Ira Eliasoph ’48: Kenyon is often in my thoughts. I learned tons of good stuff in my courses taught mostly by exceptional people, and I grew up and became ready for medical school there. The people, starting with my fellow students, were fine young men. The town people, including the lone banker, were helpful. Teaching fencing was rewarding, especially choreographing the fencing scene in the production of
Hamlet. I did a bit of acting which included being on stage with
Paul Newman ’49. My voice was the first broadcast over "WKCG the Voice of Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio". I have finally retired from the practice of Ophthalmology. I am working on several projects and still play some tennis. My regards to the Archons from one of the founders. I am proud to be a Kenyon Graduate.
Philippe Plouvier ’50: Born close to Black Friday, another doomsday. Still pacing in French Northern Burgundy. My optimistic medic is changing my pace maker next week.
David Keyt ’51: This is my report from extreme old age. One knows one has entered the stage of life called “extreme” old age when the daily obituaries, with rare exceptions, are all of persons younger than oneself. How does it feel to be so old? It feels as if the mass of the earth and with it the pull of gravity were gently but inexorably increasing.
In spite of age, however, I’m still exercising the intellectual skills acquired at Kenyon more than seventy years ago, especially the ability, picked up from Philip Blair Rice and Virgil Aldrich, to analyze a philosophical argument and the ability, acquired in three years of study and practice, to read Greek. Specifically, I’m currently co-editing a Festschrift of papers on Plato, Aristotle, and Epicurus honoring the distinguished philosophical career of one of my dissertation students, Fred D. Miller. My own paper in this collection will surely be my swansong.
Living into a 10th decade seems to require dumb luck as much as anything else, beginning with the luck of being born with good genes to attentive parents. Another bit of my dumb luck was joining the Archon Society and moving from Old Kenyon into the army barracks that initially housed the Society, thus avoiding the terrible fire that destroyed Old Kenyon in the winter of 1949. A good friend,
Ernest Ahwajee, remained in Old Kenyon and never woke up the morning of the fire. In thinking of Kenyon I always think of the luck that allowed me to have a long and productive life and cut short the life of my friend.
Allen Ballard ’52: All's quiet on the home front. Just satisfied with enjoying such luxuries as a steaming hot cup of morning coffee while reading the "Times" on my Apple phone; a good, long shower while listening to folksongs, like "Annie Laurie, learned long ago in elementary school"; a short half-mile outing on my walker under clear blue skies on a cool summer morning; and now and then, a surprise call from an old high school, Kenyon, or Army buddy. And, to top it off, a sound, mostly pain-free night's sleep. Take care, old friends, and good health to you one and all!
John Seaman ’54: It has been a good year. In June, Barbara and I celebrated our 67th anniversary. In July, the clan gathered to celebrate my 90th Birthday. In September our first Great Grandchild was born. Life is good!
John Hartong ’56: Dr. "Fauncie" Ashford, Spanish professor...Psi Upsilon finally initiated him, so he gave "B's" to pledges, and "A's" to initiated members!!
Robert Price ’58: Nothing really to report.
Ray Brown ’59: Ray Brown is back this fall season into soccer. He does the rankings for the boys' prep soccer league (50 teams) and the girls' prep soccer league (42 teams), as well as an observer of officials for the local soccer officials' organization. The 2-acre lawn must also be mowed... No Florida anymore during the winter - so snow shoveling will be fun???
Robert Clawson ’59: September 18, I gave my first public poetry reading since July, 2019 in Sacramento. At a Boston art gallery, I encountered a surprisingly large and intensely engaged audience of mixed ages whose enthusiasm reaffirmed my hope for the Kenyon-inspired love of the genre I've fostered for the past 65 years.
Richard Dickey ’59: Now some years past usefulness to my fellow man as a physician and limited from most close physical contacts by a terminal disease, I still have a strong desire to do something useful and helpful to others other than being a good husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend. Perhaps I am being too ambitious here, too demanding of myself. It just occurred to me that these thoughts might not be unique to me so I am sharing them with you. What else can or should one do near the end of one’s useful life, I am wondering? Or is it enough for one to simply say, “Thanks for the memories?”
Fred Mench ’59: After 10 years teaching Latin as an adjunct at Middle Tennessee State University (preceded by 34 full-time as Classics Professor in New Jersey), I have a young colleague who could take over next fall. I would just reappear if he needed a hand or if I was teaching something not on the regular schedule. Almost time to hang it up.
Robert Palmer ’59: I am still awaiting a couple of years for an article about me to be printed in the Alumni Bulletin after I had been interviewed by a freelance writer in Ashville, NC, for 45 minutes by phone. The writer also interviewed my daughter,
Michele Fracasso ’81, maybe following Reagan's MO about the Russians,
Trust But Verify. Editor Weinstein explained that Covid bumped the article, which still may be in the pipeline.
Roger Smith ’59: Our Proud Patriots Political Action Committee continues to gain more and more members, I'm proud to say, as Vice President for Membership. Virginia politics seems to take up more of my time, cutting into our enjoyment on the lake with our antique boats. Still grateful for all Kenyon did for me in fostering clear thinking and commitment to excellence.
Alan Loxterman ’59: I appreciate the Kenyon professors whose varied teaching styles have undoubtedly influenced my own. Also lingering in memory are conversations about literature and life with Kenyon graduate
John Clarke, an older returning veteran (and poet).
My M.A. during the notoriety of “[University of] Chicago critics” began a particular interest in literary criticism. After a doctorate in English and undergraduate teaching at the Ohio State University, I attracted English majors using multiple cultural theories applicable to science fiction.
By next year
aloxterm@icloud.com will include
Frankenstein’s Children, my self-published book for an online audience of current students and the Kenyon curious.
Above all, after 38 years of teaching at the University of Richmond, Virginia, I still profit from deep friendship: contact with former students who continue to challenge and confirm that someone still listens!
