ALL IN THE FAMILY: Henry '70 (left) and Marlene Herman Etlinger '70 (second from right) celebrate the graduation of daughter, Rebecca '99, with sons, David '03 (right) and Daniel (second from left). Henry's father, Jay '50, Marlene's sister, Linda Herman Richardson '74, '76W (Mas), Linda's husband, Paul Richardson '73, '78 (PhD), and Paul's brother, Martin Richardson '70, '88 (Flw), also graduated from the University.

ETLINGER EIGHT (AND COUNTING)

The Etlinger family lore is a little murky about why New York City native Jay Etlinger '50 chose to enroll at Rochester right after World War II.

But the elder Etlinger's choice in education has "percolated" through the family for two generations in a propitious blend of academics, love, and friendship, says his son, Henry (Hank) Etlinger '70.

"The connections are really random, but they just keep building," Hank says. "It's never been a conscious effort, but we've all been really happy there."

The most recent college student in the Etlinger family, David, joined the Class of 2003 this fall as one of at least 51 first-year students on the River Campus with alumni parents.

He can claim seven Rochester alumni as part of his legacy.

He's the son of Hank and Marlene Herman Etlinger '70, who met while they were both students at the University. And he follows older sister, Rebecca Etlinger '99.

In addition, David Etlinger can count an aunt on his mother's side, Linda Herman Richardson '74, '76W (Mas), and an uncle, Paul Richardson '73, '78 (PhD).

There's also his uncle's brother, Martin Richardson '70, '88 (Flw), who was best man at Hank and Marlene's wedding (and at Linda and Paul's wedding).

How the family came to have such a long list of connections is not easy to pinpoint, Hank says.

While he was aware of the University through his father, the elder Etlinger let him make up his own mind about college. He enrolled because he was interested in astrophysics and liked Rochester's program in the field.

While an undergraduate, he met Marlene, a Long Island native, who was the first in her family to attend Rochester. They liked the area and now live in Pittsford.

They, too, have been gentle in suggesting Rochester for Rebecca, David, and son, Daniel, 15.

"We've encouraged them to look at Rochester, but we haven't forced it with any of them," Hank says.

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