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Class Notes 1947-59 EHS: The Magazine of Episcopal High School

1947 - 59 | 1960 - 69 | 1970 - 79 | 1980 - 89 | 1990 - 99 | 2000 - 09 | 2010 - 19

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  1. Submit news via email to classnotes@episcopalhighschool.org.
  2. Contact your Class Correspondent by phone, mail, or email.
  3. Write your news in the space provided on the Roll Call reply card and mail it with your annual gift.

We heard from Ed Leake. Ed is doing fine and recently moved to a retirement community in Richmond. He is still a talker and loves to spread his good cheer to everyone. His sense of humor is contagious.

Archie Baker is doing fine. He told me about a “Charleston Group” comprised of 12 EHS alumni who get together often to reminisce about our time at Episcopal and to keep up with how everyone is doing. He thanked us for all the efforts to keep our class in touch with each other. I’m doing fine. Slowing a bit, but still come into the office everyday.

Glad to hear from Henry Fair and his winsome wife, Mollie. Sad to hear from Henry that Frank Meade has died of a stroke in the same Bishop Gadsden continuing care community in Charleston, where Henry and Mollie live in a cottage and Gus Middleton and Beverlye live.

Following Henry’s graduation from The High School, where he was a staunch supporter of Egypt, he and Albert Hill Jr. attended Georgia Tech, where they were roommates and joined the SAE fraternity. Albert’s father had starred in football for the Yellow Jackets as a member of Tech’s celebrated “Pony Backfield” from 1915-17. At Tech, Henry was in the Navy ROTC and jokes that he fought the North Koreans in the Mediterranean. Back in the States, Henry became a partner in Holcombe & Fair Realtors in Charleston.

Two of the Fairs’ sons live in Charleston, and one divides time between New York City and Germany. Henry keeps fit by hunting and playing golf. He often spends weekends at his Rose Hill Plantation in Mount Pleasant, S.C., and summers in Sapphire, N.C. Henry and Ben Moore were cousins, and they hunted together shortly before Henry’s death.

Wish this digital dud could claim Bob Richardson, our varsity third baseman and Yale graduate, as kin. Bob keeps in touch from New York state, where he is pleased to announce that his granddaughter has made him a great-granddad. Bob is another classmate dismayed that there’s no more Egypt. Our astute Class Notes editor Elizabeth Henderson ’11 says that the entire Episcopal campus is now smoke-free. Bob used to deliver the morning Washington Post on campus before breakfast, opened Egypt, and smoked his first cigarette of the day there. Thanks to Elizabeth again for letting us know that breakfast is now optional, there is no rising bell, relay, etc., and students are awakened by their smartphones.

Back to Frank Meade. He was a Big Man on campus at EHS, a highly admired member of Egypt, and belonged to St. Anthony Hall at the University of Virginia, as did Dick Cocke. Frank was the last of our generation at The Holy Hill who came from Danville, Va. First was his brother, Edwin B. “Eddie” Meade ’43, fortunately still with us and living in Richmond. Then Harry Meade ’47, a letterman at tackle for Coach Bus Male’s 1945 football team. And Frank Talbott ’47, a two-sport athlete in varsity football and basketball, who was living in Richmond at his death.

Bailey Patrick reports, “Last year was a busy one for Rose and me — some happy events and one sad one. We attended the weddings of three of our grandchildren in San Antonio, Linville, and Atlanta, two of whom were Old Boys — Bailey Patrick ’11 and Patrick Mealy ’09. Needless to say, we met a lot of impressive EHS grads. We were saddened, however, by the loss of our longtime friend and fellow Old Boy Bob Mason ’52. I haven’t retired yet but have slowed down considerably, and we are spending more time in the North Carolina mountains.

Wayne Holman reports, “I’m now living on the 50th floor of an old folks’ home in Chicago, while my wife lives in Maine. She’s horsey, and Chicago isn’t zoned for horses. For us to get together, I have to fly to Maine. She doesn’t fly because she doesn’t like being groped by the TSA. When I go there, she comes through my bedroom — I snore, so we sleep in different rooms — at 5:30 a.m., performs her ablutions, goes to the barn, and passionately shovels horse apples. I get up two hours later and do NOT shovel horse apples. My next big project in life is senility. I’m full of enthusiasm for it and making good progress with it.”

Peter Page reports, “Not much to tell. Donna and I went back to Alaska last summer to spread the ashes of some former moose-hunting companions. We have a son, daughter, grandson, and great grandchildren there. We smoked 50 pounds of sockeye salmon while there. We have a new setter pup that we are training. Seems to have good hunting instincts. Not news anybody will care about.”

Jon Bryan reports, “Greetings from The Holy Hill, or Hilly Hole! Judy and I are having a grand time as residents of the Goodwin House, a retirement home of the Diocese of Virginia near EHS. Judy and I went to The High School’s Reunion in June, sharing dinner with the 1954s. I’m deeply involved with the board of a diocesan nonprofit that’s encouraging parishes to commit underused property assets to local human needs – trying to fill grievous shortages in low-income housing and housing-related ministries.”

Ed Mullins reports that he was disappointed that, because of a conflict, he was unable to attend the 65th reunion last year held in conjunction with the Class of ’54. He is now completely retired from Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough law firm after 60 years of practice. He was the fifth lawyer when he started with the firm in 1959. It now has more than 800 lawyers and government-relations professionals in 25 offices in 10 states and D.C. He currently has an office in his son’s Columbia, S.C., law firm, Bruner Powell Wall and Mullins. He enjoys the company of named partner Hank Wall ’77. Although Ed is not a member of the firm, he consults with them on growing the practice and office practice. He enjoys seeing more of his four beautiful granddaughters. One graduated from Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., and is working with the D.C. office of the Philadelphia law firm Cozen and O’Connor. The Mullins family is headed back to Virginia. One is already there as a sophomore at the University of Virginia. One will be matriculating to Washington & Lee in September. The youngest is a freshman at Heathwood Hall Episcopal school in Columbia, S.C., and is playing on the girls’ varsity basketball and tennis teams.

News from Mort Boyd: “Anne and I are enjoying beautiful Sea Island, Ga., this winter. Ran into Robbie Harrison ’57 from Savannah yesterday. Robbie was a Rat my senior year at EHS. Good fun reminiscing. Turns out our dads both went to The High School pretty close to the same time. The EHS experience makes for a small world.”

Harrison Braxton wrote, “My regret was that we were seated together at the Headmaster’s (oops, Head of School’s) Breakfast at Reunion and got interrupted before we got started in a meaningful chat. All of a sudden, you were gone. No news, but I will see if I can work on something!”

John Burress wrote, “Two events to mention: On January 28, my grandson John Woodfin Burress Walker ’21 and I will attend the Senate trial. Two weeks ago I had a great lunch with our classmate Bob Baker at his home in Durham. There were four of us, and he was the one with the brightest mind! He is confined to a wheelchair, the result of a stroke, but we have plans underway to take him to the Duke/UNC basketball game in Chapel Hill on February 8. Hope it works … All is well here.”

John Burress ’54, Bob Baker ’54, and Bill Baker ’77 at a Duke vs. UNC basketball game.

This from Oscar Davis: “It was good to hear from you. I am very fortunate to be vertical and walking around. My only blue suit is getting shiny going to funerals of friends. I am quail hunting and even fly-fishing in this cold weather. I am starting to get ready for Reunion No. 70. That is a worthwhile goal to shoot for. Thanks for doing the job you have taken on.”

Darrell Jervey wrote, “We will be great-grandparents in February. One grandson is a resident in family medicine; another grandson graduates from the University of Virginia this June. Pat and I are still alive and well as are three children and 10 grands.”

Jack Jones responded, “All is well. Best to everyone.”

John Mason wrote, “Good to hear from you. Thanks for the good wishes. The same to you and yours. Here’s a blurb you might use: Last December the Alexandria chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution asked me to do a presentation on Founding Father George Mason, my ancestor. I had a better idea. How about a summary of his American forebears and how they set the stage for his accomplishments? To sell the idea, I offered to compare their lifetimes with Latin America’s parallel colonial history, about which I knew a little from having lived there. Each of the two histories left a legacy that shaped how both of us are today. As I found later, my unscholarly views agreed well with an Oxford don’s, in his book written 10 years before.”

John Mason ’54 with family after his presentation at the Alexandria chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

News from Bill Pender: “Great to hear from you and greatly saddened to have missed Reunion last June with some of my still-standing good friends and classmates. Despite a few bouts with lymphoma cancer, kidney infection, aorta aneurysm, gout, arthritis in the knees, and an occasional mental dysfunction (was never unusual), I nevertheless feel great with God’s love and blessings evidenced by a caring family, friends, and great doctors. I still go to the gym for unimpressive workouts and love music and abortive attempts to dance trying to validate the lifestyle of Zorba the Greek.

“Landscape painting, a book club, Bible study groups, conservative politics, and reading continue, as usual, to make a more bountiful life. Sorry to break the ranks but I do have a grandson enrolled at Woodberry and possibly more to follow. Can’t explain such an anomaly. With warm regards and best wishes to all my classmates.”

Charlie Tompkins sent a brief note to me a few months ago and seems to be doing well.

Robert Wilson wrote, “Charlie, I’m still doing well, fortunately. No real problems. Have two more golf trips to Scotland planned, one this July-August, the last in 2021 shortly after the 150th Open Championship. I still play golf about three times weekly, playing some 140+ rounds last year despite losing six weeks following my second knee replacement. I am very lucky.”

Thanks for sending these items, and great seeing those of you who attended the 2019 Reunion. I’m still working part time at the Florida Museum of Natural History’s McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity. I’d be delighted to show you and family members around our Butterfly Rainforest if you come through Gainesville. Best wishes for good health and pleasing activities. —Charlie

As I begin our class notes, I want to share that it is now three weeks since I had heart surgery and I am doing very well. It was not open heart surgery. I needed an aortic-valve replacement, the fairly new procedure called TAVR, and what a blessing that it was performed right here in Winchester, Va. Some of you know my wife/nurse/energy-bunny Gretchen of 48 years. She now has me walking daily almost a mile and a half. Thank you, God, for successful heart surgery for this 82-year-old!

Sandy Ainslie said he had no news but was glad to hear from me. He sent his appreciation for my doing the class correspondent duties.

Russell “Russ” Roberts says that Rosalyn and he are very happy, that second marriages are great!

Tom Lawson also thanked me for taking over the job. As I’m trying to get used to calling Tom by his first name when at EHS I knew him as TT, I imagine that he and the rest of the class might have the same difficulty with Fielder (Skip). Tom says that his book on the evolution of the mind is now in the course of extensive rewrites. Anyone interested can get a sense of it in his recently refurbished website, ttlawson.com, under New Book: A Brand New Mind.

From Bruce Rinehart, we hear, “A move from one home to another after 50 years in residence and at the age of 82 is at best a challenge. Thanks to an extremely organized wife, we successfully arrived in our newly renovated home in Vero Beach, Fla., on January 6 and since have been unpacking, getting driver’s licenses, voting registrations, Florida insurance, etc. All those additional things required in a move from one state to another. However, glad to be here, weather great, golf courses even more so. Next event, 30 days away, is a knee replacement. Aging never ceases to present challenges. Regards to all, BR.”

Henry Blake writes, “My wife of 35 years died suddenly and unexpectedly on December 20, 2019. She was the sister-in-law of my EHS brothers James ’48 and William ’51, the great aunt of Blake Rose ’04 and Annabel Rose Dinnerstein ’07, and the grandmother of Stephen Faris ’16, Philip Faris ’13, and Caroline Faris ’19.”

Dillon Wooten writes, “Still working; converted from petroleum to real estate with son-in-law. Four grandsons 12 to 19. Oldest playing lacrosse at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Play golf twice a week and follow UNC sports. Visited with Kent Alley of EHS last fall.”

Pete Houston ’57, Pickslay Cheek ’56, Jim Frazer ’57, and Norris Nielsen ’56 attending the wedding of Pickslay Cheek ’56 on February 2.

Louie Gump writes, “My wife, Lucy Kennerly Gump, died at home on January 4, 2020. We had been married 54 years.”

Sandy Sierck writes, “I am reading Eric Foner’s new book, “The Second Coming: How the Civil War and Reconstruction Remade the Constitution,” a follow-up to his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution,” with its subsequent collapse, written some 30 years ago. Today these issues receive far more attention than when we took American history at EHS in 1956-57, and properly so. Mr. Daniel was on medical leave that year and EHS brought in a substitute. I remember nothing of that classroom experience, much less the assessment of the Civil War and its almost 100-year aftermath. Does anyone remember anything about the course? I joke now that the course probably jumped from Andrew Jackson to Grover Cleveland, the interlude being too controversial at EHS to consider in detail.

Rick Pietsch writes, “Then there was the afternoon when I heard that my two great friends from Charlottesville, unfortunately both deceased, Venable Minor and Bill deButts, were duking it out in the gym. I shouldn’t even tell the story because I’ve long ago forgotten whether it was about a girl, demerits, or some academic point about Fermi’s paradox, but I found myself running to the gym. Yes, there they were on the floor, grunting and swearing but no sight of blood. I instinctively piled in to break it up. Dumb, because I might have ended up under Miss Annie’s care, but somehow it worked with no significant physical (mental?) injuries, and they remained good friends for life.”

Tommy Roberts writes, “The most amusing thing I have done in the past six months is having boat races with my 7-year-old granddaughter (yes, I am almost 80, and she has just turned 7). The street in front of my house is gently sloping, straight, and 500 yards long. After a rain there is a small river in the gutter. We cut up a styrofoam beer cooler, made small boats, and we have had great fun seeing whose boat wins the race as they drift down Montvue Road. The neighbors think we are crazy as we race along beside the boats.”

As an exemplary leader in wildlife preservation and conservation, Charlie Hooff is taking his 13-year-old grandson, who is an expert marksman, experienced in small game, and a superb student, to South Africa in August to study lions, Cape buffalo, kudus, rhinos, and stripe nyalas. A friend from Alexandria also relates that the Hooff family has been recognized as outstanding in local real estate and development for an extended time.

Tommy Boyd writes, “Charlottesville and University of Virginia legend David Wood ’42 returned for an EHS gathering in January. Judy and I will travel down the Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans seeing Civil War sites in April and look forward to a return to Basin Harbor on Lake Champlain in August.” Let this be an incentive for all of us!

Tim Burnett writes, “Saw Hayne Hipp recently and am pleased to report that he continues to be as confused as ever on various subjects although be it at a higher level. He was most lucid when recounting tales of deeds in the Phi Delt basement while attending W&L (but not at a very high level except for himself). He has a granddaughter at EHS, Camilla ’21.

“Carl ‘Mona’ Ragsdale continues living the life of Riley (but not Deeble) and taking exotic/elegant cruises everywhere when he’s not otherwise piloting his own craft up and down the East Coast. He, too, has a grandchild, Will Schenck ’22, at EHS, although there have been generations of Ragsdales attending the Holy Hill. The school should name a dorm for the family!

“Pope “Nobby” Shuford wins the ‘least-changed’ award, which is a testament to clean living rather than hard work since he turned all the work over to the boys years ago. He, too, has had plenty of Shufords at EHS except that now there is a grandson attending a reform school in Orange, Va. Oh well!! Pope’s grandson made a huge mistake, Pope relates, “By the way, my Woodberry grandson’s ninth/tenth grade basketball team played EHS the other day, and he scored 21 points in a Woodberry win. I told him he looked terrible in his orange jersey!

“Finally, yours truly is proud to announce that there is one of our own at EHS — a grandson who goes by Brenton Smith ’21. We are pleased with the School and how he’s doing there.”

Surry Roberts writes, “Three of us are now sponsoring a recent graduate from the North Carolina State University School of Engineering who has developed a computer chip and GPS map that will help 3,500 thousand parents locate their children in each of 13 Theme Parks starting in April — lucrative and exciting! I am reading a truly fascinating book — The Bible — with its excellent storytelling. I favor Genesis, David and Goliath, the book of Esther, the Song of Solomon, and the Gospel of Matthew. Recommend the New International English Bible.”

It is a pleasure to take the class correspondent baton in a handoff from J.D. Simpson, who has served our class faithfully for all these years. I really enjoyed being with him at the Reunion in June, and he was in fine fettle.

I have been in Sarasota, Fla., since mid-2017, and Beverly and I are flourishing. My COPD, the main reason for our move, is much abated and we are both well, the usual aches and pains of our ages excepted. We just returned from three-plus weeks in Italy and had a terrific time — including a cruise down the Adriatic from Venice to Rome, where, very early one morning, for maybe one minute, we had the Sistine Chapel all to ourselves. Wow. We are active in the Episcopal Church locally and are enjoying a peaceful (mostly) and settled lifestyle. All ’59ers are welcome. Visited with former EHS master Jim Seidule at his home in the Villages over the summer and will continue our contact.

Johnny B. Thompson and his wife, Ashby (my first cousin), will be visiting us here in early March. They met at our wedding in Washington 22 years ago (he was my best man)! He continues his work with the Seamen’s Church Institute in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Don Haddock writes, “Great to hear from you. The reunion was fun. Joyce and I still reside in Alexandria and will probably never move. This June we will celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary. We’re both in pretty good health for old people. I still sit as a Circuit Court judge two to three times a week. We own a farm in Fauquier County, which takes up a good bit of my spare time. I still hunt and fish at every opportunity. We have a beautiful and brilliant 16-year-old granddaughter, Eva, by our son Donald and daughter-in-law Cristina, with whom we share as much time as she can spare. They also live in Alexandria. Donald ’89 is a general District Court judge here. Son David ’87 is general counsel to a large corporation in the healthcare field. He and Klara have two boys, Alex, 10, and Adam, 9, both smart, handsome, and athletic. They currently reside in Massachusetts, and so we only see them on holidays.”

Charlie Logan (aka Jelly Jelly) and his wife, Claire, are spending yet another winter on Islamorada, in the Florida Keys, and we just had a brief but fine visit with them down there. They are off to Italy in October, and we had fun passing along some of our experiences. They return to Roanoke, Va., at the end of the month.

News of all your activities and family events are solicited, and I look forward to the next edition of these notes being both lengthy and colorful. In the meantime, Fortiter, Fideliter, Feliciter.