12 minute read

class notes

1946

TOM RUGGLES fears that he may be the last of a vanishing species, being 93 years old. He is sad to hear that his classmate

RUSSELL “RUSTY” BOURNE has passed. He looks back on his three years at Milton with fondness and is still in contact with

friend GEORGE LORING ’45.

1949

At the grand old age of 90, BAYARD HENRY recently visited

Jack and JUNE ROBINSON ’49 and is happy to share that they are as exceptional as ever. Bayard writes that his daughter SARAH LEDERMAN ’77 manages a farm and has retired from teaching in NYC. Sarah’s three sons are employed around the globe; one has made him a double great-grandfather, another son is an avid skier, and his son Snowden, with his wife Paula, continue to be his “go-to” savior in a myriad of ways.

JOE BARR writes that he now has 12 grandchildren, ranging in ages from 6 months to 24 years old. They bring him great joy and happiness.

EMERY BRADLEY GOFF CARHART writes that she has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and COPD after a hospital scare this fall. She suffered a small stroke while in the hospital and is slowly recovering, hoping to drive again in a few months. She and her husband, Bill Carhart, are living in senior housing in Portland, Maine, a short drive from East End Beach. She regrets to share the passing of her border collie, Meg, and reminisces about all the wonderful dogs she and her husband have had in their 45 years of marriage. Emery’s grandkids have served as a lifeline for her and Bill by lona, Paris, and London.

In a time of COVID-19 and wildfires in the Santa Cruz

mountains, JONATHAN BEECHER writes that he and his spouse, Merike, have worked on longterm writing projects. His book Writers and Revolution: Intellectuals and the French Revolution of 1848 was published by Cambridge University Press last spring, and an English translation of Between Three Plagues, by Jaan Kross, is currently being worked on by Merike.

KIT (CHRISTOPHER) BINGHAM writes that he is aging fairly gracefully, if sorrowfully. He lost his wife, Carolyn, after 52 years of marriage and has been building a life by himself. Every week he gets together with a friend from church to play violin/viola and piano music. He explains that

keeping in touch and providing transportation; they have been a marvelous support system.

1954

MARY PRATT ARDANT shares that 2021 was much happier than 2020. Her family was last able to gather in August at Squam Lake, New Hampshire. She has grandchildren studying and working in Boston, Berkeley, Berlin, BarceJONATHAN BEECHER WRITERS

AND REVOLUTION

INTELLECTUALS AND THE FRENCH REVOLUTION OF 1848

the encouragement of DAVID EHRLICH is what got him back into music, and for that he is extremely grateful. In the meantime, Kit has enjoyed bicycling all over the Twin Cities and spends time maintaining a local website and writing programs. He inherited a large flower and vegetable garden from Carolyn, of which he is taking care. He hopes to travel east in the spring.

JEAN WORTHINGTON CHILDS writes that she and her husband are involved with different committees at North Hill in Needham, Massachusetts. She chairs the library committee and enjoys being a part of the group. “It seems many people use a Kindle or cell phone and the library is not as busy as one would think.” John has helped by keeping the finances and buildings in shape. Jean shares that she has taken up curling for fun and exercise. Previously living in Tennessee, her daughter has relocated to Providence, Rhode Island, for which Jean is joyful. She is now within driving distance of all three of her children.

CYNTHIA HALLOWELL is enjoying being in Converse House, Burlington, Vermont, near her brother Rob, although she does miss being in Boston. She welcomes calls to catch up with classmates. Please email alumni@milton.edu to connect with Cynthia.

DUFFY ROYCE SCHADE writes that with COVID-19 restrictions relaxed, she and Gerhard are enjoying visits with family and friends. She is involved with a book club and conservation-related activities at Stone Ridge in Mystic, Connecticut. They spent a month at their wonderful house in Gouldsboro, Maine. However, some activities were curtailed by Gerhard’s extensive back surgery. We wish him the best!

ROSAMOND VAN DER LINDE shares that she has finished her third book, titled Our Dear Deer Island, which includes stories from 40 summers of adventures in New Brunswick, Canada. She wrote the book to help the island celebrate its 250th year. “The island is as old as Beethoven!” Rosamond’s first book, A Piano in Every Room, tells the true story of her family of seven who lived in a 42-room house with 34 pianos. Her second book, The Land of No Laws, tells the story of her life while living on a six-square-mile island in the Dutch Caribbean. She encourages alumni to contact her at rosamondvanderlinde.com.

JEAN CUTLER WHITHAM had a hip replacement in January, but is involved with bridge, a book group, and knitting at the Riverwoods, Manchester, Continuing Care Retirement Center. Whit will have a knee replacement, just to keep up! They will be off to Boulder, Colorado, to visit their daughter and her family soon.

1955

KATHARINE GRATWICK BAKER shares that two of her grand-

children, ELOISE BAKER ’18 and COLIN BAKER ’21, who had great experiences at Milton, are now attending Brown University and are on the rowing teams. She is very proud!

1956

HANNAH HIGGINS BARTLETT and her husband, Jim, are happily settled at The Commons in Lincoln, Massachusetts. She writes that they have made wonderful new friends and have easy access to Boston and their son who lives in Winchester. Hannah recently had a long talk with MARY STRANG, who is still working her cattle ranch for the beef industry all by herself in these challenging times.

RUPERT HITZIG writes that he finished a major stream for Connect Universe, advocating for a more

Pam Watson Sebastian ’62 with her husband John

1961

Milton Class of 1961 Reunion Dinner in November 2021. Standing, left to right:

ROBERT MORSE, KENNETH HORAK, JOHN COOPER, BETTE BAPTISTE COOPER, JOSEPH KNOWLES, GB BRIGHAM, PETER WILDER. Seated, left to right: CHARLES HOWLAND,

PAUL SCHMID, PETER TALBOT, WALTER MACK.

connected world. He has also optioned a new novel for a movie, which he finds very exciting. He and his wife have been married for 52 years now. His oldest son, Sebastian, suffered an infection that damaged his heart, but has been given a new life with a heart transplant. His second son, Barnaby, and his wife have had another baby. Rupert sends well wishes to all his Milton friends.

JIM BOWDITCH and his wife, Felicity, share that they have moved into Quarry Hill, a retirement village in Camden, Maine. They have downsized from a 4,200-square-foot space to 1,630 square feet. Jim and Felicity have been working to downsize their belongings to spare their children for when they pass.

1958

JOHN V. WOODARD writes that he and his wife, Linda, recently relocated from Dedham, Massachusetts, to Brentwood, New Hampshire, to be closer to their daughter Heather and nearby family. They now live in The Villages at Three Ponds, an over-55 community. John and Linda enjoy their new home, neighbors, and surroundings.

1959

LYDIA (BUTLER) GOETZE and JINX (GOODYEAR) ROOSEVELT write that they are both retired teachers, Lydia from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and Jinx from Metropolitan College of New York. They share a love of photography, reading, sailing, and gardening. Over the past year, they were able to get together in Maine to enjoy hiking and conversation on Mount Desert Island and the Blue Hill Peninsula. They are saddened to learn about the passing of their classmate KATE (DAY) BEARE. They remember Kate fondly for her talents as a cellist in the English Chamber Orchestra.

FAITH WILLIAMS is temporarily living in Arizona, near her youngest and his family.

1960

CHAS FREEMAN is a visiting scholar at Brown, where he continues to speak out on foreign policy issues of national concern. Texts are available at chasfreeman. net or at watson.brown.edu/ people/fellows/freeman.

SHELDON STURGES writes that he and Waldo (Spike) Forbes have collaborated on a new book titled A Tree in the Woods, which was published in October by Sturges Publishing Company.

LIZA FORBES TRIPP writes from London, where her daughter and family live. She shares it has been a long wait due to COVID-19, and most people there are masked too.

1961

KENYON (TIM) BOLTON writes that he is happy to be a Flat Rock, North Carolina resident and winters in Santa Barbara, which is closer to skiing.

1962

JIM KAPLAN writes that he pub-

lished an op-ed with the Tampa Bay Times that he would like to share with other graduates: www.tampabay.com/opinion/2021/10/15/think-all-is-bleakheres-the-way-out-column/.

DIANA ROBERTS writes that she is working part-time as a director of advancement at Gore Place. She has joined the vestry of Saint Michael’s Church in Milton and is co-chairing the 2022 stewardship campaign. She still enjoys singing and playing squash. She hopes to publish her third book, Both Sides Now, in the coming year. Diana hoped that she and her husband, Bob Bray, would see their children and grandchildren for Christmas on the West Coast. (RIGHT)

PAM WATSON SEBASTIAN writes that she and her husband, John, were married in the Milton Chapel 50 years ago, and have a wonderful, happy life together. In September, John was diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer and has opted for no treatment. Pam and John are living one day at a time and counting their blessings. (SEE P. 51)

1964

NICK HINCH writes, “It has been a very eventful year, not for me, but for my wife.” After living with back and leg pain for 14 years and a failing spine due to scoliosis, his wife finally had her spine straightened in a seven-hour operation back in August. It will take about a year for her to fully recover, and her spine has pins and rods from the base of her neck to the base of her spine. “Her spine looks as though it is now surrounded by the Eiffel Tower.” She spends most of her time resting and can only do brief periods of activity. They are taking one day at a time. Nick is still working at the United Airlines Training Center, teaching aircraft systems on the Airbus 319/320. He says it is more like a semi-retirement job and only works half a month. He is not sure how long he will continue in this position, but after 53 years in aviation, he still enjoys teaching flying and the camaraderie of other pilots. Nick wishes all the best for 2022!

JESSE KORNBLUTH writes that he has written a new novel during the pandemic titled The Next Dalai Lama. He also shares he collaborated on a nonfiction book, revised the play Bringing Home the Birkin, and walks 7,000 steps a day.

1965

SCOTT L. PARKIN writes: “I am helping form a ‘village’ for elders here in Reston (á la Beacon Hill Village) and have spent the last few months building a new website called RestonforaLifetime. org. We’re hoping to stimulate the growth of small villages around Reston versus one large community-wide one. So, still keeping a foot in the aging field when not painting, playing tennis, or just living.”

1968

KATE HADLEY BAKER writes she has survived the great Texas freeze with no hardscape or house damage, thanks to extensive planning and preparation. She only lost power for 36 hours. The warmest place inside was 39 degrees when power was restored. Shortly after, Kate lost water service for several days. She jokes that her 17-year-old cat, who has now passed, was not happy with her abilities as a caretaker during the bad weather.

1969

EMILY BURR is a recently retired Unitarian Universalist minister, living in Canterbury, New Hampshire. She and her husband do short-term and emergency foster care, which she finds very rewarding; it gives her life purpose and helps keep her young. Emily now has two adult children and a four-year-old granddaughter.

EDWARD PELLEGRINI writes that he and his wife are in excellent health. He says the secret is paranoia and being very care-

1970

RICHARD SISE has retired as operations manager of Cross Sound Ferry Services in New London, Connecticut, after 42 years of service. He leaves behind a thriving ferry company to better concentrate on his wife, kids, farm, and their boat.

ful. He encouraged his kids to practice sports this year, such as surfing, hiking, skiing, biking, and climbing in moderation. Edward shares that his kids are doing great in tech and financial technology. He remembers that he had two dreams when he came to “Hollyweird:” to create an iconic character and write a fantasy epic. After 12 years of labor, he has done it. “Life is wonderful. Living lean…next stop off the grid.”

1970

BILL HARWOOD writes from Maine that he has joined the Governor’s Energy Office as senior advisor for regulatory affairs.

DAVID J. STONE regrets to inform his classmates of the passing of

DONALD “GREG” JACKSON. gathered at Great Hill, hosted

by MARGARET TRUMBULL NASH. Pictured left to right are NASH,

TAP FRANCIS TITHERINGTON, TISH O’CONNOR, and HOLLY SMITH. They were joined by SALLY CLARK

DONAHUE, CHRIS POPE, his wife, Sarah, and RUSS LYMAN for a festive potluck feast.

SYLVIE PERON hoped to be able to join her classmates for the 50th Reunion celebration last June. She is also happy to share that she got her third COVID-19 vaccine and is hopeful the pandemic will come to an end. Sylvie still edits Ultimate Jet, a magazine dedicated to business aviation. She is now enjoying life on the French Riviera with her partner, Luc. She looks forward to welcoming more of her friends (Margaret, Tish, and Hope), as they seem to appreciate her lifestyle in the Provençal back hills.

1971

TISH O’CONNOR writes that although the formal events for the 50th Reunion were canceled, some classmates

1972

RICHARD BAYLEY writes that after residing in Massachusetts for many years, he moved to northern New Hampshire in 2013. He shares