like us to do as a Class to make a lasting mark on the Boat School? No, that dent you put in the wall behind Commander’s Row with your ’72 Firebird doesn’t count. They repaired it. Oh, and the dead body you hid above the ceiling tiles in the 8-4 head? No credit for that either. They found it last year. Haven’t I.D.’d it, yet, so you can still skip town. No, friends and neighbors, this mark should be a lasting one—the profounder the better. Having a hard time thinking? Here’s a drill for you. Pretend it’s 0010 Friday morning and you just got back from five hours at Riordan’s. The room’s spinning, your ears are ringing, and you’re facing a 1st period Thermo final. Now, put on your thinking caps and think, boys and girls, think!
The text of Jim’s 20th Reunion pitch: On Friday, October 16, the Class held its annual meeting where we discussed having our 20th reunion (October 2001) on an off-homecoming weekend. In the past, the idea has not been popular, but for a variety of reasons, it may make more sense now. I agreed to poll a sampling of classmates via Internet to assess class opinion.
Some pros and cons. An off-weekend would be less crowded. The scheduled 2001 homecoming weekend is a boat show weekend making things even worse. We have tentatively reserved the Holiday Inn for homecoming weekend and, since it is a boat show weekend, they are making people commit to 3-night stays. We would like to reserve the Lowe's Hotel in downtown Annapolis, however, a Class of '76 wife works there so we’ll never get it for homecoming weekend since '76 is on the same 5-year cycle. Homecoming 2001 is October 13th. The later in October, the more questionable the weather. If we chose an off weekend, we could move to an earlier, and most likely warmer, date. An off weekend is more user friendly for doing things with classmates, however, we would miss out on organized homecoming activities like alumni sporting events, ship in the yard, alumni dinner, and Alumni Association picnic. Also, the likelihood of seeing people from other classes is reduced. Of course, people could attend both our off-weekend reunion and the regular homecoming weekend. '78 had their 20th on an off weekend last year. They used the (Class of ’53) pavilion located above the north end zone (party and watch the game at the same time). The people I spoke with had no negatives associated with the off-weekend, only positives -- less crowded, less competition for resources, easier to get around, and easier to set up class activities.
Please take a few minutes to participate in this poll. At a minimum, provide one of three responses: (1) FOR (For our reunion on an off-weekend in 2001), (2) AGAINST (against an off-weekend reunion, and for a reunion on the regularly scheduled homecoming weekend), or (3) DON'T CARE. Thanks for your time and response. Jim
Now, the news. From Rick Blunt. Contact info: CDR Rick Blunt, Pentagon N095, Dir of NAVRES (Trng/Admin of Reserves), 703-601-1818, (E) blunt.rick@hq.navy.mil.
Jim Hubbard contact info: XO, VRC-40, Norfolk, (W) 757-444-1142/3.
From Joe Bridge: Dateline: Aug 98; Chinhae, ROK. I had the privilege of seeing the following classmates during exercise Ulchi-Focus Lens 98; Jeff Trumbore (2nd), Tom Greene (31st), T.J. Best (still on active duty working for COMNAVFORKOREA Det Chinhae) and astronaut Kay Hire. I chatted with Kay for about 20 minutes while she waited for her laundry to dry (apparently she just didn't want to trust the ship's laundry on BLUE RIDGE; good decision Kay). She assures me that she didn't ignore the plebe rate questions while in orbit. It appears that they were never passed to her during the space shuttle mission. Jeff, Tom, T.J., and Nolan Villarin '82 (and some other local folks) took me out for a really nice birthday dinner on 19 Aug. I’m going on annual training 19-30 Oct at USMMA Kings Point, NY for a Port and Terminal Operations school then back to ROK as Wartime Plans Dept. Head for COMNAVFORKOREA Det 119, Port Hueneme in Apr 99. In the civilian world, I’ve been promoted to Conductor with the Union Pacific Railroad. The family is great, and "Moose Boy" is filling out 3-year old size clothes at the 16-month point (we must chart this child’s growth). That's all for now. BEAT ARMY!!! Joe.
From Frank Caldwell. Thanks for the many phone calls, flowers, offers of assistance, etc. in conjunction with the death of my father, CAPT James F. Caldwell, Sr. ’58. Our Family is overwhelmed with the depth of support we have received and we greatly appreciate your efforts. We do have one special request...if you desire, please send us any stories or photos that may have captured my Father's spirit so we can put them together in a book of remembrance. Thanks...Frank, Jr.
I attended Frank’s father’s funeral at Arlington National Cemetery and the reception afterward. Mike Davis, Tom Lansdale, Jeff Bishop, and Tom Grimm represented 8th Co. I didn’t know Pooch, but it was apparent that he’d touched many lives (8th Co. ’81 included) in a profoundly positive way. It is interesting to note that our Frank is a 5th generation grad following his father, uncle, Rex S. Caldwell, Jr. ‘55, grandfather, CAPT Rex S. Caldwell, Sr. '25, great-grandfather, ADM Jehu V. Chase ’90, and great-great-grandfather, ADM Henry C. Taylor ’64. Frank also had two brothers, Andy ’83 and Dave ’84, attend USNA.
From Ned (Fuchs) Hunter. This is my first time writing. After reading comments in the November Shipmate about Marcy Wilson, I thought I'd connect. I worked with her at a SACC and it was tremendously beneficial to get involved with grads looking to career transition. Status update. I'm married to Susan, 16 years in June, with three children, Alexander (13), Andrew (11) and Elizabeth (9). We live about an hour north of Detroit where I’m Director of Sales, National Accounts for Colgate-Palmolive. I don't bump into many grads in consumer products, but am always willing to help out any young man or woman looking to head to Annapolis or get started outside the service. Background is 33rd Co. Would love to hear from any of my old company mates. If I get moved in 99, I can always be reached through our HQ in New York. Best Regards, Ned. Address is 5900 Sunridge Ct., Clarkston, MI 48348, (H) 248-922-9428.
From Tom Gurney. VFA-82, with Greg "Nose" Nosal as CO, happens to be heading out on HARRY S. TRUMAN, 10 Nov – 18 Dec 98, where "Tex" Taylor is CHENG. So I was thinkin', if no one else had dibs on 'The Flag' for a small portion of that time, we might get an '81 picture in, say, the reactor spaces, or with a VFA-82 jet on the flight deck, or with some St. Thomas background over turkey-day, or whatever. Taking the flag on the shake-down of the Navy's newest flattop...whaddya think? If it'll work, send the flag to Executive Officer, VFA-82, Unit 60510, FPO AA 34099-6217. I will arrange the photos and return the flag, then the photos, promptly. Gurns. (Unfortunately, flag en route to South Pole as Tom wrote this, but this is the type of proactive ingenuity I seek, folks).
Intercepted from Steve Hampton. Joel!!!! Dude!! Great to hear from you. Tig and Pat and I were just speaking of lost souls the other day. I think they were thinking of me, but I was thinking of you. I see you are still with NASA - what gives there? Space station your life? Life’s fine here with all the Peyton Place overtones - but still OK. I have a running 3-year landscaping project limited by both time and money. Terrie's still with American Airlines and raising kids. Kids doing fine in school (Terrie's gene pool) and sports (Terrie's gene pool). Swimming is the current venture. I cycle regularly with the guys, work at CINCLANT, and get an occasional beer. Tig and I just did the Marine Corp Marathon - he ran - I walked. We finished - I beat the bus! Tig, Pat, and I rode a century cycle this past spring - just like Monterey and school. Local 5th Co. sightings include: Suzanne & Tilghman Payne regularly in DC. Tig is at OPNAV. They are a major part of the DC social circle, but still have time for us little people! Elizabeth & Pat Roane also in DC. Pat is also at OPNAV. Pat is king of mulch and farm life - has a new BIG truck - 250 Ford (with that limited slip 2.73 differential). Picture him driving around listening to Country Western. Kathy & Kimbo Hauer. Still living in SC, but Kim gets up here for reserve duty. Kim is still doing nuclear environmental stuff with Westinghouse. Saw both at Tilghman & Suzanne's wedding, and Mike Matthes’ Change of Command. Both look great. Kathy's driving even scarier than before. Mike & Mara live in Norfolk. Large tribe – many girls. Disco has command of HAMPTON (think of Slim Pickens in "Dr. Strangelove"). There's a twist. Lisa & Fred Berry still living in Harrisburg, Pa. Fred bought his parent’s house, so they live at his Plebe address (you will recall Yellow Breaches Rd). Saw him at Frank Caldwell's (wife Kim) change of command (Frank has JACKSONVILLE). Fred still works for York Environmental Systems in York. Fred and Lisa have two little boys and Fred still own a big, fast (is there any other kind?) boat. Betsy & Joe Reynolds still living in Lexington, MA. Chance meeting with families in Brookfield, WI as we passed through this summer. Bets and Joe cleaning up Betsy's mom's house after flood in Milwaukee this summer. Only time Brookfield made CNN. Joe is still at Raytheon doing corporate law. Bets does all else. Lots of smart and talented kids (another good gene pool - but you remember what they say about Joe's brain - 100 pieces - 100 good Marines). Anyway, lots of Cheesehead high fives and talk of the PACK! And Wisconsin is now 8-0! It was fate. Susan & Dave Fuquea. Not seen lately, but Dave and Susan live in Jacksonville, NC area where Dave is XO of 2nd MEU. He already did one deployment on NASSAU and I heard may be on a remedial. Dave gets two or more deployments for his excessive time in academia on shore duty - too many degrees - so the FMF has to re-adjust him. Got an email from AB Dickinson. He and Tony are still up in MA north of Boston - details next time! Ran out of gas on the keyboard. Keep in touch!! xxxooo Steve (CDR Stephen Hampton, C4I/Combat Systems Requirements (CLF N819), (W-CLASS) hamptonsw@clf.navy.smil.mil, (W-UNCLASS) hamptonsw@clf.navy.mil, (H) swhampton@juno.com, (W) 757-836-3555 (H) 757-836-6437.
From Paul Hankins. Just to let everyone know that after 11 years in DC we've moved. We're in Valdez, Alaska- just about ready to move into a log home that Paul has been building since May. He left the Dept of Navy-SUPSALV last winter and is in contingency planning and training at SERVS (Ship Escort & Response Vessel Service) a division of Alyeska Pipeline Services. Prince William Sound, the mountains, snow (already) and small town life are a good change of pace. You can reach us-Paul, Holly, Keith age 13, Ian 11 and Annie 7 at PO Box 3198, Valdez AK 99686 or email pahki@alaska.net
Relayed from Mike Manazir via Tim Disher. Dish, Thanks for the note and noticing! I am, in fact, at N88 in the Pentagon doing F-14 Requirements (E) manazir.michael@hq.navy.mil. More news: I just selected to be the next CO of VF-101, the F-14 FRS in VA Beach. Probably some time late next year. Additionally, Greg Nosal selected for VFA-106, the east coast F-18 FRS. Neat, eh? I think he's still in command. I now have a light at the end of my Pentagon tunnel! We'll stay in touch. Nasty
From Frank Marco. Chic, we saw you and about 20 others waiting to get into the M-Grill in Parole. Did you get seated before the kids' bedtime? (No, but they didn’t complain) My address is 203 Meriden Drive, Newark, DE 19711. (E) marcof@SpectraSite.com or frmarco@worldnet.att.net. As I told you at the gater, my sister Diane married our classmate and 2nd Co. pal, Tim Hare back in 1987. They have two children, Eric(5) and Meghan.(3) Take care. Frank
From Bob Perry: Thought I’d update my previous quick e-mail. I’ve been CO of HAWKBILL in Pearl since Jul 97. Enjoying myself immensely. Just returned from a 3-month Arctic deployment with four scientists onboard. The program is called SCICEX (check out www.csp.navy.mil) which stands for Submarine Science Ice Expedition. There are five annual expeditions to gather Arctic environmental data which greatly aids in the on-going global climate change studies. I will return to the Pole next spring as HAWKBILL make the last planned SCICEX before heading to Bremerton for decom.
On 09 Aug 98, I surfaced HAWKBILL through 4 1/2’ of ice at the North Pole and commemorated 40 years of U.S. nuclear-powered submarine Arctic operations.
Meanwhile, ‘81 submariners are making their presence known in Pearl. COs include Willy Hilarides, KEY WEST, Dennis Murphy, TUSCON, Bruce Grooms, ASHEVILLE, and Mark Patton, TOPEKA. Bill Drake recently departed as Flag Secretary to COMSUBPAC and is currently in PCO School, slated for COLUMBIA. Also on the waterfront: Kurt Irgens, Dep Cdr CSS-1, Russ Grocki, Dep Cdr, CSS-3, and Randy Burke, Dep Cdr, CSS-7. Russ recently decom’d CAVALLA and Randy decom’d BIRMINGHAM. For my 28th Co. classmates, my boss is none other than CAPT Dave McCall ‘75, our old Company Officer. CAPT McCall relieved as Commodore, SUBRON 1 in Aug 98. We truly live in a small world! Dave, wife Wendy, and their four children live on Ford Island and really like being back in HI. The Commodore said to say HI to all 28th Co. 81’ers! As for the ’81 flag, I would be honored to take it with me to the North Pole next spring (you got it) and if anyone comes through HI, please look Judy and I up. We live right on the water in Pearl Harbor - the sunsets are fantastic! I’m at rperry3146@aol.com or (808) 486-3711.
From Buz Sorce: On 04 Oct 98, Malia Grace Sorce was born at 5:17am at Bethesda Naval Hospital. She was 7 lbs 12 oz and 19 inches long. Trish, JC (the 2 year old big brother) and baby are all doing well. I am currently the SWO community manager in what is now OPNAV N13. I will be in this job for about another year before moving on to Command.
From Pat Roane: I’m breaking tradition by writing my 1st letter to Shipmate, however, the circumstances are extraordinary. Tilghman Payne married the (lovely and talented) former Suzanne Thibault of Alexandria, VA on 10 Jan 97. I was honored to serve as Tilghman’s best man since Tilghman’s parents, Eloise and Doug Payne ’52, introduced me to my future wife, (l&t) Elizabeth, in the fall of 79. In keeping with his own tradition, Steve Hampton sang a stirring rendition of Mack the Knife at the reception. The band leader obliged the rest of us by ensuring that Steve’s mike was turned off.
From Chris Boblit: I’d been meaning to write for quite a while when I read Tex Taylor’s plea for info on one of our more illustrious classmates and could delay no longer. Enclosed is a picture of me and Bill Tate (EUREKA! HE LIVES!) taken in Kauai last summer. He reluctantly gave me permission to send it and info as he claims he has never appeared in these hallowed pages and wasn’t sure he wanted to break his streak (we all gotta go sometime, Bud). My family was on vacation and Bill flew over from Oahu for the day. He’s currently in charge of security and humanitarian aid to the Pac Region and is very busy traveling and mesmerizing dignitaries with his unique "Clymer panache" that we all know and love.
In May I traveled to Norfolk to witness a 14th Co. mate being sworn in as CO. John "JB" Barron is now HS-8 Dragon Whale One. Also in attendance were Mark Kendall and the irrepressible Tim Burke. Photo of JB and Mark, enclosed. We airline pukes are amazed at how young Navy CDRs look these days.
I’m currently living in Minneapolis with my beautiful (+talented) wife, Lori, Ian, 10, and Graham, 7, and flying for Northwest. Actually, I haven’t flown for a while, labor strife not withstanding. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease (lymphoma) in June. As I write this (early Nov) I’m nearing the end of chemo treatments and should be cancer-free and back to work in Jan. For those who already knew, I thank you for all your prayers and positive thoughts. They mean a lot.
Now to close on a gridiron note . . . can you imagine if the current Navy offense had the "Blue Wave" defense of yore? Can you say Fiesta Bowl? And finally, this year’s Holiday Bowl is the 20th anniversary of Navy’s victory over BYU. Advanced trivia: Who made the 1st tackle in the very 1st Holiday Bowl? Age and illness have driven me to shameless self-promotion. Aloha, Bobber.
From Nelson Moe: Retired (TERA) and working with Integrated Performance Decisions, Century Bldg, #1250, 2341 Jefferson Davis HWY, Arlington, VA 22202, (W) 703-418-2800 x382, (E) nmoe@ipdinc.com and nmoe@worldnet.att.net.
Change of Command notices received in the mail. Todd Mallow took command of MOUNT HOOD on 25 Sep 98 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA (sorry for the delay, Todd). Paul Ims took command of HENRY M. JACKSON on 11 Dec 98 at NSB Bangor in Silverdale, WA.
Homecoming 98 tailgater. Otto Stutz and Bubba Turman did another superb job of feeding the masses.
Annual Class Officer contact info update: President, Bob Ravener, see top of column, Vice President, Chuck French, 10809 Melanie Ct., Oakton, VA 22124, 703-242-8012, chuck.french@metagroup.com, Treasurer, Mike Mahre, 1671 Miller Ave, Los Altos, CA 94024, 650-941-8876, mmahre@alumni.stanford.org, Secretary, Dave Ciccarelli, see top of column, At-Large, Tim Disher, 601 Drake Ave. #1, Monterey, CA 93940, 831-373-7862, dish5@aol.com, At-Large, Noreen Leahy, 90 Jarvis Pl., Lynbrook, NY 11563-3727, 516-596-1219, jmleahy@aol.com, At-Large, Dan Quattrini, 5747 Long Break Cir., Edina, MN 55439, 612-943-9878, dan@trmn.com.
There, that about does it. I could have gone on for at least two more columns, but I’ll save stories of classmates burned in effigy and engines rebuilt in Mother B for later. On a final note, by the time you read this I will have emailed the official Class of ’81 contact info spreadsheet to all classmates for whom I have email addresses. If you are not one of these people, please call me, mail me, stop by with any and all info on classmates. Believe it or not, the most recent Register of Grads still listed 81ers with parent’s addresses and ranks like Ens. next to them—a sad state of affairs that I’m trying to fix. If you’re lost and don’t want to be found, I understand, but consider this, the majority of found classmates I’ve talked to in the past two years have said that being found is the best thing they’d done recently and that they’d wished they’d done it sooner. Believe me when I tell you that not everyone’s an astronaut or a CO or a doctor or went to Harvard or has seen the world or is a Nobel laureate or has been on Wheel of Fortune. Most are semi-mortgaged, commuting, work-a-day folks trying to raise a kid or eight, hoping the car won’t break ‘til it’s paid off, looking for love, tired most of the time, non-athletic, softer than when they were mids, hanging on in quiet desperation waiting for the weekend types. And they’d love to hear from one of their own.
Later, .