Our first ‘First Thursday’ Coffee Hour of 2023 featured a quick review of the midterm elections, to see how we mgith have done on our predictions made in last September, and to discuss where the country may roll on from here. It was an energetic talk filled with agreements and disagreements, but unfailingly cordial ones. Enjoy the recording!

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1/09/23
An Inconspicuous Subset, in France

By Philip Stewart

An inconspicuous subset of the Yale class of 1962 were the eleven juniors who spent the year 1960–1961 in France under the auspices of the Sweet Briar Junior Year in France, a venerable program about 90-strong that had begun at the University of Delaware in period between the two World Wars. These men were, if my archives are correct, David Arkush, Jeff Barnouw, Roger Craig, Edward Freeman, Joe Graham, Steve Hazlett, Bill Reilly, Tom Sherman, Robert A. Smith, Philip Stewart, and Sam Waterston.

One interesting feature of this group was its diversity. Far from being characterized, as one might imagine, by French majors, they were remarkably diverse both in their fields of study (one, for example, majored in Southeast Asian Studies) and eventual profession: several were to become… Read Philip’s complete essay here

1/09/23
Adventures with Psychologists: Discussing Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future

By Tim Hall

For anyone interested in a mind-changing walk through a near-future world coping – ultimately fairly successfully – with environmental disaster, Kim Stanley Robinson’s sci-fi novel, The Ministry for the Future, is worth your serious consideration. I read it last summer, at my wife’s urging (her friend Carolyn said, “You have to read this book!”), and I hung in there to the end, in spite of the prodigious length – 563 pages. I like short books, short attention span!

The book centers on the life and work of Mary Murphy, who has been appointed Director of a new United Nations ministry whose constituency is the people of the future. It deals with near-future events, starting with a catastrophic heat wave in India that killed… Read Tim’s complete essay here

12/21/22
Y62 Interview: Steve Lash

On December 13th, we had the great fortune to connect Class Secretary and Y62 Communications Team member John Stewart with Steve Lash for a discussion of Steve’s still ongoing time at Christie’s Auction House. He retired as Chairman, but still goes to work every day, and shares with us the reason. Enjoy this delightful conversation!

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12/21/22
Crypto in Crisis: Can Order Emerge from the Chaos?

By Whitman Knapp

The “crypto” world has been rocked by disaster after disaster in 2022. The trouble started in May with the collapse of the algorithm based “Stablecoin” Terra. That was followed by the collapse/bankruptcy of cryptocurrency exchanges and hedge funds, Three Arrows Capital (3AC), Celsius Network, and Voyager Digital, with a cumulative loss of approximately $20billion. Finally, the implosion and bankruptcy of the Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) cryptocurrency exchange, FTX, and his trading vehicle, Alameda Research, has thrown… Read Whit’s complete essay here

11/29/22
Y62 Interview: “My Legislative Years”

Earlier this month, Y62 Communications Team member Bill Weber sat down with former Missouri legislator and classmate Charlie Valier to discuss some of the more memorable events during Charlie’s time in state government. This interview runs a bit longer than most of the ones we’ve offered, but the time goes quickly, and it’s filled with unique, entertaining moments. Enjoy!

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11/29/22
Republicans Abandon The Planet

By Rutherford H. Platt

On Labor Day, 80 million people along the East Coast were under flash flood watches or warnings, while another 50 million in six western states were under excessive heat warnings. As parts of Georgia received a “once in 1000 year rainfall,” Salt Lake City hit a record 103 degrees F. and Long Beach, CA reached 108 F. Puerto Rico this week suffered intense flooding and power failures from Hurricane Flora––a replay of Hurricane Maria in 2017. Meanwhile, 33 million Pakistanis have fled… Read Rud’s full Op-Ed here.

11/29/22
Thinking about Neal Stephenson’s Termination Shock

By John Stewart

While re-reading for Neal Stephenson’s brilliant and entertaining eco-thriller Termination Shock, I was reminded of Isaiah Berlin’s hedgehog and fox categorizations: the fox knows many things and the hedgehog one big thing. In this case Kim Stanley Robinson’s very important novel about climate change, The Ministry for the Future, is … Read John’s full comments here.

11/16/22
William “Bill” Stork
By Lee Bolman, of the Yale ’62 Communications Team

Prominent and beloved classmate William “Bill” Stork died peacefully in Hong Kong on November 6. Bill was many things — teacher, school administrator, innovator, author, Fulbright Scholar, world traveler and more. Classmate Al Chambers captured the quality that stood out most to many of his classmates: “His love and commitment to Yale were extraordinary.”

Ask Bill to do something for Yale or the class, and he never said no. He served terms as president of two Yale Clubs: Southern California and Hong Kong. He was a delegate to the Assembly of the Yale Alumni Association (YAA) and was elected to YAA’s Board of Governors, where he served two terms as secretary. In 1991 Yale asked him to chair the Yale Assembly on internationalization of the university, a task he carried out with great success. Ten years later, Yale asked Bill to co-chair Yale’s 300th anniversary celebration for alumni in Asia, a four-day event that drew 450 attendees. He was involved in the NUS initiative from its early stages. He and Al Chambers co-chaired a class mini-reunion in Hong Kong in 2005.

Bill was the all-time leader in articles submitted to our website here at Yale62.org, and was prolific until shortly before his death. His last submission to the class website was a timely three-part series in July and August that asked “How Secure is China’s Leadership?” Bill’s genial optimism and fascination with the world around him were reflected in an August note to a classmate: “Here I am hearty, happy, and healthy and busily watching the comings and goings of typhoons and other ramifications of climate change in Hong Kong and elsewhere.” He’ll be missed.

11/07/22
Our November ‘First Thursday’ Coffee Hour

Our November 3rd Coffee Hour focused on Yale Admissions and how a well-designed class might be selected. Communications Team member Lee Bolman created a powerful presentation that classmates then used as a springboard for their own discussions in small “breakout” rooms (not recorded). Then we all reconvened the one large group at the end to share our discussion outcomes. Lee’s slides are available here.

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10/24/22

Our Second Couples Interview! Cindy & Dave Hummel

Classmate Dave Hummel and his lovely, talented wife Cindy have visited almost all of the countries in the world! In the interview above with Y62 Communications Team member Gary Richardson, they talk about their experiences. And at this link, we see some of Cindy’s magnificent photos from her latest trip to South Africa.

10/24/22
What’s Old is New Again!

Classmate and former Y62 Corresponding Secretary Mike Kane wrote to us a few few weeks back to remind everyone that the archives here on this website are vast! Don’t forget that we feature articles which have been written by classmates for over 20 years, as well as Yale Alumni Magazine columns dating from 2002 forward. Visit the links on the left side of this page – or at the bottom of this page, use the Search function if you’re looking for a specific name, and enjoy a trip down “Memory Lane!”

10/13/22
“The Legacy of Thornton Wilder” – Our October Coffee Hour

At our regularly scheduled ‘First Thursday’ Coffee Hour for October, we sat down with classmate Tappy Wilder, who has worked as his late Uncle Thornton’s Literary Executor since 1995. He tells us the story of how all of that transpired, and, joined by Thornton Wilder Estate Program Manager Rosey Strub, he lets us in on what’s happening with the ongoing interest in Thornton’s many timeless works. (Watch the recording to the end to find out the truth about the “real” Grover’s Corners!)

In addition, we have a link to the new mini-documentary out on Thornton (“Thornton Wilder: It’s Time”), shown in part at our Coffee Hour. Here is the complete documentary at this link. Are you looking for more about the Wilder family in Maine? Rosey supplied this link to us. Finally, how would you like to produce your very own Thornton Wilder three-minute play? You can! Tappy has provided us all with a copy of “Flamingo Red” right here! Enjoy, everyone!

Comments? Please make them here.

10/07/22
“One of Us” – an interview with Ed Rowan

(Ed. Note: Lifelong newsman Al Chambers recently sat down with author and psychiatrist Ed Rowan to discuss what became of fellow Y62 classmate Dirk Greineder, who was convicted in the murder of his wife, Mabel “Mae” Greineder, and who remains in prison in Massachusetts. Part of Dirk’s most unusual life is outlined in a chapter of Ed’s recent memoir, My First Eighty Years. Please watch the interview and read Ed’s additional comments, both of which are provided below.)

Notes Ed sent along to accompany the interview: “After Yale, medical school, and a psychiatric residency, my first “job” was with the Navy assigned to their maximum security prison in Portsmouth, NH. After a brief stint in college mental health (a very different population), I was back in forensic work, ultimately as medical director of the New Hampshire Department of Corrections. In that capacity, we developed the first sex offender treatment in the state. Back in the States, I wanted to do something different and just write.

“My first endeavor was to answer the question as to why the Boy Scouts of America downplayed the role of its first Chief Executive, so I researched and wrote a biography of him. One day, I saw an article in the Boston Globe about a doctor being tried for the murder of his wife. Since he was my age and a Yale graduate, I wondered if he were a classmate. Dirk Greineder was. The trial disclosed that he had been hiding a life of pornography and prostitutes, so I was intrigued. He was found guilty of first degree murder, and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Since I knew about sex and murder, I arranged to meet with him in prison. He was not especially cooperative, and always said that the appeals process was still underway.

“After all his appeals were exhausted, I finally got access to the trial transcript. All my book proposals were rejected.
I’m not a lawyer, but I would have suggested a different defense strategy but one that Dirk would have rejected. He still claims that he is innocent, and his children could not accept the fact that their father would kill their mother.”

Comments? Ed will reply to your questions and comments. Click here.

10/07/22
Intelligence Squared US: Should We Separate the Art From the Artist?

Occasionally, we bring you episodes from classmate Bob Rosenkranz’s Intelligence Squared U.S., where he is Founder and Chairman of the Board. These discussions are “grounded in facts and informed by reasoned analysis.” Please click on the player below to listen to this most recent podcast.

9/30/22
The U.S. Response to the War in Ukraine – an Op-Ed
By Bill Boehmler

I have been concerned that until recently, U.S. support for the Ukrainians has been anemic. Our slow response to Russian aggression has led to horrific consequences for Ukraine and its people. I have written the following note to explain my concerns and pose questions that I haven’t heard addressed in mainstream media.

In 2005, Vladimir Putin revealed his intentions toward countries that had left the Soviet Union.

In an address to the Federal Assembly of the Russian… Read Bill’s full Op-Ed here.

9/30/22
My Work with the ADA
By Jim Lewis

Abraham Lincoln’s Home in Springfield, IL, shown here not compliant with ADA

In 1991, Congress passed and President George H. W. Bush was glad to sign the ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act. This legislation changed the existing expectations for the many millions of people with physical and mental limitations, and brought them more fully into our communities, to benefit the individuals as well as the communities.

How would this be implemented? Good question. Someone had to do something.

After the passage of the ADA, the United States Department of Justice invited Assistant United States Attorneys – like me – to one-day regional ADA training. Jaci, a paralegal in our office, came with me. We learned about the law and checked out an ADA-compliant… Read Jim’s full account here.

9/30/22
Bits & Pieces for a Good Life
By Lee V. Bakunin

Welcome, Yale Class of 2062!

You are the 358th Class to receive opening remarks as you embark on your journey to shape your world of tomorrow.
The legacy you will leave starts now.

Memories, experiences, successes and failures.

I’ve shied away from pontificating or providing you with a list of do’s and don’ts for success. Because… you will do it your way and far be it from me to tell you to change what you believe works or doesn’t work for you. Still working on my stuff. I’m not there yet. You are probably in a better position to offer a suggestion or two to me than the other way… Read Lee’s full essay here.

9/20/22
One Photographer’s View

Classmate and Communications Team member Gary Richardson recently closed a show of his photos in his longtime hometown of Boise, Idaho, and has sent us a sampling of his keen-eyed, amazing work. Please visit his online gallery he has shared with us here.

9/20/22
Seeking Asphaleia (ἀσφάλεια)
By Charles Valier

Tennis Court Hill

Taffy, my Golden Retriever puppy and I ascend “tennis court hill.” As a young boy, I strained to pedal my bike up that same hill. Now, after traversing the surrounding grounds, my immediate neighborhood and descending the hill created many thousands of years ago by a receding glacier, I have to climb again to return to my home firmly planted at the crest. I struggle under the weight of 82 years. The sound of my shuffling and banter with Taffy is drowned out by the hum… CLICK TO READ THE FULL ESSAY

9/20/22
Yale School of Architecture Plans Celebration of Alex Garvin’s Life, Work

Classmate Steve Rose sent in the following news: “I thought the class would be interested in this multi-event occasion regarding our classmate, Alex. It would be nice if we sent a classmate to some of the events (two in New Haven, three in NYC) to bring back a report.” Full info is available at the link at the bottom labeled “Click here to receive detailed invitations and information.” If anyone is interested in attending, and then sending us a few words about the events – one or more – please let us know at YAM@yale62.org. Thanks!

9/06/22
Our Sept. ‘First Thursday’ Coffee Hour. “Midterm Elections: Fateful for Democracy?”

On Thursday, September 1, we had a lively discussion about a few of the upcoming midterm political races, starting off with updates by classmate residents of Arizona (Bob Breault), Georgia (Rod Hunter, Roscoe Sandlin) and Pennsylvania (Jack Merrick). Ably moderated by Communications Team member Lee Bolman and brought into sharp focus by our newsman classmate Al Chambers, the 90-minute meeting was enlightening, engaging and fun. Enjoy the recording, and be sure to leave your own comments on the comments page.

8/23/22
Y62 Interview: Bob Stokstad

A few days back, Communications Team member Bill Weber was able to sit down with classmate Bob Stokstad. Because of the joyful, adventurous mix of science and outdoorsmanship in Bob’s life, Bill refers to him as “the Enrico Fermi of ’62.” Enjoy this lively chat!

Additionally, Bob sent us a few links to provide more information on a few of the topics covered in the interview.

• The IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole
• Bob’s South Pole Travel, Photography, Moto-Journalism
• Bob’s Metal Working

Click here to leave comments on the interview.

8/23/22
How Secure is China’s Leadership? Part Three
By Bill Stork

This fall’s 20th National Party Congress will be the most significant in forty years. While I expect that Xi Jinping will again be elected president for a third term, I also expect it will be with drastic and perhaps dramatic limitations.

China is exceedingly history-conscious, and precedents are important. No one since Mao Tse-tung has served for more than two terms… CLICK HERE TO READ BILL’S COMPLETE ESSAY

8/23/22
A Letter from Tanglewood
By John Stewart

Nestled in the verdant rolling Berkshire hills. Tanglewood is the 500-acre park-like summer home of the Boston Symphony. There is a large amphitheater and when it’s not raining, before the concerts there are many hundreds of visitors picnicking on the grass around it, or around the Ozawa theater, with its perfect acoustics. Since we moved east in 2011 we’ve attended at least a half dozen concerts every summer (except 2020) frequently in the company of classmates Lew and Melinda Spratlan, Carl and Liz Kaestle and Peter and Margaret Sipple, with a Lenox dinner… CLICK HERE TO READ JOHN’S LETTER IN ITS ENTIRETY

8/09/22
Y62: Our August ‘First Thursday’ Coffee Hour on “Surviving Yale”

On August 4, we held our “First Thursday’ Coffee Hour. Small group chat is not shown in the recording (not possible in the software we use), but everything from the large group is here. Enjoy the recording!

CLICK HERE TO COMMENT ON THE COFFEE HOUR

8/09/22
How Secure is China’s Leadership? Part Two
By Bill Stork

In the U.S., the political parties and media have their focus on the mid-term elections, and perhaps there is too much to cover and too much coverage. In China, the Chinese Communist Party has its Party Congress every five years, with the next one scheduled for this fall (date not yet revealed). At the last Party Congress, President Xi Jinping had enough power to scrap term limits on his presidency. But has his power slipped? Will the Party Congress vote to restore those term limits? Will they move forward on any other limitations?

Part Two of this three-part article will take a look at Xi’s standing within the Chinese Communist… CLICK HERE TO READ BILL’S COMPLETE ESSAY

8/01/22
Y62 Interview: Breaux Castleman, Jack Merrick

Last week, Communications Team member Bill Weber had the good chance to sit down with classmates Breaux Castleman and Jack Merrick, both of whom have ties to the oil industry, to talk about the fossil fuels pricing we’ve seen over the past few months. Enjoy this enlightening talk!

CLICK HERE TO COMMENT ON THE INTERVIEW

8/01/22
You Can Ignore Reality Only by Ignoring the Risk of Unacceptable Outcomes
By Anthony Carbone

Let’s start on the above theme with a capsule summary of the Biden administration’s energy policy. In the short term, the intent is to restrict the supply of fossil fuels, thereby driving up prices relative to renewable energy sources. Longer term, the objective is ultimately to deconstruct the oil and gas industry and limit production to approved, hard-to-decarbonize applications. The “forcing functions” that underpin this… CLICK HERE TO READ ANTHONY’S COMPLETE COMMENTARY

8/01/22
Legacy admits, affirmative action and college rankings: NOT All Quiet on the Admissions Front
By Lee Bolman

With the odds of admission steeper than ever, should legacy applicants still get an edge? Should Yale still consider race in admissions decisions? Will race and legacy status both disappear in the wake of a Supreme Court decision next year? Should Yale continue to participate in the US News annual college rankings when other schools may be gaming the numbers?  All these questions have been in the news recently…. CLICK HERE TO READ LEE’S COMPLETE ESSAY

7/22/22
Y62 Interview: Joe Holmes

Last week, John Stewart had the fun opportunity to sit down with the masterful musician Joe Holmes to talk about music in his life, and how it all began. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO COMMENT ON THE INTERVIEW

7/22/22
How Secure is China’s Leadership? Part One
By Bill Stork

In the U.S., the political parties and media have their focus on the mid-term elections, and perhaps there is too much to cover and too much coverage. In China, the Chinese Communist Party has its Party Congress every five years, with the next one scheduled for this fall (date not yet revealed!). At the last Party Congress, President Xi Jinping had enough power to have scrapped all… CLICK HERE TO READ BILL’S COMPLETE ESSAY

7/22/22
Calling All Podcasters!

Are you a podcaster? Do you listen to podcasts, and maybe find a few to recommend? We want to hear from you! Please drop a line to YAM@Yale62.org and tell us about your involvement with this new medium. Thanks!

7/12/22
Our Y62 Coffee Hour: July 7, 2022. Taking Apart The News

Comments? Please make them here.

7/12/22
Dark Review of a Wine Book — Rejected by the Journal of Wine Economics

By Roman Weil

Roman Weil

I had a ball writing this review for reasons you’ll see in a moment. The editor, after consulting with his co-editors rejected my first version because, they said, my review was more about what the book did not contain than what it did. Get rid of the stuff about its omissions and tell us its inclusions. So, I obeyed and did a boring review, which I’ll not give away anything about here. Instead I’ll show you what I wrote, which the editors rejected. All the following was in the first draft; none of this will appear in the Journal.

I’ll start by disabusing you of the notion this review is about Kevin Zraly’s book alone. You know him, sommelier at Windows on the World until its untimely demise on 9/11, but not me, so I’ll start with … READ ROMAN’S REVIEW HERE

7/07/22
Y62 Interview: David Finkle

Last week, John Stewart sat down via Zoom with David Finkle to chat about what’s kept David busy recently, and it’s a potpourri of endeavors! Please enjoy this charming chat between two longtime friends.

For more about David, you’re invited to go to his website, DavidFinkle.com, where you can hear an interview, read some of his stories and reviews, and even purchase a book or two, if you like.

Further, here’s that link to “Democracy, It’s the Best Thing Yet” – the latest Finkle and Weeden ode to our dear country.

7/07/22
Adventures with Cars
By Bill Weber of the Y62 Communications Team

1989 Jaguar, from my current collection

Back in high school I became fascinated with cars, and my first one, I recall, was a 1949 Packard that eventually ended up with me in New Haven during my Sophomore or Junior year; I sold it to Orin Towner, a fifth-year engineering/Navy fellow who roomed with Giamei, Post and me. Sometime before that, in my high school years, I bought a 1948 Lincoln V-12 Zephyr… CLICK TO READ BILL’S ADVENTURES

7/05/22
How Did You Survive Yale?

Did you have an unusual or especially interesting experiences in your adjustment to Yale, particularly involving money, grades, and financial aid? Did you have a scholarship and a bursary or off-campus job? Were they ever in jeopardy for any reason? Or a specific academic survival experience that you’d like to share? And what impact, if any, did this experience have on the rest of your Yale experience and your later life?

If you’d like to contribute to next month’s Coffee Hour discussion on Yale survival and adaptation experiences, write to the Coffee Hour team c/o Tim Hall at dthall@bu.edu.

6/21/22
Our 60th Reunion Materials – The Whole Package!
We now have the Reunion Report, courtesy of Reunion Chair, Dan Koenigsberg, videos for your viewing pleasure, the ‘Litany of Thanksgiving and Remembrance’ from our Memorial Service, and over 80 photos for you to enjoy. We hope it all brings a smile to your face!

6/06/22
Our Y62 Coffee Hour, June 1, 2022

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6/06/22
Memorial Day Celebration at the Town of Pulteney, NY
By Bill Weber

[Ed. Note: Former Town Supervisor of Pulteney, NY, Bill has been involved in civic activities there for many years. His Memorial Day speech is his latest service to the town.]

Welcome to the Town of Pulteney’s Memorial Day celebration. We are here today to honor the fallen soldiers of America’s wars and conflicts. On this day in 1868, General John Logan issued a proclamation commemorating the sacrifices of the soldiers and sailors of the Civil War. He called it Decoration Day, later to be termed Memorial Day. Over 600,000 men died in the battles and I am sad to say the United States has lost over 1 million men and women soldiers to date in a variety of wars and conflicts. The Town of Pulteney has contributed brave men and women to virtually all the conflicts and suffered loss… READ BILL’S COMPLETE ADDRESS HERE

6/03/22
Reunion Reflections of a Trailing Spouse
By Tim Hall

This is a report from the firing line, reflecting on yesterday’s experiences of being a nonessential participant in the ancient ritual, the Big Decade Reunion (for ancient alums). My wife, Marcy Crary, is a member of the Radcliffe/Harvard Class of 1972, was on the Reunion Planning Committee and chaired one of their class panels. So, she was a central member of the class gathering – and I was anything but. And this distance provided some useful… READ TIM’S COMPLETE ESSAY HERE

6/03/22
Y62 Interview: Art Mann & The Hourglass Foundation

Last month, Y62 Communications Team member Bill Weber sat down with classmate Art Mann to chat about the remarkable community development initiative in which Art’s been involved for well over two decades. Please enjoy the interview.

Comments? Please make them here.

6/03/22
The Yale Russian Chorus faces a difficult challenge.
By John Stewart

YRC in Russia, 2019

At the height of the cold war in the ’50s, a club began at Yale, to understand and learn more about Russia and the Soviet Union. Denis Mickewicz, studying in the Dept of Slavic Languages and the Yale School of Music, was invited to lead some Russian songs, and in a short time by virtue of his great charisma, musical and compositional gifts, and knowledge of sacred and secular Slavic choral literature, had attracted good enough voices to perform really challenging… READ JOHN’S COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE

The Listing of Front Page Stories for the Past Year or So Continues Here…