Class Notes

1950 Dave Morrow died in January in Rock Hill, South Carolina, at age 92, writes a friend, Wayne Drew. Dave was a U.S. Army veteran and later worked in education and education administration, including as a school principal in Le Roy, New York, and as director of admissions and dean of students at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, where a residence hall is named in honor of Dave and his late wife, Beryl (Jean).

1951 Mario Sparagana ’55M (MD) published Musings (Peppertree Press), a book of poetry, in January.

1953 Paul MacGregor died at home in South Hadley, Massachusetts, in February. His son, Bob, sends Paul’s obituary, which appeared in the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Paul was a native of Rochester and, after graduating and then serving in the Military Intelligence Corps, pursued a doctoral degree at Rutgers while working full time and raising a family, which grew to include five children and eight grandchildren. Paul spent most of his career in R&D at Polaroid, where he was instrumental in formulating the highly popular SX-70 instant film.

1960 Michael Blumenfield sends an update: he coedited Depression As a Systemic Illness (Oxford University Press), released in March. Michael is the Sidney E. Frank Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at New York Medical College. He and his wife, Susan, live in Woodland Hills, California, where he has a part-time psychiatry practice and where, he says, they can frequently see their three children and four grandchildren, who live in the area. . . . George Hole ’68 (PhD), SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor at Buffalo State College, published a book of poems, Buffalo Dust (Buffalo Arts Publishing), in June 2017.

1966 Chuck Friday died in December 2017. “He was a very proud Rochester alumnus,” writes his daughter, Lori. He grew up in New Baltimore, New York, and after graduating from Rochester, served in the U.S. Navy and started a family. “Chuck had a successful career with the State of New York . . . The story of Chuck’s life would include his talents in many areas, including photography, public speaking, historical research, writing, and papermaking,” adds Lori.

1970 Miriam Kazanjian, a founder of and independent consultant for the Coalition for International Education, received the Award for Distinguished Service to the Profession from the Modern Language Association/Association of Departments of Foreign Languages for her longtime national advocacy and policy work on international and foreign language education. “This is the first time in the history of this award that it was given to a nonacademic,” Miriam writes, adding that, “My 1970 participation in [the University’s] Washington Semester Program as an intern for Senator Jacob Javits (ranking minority member of what was then called the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare) marked the beginning of my Washington career.” The award announcement, mentioning her Rochester BA in political science and history, can be found at Adfl.mla.org.

1971 David Skonieczki, recently retired from Fidelity Investments, published Selling Options . . . Simply Called and Simply Put (TheBookPatch) earlier this year. David presents the primer for newcomers to equity options trading in an autobiographical format.

1974 Paul Strauchler died in January. Maralyn Goldsmith Solarz, Nancy Spector Rosenwasser, and Marc Rosenwasser write: “Paul lived with his characteristic exuberance for one year after being diagnosed with a rare cancer. A partner in the New Jersey law firm Post Polak, Goodsell & Strauchler, he continued to work as an attorney, make crazy road trips to major- and minor-league baseball stadiums, and, literally, put his foot down in previously unvisited U.S. states. He and a dear childhood buddy regularly visited favorite New Jersey and New York City karaoke bars to belt out tunes from long, exhaustively researched song lists Paul prepared. This past November, Paul traveled to Argentina with his daughters, Andrea and Robin. Paul also remained an active and optimistic online dating aficionado, as well as a rabid, lifelong Mets fan. A political junkie, Paul expressed regret that he would not live to see the completion of the Mueller investigation. Paul was loved and supported by his daughters; stepson; sister, Meg Novorro, and brother-in-law, Richard Novorro; nieces; and best friends. He always kept up with his many and varied Rochester friends. His steadfast presence, intelligence, conversation, sense of humor, and wacky zest for life will be truly missed.”

1975 Mark Waldman ’78 (MS) (see “Working on the Webb,” page 56).

1976 Joseph Long is continuing to build an international business advisory group, Oaklawn Partners, in Washington, D.C. He was recently made a member of the Worshipful Company of Master Mariners in London. An NROTC participant at Rochester, Joe is also part of a new company in microsatellite communications.

1977 Brett Gold writes that his CD, Dreaming Big, consisting of 11 original big band compositions recorded by the Brett Gold New York Jazz Orchestra, has been recognized by several jazz blogs on their “best of 2017” lists. It was named best debut recording of 2017 by W. Royal Stokes and fifth-best big band recording of the year and a top 25 instrumental album by Arnaldo deSouteiro’s Jazz Station. Jazz Station also recognized Brett as sixth-best composer and third-best arranger of 2017. . . . Terry Gurnett (see ’87). . . . Dan Kimmel (Daniel M. Kimmel as author and film critic) writes that, to his “complete surprise,” he received the Skylark Award from the New England Science Fiction Association at the annual convention in February. Previous recipients of the award include Terry Pratchett, George R. R. Martin, Orson Scott Card, and Isaac Asimov. “I’m utterly amazed to be in their company,” he adds.

1979 Joseph Behrman ’84D writes to announce the birth of his grandson, Theo Behrman. Theo was born at Washington Hospital, near Pittsburgh, in August 2017 to Joseph’s daughter-in-law, Lindsey Rubino Behrman, and son, Matthew Behrman. Matthew is a family physician and Lindsey is a dentist.

1980 Hal Goldstein writes: “To celebrate 40 years of friendship that started in Gilbert Hall, this group got together over Father’s Day weekend last summer on Cape Cod (where we re-created a Smitty’s/Sal’s feast), in Boston Harbor, and at Fenway Park to see Dead & Company. The weekend was dubbed ‘G3/40’—the ‘G3’ stands for ‘Grateful Gilbert Getaway.’ Hoping to have more G3s in the future! Pictured from left to right are Steve Jensen, Arthur Brown, Rich Hodin, Glen Mattioli, Bruce Forman, Chuck Weinstein, Howard Rudzinsky, Dan Hertzel, Joe Sherman, and yours truly.”

1984 Scott Rummler sends an update: “I am the founder of BooleanGrid, a fintech start-up. It is the only product that screens stocks using concepts drawn from quantum mechanics. Initial testing indicates it may have the ability to predict and beat the market. I’ll be giving a fintech presentation hosted by Saddlerock Advisors in New York City, and BooleanGrid was covered in AlleyWatch. More information is at BooleanGrid.com.”

1985 Mike Livingston sends an update: “On March 6, I received my second U.S. patent for my work at CA Technologies, patent 9,910,854, ‘Managing Embedded Digital Signature Locations in a Stream of Data Files.’ In June, I’ll be celebrating my 16th wedding anniversary and my 15th anniversary with CA Technologies. Where does the time go? And if anyone’s curious, yes, I’m still going to Washington Capitals games, having had my season tickets since 1986.” . . . Kim Mehalick (see “Working on the Webb,” page 56).

1986 Joel Salomon published Mindful Money Management: Memoirs of a Hedge Fund Manager (SaLaurMor) in January. Joel is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries, a chartered financial analyst, an Infinite Possibilities certified trainer, and a prosperity coach.

1987 Lee Feinberg (see “Working on the Webb,” page 56). . . . Maria Budihas Jensen writes, “During Meliora Weekend 2017, former Rochester women soccer players gathered to celebrate the opening of the Boehning Varsity House, named for Julie and Chris Boehning ’88 (MS), and the Big R Atrium, named for Stephen Biggar ’92 and Liz Asaro-Biggar ’92. Most importantly, we joined together for the dedication of the Women’s Soccer Locker Room, named for our much-loved coach Terry Gurnett ’77. Terry made an incredible difference in all of our lives. He believed in us, and we believed in him. This was a special way to let Terry know how deeply we appreciated him. We have so many fond memories we will cherish forever!” Pictured from left to right outside the door to the new locker room are Laura Gelina ’90, ’94W (MS), Liz, Maria, Terry, and Dave and Molly O’Donovan Dix ’89.

1989 Molly O’Donovan Dix (see ’87).

1990 Patria Frias-Colon was sworn in as Brooklyn’s first elected Dominican-born judge, a milestone that was highlighted by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Brooklyneagle.com). . . . Laura Gelina ’94W (MS) (see ’87). . . . Renee Saunders Gracey (see “Working on the Webb,” right). . . . Mary Ann Cook McLean sends a photo (see page 55) and writes, “The ladies of Fairchild 410, Class of 1990, Alexandra Bodnar, Sumilu Cue, Julie Chang Poist, Sarah Wood Sandler, and I, got together in Fenwick Island, Delaware, in October 2017 to celebrate 27 years (gasp!) since graduation. It was like no time had passed, although we really missed Maria Dario Nizza.”

1992 Stephen Biggar and Liz Asaro-Biggar (see ’87). . . . Amy Frishberg Siegal writes that she has joined Valerie Wilson Travel in New York City as a travel advisor, and, after several years living in Italy, Hong Kong, London, and Tokyo, she’s collaborating with the agency to help her clients discover and enjoy the world as she has. She welcomes mail at her new email address, amyf@vwti.com.

1993 George Molnar has relocated to Washington, D.C., to lead the PBS WARN Project, providing public alert and warning and emergency communications support through Public Television.

1995 James (Josh) Link died in January, his father, Troland Link, writes. After graduation, Josh went to the French Culinary Institute and was a chef at the Stagecoach Tavern in Sheffield, Massachusetts.

1997 Atif Sheikh has been elected to the Pennsylvania Humanities Council board of directors. Atif is cofounder and resident curator of the Philadelphia gallery 12Gates Arts, where he curates an annual experimental video arts festival, in addition to several other exhibits, including an ongoing project concerning “alternative narratives of history and exploration of memory through art.” After studying computer science and economics at Rochester, Atif earned a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in liberal arts with a focus on nonprofit administration and art history.

2005 Adam Bink writes: “I’d love to share the news that I bought my first home, a condo in the Pacific Cannery Lofts, a converted building with an award-winning design, in the rapidly growing area of West Oakland.” . . . Neil Spitkovsky sends a photo from his wedding. He married Rachel John in October 2017 at the Coney Island Museum in Brooklyn. Pictured from left to right are Lauren Kaskey ’06, Andrew Newman ’06, Jason Thall ’06, Neil, Nick Sciretta, Rachel, Nels Youngborg, and Carol Faden Berkow with her baby daughter, Helen.

2006 Marc Perez (see ’07).

2007 Beth Devine and Marc Perez ’06 were married last October near their home in Napa Valley. Beth writes, “We first met in spring 2004 on the River Campus, during a party between Sigma Delta Tau sorority and Alpha Delta Phi fraternity.” Pictured are: (front row, from left) Michael Mastromonaco ’05, Bijan Pajoohi ’05, Dulip Ratnasoma ’05, Jamie Svenson, Alec Immerman ’06; (middle row, from left) Leonard Zheleznyak ’05, ’14 (PhD), Aedan Coffey, Michelle Potash Brody ’06, Maura McCourt Burton ’11N, Brienne Dixon Anderson ’06, Keil Anderson ’05; (back row, from left) Paul Sonneborn ’06, Alexander Brody ’05, Mark Salama ’06, Alexander Gustafik ’05, ’08W (MS), and Francis Liu ’05.

2011 Tom Zielinski (see “Working on the Webb,” above).

2012 Garrett West ’14 (MS) (see “Working on the Webb,” above).