Class of ‘70, VMI

Greetings from Richmond. As I write these notes I am looking outside at green grass, leaves on the trees, blooming flowers and 78 degrees — Spring is finally here and sure is welcomed!!!!

This September will mark the 40th anniversary of our matriculation at the Institute and the beginning of many long term friendships that we enjoy today. We started that September over 400 strong and probably to a man couldn’t contemplate 40 years hence. Our Class has been fortunate that for the most part we have prospered and done well. I was reviewing our Class roster and saw the names of Brother Rats that weren’t able to make the 40 year journey with us. The following is the list of our deceased BR’s and the date of their passing: Kerry Newberry (6/11/72), Philip R. Ramsey (1/23/76), Henry Parrish (10/5/78), Frank H. Whitenack (8/6/80), Theodore B. Bolton (1/25/81), Edward D. Holmes (9/1/85), K. Scott Strong (9/23/92), Joseph E. Vojtecky (5/18/02) and Randolph B. Jones, (7/19/03). Although they are no longer with us their spirit continues. Sleep well BR’s — you are missed.

Received a note from AC Arnn who is now living in Statesville, NC on the third hole of the Statesville Country Club. When AC and Beth are not playing golf he occupies his time working at Gilbert Engineering Company while Beth teaches art at the local high school. AC’s son Patrick, is an instructor pilot in the USAF stationed at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, Texas. Daughter Sarah is a junior at Elon University and just returned from a semester in Ghana, Africa. Thanks, AC, for the update.

Ned Haley reported in from Charlottesville where he had the unpleasant task of unexpectedly having to move from a prime location in C’ville. Being the clever, resourceful individual that he is, he found a bigger and better place less than a mile away at Lake Monticello. Ned has been semi-retired since he returned from Holland in ’03. Ned said he is waiting for the “right” opportunity but it sounds to me like he’s living the right opportunity! Ned’s son Adam graduated from UVa last spring and apparently has a more than adequate mass of gray cells. After graduation he was recruited by Penn State to attend the Graduate English Program for six years – full ride. Way to go Adam, you made your Dad proud.

Bruce (Artie) Pates writes from Memphis that he is getting his ducks in order for retirement. Bruce says he loves Memphis, occasionally has a drink with Elvis and wants to know if any other BR’s are located in the area. On a more somber note Bruce’s Dad (VMI ’45) apparently is not doing well and is now living in a cared facility. He is helping out his Mom during these tough times. Our thoughts are with you Bruce and your family.

Bill and Marilyn Huffman were in Richmond recently for their son Tommy’s (VMI ’04) wedding. In attendance from ’70 were Herb and Susan Braun, Tom and Jill Cooke and Paula and I. Both of Bill’s sons graduated from VMI and both reside in Richmond. Bill and Marilyn are in Denver but are thinking about moving back east, hopefully to Richmond. It was a fun wedding and it was great seeing them.

The Richmond crowd is out and about. Ted Durvin and wife Barbara are marking time until July when Barbara retires (Ted has already retired) at which time they will move into their recently completed North Carolina home. Ted recently heard from Larry Dempsey who is practicing law in California (California has laws???). Larry has not been back to the Institute since he graduated but Ted put the full court press to at least come back for reunions. Ted thinks a little prodding from other BR’s will do the trick. If you get a chance, please drop Larry a note. Ted also has been in touch with Jon Vordermark. Jon is practicing pediatric urology in Lubbock, Tx. Thanks Ted for the update and congrats on the Durvin’s pending retirement.. Ralph Costen has fully recovered from his heart procedure and plays golf about four days a week. Ralph’s business continues to flourish as the building boom in Richmond just keeps on rolling. Ralph gets together with Neil (The Judge) Steverson once a week for a prayer breakfast. I’ve been invited to attend and given my ways it might help to hedge my bets. Paul Dickinson was in the hospital for a little intestinal tune–up and is doing fine. Paul is one of the few BR’s who is in probably better shape now than he was in school. The Richmond GOMBACs, Tom Cooke, Jim Mawyer, Herb Braun and Gary Weishaar are already planning next year’s Myrtle Beach trip. By the way Gary’s youngest son, who is a senior in high school is planning on attending VMI next year. That’s two for the Weishaar’s. There are a number of BR’s in Richmond that I haven’t seen in a while. Ned Snead, Joe Tenent, Jerry Woo, George Bach, Judson Collier, Kelly Sutton, Richert Purcell, Rich Clary, Luther Holloman, Hal Way, Mike Coleman, Dave Nuckols and Snead Luck. I would like to have a Richmond get together this summer and will try to get in touch with all metro Richmond BR’s. If I missed anybody please let me know.

I am in the process of forming a committee with the intent of presenting to VMI on our 40th Reunion, a fully endowed athletic/academic scholarship in the name of the Class of 1970. We are calling the effort “400 for the 40th”. In a nut shell we need to raise $400,000 over the next five years to endow the scholarship. We need to get the admin side of the project squared away and when completed will get the details out to everyone. In a recent conversation with Julian Smith regarding the project, Smitty offered to kick off the scholarship with a $25,000 pledge!!!!! Walt Ivkovich also made a sizeable contribution as did Jim Chapman ’69. If anybody has any ideas or suggestions, please sound off. Again details will be forth coming as quickly as possible.

Not much else to report. The Keydet baseball team is having a great year as did the track team. Expectations regarding the football program are starting rise as Coach Reid gets down to business. The recruits signed for next year appear to be very good especially when you consider the late start Coach Reid had. Next year we start the season 0 and 0 with a new coach, a new attitude and a revamped stadium. We’re due!!!!!

A number of you have asked about the schedule of class notes and pictures. Notes are due in the Alumni office by the 15th of Feb, May, Aug and Nov. The notes run three months behind, ie. May’s notes will appear in September’s edition, August’s notes in December and so forth. If anybody would like a picture published the picture has to be in a high resolution format or the Alumni office can’t copy it.

I would like to ask a favor of everyone. I am trying to update our e-mail address book and would appreciate if everybody would send me their e-mail address. I’ll be able to purge the invalid ones and hopefully add the new ones. Please drop me a line when you get a chance with news of your family or if you run into any “lost” BR’s. You all take care and enjoy the summer.

God bless our troops and the Class of ’70.