INTRODUCTION: In my correspondence I sense heightened class pride as our general officers continue to influence the direction and tone of the Air Force. I also note we’re feeling a sense of accomplishment in our careers and in the successes of our children. It’s great, as a scribe, to be able to share this with you.
SQUADRON NOTES: Mike Tremonte and Scott Wilson want me to tell the true story of how CS-38 got the nickname of “All Stars”. Their first squadron patch depicted a phantom until the 1970 Dodo All Star award went to “The entire 38th Sqdn. for placing 39th or below in all areas of competition” (Dodo Vol 14 Jun 70). That prompted a re-designed patch and yell. Mike is retiring from Exxon/Mobil and will join Susan in Seattle this month where he’ll start doing real estate. Scott flies for Northwest and is a broker/financial consultant with Quest Capital Strategies. Scott attended Juan Rangell’s Alaska Airlines retirement; Juan left USAFA early, finished his degree as a three-striper, got commissioned and flew C-141’s. Paul Brenner (Maureen) flies for American, lives in Las Cruces, hunts when able. I caught SWA pilot Al Hoover at his Paulden AZ home after he missed out flying his PT-17 Stearman at an airshow due to a balky engine; Lauri spins and weaves as a ‘fiber artist’ with wool they’ve raised and looks forward to Al finishing a workshop for her. Others flying commercially are Tremonte’s brother in law Grover Stein with Northwest, Rick Ralph with American, and Mike Koerner with SWA. CS-38 has a cluster of classmates in the Springs area: Luke Coker (Patricia) is an ART with the 302nd AW at Peterson, BJ Stanton (Donna) is with SI International, Ken Henry (Karen) is with Northrop Grumman, and Jim Vitelli is a program manager working Integrated Space C2 with Lockheed. All will celebrate Jim’s wedding to Kim this February; Jim traveled with the Henry’s to England and France this summer…dunno if they’ll do the same with the honeymoon. Joel Carlson (Roxanna) left the Springs for San Diego and FGM, a software developer; he must miss watching Mark play football in his senior USAFA year. Don Morrison is owner/CEO of Business Transition Network which helps companies navigate the legal/tax/financial aspects of buyouts. More impressive is how knowledgeable he’s become about multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells) while caring for wife Sally; she’s doing well and Don now offers consultation to others with the disease. O’Dell Engineering has an impressive website that suggests that Randy O’Dell’s CE degree has been put to profitable use. Dr. Steve Popper is starting an occupational medicine program for Holzer Clinic in Gallipolis, OH, while helping raise a second family with wife Cheryl. Bruce Slawter is Director of DOE’s Office of Nuclear Warhead Protection charged with, along with other things, upgrading the security of 80 Russian military warhead sites; Suzanne teaches 2nd Grade near Mt. Vernon. I talked with Ann Heely who occasionally sees Bill at their Yorktown VA home between TDYs as he sets up and runs wargames for Cubic; Ann says he refers to himself as a ‘pucker’…I can’t wait to find out what that means.
Ron and Mary Scott (right) look pleased at daughter Kate’s wedding to Boni Jiang. No time for rest though; daughter Kim caught the bouquet and will marry Chad Perry (left) on January 14th, 2006
Huge thanks to Mike Arnett for supplying news on CS-09ers. Mike and Pris were transferred to Cape Canaveral from Colorado Springs by L-3 Communications; they have three daughters, all married and in Colorado, four grandchildren, and one on the way. Dave Barcus and Maria are enjoying life by the beach…as in Miami Beach where he’s campus planner for Miami-Dade Community College. Gordy “Stump” Bendick works for BAE Systems in DC. “My oldest daughter has moved in with me to attend Law School at Catholic University. I cannot tell which is worse –the “Sticker shock” of a “National Law Program” – OR the redecorating cost of a former-Sorority Chick turned loose with a Thomasville Credit Card on a Bachelor pad. I have learned that Celery is not vegetable –it is actually a paint color and Victorian is not my sex life – it is a decorating style.” Bill “Trapper” Carpenter remains active in tenured position as USAFA Director of Admissions. After living in Albuquerque for a number of years, Denny and Debra Clark moved just north of Orlando where he flies for FedEx. Jim Cropper retired to Schertz, Texas, where he and Mary care for their parents. Daughter Alicia is a civil engineer in Irvine, CA, and son, Scott, will soon graduate from Texas A&M. “If anyone is in San Antonio, stop in and see us! Phone 210-566-6263.” Doug and Bev Dick are in Southern California where he’s principal of Del Lago Elementary, a “2004 California Distinquished School”, and hoping for ‘Governor’s Performance Award’. Jack Glavan retired to the coolest job: he’s in charge of the Pike’s Peak Highway upkeep; wife Teri helps head up the USAFA Protocol Office.
John Keesee’s (Carrie) last assignment was Air Force Chair of the MIT Aero Department, at retirement he just took off his uniform (not sure how often he wore it, anyway) and went back to work there. Steve Kniffen and Rose are back to Clyde, Texas, where he runs Embry Riddle’s local program and helps Dad down on the farm. Gerry Lewis moved to Hawaii, where he remains, flying DC-10s for Northwest. Kevin McHugh teaches five science classes/day at Folsom CA High School and is sponsor for the “Aerospace Career Enthusiasts” Club. Son Jesse is a KC-10 IP at Travis and son Ryan is in med school in San Antonio--sometimes working in Wilford Hall where he was born. After 20 years of AF fun (helicopters/jets/props and teaching at USAFA and West Point) Eric Nickerson (Terry) retired to Maryland as Managing Partner of an investment firm that was conceived back at the Aluminum Womb. Don Pettit has scaled back to “just” his full time job with LockMart; he and Karen live in Springfield, Virginia with a merged family of 3 kids and 4 grandkids. John Pilcher—After being a 141 nav at McChord, John left the Air Force and settled with Pat in Wichita, Kansas, where he works for Boeing refurbishing Saudi Arabian 767s. Dick (Karen) Schanberger was a bodyguard for a billionaire in Denver, then later wound up an airline pilot living in Montgomery, Texas, just outside Houston. Skip Smith retired as an Air Force lawyer and one of the country’s foremost experts on space law. He now works for a legal firm in Colorado Springs and has started a digital family history business. Dr Scott and Brenda Stine are in Carrollton, Ohio, where he’s in private practice. After graduation, Mark Stuckley returned to Pennsylvania, married Linda, raised kids and works in the insurance business. Vic (Connie) Thuotte works for Fidelity Investments while staying very involved with the AOG as a member of its Nominating Committee. Joe Walker left Delta Airlines in 2004 and, with Mary, has lived in Allen, Texas for 25 years. After starting/coaching high school volleyball and lacrosse teams he “may become a high school teacher / coach---or play on the World Series of Poker Tour.” Dale and Linda Wrisley retired to Booneville, Arkansas: “Since 10 Jan 2005 I've been working as the Assistant County Administrator for Sebastian County Arkansas...I help the Judge administer all county property, prepare and administer the county budget, and write ordinances for the Quorum Court to pass.” Rob Zachritz and wife Blake are in Topeka where he’s in charge of the State of Kansas computer program for Medicaid reimbursement. Doctor Ed and Diane Parry live(d) in Metairie, Louisiana; post Katrina disaster NOAA photos show the house out of the flood zone. Latest word was they were temporarily in Chicago and had found their beloved boat using Google Earth satellite photos.
STORM STORIES: Ernie and Kathy Maravilla spent 15 hours traveling 120 miles away from Houston; turned out their lake home destination was closer to Rita’s center: “It is amazing to see just how much 60 foot pine trees will bend in 100 mph winds.” They returned to minimal damage at their home. Dr Steve McDavid (Roberta) reported little damage to their clinic and home in Ocean Springs, MS but confirmed widespread damage around them.
John Corley gets pinned by neighbors Gen Moseley and Steve Lorenz.
GENERAL OFFICER NOTES: Frank and Nancy Klotz return to the Springs as he assumes role of deputy SPACECOM. In addition to providing a picture, vice AF Chief Gen John Corley wrote: “After 32 years, I am still thrilled to be a part of an organization that makes a big difference in the world. Our classmates and our experiences at the Academy formed the bedrock of my value system; one that is based on trust and respect.” John added that Gen Moseley was committed to leading our alma mater into the 21st Century and ensuring USAFA remains the backbone of our officer corps. As a token of this commitment the Chief has adopted this year’s entire doolie class…both a gesture and challenge to all graduates. I’ll leave it up to John to brief Gen Moseley on his responsibilities over Parent’s Weekend.
’73 claims record for greatest spread of rank among classmates actively serving. Army Sgt Rowe Stayton congratulates Nort and Suzie Schwartz at the TRANSCOM change of command.
ODDS AND SODS: I invite all to see Chris Derry interviewed on ‘free market solutions...for a better Kentucky’ just send me an email and I’ll link you up. Chris started the to challenge the thinking of all Kentuckians; their website is interesting, thoughtful, and provocative regardless of your home state. Incoming notes: Jim Casey at the University of Texas at Austin; Kevin McNellis with TCS Design and Management Services at Warner Robins, GA; Barry Scheinost at Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, Lincoln, NE; Tom Kennedy at Defense Supply Center Richmond; and Willie Thompson with Delta out of Atlanta. Chaplain Tom Blase (Beth) has been reassigned to Lackland AFB.