Thanks to everyone who submitted notes and photos. These delighted and raised my spirits, marking our unique connectedness as a community, having spent four years together on “the magic mountain”. I keep busy working with the Kenyon Career Development Office mentoring students on the fellowship application process for the National Institutes of Health. Anyone passing through DC is welcome to join my special tour of the monuments at night. Greetings from Chevy Chase, Maryland. Kristin Olsen Kiser (See photo below.)
Remembering Randy Bank and Martin Secrest
Randy Bank (1956-2020) - I am saddened to report the death of Randy Bank on May 30, 2020, after a long and courageous struggle with pancreatic cancer. Randy and I became friends during our junior year, when our rooms shared a wall in Hanna. I’m certain our friendship began as a result of us appreciating each other’s taste in music, which we heard clearly through that wall. I can’t count the number of times we doubled over with laughter listening to David Bromberg’s “Bullfrog Blues.” Randy was incredibly bright, an extraordinary athlete and more than a little cantankerous, a characteristic we had in common. We got along famously.
We lived together our senior year, sharing a room in an apartment that we occupied with friends Phil Bousquet ’80 and Ken Glen ’81. Things got off to a great start, the four of us getting along much as Randy and I had done the year before; but eventually it was clear that we did better with a wall between our rooms. By the end of first semester, I moved out and returned to North Hanna.
Randy and I didn’t speak for almost 40 years. A brief exchange of comments on Phil Bousquet’s Facebook wall brought us back into touch with one another, and Randy and I stayed in touch until his death. We talked a lot about the old days at Gambier, and he told me about our friends from Kenyon with whom he had stayed in touch, all of whom miss him very much. I had the pleasure of visiting with him after our 40th Reunion. He was very much the Randy I remembered, but there was a happiness and contentedness to him that was different. He was transformed by the love of his wife Ruth and his high-spirited daughter Hannah. The last time we spoke, we talked about life after COVID and how fortunate we were to have brought down that last wall in time. I miss him a lot. Bill Soukup (See photo below.)
Martin Secrest (1957-2020) - The Kenyon community is deeply saddened by the loss of our classmate, Martin Secrest, who died unexpectedly at his home in Arlington, Virginia on August 15, leaving behind his wife, two children and the most enduring of legacies from his days on the Hill – many lifelong friends.
In college, Martin made his mark at WKCO-FM 91.9, his dry wit, creative production and radio pipes providing the soundtrack for the Class of ’79. An accomplished guitarist, he played with several bands during his Kenyon days, culminating in the Poop, a tongue-in-cheek punk band that memorably rocked Rosse Hall during our senior year.
He went on to a successful broadcasting career that led him from a small radio station in upstate New York to the Voice of America in Washington, where he rose to executive producer in television news. Martin continued playing guitar with several D.C.-area bands, and even got the college band back together during our 35th reunion in 2014.
Martin loved Kenyon, hopping in his car and driving to Gambier for reunions or just on a whim. His circle of Kenyon friends expanded through the years, bonding with alumni from our class and others over their shared Kenyon experiences. Notably, he made one last pilgrimage to campus this summer, detouring across the state after an annual stay at his family’s cottage in Lakeside, Ohio, where he basked in the bucolic beauty of his alma mater with his wife, Moira, and children, Declan and Anna, and probably bought another T-shirt.
His memory will live on at Kenyon, with a plaque to be dedicated on a Middle Path bench.
Submitted by Bob Channick (See photo below.)
Class Notes
Bob Channick enjoying quality time with grandson Evan born on August 2nd. (See photo below.)
Robin Inboden - My critical edition of Anne Brontë's Agnes Grey was published by Broadview Press this fall. I loved all the critical, textual, historical, and archival work involved in curating the selection of contextual documents--a nerd's paradise! I am still Professor of English at Wittenberg University (for a few more years). (See photos below.)
Gary Snyder - I moved from the East Coast to Bozeman, Montana October 2018 with my partner Natasha Nepveu and dog Arlo. I have been an art consultant and advisor for the last ten years, so am not tied to a gallery space anymore. Although planning on semi-retirement, I became excited about a Bozeman artist, Ben Miller, who paints by "Fly Casting" (www.flycastpainting.com), and ended up presenting his work in a pop-up gallery in an old historic grain mill in Bozeman this summer. Best surprise was running in to my old Kenyon roommate Louis Fox '78 who has been in Bozeman for over 15 years. Enjoying hiking, biking, snowboarding, golfing and more...!!! (See photo below.)
Margaret Whitman (Garland) - Hi to Everyone! All is well in Baltimore. I have been retired since June 2019 and I have not looked back too much. Just sometimes. I am a grandmother of a Denver born granddaughter named Maggie who is almost one now. I just wish I could see her more-- Covid is in the way. I just purchased a house in the Adirondacks which I have been longing to do for years. It is a seasonal house which suits us fine! Just beautiful mountains all the time and gorgeous Fall colors as I write this now. We hope to be up here mid-May until mid-October. Wishing you all well and safety and good health in these very strange and unknown times. (See photo below.)
Andrew Richards - Like the rest of the world, I have been hunkering and staying as socially distant as an extrovert can. Working from home is no fun, but what are you going to do. The Boston House is still open, and I am seeing my therapy patients virtually, which is a challenge --especially with 9-year old boys with ADHD! The one highlight of this whole pandemic is that I have been having regular Zoom Happy Hours with Dan Reagan, Dave Smith, and Dave Troup. We spend most of the time laughing, and then catching our breath to laugh more. Dave Troup and Dave Smith could have their own YouTube channel, and make a killing! Hope everyone is safe and healthy. Best, Andy (See photo below.)
From Paul Schoenegge - In early September, the Kenyon Crew met outside of Mt. Vernon for our 39th year. That in itself is hard enough to believe!! We are all gentle and refined souls now, of course. The group present this year had the likes of: John "the Brain" Batchelder, Dave “Gizzy" Troup, Dave "Smut" Smith, Dave “BF" Nees, Mike "the Belpre Kid" Smith, myself, Paul "Shneggs" Schoenegge then Bill "Hands" Handel ’80, Joe "the Destroyer" Genre ’80, John "Jr." Washko ’81, and Mike "the Weasil" Svihra ’80. To other Kenyon people doing something like this --- GOD BLESS US ALL. What a time was had--- we were all 21 again for a weekend!!!! (See photos below.)
Bill Whitaker - I’d love to tell everyone about the fantastic traveling, great times with our kids & grandsons, band gigs at venues we’ve been trying to get into for years, and this year’s great Kokosingers reunion…but, you know…covid. Maybe next year. Or the year after that. Donnah’s been keeping busy doing anesthesia including intubating occasional covid patients; we’ve been doing lots of Exercise Dates walking around metro parks & our neighborhood, as well as discovering new cocktails to maximize enjoyment of the back yard. I keep musically busy recording one-man band videos via an iPad app (on Facebook but soon available to for free on YouTube under the title Stack of Bills). In spite of this year’s hurdles we manage to occasionally see Kenyon friends.
Holding their breaths for a quick photo op in September are, left to right, Ginny Peabody, Bill Whitaker, Doug Hoyt ’81, Bernie Hoyt ’49, Cally Robinson Hoyt ’76, and Julia Robinson Welsh. The occasion was Doug Jr.’s wedding and Dr. Bernie Hoyt's 95th birthday. (See photo below.)
Rob (Slatts) Slattery here. For the last year I have been the full time Operations Manager of a Food Pantry that helps food insecure residents in a cluster of 23 towns West of Boston. We have seen the need for our services grow since the start of the pandemic. We have had to be mobile and provide food "onsite" to those in need. This need has led us to churches, Boys & Girls Clubs, schools, Council on Aging, and public housing. Open Table Inc.
My only child, a daughter, is a sophomore in college. I still enjoy swimming in Walden Pond (10 minutes from my home) and trail biking. I just bought an Epic Ski Pass so plan to hit the slopes in a big way in 2020-2021. I enjoy keeping in touch with the McBride Freshman Dorm/ Alum Ski Gang: Peter Hoagland, Greg Jacoby, Jeff Day, George Layburn, Bob O'Connor, Tom Bensen, Sam Redick, Phil Abraham, as well as Edmund Hartt, Ginny Peabody, and Chris Barr '78. Stay Well & Safe!
Edmund Hartt - Hi All, I continue to work as a boatbuilder, cabinet maker and now interior decorator of 50-year old vans. My BA in theater is paying off. So is my experience as a bartender for President Jordan’s official parties, (Saga job) as this is to have a bar inside.
I finished my school board term a few years ago after serving on the local K-8 board for 18 years, and the high school regional board for ~8 years, and the regional technical school for ~16 years, all concurrent. I am now more engaged with my local Episcopal Church. I am the Junior Warden, which means I am in charge of the building and grounds. Covid has upended our practices as it has for all churches. Soon we will decide what to do with a crumbling bell tower, no matter what we decide it will require fundraising.
Maine has not been hit hard by the Covid virus. We naturally are socially distant. Visitors for the most part have followed the rules. All the entrances to the local state park are full of cars on good hiking days. October is bow hunting month in Maine, November is modern gun season and the first two weeks of December are black powder season. So, if you visit, buy yourself a blaze orange hat and an orange bandana for your dog or horse. Affectionately, Edmund (See photos below.)
George Layburn - After several failed attempts, I have finally retired from a 41- year career. The first two weeks have been more than pleasant. Recreationally speaking, it would be nice to travel again but for now I will concentrate on golf, tennis, paddle tennis and pickle ball. (See photo below.)
Peter Hoagland - I will join the ranks of some of my fellow classmates by becoming a grandfather in January. My daughter Allie ’06 is due in mid-January, so my future grandson will be matriculating in 2039. YIKES! In addition, who would believe I would be part of a start-up venture in my 60s? Now in our third year, my “side hustle” is selling an automatic Christmas tree watering system www.hohohoh2o.com which is going big time at Amazon and online Costco this season.
Alan and Sally Wylde (Handel) - We never realized that we would experience intergenerational living, and it has been a really nice thing since March. Our son Richard '11 and his wife Mia '12 left their NYC apartment and moved to our Western Massachusetts home, bringing their NYC jobs, and laptops. Alan is also doing his state job remotely from home. Sally, who identifies as a school librarian, is also a certified teacher who has donned a KN95 medical grade mask to move from classroom to classroom in her school. She is also producing educational videos for the school from our kitchen. Our home is a place of tranquility, sensibility, and refinement, as you would expect of a household composed of four Kenyon graduates.
Chip Lamb is collaborating on a new musical with author Ridley Pearson, called The Academy, set at a mysterious boarding school where students are trained in highly unusual skills. Production is planned for the spring of 2022 at Pomfret School in Connecticut where Chip is chair of the arts department and theater director. (See photo below.)
Dave Peterson Hi everyone, I hope you are keeping well during 2020. Unfortunately, as many of you know, one of our dear classmates passed away earlier this year-Martin Secrest. Martin was a presence in our class going back to our dorms freshmen year, and his omnipresent sense of humor was awesome. I really got to know Martin well with our shared interest in music and radio while starting out together at WKCO that first year at Kenyon. We made some tapes together (real tapes, as in 8-track and reel-to-reel) anyone remember that stuff? And had a great time together. I've been able to see Martin several times at reunions and I regret that I never took time to go see his band Left on Lincoln in the DC area. Martin is missed for sure, and my condolences to Moira and the family and all Martin's friends. May he rest in peace. (See photo below.)
Barry Rosenberg - Our friend Martin Secrest passed away in August. I miss his musical gifts, his friendship, and his lightning wit. Martin was head of WKCO in our senior year. If you'd like to honor him, please go to gift.kenyon.edu and add a note that your contribution is in Martin's memory and designated to WKCO.
Jonathan A Helitzer - All is well with our somewhat dispersed family in spite of the recent troubles. The twins, Gretchen & Kirsten are juniors in high school dealing with “hybrid” classes that would be a challenge for any adult, including one with a stellar Kenyon education. Between the remote learning and remote work requirements, we spent most of the summer in Maine where we’d had a nice but not well used cabin. A used boat purchase in the Spring made for a great break from the drumbeat of doom. Son Adam is in the midst of buying a company in Wisconsin with a fellow HBS classmate - hopefully it closes! Daughter Eliane, living in Steamboat Springs is looking forward to law school. I’m looking forward to pheasant season! (See photo below.)
Sandy Lane (Joseph) - Enjoying the sun and surf of SW Florida, practicing Sports Medicine in Punta Gorda and covering Pickle Ball tournaments. I can kayak right out my front door on the Peace River. Still a few years before I can retire with 2 kids in college but I love my work and the climate suits me! My daughter, Jessica, is playing field hockey for Denison so I am sporting red these days! (See photo below.)
Scott Klavan is an actor-director-playwright-teacher based in NYC. www.scottklavan.com In 2019, Scott directed a pilot production of Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine’s classic musical INTO THE WOODS, cast solely with senior actors; a co-production of Lenox Hill Neighborhood House and Music Theatre International. Sondheim and Lapine visited a rehearsal and the project was featured in the NY Times. Also in 2019, he directed the new play, ELEANOR AND ALICE, by Ellen Abrams, about Eleanor Roosevelt and her cousin Alice Longworth, at the Roosevelt Museum/Library in Hyde Park, NY and Roosevelt House, NYC; and directed the premiere of NIGHT SHADOWS, by Lynda Crawford, about the Russian poet Anna Akhmatova, at the On Women Festival, Irondale Center, Brooklyn, NY. Since the shut-down he’s been teaching Zoom therapeutic drama classes for seniors, for groups such as 92nd St. Y, JCC Manhattan and Early Alzheimer’s Foundation. As an actor, Scott has a major role in the upcoming independent feature DICKIE K. and in the new short film, THE BOOK OF RUTH, alongside Tovah Feldshuh. Scott is a Lifetime Acting Member of The Actors Studio and a member of the Studio’s Playwrights/Directors Workshop (PDW); his own play, THE COMMON AREA, was presented in the PDW’s Festival Of New Works, 2019. Scott writes about theater for the on-line arts journal Escape Into Life, edited by Kathleen Kirk. For over fifteen years, he was Script/Story Analyst for Kenyon’s legendary Paul Newman. (See photo below.)
Bill Soukup - Since 2016, I have been living in Winston-Salem, NC, where I work at the Office of the Capital Defender, representing indigent defendants accused of potentially capital homicides. My wife Mary continues to enjoy her business development and professional coaching business. Our children are nearing the end of their college careers, with Lillie a senior at the College of Wooster and Thea ’22 a junior at Kenyon. Lillie has been able to live on campus, while Thea hopes to return to campus for her second semester.
Mike Cummiskey - Our summer in Phoenix this year has been brutally hot with a record number of days over 110 degrees and very little rain. Although Wendy did not return to teaching this Fall due to risk of COVID 19, my financial planning and investment business is doing well. My goal now is to take more time off - including visits to Kenyon - but continue working for another 5 years or so.
David Erteschik - This past May my daughter, Sarah, graduated from the University of Maryland's Smith School of Business with a B.S. in Accounting. She accepted a position with KPMG starting in January 2021 and is studying full time until then to complete her CPA exams. Mary and I are empty-nesters (again). These are nerve-wracking times, watching your twenty-something’s (we have 3) try to work their way up the ladder while Covid makes the ladder all rickety. There have been some bumps in the road but we’re hopeful.
Brian McGraw - We hadn’t seen our daughter Marie in many months and, after much negotiation related to the pandemic, she drove from her home in Seattle and we drove from Cleveland and met sort of in the middle...Steamboat Springs, Colorado, in August...near Ft Collins, where she received an advanced degree. I thought flying would be safer, but the kid threatened to boycott if we did, so the kid wins. It was great to see her...and a very cool town, even in mid-summer.
I’m a criminal lawyer, primarily, and it’s been a great pleasure to work with and watch our classmate, Judge Pam Addison Barker, advance. She was a state court judge here in Cleveland and was nominated to serve on the Federal bench (called the Northern District of Ohio). She was approved by the US Senate in summer 2019. I have an important hearing with her in a few weeks. Judge Barker is very scholarly, professional, and, most importantly, kind to lawyers.
Hint: featured in this letter. (See photo below.)
Thanks again everybody!
‘Til next time…..Kristin
