Welcome to the Princeton Class of 1955 Website!!!

We invite you to visit us online for the latest class news and information on activities, reunions, and trips. There are links to university, sports, and PP55 websites. You can contact our class officers with questions, ideas, suggestions, and opinions. Please send us news of your family and activities.
 
Let us know your current e-mail address and/or telephone number to insure our prompt response.  Go to "My Profile" to up-date your information.  Many thanks!

CLICK HERE FOR CLASS OF 1955 OFFICER NOMINATIONS 

(.doc format)


 

 

Click Here for Upcoming Events

   

Click Here for Reports on Recent Activities

 

Click Here for Good Reading


 

President's Letter


July 15th, 2009

Dear Classmate,

Our class continues its remarkable string of activities culminating in May, 2010.  Through the efforts of so many members the class encourages the youth of the nation to become involved in making this world a better place, takes care of classmates in need, nurtures longtime friendships, and continues to have a lot of fun.

Last year’s activities included a Harvard game dinner in Princeton, the Alumni Day dinner in Princeton with the annual class achievement award to Olev Trass, a 54th Reunion dinner at the new Springdale Golf Club, and a fascinating trip to the Galapagos.

This year we plan one trip as well as the traditional events in Princeton:

1-       A cruise to Malta, Sicily, and the Amalfi Coast and Naples, Sept. 13-23, 2009
2-       Dinner following the Yale Game, November14, 2009
3-       Alumni Day Dinner and presentation of the Class Achievement Award, Sat., Feb. 20, 2010
4-       Our 55th Reunion, May 27-30, 2010

Our Reunion Committee, headed by Harry Berkowitz and Dodie Mapes, is well along in planning the best Princeton 55th reunion ever.  Project 55 will be culminating its 20th Anniversary year at the time of our 55th, a coincidence that will be truly special for us.

 

PAW Website

 
The Princeton Alumni Weekly board and staff are pleased to announce the new PAW website, www.paw.princeton.edu. The new site makes it easy for alumni to comment on PAW’s articles and letters, and allows readers to post personal remembrances of deceased classmates to run along with memorials online. The site's appearance and navigation have improved dramatically, so it will be easier for you to find what you’re looking for. There’s additional content, including multimedia offerings and a regular column on Princeton history by Gregg Lange ’70.

click here for full details

 

Stan Rubin's CD Available to All Classmates

Dear Classmates:
 
During the period from 1952 to 1954, Stan Rubin's Tigertown Five recorded three albums containing 22 of their most requested tunes. With Stan's concurrence I converted the 33 LP records to compact disk (CD) technology. The conversion process removed all noise and distortion resulting in a very special and remarkable finished production.

I have distributed over 500 of these CD's to family, friends, classmates and to other Princetonians. I would now like to enable every classmate to have one  of these terrific CD's.
 
If you do not currently own this CD simply send your request to me via email at rherbruck@earthlink.net or by US mail to Rich Herbruck, 1211 Chelmsford St NW, North Canton, OH 44720.
 
There is no charge for the CD; it is not for purchase. Shipping is prepaid.
 
Enjoy...... Rich Herbruck
 


Upcoming Class Events 

           


Class of 1955 Mini Reunion to Peru and the Amazon  - September 10 - 19, 2010

 
Fly to Lima, fly to Iquitos, drive to Nauta, seven days fabulous Amazon River cruise on the deluxe  river steamer La Amatista.
 
Opportunity to extend trip to include Machu Picchu and Cusco.

For full information, click here or go to www.ietravel.com.




Class of 1955 55th Reunion - 2010

 
On June 1, Co-chairs Harry and Dodie were pleased to report that 55th Reunion plans are taking shape to make this reunion one of our most interesting and compelling.  Headquarters will be at Scully Hall (the location of our 50th). Venues for our receptions, cocktail parties, and dinners will take place in the wonderful sites made possible by classmate Peter Lewis . . .  the Lewis/Sigler Genomics Building, the new Science Library,and the Contemporary Wing of the Art Museum. There will be events and dinner in association with the celebrations surrounding the 20th Anniversary of Princeton Project 55.  Stan Rubin and his band will keep us dancing into the wee hours!  Please remember to take advantage of the discount to those who pay these two years' Class Dues, $55 each year for a total of $110 . . . making the 55th less expensive than the 50th! 

See you  May 27 -30, 2010!

Organizational meetings are being held regularly, and the Committees listed here are hard-at-work! Please contact Dodie Mapes and Harry Berkowitz, co-chairpersons,  for more information.


Comments Made in the Year 1955! 

That's only 54 years ago!

  • 'I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20.00.'
  • 'Have you seen the new cars coming out next year?  It won't be long before $2,000.00 will only buy a used one.'
  • 'If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit.  A quarter a pack is ridiculous.
  • 'Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?'
  • 'When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon.  Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage.'
  • 'Kids today are impossible.  Those duck tail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed.  Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls.'
  • 'I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more.  Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying DAMN in GONE WITH THE WIND, it seems every new movie has either HELL of DAMN in it.'
  • 'I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century.  They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas .' 
  • 'Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball?  It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the President.'
  • 'I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric.  They are even making electric typewriters now.'
  • 'It's too bad things are so tough nowadays.  I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet.''It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work.'
  • 'Marriage doesn't mean a thing any more, those Hollywood stars seem to be getting divorced at the drop of a hat.'
  • 'I'm afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business.'
  • Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes.  I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to congress.'
  • 'The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on.'
  • There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for a weekend, it costs nearly $15.00 a night to stay in a hotel.'
  • 'No one can afford to be sick anymore, at $35.00 a day in the hospital it's too rich for my blood.''If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it.'

--Comments courtesy of Dodie Mapes


Reports on Recent Activities


Class of 1955  Alumni Weekend Annual Reception and Dinner -- February 20, 2010

Nassau Club, 6 Mercer St.
 

2010 Alumni Day Dinner Honoree Lud Gutmann (center)

At our class dinner on Alumni Day, 52 classmates, spouses and friends honored Dr. Lud Gutmann, recipient of the Class of 1955 Award, for his lifetime achievements in the fields of Neurology and Neuroscience. Lud shared his reflections on the three most significant events that shaped his life and career: his family's decision to escape Nazi Germany and emigrate to the USA in the early '30s, his admission to Princeton, and his decision to go to WVU after residency, where he taught, practiced, built, and led the Department of Neurology to world class status. Class President Gordon Douglas reported on plans for a record breaking attendance at our great 55th reunion, and asked all present to encourage other classmates to "come back". He commented briefly on the upcoming class Amazon Trip (a few openings left) and the PP55 20th Anniversary Gala on May 27, which will honor the founding and success of that organization.


Click here for the list of attendees(.doc format)



"Extravaganza in Italy"

Class of 1955 Italy Trip, September 13 - 23, 2009

Report filed by Kerck Kelsey

Fifteen good classmates and true, plus friends and/or spouses, found their way to the island of Malta last September 13th, where the good ship Le Ponant awaited us.   With more than a few new canes and hearing aids, and pills and passports secure, the sixth 1955 travel adventure was under way. 

For the next ten days, from Malta to Sicily, to the Aeolian Islands (dare you to find them!), to Capri, to Herculaneum, to the Rome’s posh Via Veneto, we enjoyed a non-stop kaleidoscope of sights and sounds and smells and tastes - and somebody else did all the cooking. 


Class of '55 54th Reunion, May 28th - 31st, 2009


Our 54th Reunion was a great success, in anticipation of next year and  55's 55th!
 
Headquarters for the May 28 -31 weekend were at Princeton Stadium, courtesy of The Class of '54.  This year the P'rade enjoyed the best weather that Princeton can provide. Our  Annual Class reception and excellent dinner, Saturday evening, was held at Springdale Golf Club.
 
Highlight of our weekend was the Princeton Project 55 20th Anniversary Celebration kickoff, details of which will be posted soon.
 
Classmates, companions and friends who enjoyed the weekend activities:
 
Adkins, Win
Altmaier, Don & Frannie
Apostolakis, Nick
Berger, Marge
Berkowitz, Harry & Donna Dean
Brown, Bob & Pat
Buller, Carter & Joann
Burks, Bill & Judy
Cervone, Ed & Marian
Crews, Frank
Dillon, Dick & Susan
Douglas, Gordo & Sheila Mahoney
Fenlon, John & Jean
Fish, John
Fulmer, Dave & Carol Ann
Funsch, Richard & Mary
Hackl, George
Hawryluk. Peter & Ann
Herbruck, Herbie & Elva
Hespos, Dick
Howell, John & Dottie
Hueber, Dick & Rita Alles
Jackson, Tom & Janet
Kaufmann, Herb & Nancy
Lee, Mike & Peg
Lincoln, Win & Kyle
Mapes, Charlie & Dodie
McVay, Scott & Hella
Milano, Pete & Chris
Miller’70, JT speaker
Paul, Janet
Raeder, Paul h’55
Rubin, Stan & Judy
Thompson, Rich & Judy
Wallace, Jack & Happy
Webster, Kenly
Weiland, Pete & Mary Rose
Willemsen, Alan & Chris
Woolston, Rogers & Lorraine

To view a Thank You note and 2009 P-Rade presentation from Annual Giving, click here.


Login
 Username  
 Password  
  
First time sign-up

Who is Near Me?

Search for classmates by distance from your town or any place else.


 Quick Links

 

TigerNet: Alumni Assoc
Princeton Project 55
Princeton Sports
Princeton University 


In The News...

 

Please send any information you would like to share with the class to Ted Mack.

April 2010
"CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE" -- A BOSTON IRISH LOVE STORY
Submitted by Richard Castellane
Click here to read the full screenplay. (.doc format)

March 2010
Bob Ruben, ’55, P ’82 opening Artist Book show

Click here to view the press release for Bob's Artist Book show Beyond the Text: Artists' Books from the Collection of Robert J. Ruben.  The show opens on March 24th, 2010 at the Grolier Club - 47 East 60th Street, NY, 10022.

Warner Slack honored at Harvard Club dinner
Report and photo submitted by Jim Lynn


It took two creators and much longer than six days to establish the Division of Clinical Informatics at Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, but when its 40th anniversary rolled around this year, Harvard Med School prof Warner Slack and his co-creator were lauded by colleagues at an all-day celebration and festive dinner at the Harvard Club in Boston. The photo shows Warner and Carolyn at a symposium session; the poster on the easel depicts Bones back in the day.

February 2010
Henry Wendt opens antique map collection at Firestone Library

Henry Wendt was on campus at the opening of his antique world map collection at Firestone Library on Sunday, February 7, at 4:00 pm (click here for the press release). Henry made a presentation prior to the opening at 3:00 pm at the Art Museum in McCormick 101. The exhibit runs through August 1st.

Mary & Ray Freeman at Sun ValleyDecember 2009
Report from Ray Freeman '55

Mary and I continue to follow the snow.  Have skied Mammoth, Aspen, and Sun Valley so far this season.  Vail will be next, followed by Whistler.  "One good turn deserves another."

November 2009
Photo and report from Princeton-Yale Game
Submitted by Greg Babowal, stepson of John Fenlon '55
Here is a picture taken this past weekend at the Tigers - Yale football game (which Princeton won!!!). In front are Kaylie Babowal (9)(left), her sister, Grace Babowal (6)(center) and their cousin, Alex Fenlon (8)(right). They attended the game with John (their grandfather) and the rest of the family. As you can see, they made some new friends in the stands during the game as well.  

October 2009
George Kovatch locates an interesting photo
 Click here for a great picture of the Class of 1955 Chemical Engineers and their Professors.  Jack Henn is in the group as are many other noted '55ers. He says: "There are some giant profs and a couple of accomplished grads."  Possible caption: "Chemical Engineers in 1955--as we were 55 years ago!!"

Dave White reports from Spain
Bob and Stella McCarty came down to visit Madrid last week from Finland and loved the change of scene, the weather, the museums and the tapa bars. They came for lunch at home one day and later on in the week Liz and I spent a long morning with them showing off some of our favorite places. Click here and here for photos.

Report from Kathleen Reilly, PP55 Executive Director
In their 20th year, Princeton Project 55 has announced the new Board, which includes members of classes ranging from ’55 to ’08. KENLY WEBSTER has agreed to serve a second year as Chairman, and Bill Leahy ’66 will continue as President. CHARLIE MAPES will continue as Treasurer and JIM LYNN will continue as Secretary.  ANTHONY QUAINTON will serve as a new board member this year. Please join us in honoring the founding members and meaningful impact of PP55 at the 20th Anniversary Gala at the Princeton Westin: May 27, 2010.

August 2009
Jayne Barnard, s'55 sends a photo from Utah
The Princeton '55 Rafting and Salsa Society met for the 12th time from August 5-9. Led by founder, organizer, equipment supplier and Chef de Cuisine Blaine Young, this years '55 five braved the rapids of Utah's San Juan river with minimal near death experiences. Shown here at trip's end are, from left, John Tucker, Jack Whelan, Warner Slack, Young and Jim Lynn. In back, Bob Druhan *82. "Seldom have the aged made such youthful pretense." (anon.)

Jerry Lambert sends a photo from Singapore
Click here to view pic taken on 7-30-09 by his wife Sanda at the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel, Singapore. He was in Singapore to attend a Global Crossing board meeting. Sanda, daughter Clare '08, and he then traveled to Bali before returning home.

June 2009
Hans Scherer writes from home in Asperg, Germany

The end of June my wife Ulrike and I attended the annual event of the Princeton Alumni Association of Germany.  It was most enjoyable, and took place in 
Bremen, a picturesque, historic "Hanse League” City close the North Sea coast on the Weser river. We were also invited by the nearby Jacobs University, which is modeled upon the US University sytem, has students from about 80 countries and teaches in English.  The Tigertones were there and entertained us.  A really nice and impressive bunch of guys.  Also along were a number of Princeton interns who are spending their summer in Germany working for German companies, institutions and so forth.  Our group has been particularly active placing interested students as interns prior to starting their Junior year and we are helped by a wealthy and spry Jewish lady of 92 years, who survived the holocaust and funds those that do not get enough money from places like museums or publishing houses.  Ulrike, daughter Franziska (22) and I are looking forward to the 55th!

An Interesting e-mail from Bill Ruckelshaus to Alan Willemsen
"A belated thanks for your recent note regarding the Garden Club of American and my having seen Chris there.  It was great to see her and get a little taste of Princeton, even if we were up the coast.

Your reaction to the natural beauty and burning opportunities in the Northwest tie into my current efforts.  I am spending about 90% of my time as Chairman of a state agency charged with the responsibility of restoring the health of Puget Sound by 2020.  The creation of the agency was a result of a commission the Governor and I co-chaired that called for a more serious attention to some of the problems besetting the Sound.  We have been at the effort to implement the legislation for about two years and have created a massive Action Agenda which is really a plan to achieve our mission by 2020.  We are now in the much more difficult phase of implementing all that we have promised.

Puget Sound, much like the Chesapeake Bay has been overwhelmed by human pressures involving development and the sheer number of people living here.  There are currently Four Million people in Puget Sound and will be about Five and a half Million by 2020.  Housing, transportation, treating the waste of and generally tending to all these new folks moving into this wonderful part of the country is a mammoth task and is going to take a change in our culture for preserving our place or it won't happen.

Whether we can do that in the context of a free society is in my mind an open question.  I think we have as good a chance at doing it here as any where there is general appreciation of our natural beauty and a considerable amount of wealth, technology and know-how, all of which can be applied to the Puget Sound restoration effort.

Time will tell whether we are successful.  In the meantime, it keeps me fully engaged.

All the best Alan and please give my best to Chris
."

May 2009
John Roos sends us a humorous take on reunions

Click here for full article

March 2009
From Chet Safian -
Forgive the boasting of a very proud father.  My son, Bob Safian, has just been selected as the magazine editor of the year.  To read about it, just click here.  His magazine, Fast Company, has also been nominated by the American Society of Magazine Editors for  several prestigious awards. An article about his magazine can be seen here.

February 2009 
Kenly Webster reports on Ralph Nader's latest achievement

We are pleased to confirm that you have set the new Guinness World Record for 'Most speeches in 24 hours' and a certificate to commemorate has been sent to you by post today. Details of your achievement have been entered into our records as follows:

The most speeches in 24 hours is 21 and was achieved by Ralph Nader (USA) at venues around Massachusetts, USA, on 25 October 2008.

Although the certificate does not automatically guarantee an entry in our world-famous annual book, we do consider all new records for inclusion in all future Guinness World Records publications and products.

As an official record holder, you can request further certificates and find out all about using our logo and trademark to let everyone know about your achievement or for any other commercial purpose.Welcome to the very select club of Guinness World Records holders. To join our fantastic community website, upload your videos and post your comments, please visit www.guinnessworldrecords.com/community and let everyone see your brand new record!


January 2009
Sustainable Communities - Steve Boyd advises that his wife Susan has been working to promote Sustainable Communities for the past 20 years.  She has been very pleased that recently this concept has become mainstream as witnessed by its success in the just completed competition sponsored by change.org.  Also, as you probably know, Princeton University, among many others, now has an Office of Sustainability.

Previously, Steve had emailed most of the addressees of the earlier email to ask them to vote for NSS and to distribute info on the same to their family, friends, and colleagues.

The online voting was very tight, especially on Jan.15 up to the moment the polls closed at 5 pm.  NSS and another proposal went back and forth between 10th and 11th place.  At the end of voting NSS clung to 10th place, just 19 votes ahead of the 11th place group.

    
Copyright © 2004-2007, Princeton Class of 1955