Class Notes Editor – Paul Capra
2365 Chambers Lake Ln, SE
Lacey, WA 98503
E-mail: shonea1@gmail.com
Webmaster – Lou Allyn
E-mail: yaleclass1961@gmail.com
Website: http://yale1961.org/
Class officers:
Jamie McLane – Co Chair – E-mail: jmclane@profexa.com
Henry Kuehn – Co Chair – E-mail: hhkuehn@gmail.com
COUNTDOWN 64th Reunion
Save the date: September 25-28, 2025, for an action-packed 64th reunion in Chicago under the creative baton of Andy Block.
COUNTDOWN 65th Reunion
Only 16 months left until our 65th Reunion scheduled for early June 2026. The Committee headed by Hank Kuehn meets monthly. They are considering some old favorites and some innovative ideas. Feed your suggestions to Hank at the address above.
John Walsh will give three lectures in early April on Paul Cézanne, wrapping up his 12-year run of art history lectures at the Yale Art Gallery totaling more than 50 episodes. All are on video, and the entire menu is easily Googled: just put in “Yale Walsh Lectures”.
From Andy Block: I just talked to Rick Steinkamp’s son Greg who informed me that Rick passed away yesterday from complications arising from a broken hip. I can only add to the obit that Rick was the favorite speaker at our mini in Las Vegas as he was a professional gambler who spoke with a lot of authority, insight and humor about his profession. Our numbers are regrettably shrinking. Andy
After graduating from Yale, Roderic Rick Gordon Steinkamp began a successful career in publishing including Macmillan where he helped shape educational publishing for many years. Rick was deeply passionate about three pursuits he often referred to as his “Three Ps” – publishing, poker, and politics. After retiring from publishing, he and Katy moved to Las Vegas, where he continued to chase his passions. During his second year in Las Vegas, Rick achieved an impressive fourth-place finish in the World Series of Poker, solidifying his place in the competitive poker world. Rick ran unsuccessfully for assemblyman in 1998 but the loss opened the door to a new chapter as he was invited to teach political science at UNLV where he was very popular.
I am sorry to inform you of the death of my husband Tom Johnson on Tuesday, December 31. (Esther Ferrer). Following up – Bob Budnitz writes: My roommate Tom Johnson died today. He must have died suddenly because I spoke to him only a few days ago. I remained in close touch with Tom and Esther over all these years. He lived in Paris for the last several decades, was a composer of modern classical music, and was widely known in that community. Please also see the half page obituary of Tom in the January 7th edition of the NYT.
Dr. C. Hardy Oliver Jr. passed last December after long health battles. He leaves behind a legacy of professional excellence, and a life lived with humor, adventure, and integrity. After Yale where he received his B.A. Cum Laude, he went on to earn his MD from Cornell University Medical College, ultimately specializing in hand surgery. Hardy will be remembered as an adventurous soul, and a lifelong outdoorsman. His approach to life balanced bravery with discretion, embracing risks both outdoors and in the financial markets.
This in from Ronald K. St. John, MD, MPH. I recently resigned from the WHO Technical Advisory Panel of the World Bank/WHO Pandemic Preparedness Fund. I resigned when I saw a farewell picture of our latest meeting. The clincher was when a group photo was taken on the steps of WHO and I looked at the ensuing print. I wondered who was the old guy in the middle of the picture?!!! Could it be me? Aaarrgghh! Time for younger folks to take over. Nevertheless, I am still on the WHO committee revising guidelines for when countries should test for COVID-19, but that work is all virtual. Cheers
Bob McManus sent this: I thought you would want to know that Richard Dick Dennis Egan died the day before Thanksgiving. His wife, Annie, informed the little Zoom group that Dick and a few others of us have been attending biweekly since Covid. I don’t have a formal cause of death, but Dick said he was too tired for a Zoom session on Tuesday, was taken to the ER that afternoon and went into septic shock overnight. He had told us a while back that he didn’t expect to last another year. I think several of his parts just wore out. Dick’s obituary adds: Lambeau Field’s (Green Bay Packer’s Stadium) section 121, row 52, seat 1 lost its longtime partner Wednesday, Nov. 27. Dick succeeded his father as president and CEO of Little Rapids in the mid 70’s and remained at the helm until the mid-90s. During that time, he was active with many organizations relating to the paper industry, to education and to community service. In the mid 90’s Dick went to Ecuador where he learned Spanish and established a charity that worked with the mobility impaired.
Sanford Alexander Moss III (Sandy) passed last September. Sanford had a happy life as a naturalist and teacher. He earned his BA in Zoology at Yale followed by a Ph.D. in Comparative Vertebrate Morphology from Cornell University in 1965. Over the course of his 35-year tenure at the University of MA, Sandy helped build a strong, well-respected program in marine biology. Most of his research concerned sharks and other elasmobranch fishes, which appeared in multiple journals and books.“Hello Paul, Jane Stewart here”, wrote Dick Stewart’s widow. “I thought the 63rd reunion in New Haven was simply marvelous; hats off to Ed Cantor and everyone else who made it so engaging, thought-provoking, congenial and fun! Dick’s time at Yale meant everything to him, a sentiment I heard from most every class member with whom I spoke at the New Haven gathering. So, it was tremendously comforting for me to be with you all as I faced the one-year anniversary of Dick’s death. I very much look forward to attending next year’s reunion in Chicago and spending more time with this delightful group of Dick’s classmates.
Recently, John Hansman developed architectural histories of two buildings very near and dear to him, namely the River Road Unitarian Church in Bethesda, MD and the senior community in which he lives – Fox Hill. The River Road Unitarian Church application is now pending approval for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. On the subject of retirement communities, John admonishes: “The new friendships and shared activities of a senior community are a boon, but it takes psychic and physical energy to integrate into a new community. At our age, do not wait”.
Robert Trent Jones Jr. received The Donald Ross award from the American Society of golf course architects for his life of work, the highest honor in his profession. In response, Bobby said: “I am humbled and thrilled that my peers voted for this. Of course, I mentioned Yale’s influence on my work”.
Victor Blaine Weber passed away on December 27. He pursued his passion for music with remarkable dedication, ultimately earning a PhD in Music Theory from Yale University. He was also a member of the Wolf’s Head Society while at Yale University. A fervent admirer of Baroque music and early instruments, Victor’s profound appreciation for the art form was a guiding light throughout his distinguished career.
’61 NOTES EDITOR
Paul Capra