Campus Life Mary H

The Thacher School Nonproﬁt Org. 5025 Thacher Road U.S. Postage Ojai, CA 93023 PAID Oxnard, CA Address Service Requested Permit No. 110

Overview Six months of life at Thacher are chronicled in this Fall/Winter issue of In every issue The Thacher News. From the opening of School to a spring trip focusing on the Antebellum South, it has been another busy half-year at The Ranch. 3 From the Head of School The Campaign for Thacher by Michael K. Mulligan 5 From the Editor Proﬁles: Alumni Returneth ALUMNI 34 Molly T. Perry, CdeP ’85 Friendship Runs Deep 22 Laurin H. Healy, CdeP ’31 Still the Perfect Place 36 Mark A.T. Holman, CdeP ’86 In this issue Thacher As a Retreat 24 George G. Pfau, CdeP ’42 Three Stints at Thacher 38 Diana Garcia, CdeP ’95 Campus Life Mary H. Everett, CdeP ’94 campus life 26 Bruce N. Oxley, CdeP ’54 Friendship Blossoms Despite Roles 6 Family Weekend Student and Teacher TRUSTEE 8 Cultural and 28 Michael S. Milligan, CdeP ’62 Departmental Weekends Teaching: 40 John G. Lewis, Jr., CdeP ’59 An Exhilarating Experience Holding Thacher As a Beacon 9 Architectural Review Committee 30 Stephen Van B. Griggs, CdeP ’63 BOOK SHELF 10 Plays Three Times and Counting by Rod M. “Jake” Jacobsen 42 David G. Lavender, CdeP ’51 32 Paul Gavin, CdeP ’71 What’s in a Name? 12 Fall and Winter Sports Recap Dreams and Excellence Are Worth Pursuing 14 Guest Professors 15 Tidbits, Numeracy Puzzle 16 A Southern Sojourn by Thomas A.H. Scarborough

18 Thacher’s Historical Society by John A. Davenport, CdeP ’21

HER C S A C Alumni H H T

alumni O O

45 Class Notes E The Thacher News L

H T Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 55 Annual Fund Report Corrections Volume XIII, Number 1 1 9 56 Obituaries 88

59 Calendar Editor The Thacher News magazine is published twice a Jane D. McCarthy year by The Thacher School, and is sent free of charge to alumni, parents, and friends of the School. Design In preparing this report, every effort was made to Tim Ditch, Jane D. McCarthy, and J. Bert Mahoney. ensure that it is accurate and complete. If there is an Contributors omission or an error in spelling, please accept our David V. Babbott, Camilla Evans-Hensey, Jake Jacobsen, apologies and notify the Head of School’s Ofﬁce at Alexander F. Lurie ’02, Richard J. Mazzola, Jane D. McCarthy, The Thacher School, 5025 Thacher Road, Ojai, Kurt R. Meyer, Joy Sawyer-Mulligan, Michael K. Mulligan, and California 93023, call (805) 646-4377, or e-mail Thomas A.H. Scarborough [email protected]. Sports Section Third Class postage is paid at the Oxnard Post Ofﬁce. Joy Sawyer-Mulligan Class Notes POSTMASTER: Jane D. McCarthy Please send form 3579 to the preceding address. Cover Photo Photography NAIS During this winter’s Departmental Weekend, Dawn M. Phillip Channing, Eugene F. Lally, J. Bert Mahoney, Jane D. MEMBER Cleveland ’03, Charmiane S. Lieu ’03, and John L. Babbott McCarthy, Kasiana J.P. McLenaghan ’04, Joy Sawyer-Mulligan, ’03, participated in the Equine Drawing class. Thomas A.H. Scarborough, and Timothy O Teague Printed by Ventura Printing with soy-based inks. From the Head of School

The Campaign for Thacher

Do the Best Work in This World by Michael K. Mulligan

ritish philosopher and essayist Thacher and to address our weaknesses. Our Francis Bacon once quipped, goals as outlined in the Plan: B“Money is like muck. Not good Headexcept it be spread.” Now here is one • Recruit and retain students who exhibit the truism that bespeaks the Thacher highest standards of character, academic apti- ethic. Thacher horse muck has en- tude and skill, emotional health, and a desire riched, for many years now, the citrus for the distinctive experience of a Thacher ed- and avocado orchards of this Valley. ucation; Practically speaking, muck spread on fields promotes fecundity in the soil; • Recruit, retain, and develop faculty who ex- metaphorically speaking, fecundity is hibit the highest standards of character, teach- also defined by that which is marked ing skill, and emotional health, as well as the by “intellectual productivity.” My commitment and ability to contribute to the not-so-subtle point: Money for a extra-curricular program; school, when that school is based upon a sound and inspirational mis- • Develop each student’s mind, body, and spirit sion and philosophy (and a sane ad- in preparation for life as well as for college; ministration), produces a fruitful environment for its students. It allows • Provide excellent, well-maintained facilities deserving students to attend who most that support and enhance all aspects of certainly would not otherwise be able Thacher’s program; and to enroll. It allows a school to attract, pay, house, and professionally develop • Inspire the enthusiastic support of its entire top-notch faculty—the backbone of constituency for the implementation of its school excellence—and it allows those strategic agenda. teachers to teach manageable numbers of students—perhaps the single most We know that when we have to deny admis- important criterion in school excel- sion to deserving students because they can not lence. It makes it possible for a school afford to attend Thacher; when we can’t hire to build and maintain facilities that promising experienced faculty because they are support and enrich student learning, being paid significantly more at other national both in and out of the classroom. It boarding schools; when we can’t gather inside protects a school from being subject as a School community—parents, students, to economic vicissitudes. In short, and teachers—in the auditorium simply be- money—like muck spread on a field— cause we cannot all fit; when we cannot all sit enriches, protects, and assists the down as a faculty and student community in growth of the crop. Money, when our Dining Room; when we are unable to spread, is vital for promoting and protecting house all of our teaching faculty on the campus school excellence. because we do not have enough homes; when our horses stand on unforgiving adobe brick in I raise this topic of money because at Thacher, the heat or in mud to their hocks in the rain be- money is the means and not the end. We are, cause of poor drainage and incomplete covers after all, interested most passionately and over their stalls, then I say it is time for us to pointedly in insuring that the Thacher educa- think about money. tion is the very best that it can be. At this point in our history, however, money is what we Furthermore, our boarding school peers, nearly need to excel. Money, says our curmudgeon of all more heavily endowed by significant mar- Walden Pond, buys not one necessity of the gins than Thacher, are able to weather the soul. This, I think, is true. Our soul is well storms of the economy with far greater ease taken care of here at Thacher—and most of us than are we. To quote another Englishman, “a spend much of our time thinking about chal- heavy purse makes a light heart.” lenges other than those of fundraising. But we are at that point in our history when it is time At Thacher, our hearts, while not burdened per to pursue increasing the School’s resources in se, are decidedly not light either. We have much order to achieve that level of excellence which work to do, but it is work that is well- we have defined as our goal in the School’s re- researched and carefully considered, work that cent Strategic Plan. In fact, we are now in a this faculty and administration and Board has perfect position to affirm what is strong at taken on because we wish to leave the Thacher

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 3 of tomorrow stronger than the Thacher of for a comprehensive Campaign. This Cam- today. You have, I hope, all heard about and paign for Thacher will be our gift to this pres- read Thacher’s Strategic Plan. This is the skele- ent faculty and to future generations of tal structure and research from which we are Thacher students. It will be our way of pro- about to launch our next agenda. tecting Thacher against the vagaries of the economy and protecting ourselves from tu- The Plan has provided the underpinnings of ition-dependency—this coming for the School our administrative work now for three years which is already one of the nation’s most ex- and has been the means by which we deter- pensive boarding schools. You will hear from mine how we should expend our energies. It is all of us about how this Campaign will unfold, now the job of this administration and Board this letter being the first in a series of commu- to find the resources by which we can bring to nications to all our friends. fruition the vision of the School Community that we have arrived at by asking all of us: So we are off—and now writing—a very ex- “How we can be a better school?” citing chapter in Thacher’s history. This is our opportunity to give back to this School in full I have answered that question already twice measure, and more, than that which we have above, but I will reiterate it nonetheless here. taken. And the time is just right. As the great economist John Maynard Keynes wrote: “Ma- • One, by creating an endowment such that terial Poverty provides the incentive to change we are able to recruit, pay, and retain an out- precisely in situations where there is little mar- standing faculty and house them adequately gin for experiments. Material Prosperity re- on campus as befits a top-flight national board- moves the incentive just when it might be safe ing school. to take a chance.” Neither too comfortable, nor too lean, we find ourselves in the perfect • Two, by being able to help all deserving stu- position to turn to our friends and undertake dents who, by virtue of their talents and their this opportunity for transformation. It is our abilities, have earned their place at Thacher’s chance—as I wrote when I first took over as table. Head of School eight years ago—to secure Thacher’s star in the constellation of America’s • Three, by being able to rebuild our remaining greatest boarding schools. aging dormitories—Lower School, Casa, The Hill; expand the Dining Room and repair the I look forward to talking with you, to asking ancient kitchen; build a student center; create you for your help, and to acknowledging that an Auditorium and Performing Arts Center when the day is done, we will have, in Sherman which can actually take care of the needs of Day Thacher’s words, “done the best work in the faculty, students, and parents. this world that we can.” e

Even as I write, our Thacher Board of Trustees is assiduously working to create a nucleus fund

page 4 The Thacher News From the Editor

The Survey Says…

by Jane D. McCarthy, Editor

o all who completed and returned the questionnaire regarding The Thacher News Tmagazine, thank you! We gleaned some Editorvaluable insight regarding the most highly-read sections, portions that aren’t of particular interest, and other features that could be included to enhance the magazine. A brief summation of our ﬁndings follows, as well as some modiﬁcations that we’ll try to incorpo- rate in future issues.

Of the 75-plus people who responded to the survey, more than 80% think that the magazine is about the right length and almost as many think that publishing twice each year is appropriate. The only other opinion voiced was that the magazine could be published more often but in smaller doses. Most people spend 30 to 45 minutes reading the magazine and pay particular attention to the Profile section: 71% read the Alumni Profiles, 59% read Jane D. McCarthy, Editor the Faculty Profiles, and 49% read the Trustee Profiles. zine; a third saved an article and one-quarter sent in a Class Note; one-fifth have contacted an old friend or former faculty member, or at-

Dear Friends of Thacher, 6. Below is a list of comments that could be used to describe 18.What type of stories or subjects would you like to see in 15.What is the highest education degree you have attained? As we put together each issue of The Thacher News Thacher’s magazine. Thacher’s magazine that are currently not covered? High school diploma Bachelor’s degree tended an Alumni Association event because magazine, we try to present you with interesting articles Strongly Strongly No ______ Master’s degree Doctorate Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Opinion about the School and its extended community. How well ______ Juris Doctorate are we doing? Let us know which parts of the magazine you It’s professional and inviting Doctor of Medicine or Dentistry of the magazine; about 8% have written to the enjoy and which you skip over. We’ll do our best to take 19.What, in your opinion, were the most memorable one or Tell two articles in recent issues of Thacher’s magazine? 16.Where do you live? your reading interests into account as we plan future issues. Mix of articles is balanced After you complete the survey, fold and tape as indicated ______ West Coast Midwest ______ Head of School because of this publication. and send it to us. If it’s more convenient, feel free to respond New England Mid-Atlantic Quality of the writing is good via fax (805-646-9490), e-mail ([email protected]), or South International on Thacher’s Website (www.thacher.org). All of your 10.Below is a list of comments about Class Notes. Are they Other ______responses will remain entirely anonymous. Your opinions Design is appealing true or false for you? us True False 17.Do you have children under 18 living in your household? and advice are most appreciated. I turn to my Class Notes first when —Jane D. McCarthy, Editor Photography is exciting Yes No I open the magazine Your specific suggestions for improvement are I have sent in my news in the Information is timely 18.Please check the category that best represents your total 1. The current length of The Thacher News (72 to 80 pages) is Alumni Fund donation envelope household income, before taxes, in 2000. Too short About right Too long I think there are too many Class Notes Under $25,000 $25,000 – $49,000 what It reflects positively on the School most appreciated. In particular we’ll endeavor I think there are too few Class Notes $50,000 – $74,999 $75,000 – $99,999 2. The frequency of Thacher’s magazine (twice per year) is I like the wedding and baby pictures $100,000 – $149,999 $150,000 – $199,999 Too few About right Too much It makes me proud to be affiliated with Thacher in Class Notes $200,000 – $499,999 More than $500,000 to be more timely; to include more exciting, 3. On average, how much time do you spend reading each It keeps me informed about Thacher 11.What actions, if any, have you taken as a result of 19.Any further comments or suggestions you have about issue of The Thacher News magazine? reading Thacher’s magazine? Thacher’s magazine will be carefully read and much you No time Less than 15 minutes appreciated. If you’d like to talk to me personally about It makes me feel closer to Thacher Saved an article better quality photographs; to offer more com- 15-30 minutes 30-45 minutes the magazine or this survey, please call (805) 646-4377. Showed an article to others 45-60 minutes More than one hour Contacted an old friend or former teacher —JDMc It keeps me in touch with alumni 4. How do you usually read The Thacher News? Sent in a Class Note mentary on Ojai and its environs; to include Wrote a letter to the editor for publication Leaf through until I find an article of interest It covers controversial issues impartially ______ Wrote a letter to the Head of School think Read front to back Participated in an Alumni Association event ______ current students’ thoughts and opinions; and Read back to front Made a donation to the School Read only a specific section 7. Please rate your level of interest in reading stories on the ______Which section? ______following subjects: 12.Overall, how satisfied are you with Thacher’s magazine? ______(e.g., Class Notes, Books, Profiles, Head’s Column, etc.) Very Somewhat Not Very satisfied to share more Thacher history. Please note that Interested Interested Interested ______ Somewhat satisfied 5. How often do you read each of the following sections of Please complete Alumni Not at all satisfied ______the magazine? Don’t Faculty Thacher now has its own Historical Society ______and return Regularly Occasionally Seldom Recall Seeing Students Your responses to the following queries will help in the questionnaire Head’s Column Alumni Association events analyzing this data. Remember, all responses are anonymous. Letters Issues affecting education with a News section highlighting some stories, found at the end Sports Current events at Thacher Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. of this magazine. Profiles: Trustee Thacher’s fundraising efforts 13.Sex Male Female Please fold and seal as indicated and send it to us. Postage Former Faculty Sports is prepaid if mailed in the U.S. Alumni/ae Books by alumni 14.Age 18-24 25-24 35-44 tales, or memorabilia about the School, the To seal mailer, fold this flap down, then apply tape as indicated. seal mailer, To Please tear along perforation to remove questionnaire. Other Thacher’s history 45-54 55 or over continued Thachers, Ojai, the Sespe, and so on. One example begins on page 18 of this issue: a fasci- Class Notes, of course, are very popular; many nating sketch of life at Thacher and the local turn to this section first and then peruse the coastal area as recorded by John A. Daven- balance of the magazine. Another area that is port, CdeP ’21. read by nearly all is the Head of School’s Col- umn (read regularly or occasionally by 82% In short, 85% of those completing the ques- of the respondents); this was also mentioned as tionnaire are “Very Satisfied” with The one of the most memorable parts of the publi- Thacher News. Most thought it was profes- cations. The Sports section is almost equally sionally written and inviting, contains a good split between those who thoroughly read it and mix of articles in an appealing layout, and it re- those who seldom read it. flects positively on Thacher.

I was delighted to find that the magazine is Don’t feel left out. If you’d like to give your provocative as well as informative. As a result two cents, it’s not too late. Simply complete of reading the magazine, nearly half of the re- the survey on Thacher’s web site (only 15% spondents shared an article with someone; submitted the questionnaire via this route) or 37% chose to donate to the School beyond contact me for another form. e their usual donations after reading the maga-

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 5 Campus Life

Family Weekend…

…Takes the Campus by Storm by Jane D. McCarthy

artistic techniques, host of things that are mostly out of control of determined the pH a teenager; yet cruelly enough, these are the value of various very factors upon which teens often suffer or substances, and thrive and must learn to overcome by virtue translated Latin of other more transcendent personal quali- into understandable ties…While those qualities that lie outside of English. Mean- the control of the average teen do not really while, back on The matter when it comes to horses, those qualities Pergola, book and that are within one’s grasp—determination, Thacher gear sales caring, conscientiousness, patience, thought- beckoned to par- ful observation, and a generally positive atti- ents and children tude—make all the difference in whether you alike. Over 70 eventually become a partner with your horse, books, ranging in whether you ultimately end up enjoying the titles from a Beetles experience, and of preeminent importance, Anthology to an whether you ultimately succeed or fail in this Encyclopedia of great mystery we call life. Vietnam, a History of the Balkans to Michael then introduced Assistant Head of Ecological Hot School for External Affairs Monique DeVane spots were pur- who gave an insider’s look at the hot-off-the- chased in honor of press results from last spring’s Parent Survey. students and now She also demonstrated the newly revised Web appear on the li- Site with such features as calendar (daily, brary’s shelves. monthly, yearly; spliced with subjects, topics, Blake Adams-Ayers ’01, Christy Acquistapace ’01, and Ben Heilveil ’02 lead the Sweatshirts were and locations), sports pages (schedule of grand procession the big sellers early events, game scores, and photographs), par- in the day, while ent-related pages (opportunities for involvment ain throughout the week—including show- cap and T-shirt sales comprised the majority and giving, Horseman Hand Book, and other ers Friday afternoon, just as families arrived of sales as the morning air warmed. references), and alumni-related pages (infor- Ron campus—forced this fall’s Family Week- mation on gatherings and Golden Trout Camp, end planners to scuttle Class Barbecues at var- At morning’s end, Head of School Michael Mul- ways to get involved, giving opportunities, and ious venues across campus and merge them into ligan shared with parents Thacher’s techniques forms for submission to Class Notes or updat- one large feeding fest on The Pergola. Parents, to effect students’ growth and change. Among ing contact information). particularly fathers, commandeered the School’s other illustrations, new mobile barbecues and turned out delicious Michael explained tri tip, chicken, and sausage that was compli- how and why mented with polenta, salads, and other delec- Thacher uses a four- table taste treats from Thacher’s catering serv- footed critter as an ice. Following dinner, families strolled into the agent of change: Auditorium to watch the Performing Arts Sam- pler, a one-and-one-half hour show highlight- Our students are ing scenes from Shakespeare’s As You Like It. forced…to leave all their comforting old Following last year’s lead, Saturday morning routines by the way- began with Assembly in the Outdoor Am- side and step into phitheatre. As usual, surprises kept the crowd a new, sometimes entertained, especially when Physics Instruc- scary world, where tor David Harris lay down on a bed of nails so an entirely different that History Teacher Austin Curwen could comprehension is bust a concrete block balanced on David’s required…horses do stomach. Mr. Harris explained that this not care about your demonstration would clarify some physics gender, your ad- principles, but, really, he just wanted to show dress, your appear- off his abs of steel. ance, your religious conviction, your Mini-class periods allowed students to take skin color, your over the role of teachers as they demonstrated popularity, or any Students and their families shop for Thacher gear and books for the library

page 6 The Thacher News The traditional Gymkhana Presentation of the Colors eat in Thacher’s Dining Room on Sat- Horse Exhibition. About 100 local parents, urday evening. The food is better family members, students and faculty mem- than anything one can find in town.” bers trekked back to School on November 8 The Mulligans then hosted about 100 to watch the freshmen demonstrate the equine students, parents, and siblings at their skills they had attained since School began. weekly Open House. Pumpkin carv- Christy Acquistapace ’01, Blake Adams-Ayers ing, cookie baking, playing ping ’01, and Ben Heilveil ’02 served as the Color pong, and singing the Oldies (while Guard and led the riders into the arena; Es- embarrassing their children) were the ther Guzmán ’01 sang the Star-Spangled Ban- main events. ner to open the festivities. While the nearly full moon rose, six teams—with such clever Even though rain forced the Chapel names as Can We Lope, Yet; the Jolly Ranch- Service into the Auditorium, it didn’t ers, and Halsey’s Angels—executed intricate dampen the spirits of those who as- steps and patterns, loping, and balancing acts sembled to hear Belinda Higgins, set to contemporary music. As the sun set in mother of Bo ’01 and Owili ’03 the west, Family Weekend—Extended Style— Eison, give her message, “Empower- came to a magnificent close. A video of the ment Through Sacrifice and Prayer.” event was crafted and sent to all freshmen She spoke of how much she misses parents so they could view their sons’ and her most valuable possession, her daughters’ incredible progress since the begin- children, but that by sacrificing her ning of school. e daily contact with them, she has em- powered Thacher’s food service, Bon Appetit, prepared a delectable luncheon feast them edu- cationally, Shooting trap and watching athletic contests emotionally, and were Saturday afternoon’s pastimes. Brandon spiritually: “They Chase (father of freshman MacKenna) helped have gained inde- A.J. Goldman and Austin Curwen supervise pendence, faith in 20 parent-student trap teams; at day’s end, others, their own Chris Brown ’01 and his father Fred had spiritual relation- amassed the most points. On the fields and ship, and knowing courts, Toad teams racked up several wins when they must against Cate’s teams: Varsity, Junior Varsity, make sacrifices, and Fourth Team Boys’ Soccer, and Girls’ Vol- [thereby learning] leyball. Thacher’s Boys’ Third Team Soccer tolerance, honesty, trounced Ojai Valley School, as well. truth, and integrity.” Many students wrangled their parents for a dinner out in Ojai, while others feasted on The rains did, how- prime rib, salmon, and a huge array of salads ever, decimate the in the Dining Room. John Barkan, CdeP ’67 Gymkhana Field, (father of Andrew, CdeP ’98, Will ’02, and thereby causing a Phoebe ’03), told Director of Food Service postponement of Rebeccah Gore-Judd ’04 talks with her Green teammates before their first Richard Maxwell, “The parents in the know 10 days for the Gymkhana

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 7 Campus Life Cultural and Departmental Weekends

Tempting Sights, Sounds, and Tastes by Jane D. McCarthy Add Variety to Campus Life

very fall, books aren’t cracked, athletes graphs; equine drawings in ink, pastel, and abandon the ﬁelds, and horses graze instead pencil; woven blankets; or long-handled hand- Eof gallup for three days. Instead, students forged forks for barbecue cooking. Others tried Weand e faculty members ke take part in art, music, theirnd hands at frying bread cooking, writing and drama events across the southern part of Western songs, driving horses, and roping cat- this Golden State during Thacher’s annual Cul- tle. Many of the campus canines—whether tural Weekend. Edie Carey, granddaughter of bred as stock dogs or not—became proﬁcient Thacher’s former Headmaster Newt Chase, at herding sheep around cones and barriers shared her “folksy, asymmetric, and dynamic upon command. music, descriptions that actually fall short of the richness of her tunes. Assistant Head of These activities built up healthy appetites for School Peter Robinson especially enjoyed the home-made country-style vidals prepared by way that the “usual syntax of lyrics matching our Kitchen Crew. Toes started tapping when musical phrases is not present; she breaks that Rob Seals gave a noon-time concert on The convention to accentuate certain sounds and Pergola, and again on Saturday evening when Students forge forks for barbecuing aspects of the music.” Edie has two compact the Western Swing Band, “The Lucky Stars,” discs now: Call Me Home released in August dazzled the masses. This very hip, funny, cool 2000, and The Falling Places which features band has worked with Dave Alvin (singer, the song “If I Were You” that was nominated songwriter, and founder of the seminal band for the “Best Acoustic /Folk Song” at the Third “The Blasters”) who has produced and written Annual Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards with Tom Russell. Wedged between these lively in 1999. musical interludes, Tom Russell gave a concert entitled “The Man from God Knows Where.” The Community boarded vans and buses for Tom sang the unsung history of a raw, primi- various cultural events throughout California tive American that was, as Kerouac wrote “un- and south of the border. Several groups headed tamed by the restless machine of modern to Los Angeles to see the Getty Museum, the materialism.” His songs were inspired by fam- Gene Autrey Museum, and the County Mu- seum of Art, while others headed to Santa Bar- bara to visit the Museum and the Zoo. Others watched shows including Izzy Tooinsky, the Ojai Camerata, the Mark Morris Dance Shades of gray oil paintings Group, and The Rainmaker. Head of School Michael Mulligan and Horse Department instructor Chuck Warren took two different groups of riders horse packing in the Sespe, while Marvin Shagam took nine boys on a camping/surfing expedition to Baja. Spanish Instructor Françoise Kasimirowski Garcia opened her home for students to learn how to cook a gourmet French dinner while the Perrys offered a paella dinner.

In February, the Thacher campus became a col- lage of artistic activities when the Arts and Students make silver bezzled jewelry as part of Horse Departments joined forces to offer a Cowboy Cultural Weekend this winter weekend entitled, “Our Western Heritage.” Jim Brooks lassoed the community into the ily members who were on a “pilgrimage to- Auditorium, where he shared general and per- ward a land where love abides” and spoke of sonal histories of the Western cowboy, Black “the triumph of individuals in the face of iso- cowboy, and his life as a “drifting” cowboy lation, rootlessness, disease, madness, and sui- while working on ranches from Montana to cide.” Acoustic guitarist, Andrew Hardin, Mexico. A variety of workshops and clinics played accompaniment. enticed students, faculty—and even equines and canines—to participate throughout the Junior Alex Lurie concisely summed up what weekend. Many offered participants the op- many thought of this jam-packed weekend: “I portunity to create tangible souvenirs: bezzled had the time of my life! It was really a high-class, silver rings or pendants with semi-precious well-done, sensational weekend. I have heard stones; braided leather; southwestern photo- nothing but plaudits for this weekend.” e page 8 The Thacher News Campus Life

Changing Thacher’s Face

Architectural Review Committee Established by Jane D. McCarthy

elebration of modesty. Elegant sufficiency. the Trustees Buildings and Grounds Commit- Connection to values. Authenticity. Illusion tee); Marshall Milligan, CdeP ’69 (President Cof freedom. This disparate concoction of of the Board); Paul Yelder, CdeP ’77 (Vice phrasesArchitects may seem nonsensical or relevant to Chair of Buildings and Grounds); Laurie Dachs anything; however, once the context of these (parent of Eric, CdeP ’94; Abby, CdeP ’96; statements is revealed, you’ll likely concur that Emily ’01; and Michael ’03); and John and these descriptions are on target. Betsy Grether (parents of Robert, CdeP ’99, Ted ’01, and Russell ’03)—along with mem- Just after the New Year began, architects, bers of administration chimed in with practical Trustees, and administrators of Thacher con- thoughts about community usage, traffic pat- vened to discuss and develop guidelines for fu- terns, and orientation of buildings. These ded- ture development of Thacher’s campus. Central icated alumni architects comprise an Architectural Review Committee that Alumni, architects, and administrators discuss how will work closely with the Buildings Thacher’s appearance may evolve as new and Grounds Committee of the Board construction takes place to develop schematic designs, to provide architectural expertise for build- The entire Community including faculty and ing projects, and to serve as a sounding families can be seated at once as well as all board for insuring that building proj- those who typically attend the Family Week- ects are consistent with Thacher’s Mis- end Sampler, rather than standing or drap- sion and Philosophy. ing themselves on scaffolding on the perimeter of the Auditorium. Music practice “The Architectural Review Committee rooms, dressing rooms, a gallery for display- is helping us establish a level of archi- ing student art, and an orchestra pit will also tectural quality that will hold Thacher be included for more professional perform- in good stead for years to come,” re- ances. This will be sited just south of the pres- marked Head of School Michael Mul- ent Auditorium, where the Health Center and ligan. “Developing standards that are rustic landscaping currently stand. Part of befitting of the excellence of the School this Performing Arts Complex will honor the and its culture is an innovative step that many contributions to the School by Fred comes at a time when we can make a Michael Mulligan points out the new barn location to the Lamb, CdeP ’40. west of the horse area critical impact on the campus’s appearance for the next 100 years.” This Plans are also afoot to create a more formal to this theme is providing a lasting inspira- is especially true in that several structures key entrance to the School along the path be- tional legacy that meets the needs of the com- to the life of students and faculty are being tween the Head’s house and the gymnasium; munity, while being in concert with Thacher’s considered. Although the configuration is not some may recall that this was the original en- history, Mission, and Strategic Plan. The afore- yet finalized, a Student Commons—including a trance to the School along the row of pepper mentioned descriptions emerged as the group multi-purpose room (for dances and small per- trees. This will create a more formalized and discussed the feel and appearance that should formances), a student grill, Web café, student welcoming approach to the heart of the be part of all structures on campus. Partici- mailboxes, and the Student Store—will replace School, yet capture Thacher’s Western her- pants quickly reached the consensus that ex- the present Auditorium. Thanks to a generous itage. e pansion and modernization of Thacher donation from Sue and John Carver, CdeP facilities must be balanced with an eye to in- ’53, the Commons should be in place for corporate natural beauty and to be in keeping the Reunion Weekend in June 2003. with Thacher’s time-honored values. The Hills Building that presently includes In a quasi reunion of the classes of 1969 and the Dining Hall, Administration, and 1976, alumni architects shared their visions of Business Office, will be renovated to how Thacher might envision and create the house a state-of-the-art kitchen, dining for School’s central corridor. New York architects 300 student and faculty members, and the Ross “Chip” Anderson, CdeP ’69 and Peter Alumni/Development Office. Greater Matthews, CdeP ’76 and Bay Area architect communication between the various com- Nick Noyes, CdeP ’76; along with Dan Gre- ponents of administration will be possi- gory, CdeP ’69 (writer/publisher/editor in ar- ble along with the ability for all students chitecture and design for Sunset magazine) and faculty members to eat together at spent two days on campus discussing various one time. themes and scenarios for Thacher’s key buildings. Representatives from Thacher’s Board of A new Performing Arts Center will have The Architectural Review Committee ponders the Trustees—Justin Faggioli, CdeP ’69 (Chair of the capacity to seat up to 500 people. entrance to the new Performing Arts Complex

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 9 Campus Life

Across the Boards

A Grateful Director’s Look Back at by Rod M. “Jake” Jacobsen Theatre at Thacher, 2000-01

pleasant and provocative juxtaposition of veloping their characters organically, thought- the old and the new marked Thacher’s fully, innovatively. In addition to making the Adrama program this year. most of our regular rehearsals—a provocative Playsdiscovery process for all of us—the senior Mas- While the Masquers again performed two full- quers worked with each other independently as length plays (Shakespeare’s As You Like It in well. Their commitment to expressing the nu- the fall and Rodgers and Hart’s musical gem ances of language and character resulted in a Babes in Arms in the winter), the freshman In- performance beyond my already-high expec- troduction to the Arts curriculum received a tations. My favorite moments in any play are welcome transfusion of talent and energy with those when the students infuse their speeches the addition of Mr. Sandy Jensen to the Fine with a unique and honest energy which en- Arts faculty. After each of the three academic lightens me, allowing me to hear the language quarters a different ensemble of Sandy’s as if for the ﬁrst time. The cast of As You Like “Thacher Thespies” (self-styled modern-day It provided many such moments for me last “Sespe Thespians”) performed a variety of November. radio plays, Christmas carols, and one-acts which delighted the swelling audiences of stu- Not long after the Shakespearean stage was dents, faculty, and parents. Sandy was not only struck it was time to hold auditions for the a professional actor on stage and in ﬁlm and winter musical. Rodgers and Hart’s Babes in television, but has also worked professionally Arms is a play not often performed profes- on the technical side—a rare combination. He brings to the campus not only his years of experience but also an infectious enthusiasm for John Babbott ’03: A building process is the craft of acting and the creation of sound learning to sing, dance, move, and act at and light environments. He is enjoying his the same time: very tricky for some of us. work as a teacher, while his students are gain- ing the kind of experience which will prepare Julia Erdman ’03: It’s amazing to me how them not only for further productions at much time and effort the cast devotes to Thacher but for public presentations in gen- the show. We put in a good two months— eral. The Thacher Thespies are well on their and yet it’s over so quickly. But for those way to being the hottest new act on campus! select moments when you are in fact in front of an audience, truly performing, Meanwhile, two large casts (over 20 each) ex- you remember what all that work was for. plored the distinct genres of Shakespeare and Feeling the energy of the house and es- the classic American musical in Thacher’s main tablishing a connection with the audience stage productions. The company of As You is one of the most indescribable feelings. Like It showed their versatility, intelligence, When the three nights of the show end, and hard work as they brought the Forest of you can’t help but feel relieved; but a part Will Barkan ’02 and Logan Clark ’01 as Oliver Arden to the Lamb Auditorium after unsea- of you is missing. and Celia in As You Like It sonably cold and wet weather made an outdoor performance too risky to try. The Jackie Fiske ’03: Babes in Arms was the minimal set, actually a thrust stage with some greatest experience I’ve had at Thacher greenery and a few set pieces and special light- this year. While everyone was happy to ing effects, allowed the audience to concen- have their 9:30-10s back, I was wishing trate on the players’ interpretations of the for a rehearsal. Bard’s language perhaps even more than usual. Our veteran actors (led by Will Barkan ’02 as Meredith Walker ’01: Over the course of Oliver, Alden Blair ’01 as Touchstone, Anthea four consecutive Thacher productions, Tjuanakis ’01 as Rosalind, Chris Bonewitz ’01 I’ve comet o realize that the appeal of act- as Orlando, Logan Clark ’01 as Celia, and ing lies in having the excuse to regress to Meredith Walker ’01 as Jacques) anchored a childhood make believe. Complete with company which included many younger actors dress-ups! Of course, when I was a child I new to Thacher’s stage. The Chamber Singers, didn’t pretend to be a chronically melan- directed by Mr. Greg Haggard, played the roles choly intellectual (Jacques) or a promis- of choristers, providing a vibrant “concert-in- cuous, hypochondriacal stage mother a-play.” Most impressive for me was watch- (Phyllis Owens) but that’s just in the de- ing the principals gradually internalize the tails… words of Shakespeare on the way toward de-

page 10 The Thacher News sionally these days—perhaps the plot is too innocent, too “corny” for modern tastes—but in my experience audiences are always surprised to hear some of their favorite tunes in this gem of a show: “My Funny Valentine,” “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Imag- ine,” and “Johnny One-Note.” The cast caught on early in the rehearsal season to the possibilities for sheer fun and frolic. As Greg Haggard taught them the music and Gallia Vickery worked her choreographical magic, both the “old-timers” and the “rookies” blossomed. My co-directors and I knew we had a winner: the chorus was as strong as any we’ve had since our collaboration began ﬁve years ago, and the principals Chamber Singers provided a “concert-in-a-play” in As You Like It showed consistent enthusiasm for their roles, unsophisticated as they might be as students and teachers by today’s standards. The richness and beauty, work to maintain the tra- the power and personality in the voices of vet- dition of excellence and eran singer-actresses Esther Guzmán ’01 fun on stage. From the (Bunny) and Julia Erdman ’03 (Terry) were “Thespies” to the veter- known qualities, while senior Peter Frykman ans, from the Advanced (Val) and sophomore John Babbott (Gus)— Acting Class (who will stage novices in December, believe it or not— perform their own play in and sophomore Jackie Fiske (Susie Ward) May) to independent per- commanded our attention more and more as formers, theatre seems to opening night approached. These students be taking place every could sing! Add to this raw talent and energy week at Thacher these the fact that Babes in Arms is truly an ensem- days, and I feel grateful to ble musical (only a few scenes did not include be a part of a collabora- the entire cast) and a hit show was all but cer- tive effort with talented tain. Indeed these eight seniors, two juniors, and selﬂess actors and di- six sophomores, and three freshmen gave the rectors who love the large audiences something to sing about. The process as much as the re- maturing of our veterans and the emergence sults. e of several brand-new Masquers made this musical a happy theatre experience for us directors, too! Michael Disner ’01 and The reservoir of dramatic and musical talent Jackie Fiske ’02 portray grows wider and deeper at Thacher: opportu- Steve Edwards and his nities for creatively seem to grow every year “sister,” Susie Ward, in Babes in Arms

Lauren Fiske ’04, Charmiane Lieu ’03, Erica Reynolds ’01, Clare Holstein ’04, and Mike Disner ’01 perform “Imagine” in Babes in Arms

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 11 Sports Recap Sports

by Joy Sawyer-Mulligan Varsity Boys’ Soccer Team won both the Condor League Championship and the Tony Dunn Sportsmanship Award Fall Sports GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY JUNIOR VARSITY BOYS’ Three teams secured Tony Dunn Sportsmanship Awards in the fall and three more teams won Captain: Deloria Lane Many Grey Horses SOCCER Condor League Championships in the fall. ’01 Captain: David Babbott ’01 Coach: Pierre Yoo Coach: Jack Crawford VARSITY GIRLS’ TENNIS With the loss of five of the top seven runners of Season Record: 10-1 last year’s squad, the 2000 runners turned a page to Captain: Elizabeth Sanseau ’01 write a new chapter. At League Finals, Deloria Condor League Championship Coach: Rae Ann Sines picked up first place and was later named Most “Our seniors were outstanding all year and the pri- Condor League Record: 3-2 Valuable Runner; Phoebe Barkan ’03 snagged mary reason behind our success,” according to eighth; and Dawn Cleveland ’03 won Most Im- Coach Crawford. The season’s highlights were three Season Record: 9-5 proved kudos. victories over Cate and a total of 40 goals scored on In addition to Cap’n Sanseau (first in singles play), opponents, with only five allowed. seniors Caitlin Mulholland (second in doubles), Emily Dachs (first in doubles), Andrea Black, and Mered- BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY THIRD BOYS’ SOCCER ith Flannery (the latter two both third in doubles and Captain: Rob Dickson ’01 recipients of Most Improved Player honors) gave Captains: Max Greene ’01, Brian Kelly ’01, critical support to the younger racqueteers on this Coach: Jamie Dial and Simon Xi ’01 spirited squad. Condor League Champions Coach: David Harris This team went undefeated in the League, snag- JUNIOR VARSITY GIRLS’ ging a fistful of clanking medals along the way at Season Record: 8-1-1 TENNIS races such as the Brentwood Invitational and the Tony Dunn Sportsmanship Award Mt. SAC competition. John Babbott ’03 claimed the “True class, grace, and commitment” is how Coach Captains: Smitha Reddy ’01 and Emma Most Valuable Runner award while Drew Fleck ’03 Harris described this team. During Family Week- White ’01 received the Most Improved award. end, they showed “complete domination by the Coach: David Johnston boys, and an end-score of 4-1, with some of the best soccer I’ve seen in 11 years at this level.” Season Record: 3-4 VARSITY BOYS’ SOCCER Tony Dunn Sportsmanship Award Captains: Mike Back ’01 and Tyler Manson FRESHMAN BOYS’ SOCCER Abundant joie de vivre matched joie de tennis in ’01 this team which, in Dr. J’s opinion, deserves Most Coach: Fred Coleman Captains: Max Kuhl and Ward Sorrick Valuable and Most Improved Player. Condor League Record: 10-0-0 Coach: Michael Mulligan Season Record: 11-0-0 Season Record: 2-1-1 Tony Dunn Sportsmanship Award “Even with juggling horse responsibilities and Condor League Championship sports,” wrote Coach Mulligan, “these boys showed impressive determination, unity, and spirit “This team—as fast as any we’ve had—always throughout the season. They enjoyed each other’s played up to its level,” said Coach Coleman, “even company and improved their team play significantly when the opposition did not. It was unquestionably by season’s end.” one of the two or three best ever Thacher Varsity Boys’ teams.” page 12 The Thacher News GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL GIRLS’ THIRD TEAM GIRLS’ JUNIOR VARSITY Captain: Jennifer Bowie ’01 SOCCER BASKETBALL Coaches: A.J. Goldman and Diana Garcia, Captains: Kerry Connolly ’01, Grace Logs- Captains: Esther Guzman ’01 and CdeP ’95 don ’01, and Emma White ’01 Stephanie Hubbard ’01 Condor League Record: 2-5 Coach: Diana Garcia, CdeP ’95 Coach: David Harris Season Record: 3-7 Season Record: 0-4 Condor League Record: 1-6 This very young team enjoyed their vast improve- Illness, injury, and stormy weather hammered a Season Record: 1-9 ments—both individually and as a team—through- triple whammy on the Thirds this winter on the first “We had a strong turnout and collectively they out the course of the fall. The irrepressible and scoreboard; but on the second, the important one played with a great deal of heart, hustle, and tough Betsy Bradford ’02 won most Improved that records sportsmanship and spirit, this squad humor,” reports Coach Harris. Despite a disap- Player, while Captain Bowie (a four-year Varsity was undefeated. pointing season record, a good half of the games Player) earned Most Valuable Player honors. were close. BOYS’ VARSITY BASKETBALL BOYS’ VARSITY LACROSSE Captains: Michael Back ’01 Captains: Chris Brown ’01 and Tyler Man- and Jay Thornes ’01 son ’01 Coaches: Brian Driscoll and Coaches: Jack Crawford and Bo Manson Ted Holden Condor League Record: 7-2 Condor League Record: 8-0 Season Record: 11-2 Season Record: 11-10 “Our come-from-behind triple overtime loss to Cate Condor League Champions was our finest effort: Down 4 to 1 at the half, the For the second consecutive year, boys returned to the field and out-scored the oppo- these “courtiers” earned the Con- sition by an equal 4 to 1 margin to tie the game with dor League Title with the roster of two minutes remaining,” said Coach Manson. The seniors (in addition to the captains: sudden-death triple overtime proved a classic nail- Blake Caldwell, Eric Butts, and biter, with shots hitting the pipes and the goalie re- Canyon Cody) having beaten Cate peatedly, but not the net’s inner V. The team came seven of eight times in their tenure in second in the League. on the court. “The key to the boys’ success,” reports Coach Driscoll, BOYS’ JUNIOR VARSITY “was their balanced strength, as different players took top-point honors in nearly LACROSSE every game.” Captains: Erik Fiske ’02 and Andrew Poole Winter Sports ’02 BOYS’ JUNIOR VARSITY Coaches: Tom Scarborough and Terry Two League Championships and two Tony Dunn BASKETBALL Twichell Awards highlighted the winter sports season. Condor League Record: 2-6 Captains: Chris Bonewitz ’01, Mike Disner Season Record: 2-7 GIRLS’ VARSITY SOCCER ’01, and Emmett Hopkins ’01 Coach: Derick Perry, CdeP ‘83 Tony Dunn Award Captains: Emily Dachs ’01 and Anthea Condor League Record: 3-5 “These guys gave 100% on the field, every practice Tjuanakis ’01 and every game,” according to Coach Twichell, and Season Record: 4-8 Coach: Fred Coleman grew in competitiveness and skill with every pass- With the three senior captains, as well as seniors ing week, even facing two Varsity teams on their Condor League Record: 4-0-3 Simon Xi and Max Greene providing what their playing schedule (OVS and Laguna Blanca). Most Season Record: 6-2-5 coach called “truly excellent senior leadership,” this Improved on the squad was John Babbott ’03; Most Co-Condor League Champions team enjoyed the spirited participation of boys from Valuable Player was Andrew Poole all four classes. “The team showed its competitive This senior-dominated team played in rain, sleet, mettle in a last-second victory over St. Bonaven- and occasionally near gale-force winds to prevail as ture,” and their coach later confided that he’d BOYS’ FRESHMAN co-Condor League Champions. In the first round of “never seen a team play with such heart and en- CIF playoffs, they bested the only team to beat LACROSSE thusiasm.” them in season play and nearly won the second Captains: Ned Lincoln and Robert Neville round against Flintridge Prep (one of the Southern Coach: Greg Courter CIF Section’s two top teams). GIRLS’ VARSITY BASKETBALL Season Record: 1-5 “Because the team invested great effort in practice GIRLS’ JUNIOR VARSITY Captains: Laura Neville ’02 and Annie and in games, the guys expereinced terrific growth SOCCER Wheatley ’03 and improvement over the course of the season,” Coach: Rae Ann Sines Mr. Courter said. Most Valuable Player honors went Captains: Andrea Black ’01 and Meredith to Ward Sorrick and Lee Shurtleff; Chris Goldman Flannery ’01 Condor League Record: 3-5 won Most Improved. e Coach: Mary Everett, CdeP ’94 Season Record: 4-9 Season Record: 7-1 Tony Dunn Award This team was undefeated and unscored upon (with With four freshmen on the team and no seniors, the exception of a game against the higher division this was a rebuilding year. Freshmen Whitney Liv- Nordhoff). “After a close 1-0 win against Cate in ermore won leading season scorer honors and Steffi the rain,” recalled Coach Everett, “a great second Rauner led at the free-throw line; and juniors Laura half run gave us a 4-0 win the second time around.” Neville and Mercedes Farrell led the team in three- Hannah Carney ’01 won the Most Improved award. pointers.

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 13 Campus Life

Guest Professors Enhance Curriculum Students Sample Congressional Law and Japanese Culture

uring the fall semester, John Nathan, ination in 1972. He’s written five books, two Ph.D., taught “A Cultural History of Japan of which his class used in their course. He now Dfrom 1100 to the Present.” Japanese liter- practices law in Redwood City and farms in ature and aesthetics as expressed in the prose, Yolo County, California. His wife, Helen poetry, and cinema of various periods en- Hooper McCloskey, is the aunt of three Cde- tranced students each Tuesday evening for Pers: Alix Blair, CdeP ’98, Hannah Hooper, three hours. The course “was more of an ana- CdeP ’00, and Alden Blair, ’01. lytical reading and writing class than a history course,” according to Senior David Babbott. Max Greene ’01 wrote of his experience in “We started with The Tale of Genji, which class: “I received insight, knowledge, and a dates to ancient and elegant Japanese court new perspective…I have learned to question culture, and then moved chronologically the working of things, to know that an indi- through Japanese historical and cultural tra- vidual can make a difference, and to desire to dition…Several of the books we read were change the current system of politics that can translated by Dr. Nathan directly from the breed corruption and selfishness. I believe that Japanese. In addition to the shorter papers we I will use the important life lessons that Mr. were writing frequently, we wrote a longer McCloskey has taught me in my future studies paper on a subject of our choice. It was an ex- as well as in my pursuit of happiness and pos- John Nathan cellent course because Dr. Nathan was ex- sibly public service in the future. I think that no tremely knowledgeable, purposefully matter what I do in the future, that Congress- entertaining, and used personal stories in ad- man McCloskey’s teachings will stay with me dition to the texts.” and bring a new perspective to the decisions that I will make in my life.” e Since 1994, Dr. Nathan has been the Takashima Professor of Japanese Cultural Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is known for his biographies of Yukio Mishima, director of some of the finest documentary films featuring Japan, and a preeminent translator of Japanese literature. He authored two books: Words, Ideas, and Am- biguities: Four Views of Translating from the Japanese and Sony: The Private Life. Dr. Nathan received both his bachelor’s and doctorate from Harvard University in Far Eastern Languages and Comparative Literature. He and his wife Diane live in Santa Barbara and they have two children: Emily ’03 and Toby who is 12.

This winter, former California Congressman Paul Norton “Pete” McCloskey, Jr., taught a nine-week course on Constitutional Law to two classes of upperclass students. He is a fourth-generation Californian, who graduated from Stanford University and Stanford Law School. He served as a District Attorney be- Pete McCloskey fore forming what is now the biggest law ﬁrm in the Silicon valley. In the early 1950s, Mr. McCloskey served in the Marine Corps in Korea and received two Purple Hearts, the Navy Cross, and the Silver Star. He was elected to Congress in 1967 and served until 1982. He also ran for the Republican presidential nom-

page 14 The Thacher News Tidbits

our seniors received word recently that they Fare part of the 16,000 National Merit Final- ists and, therefore, eligible for college scholar- Tidbitsships. Mary Ann Bronson (Juneau, Alaska), Robert Emmett Hopkins (Healdsburg, Cali- fornia), Brian John Kelly (Portola Valley, Cal- ifornia), and Kevin Robert Schmidt (Bellevue, Nebraska) should here this spring if they will be part of the 7,900 Merit Scholarship win- ners to receive scholarships. Congratulations, scholars, and good luck in this next stage!

Just before the elections in Israel, Thacher parent Brian Lurie (father of Alex ’02) spoke on the current political and social climate in Israel. Left to right, from young to youngest, Gordon Larson, JJ Mazzola, Caroline DelVecchio, Aiden He correctly predicted that Sharon would win Mahoney, Tag Curwen, and Evan Perry by a landslide and shed some light on the most pertinent matters facing Israel today. He capi- abies Galore are gracing our Community. coach for cross-country and track) and Greg talized on the pressing issue over the Old City BGordon Fairburn Larson was the ﬁrst to ar- DelVecchio; and Elizabeth Reynolds Mahoney, in Jerusalem, discussing the complications of this rive on May 29 to Phoebe Fairburn Larson CdeP ’88 (Horse Department faculty member) holy city's owenership. He spoke of the esca- (Associate Director of Admission) and Marc and her husband, Digital Media Guru Bert lating violence in Israel and of the near future. Larson. James Joseph “JJ” Mazzola arrived on welcomed Aidan McKay Mahoney on Sep- To close the evening, Mr. Lurie shared a bless- August 7 to Chris (Dean of Students and tember 15. Just before Christmas, William Tag- ing that he translated into English: "may the French teacher) and Rich (Athletic Director gert “Tag” Curwen joined his folks, Austin Lord bless you and keep you, may the Lord and English teacher) Mazzola; on August 25, (History Department and Horse Packer), and cause His face to shine upon you and be gra- Caroline Redfield DelVecchio made her ap- Alison (Study Skills teacher) Curwen. Missing cious unto you, may the Lord give you a life of pearance to parents Sarah (History teacher and Super Bowl Sunday by just a few days, Evan health hope happiness and His most precious Howse Perry was born to Molly Twichell, gift of peace." According to Alex, "This prayer CdeP ’85, and Derick Perry, CdeP ’83 on Feb- sums up the reason for my dad's devotion to his ruary 3. As of this writing, one more is on the cause—peace among Jews and between Jews and Numeracy Puzzle horizon: Wendi (Art teacher) and Jamie Dial their neighbors." e (Outdoor Program) are expecting their first bundle of joy in June. All of these precious lit- Last issues’ puzzle has been solved by sev- tle lives bring great joy (and plenty of diapers) eral creative people. Here was the puzzle: to our Community.

The radii of the three largest circles are 1, 2, and 3, respectively. What is the ra- dius of the smallest circle? for the construction of three right trian- Here’s the new puzzle: gles with sides whose lengths may be de- You are presented with 12 coins, one of fined in terms of three unknowns. which is counterfeit. Find the counterfeit Application of Pythagoras’ Theorem to coin in less than four weighings with only each of the three triangles gives three a balance scale if all 12 coins are identical equations in those three unknowns. Thus in appearance, and you know only that their values may be determined. The ra- the counterfeit coin does not weigh the dius of the fourth circle is one of those same as a “good” coin. unknowns

Kip Witter, CdeP ’64, Dick Rhodes, CdeP ’59, Tom Cleveland (stepdad of Andrew Fleck ’03), Phil Thacher, CdeP ’54, and X2 + h2 = (1 + y)2 Eric Anderson, CdeP ’88, all sent in cor- Send your solution to Kurt Meyer in the (2 – x)2 + h2 = (3 – y)2 rect answers of 6/7. As Eric wrote: Thacher Math Department via e-mail at (3 – x) 2 + h2 = (2 + y)2 [email protected], or via U.S. mail at y = 6/7 It relies on the fact that nay line connect- the School address. ing the centers of osculating circles inter- sects their point of tangency. This allows Great job, fellows…

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 15 Campus Life

A Southern Sojourn

Redeﬁning Terra Incognito: The Deep South by Thomas A.H. Scarborough

ive Thacher students signed away one of their spring vacation weeks to journey from FNew Orleans to the Mississippi Delta, with Tom Scarborough, a scholar of Antebellum South who returned to Thacher this spring to teach the History of the American South. Dur- ing an organizational meeting a few weeks before the trip, Tom asked Brian Kelly ’01, Rob Dickson ’01, Andrew Ma ’02, Kasi McLe- naghan ’04, and Julia Robinson ’04 what impressions came to mind when they thought of the South. Their responses, Tom found, were mostly drawn from cultural stereotypes and biases propagated by the entertainment indus- try. Most of them possessed little or no hard knowledge about the region. Indeed, for many Americans residing in other regions of the nation, the South remains terra incognito. “To mention the South is to invoke troubling im- ages of hard-hearted masters whipping their slaves, fire-eating secessionists, lynchings, and all other manifestations of overt racism,” Tom explains. “It elicits impressions of rural isola- tion and poverty, uneducated hicks, and Lynyrd Skynyrd playing ‘Sweet Home Al- abama’ in front of a giant Confederate flag. In fact, the South has at one time or another been all of these things. Southerners themselves have all too often demonstrated a positive genius for playing down to the lowest expectations We make the short walk to nearby Jackson Square and I hire a carriage to take us on a tour of the of the region’s harshest critics. Yet we remain Quarter. Our guide is knowledgeable and he gets most of the history right…The streets of the Quarter fascinated with the South. Perhaps this is be- are already crowded with tourists out for the night’s revels. As our carriage crosses Bourbon Street the cause the South’s own Manichean internal din pouring from the bars momentarily drowns out our guide. The strains of Dixieland jazz, electric struggle to balance good and evil has been blues, and Cajun shuffles collide, creating a maelstrom of noise that is uniquely New Orleans. played out so publicly for so long. Bill Clin- ton is only the latest apt metaphor for this struggle. The South has allowed us to see with shocking clarity the Darkness that exists within all of us, and it is troubling. But the South is more than America’s version of a Greek tragedy. This is what I hope the students will We amble through the LSU campus to come to see on their journey to the most South- Hill Memorial Library where Tara ern place on Earth.” Zachary, the head of manuscript acquisitions…allows the group to Upon his return, Tom crafted a detailed ac- examine some manuscript documents count of the group’s Southern Sojourn with from the papers of the Bisland family, a historical facts woven throughout. Excerpts of planter clan from Natchez, Mississippi. Among the documents we scrutinize are that fascinating transcript and photographs are bills of sale for slaves, ledger books published here. recording plantation expenditures, personal letters to and from friends in Scotland, and numerous “sight drafts”—promissory notes which functioned as negotiable currency in a region chronically sort of specie and hard case. Though most of the documents we examine date from 1803- 1810, the paper is in remarkably fine condition...[since they don’t contain] acids or bleaches that would cause [them] to deteriorate as rapidly. page 16 The Thacher News uring their last dinner together Din a little restaurant on Du- maine Street, Tom asked the students how the trip had influenced their perceptions of the South. “They cited such distinctions as the warmth of the people, the na- ture and character of rural poverty, the slower pace of daily …past the port of Vicksburg, life, and reverence with which a red, yellow, and pink Southerners regard the past,” apparition appears along the Tom wrote. “All were unanimous roadside. It is Margaret’s that even in today’s American in- Grocery & Market, which, stant disposable techno-franchise despite its name, no longer culture, Southerners still retain a sells anything. An elderly African-American woman reassuring awareness of time and …turns out to be Margaret place, and a self-conscious sense Dennis, and she lives at the of apartness from the cultural store with her husband, the mainstream. And the students are Reverend D. H Dennis. right—the South is different. But, Margaret is 86 years old, and to an extent that many people she tells us she was married don’t realize, the South—and to her first husband for 39 particularly Afro-Southerners— years until he was murdered have shaped and mediated our in their store. She doesn’t say whether the killers were black society’s cultural vocabulary for or white. After years of over three centuries. Whether widowhood, Margaret from apathy or an intrinsic dis- married the reverend 16 years like of all things Southern, those ago, and the two of them who remain ignorant about the converted the store into a South can never truly understand local beacon of charismatic themselves as Americans. For the faith. ‘I love everybody, no South is indeed quintessentially matter what color they are!’ American, and we may all be Margaret exclaims. ‘When I pray I don’t say ‘Dear Lord, more Southern than we care to please watch over your black admit.” children—I pray for Him to love and protect all of His If you are interested in receiving children.’” the entire report, please contact Jane McCarthy at Thacher, and it will be sent to you. e

Painted on the side of the structure is “Dockery Farms” and the names of the ﬁrst two proprietors, Will and Joe Rice Dockery. I tell the students that if one were to identify a single location that could be considered the birthplace of the Delta Blues, Dockery Plantation would be that place. Here, in the plantations’ cluster of sharecropper cabins, Charley Patton grew up, and his hot guitar licks inspired other developing local Blues musicians like Tommy Johnson, Willie Brown, Son House, and Robert Johnson.

Andrew Ma ’02, Kasi McLenaghan ’04, Rob Dickson ’01, Julia Robinson ’04, and Brian Kelly ’01

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 17 The California That Wa s by John Alfred Davenport, CdeP ’21

This view of Gymkhana (circa 1895) is a recent gift to Thacher’s expanding archives

As announced in the Spring/Summer 2000 edi- Philadelphia Story,” California became my sec- had come in the 1880s when, upon graduating tion of The Thacher News, the Thacher His- ond home in what some account as the best from Yale, he broke down in health and sought torical Society is an ad hoc committee of time in life. The journey itself came about by recuperation on his brother’s orange ranch. persons interested in promoting and enhancing happenstance when Russell (who had suffered Sherman, the product of New Haven, soon re- the history of The Thacher School. Soon after pneumonia at an early age which left a slight gained his strength in the orange orchards and the magazine was posted, Mrs. Piers Dixon hearing difficulty) contracted increasing deaf- began to receive letters from the East asking (Ann Davenport Mavroleon Dixon of London, ness and was advised by a Swiss doctor that him if he could tutor various New Haven and England) sent Michael Mulligan a “slim auto- the only way to arrest this defect was by mov- Yale boys having trouble with their studies. He biography” by her father, John Davenport, ing from the damp climate of Philadelphia to took on one, then two, then three, and out of CdeP ’21, thinking that his writing about Arizona, New Mexico, or California. Our this grew The Thacher School, where boys SDT’s era might be interesting to the Thacher mother, a stout-hearted woman, took this ad- could combine preparing for college with Community. With her permission, excerpts are vice seriously. She headed our small family of horseback riding and camping on what Sher- presented here. three (our father had died many years earlier), man Thacher was wont to call “The Western set off for “the Golden West” and entered Rus- Rim.” Today it is a modern place equipped sell in The Thacher School in California’s Ojai with all kinds of playing fields and tennis Valley, to the astonishment and cluckings of courts. In the days I am speaking of it was hen I think back to the California of Philadelphia cousins, uncles, and aunties who more primitive…a main building with a large those days it is usually with the unlikely really should have known better. piazza overlooking the Valley and surrounded Wcombination of trains and the sweet by pepper trees, a study hall and dormitories smell of orange blossoms. Trains because prior Santa Barbara, where my mother and I first up the hill, and off in the sage several barns to World War II there was no other way of settled on coming west…lay in a bit of land including the old stone barn which gave the spanning a three-thousand-mile continent that between two promontories, a town of perhaps ranch its name, Casa de Piedra. That also was one now accomplishes in a Boeing 148 in a 25,000 people and facing the distant island of the name of “The School Song” which Sher- matter of hours. The effete Easterner boarded Santa Cruz. Its oldest monument was the Mis- man indicted: the Pennsylvania Limited at Philadelphia and sion located above the town…Some families some 14 hours later disembarked in Chicago. were indeed rich; others including my own had Then here’s to old Casa de Piedra From there, the Santa Fe took one across the difficulty from time to time making ends meet And here’s to the Westland so free Mississippi and thrust Westward across Ari- (my mother at one point pawned what jewelry Where the mountains rise to the (good) land zona and New Mexico and so up a final steep she possessed to keep her sons in school). And the Valley runs down to the sea. grade to Needles and the Tahachapis where the great double-header engines drew off at a Our favorite trips by car were to the Ojai Val- Mr. Thacher, stern taskmaster, had no great siding, panting from their long exertion, and a ley to visit Russell and the Heffelfinger broth- enthusiasm for parents who entrusted their different engine and engine crew took charge. ers. The ambience of this beautiful valley is sons to his care and indeed took extreme pre- It was mostly downhill all the way, firstly different from that of Santa Barbara…primi- cautions to insure that their visits to his Valley though sage brush, then into rich ranchland tive and more jaunting. One enters the Valley would be few and far between. However, there where the walnut and orange orchards spread via a road from Ventura…The Valley itself is a proved to be one chink in his armour—the fact down to Los Angeles and the edges of that Cal- cup in the mountains surrounded to the west that little manly boys no less than little girls ifornia landmark, the broad Pacific. by the high peaks of Matilija and to the north grow older day by day and need each other. by the massive outcrop of the Topa Topa Every year the School put on two or three I first made this journey at the age of nine in Range. What is now the town of Ojai was then dances and the nearest supply of feminine pul- the autumn of 1913 in the company of my called Nordhoff, named for the family of chritude lay in the Santa Barbara School for mother and my elder brother Russell, five years Charles Nordhoff, who went on to write the Girls. My mother, a former Philadelphia belle my senior and was destined to make it many famous Mutiny on the Bounty and other books and later a school teacher, capitalized on the times over in the next 10 years. For, while born dealing with far-off Polynesia. above fact and in the end became duenna and and bred a Philadelphian and of that “Main chaperone for bringing a bevy of young girls to Line” celebrated in Phillip Barry’s “The Into this Valley and village Sherman Thacher the Valley to make the dances not only possi- page 18 The Thacher News ble but events of the first order. It became her ously kicked out. Sherman lamented even So in the Autumn of 1922, I boarded a train in task to round up the most likely girls…escort while practicing such disciplinary measures. Los Angeles that chugged slowly and with them to the Ojai, chaperone them while there He had a theory that the boys he really wanted many stops up the Owens Valley, the conduc- and so add greatly to civilizing Mr. Thacher’s to help were not the obedient scholars but the tor as I recall in dungarees and sleeves. One closely guarded domain. I accompanied her on misfits. “Howard Hughes,” he once said, “was got out at Bishop in the shadow of the High these expeditions as a kind of page boy, too the only boy I never really could help.” Ap- Sierras to the west and lesser mountains to the young to enter into the festivities, but old parently Hughes in the end took the thought east. From there one was met by car and enough to admire my seniors and betters as for the deed. From his enormous fortune, made whisked over the hills to school itself, some ce- they danced away an evening… in oil-rig equipment and other ventures, came ment and stucco buildings, surrounded by a gift of the School’s first-class science labora- barns, two or three silos and shacks sheltering Sherman Thacher’s influence on this life of tory. various forms of farm equipment. studies and horses was all pervasive though always formal and curiously objective. Every My own experience of the Puritan ethic came It was a desolate enough place very different morning, S.D., as he was nicknamed, opened with stunning force one morning at School from the beautiful Ojai, and I recall soon after the academic day in the main study hall with a Gymkhana wherein we practiced all manner arrival I got a note from Mr. Thacher saying: reading of his and the School’s favoured poets, of games on horseback. One of those games “You will probably find your first experience with a decided emphasis on the poetry of Rud- was the sack race in which one galloped the disappointing. Most things in life are.” Yet as yard Kipling who best expressed Sherman length of the field, pivoted one’s horse on the the year developed Deep Springs developed its Thacher’s philosophy of hard work and God’s sack while scooping it up with one hand and own attractions and proved enormously own gift of common sense. We came to feel in then raced back to the finish line. On that day our bones such favourites as Kipling’s “IF” and worthwhile. Studies were less formal than at I missed the pivot, had to wheel twice and Thacher and in one case—Differential Calcu- “Recessional,” such lesser known poems as came down the field swearing at my faithful “When Earth’s Last Picture is Painted,” lus—we had a fellow and older students as mare to the astonishment of many onlookers. master. Ranch work soon came to be as excit- “McAndrew’s Humn,” “Gunga Din,” and Sherman took me into his office the next morn- above all “The Explorer” which somehow ing as horseback riding in the Ojai and equally ing and verbally chastised me, first for dis- rewarding. Fields to be plowed in autumn and suited the still unspoiled country in which he gracing the School before visitors, secondly for lived: spring, cattle to be herded in all kinds of blaming what was my own error on my horse. weather, innumerable practical chores to be at- In the little border station tended to. Fellow students and workers—only My second memorable encounter with S.D. about 20 in number—came from all classes in Tucked away beneath the foothills came not too long before my graduation. In society for Deep Springs was no Ivy League Where the trails run out and stop. summoning me into his office to discuss the place… future, S.D. remarked almost casually: “You For Sherman, Kipling’s “Explorer” summed know, John, you are not going to Yale next up just about all of the manly virtues which Nunn exerted his powers of persuasion, which year.” “Why not?” I retorted, for my marks he tried to instill in his ever changing classes of were not inconsiderable, to have me stay on and other deportment was on the whole ex- young men, his great disappointment, I learned at Deep Springs for more than one year. This cellent. It turned out that Sherman believed I later, was that on a trip to England he was un- was not to be. I was scheduled to enter Yale in was just too young—not just in years but what able to meet Kipling face to face. To this early the autumn of 1923, and the schedule held he called “maturity”—the growing up process morning poetry reading was added in the after considerable argument. But not without which for him was so essential. It came as a evening a half hour of prose reading: Dickens, one farewell look…at “the California that bitter blow for it meant getting out of step with Thackeray, Jack London, Brete Harte’s “The was.” On leaving the school in June, I teamed Luck of Roaring Camp” and on Sundays, the all my classmates. In fact, as it turned out, it was one of the best turns that any man has up with a companion, Bob Aird, now a physi- Old and the New Testament. Sherman, it will cian in San Francisco, for a final fling at the be recalled, had been brought up in the strict done for me. I was too young emotionally, sex- ually, and in other ways to go to college. West. Buying a mule in Bishop, we made a Puritan orthodoxy of the New Haven of the two-week pack trip at night across the tower- 1870’s. Bit by bit life had eroded orthodox being Sierras. Three days of hard climbing lief in God at least as set forth in the prayer So where next? Sherman held in his hand a small catalogue of a quite different kind of ac- brought us to the top of those sheer moun- books. He was when one came right down to tains. We camped on the third night close to a it an agnostic in religious matters but a firm ademic institution than Thacher or Yale. It was a newly founded school called Deep Springs, high glacial lake. Before supper I made my way believer in the Puritan ethic. An agnostic is not up to an eminence from which one could look an atheist. He simply does not know, and con- tucked away in northern California between north and south along the jagged peaks. It was fesses as much. Years after I had graduated Owens Valley and Deer Valley, and founded a wild and unforgettable scene of massive erup- from Thacher, I had occasion to stand with its by a man very different from S.D. Thacher. He tion. For the Sierras are in face a giant fault or headmaster on the School Pergola overlook- was L.L. Nunn, who with a brother had de- ing the beautiful Valley. In a rare breakdown of veloped the first rudimentary elements of long- slippage, sheer on the west and gently sloping formality Sherman gestured towards the dis- distance power transmission that today we find on the east. Millions of years ago the Earth so tant hills as if to say: “There must be more out so commonplace. The Nunn brothers had to speak had given way, leaving behind a tum- there than what we see but it is unknowable.” started this development in Telluride near bling sea of rock as far as the eye could see. I Ogden, Utah, at the edge of the Rockies. They gazed at the dislocation, this desolation and But if agnostic in the matter of God, S.D. was had made an enormous success and not a little grandeur for a while, then was glad to return quite sure of himself in the matter of ethics. money and had additionally made a practice of to our campsite. Next morning we started our Smoking was anesthetized at the School ex- hiring high school students and collegians to very different descent westward. First rocky cept for faculty members who were given a do some of the work. From this came the idea going. Then the tree line and the opening up of small shack in which they could indulge in that of developing a school where actual work pasture land. Wonderful streams of clear crys- forbidden habit. The dangers of drink or sex- would be interlaced with academic studies. talline waters. And finally and at last the first ual promiscuity were harped on. One of the And the final result was the Deep Springs signs of civilization—the ranches and then the School’s more famous pupils in the days after School, where selected students—tuition fully towns. We sold our mule for about what we I had left it was Howard Hughes, who while paid for out of an endowment fund—com- paid for him in one of them. The Western there broke all the rules and was unceremoni- bined studies with actual ranching. years, the boyhood years, were over. e

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 19 Illustration by Anthea Tjuanakis ’01 Alumni Returneth In the “olden days,” Sherman Day Thacher identified students whom he wanted to return to Thacher to teach once they’d finished college. Frequently for only one-year stints, these young men rejoined Thacher’s Community on the other side of the fence with increased demands and responsibilities, forced professional relationships with their former teachers and coaches, and barely enough wrinkles to discern them from fresh-faced students. Yet, this opportunity was seldom turned down when offered by SDT; after all, it was quite an honor to be the anointed one, to get to return to the idyllic setting of their high school years, and to rub shoulders with motivated, intelligent students. As well, it gave real-life experience to these young alumni and helped build their résumés for future career aspirations. There’s no question, though, that Thacher benefits from this practice, as well. Bright young minds; strong coaching and athletic skills; and positive mentoring, role models, compassion, and comprehension of current students’ struggles enhance Thacher’s faculty immeasurably. At Thacher today, several young teachers are also alumni: Derick Perry, CdeP ’83; Elizabeth Reynolds Mahoney, CdeP ’88; Molly Twichell Perry, CdeP ’85; Mary Everett, CdeP ’94; and Diana Garcia, CdeP ’95. The experiences of these last three alumni are included here, along with nine others who returned to Thacher during the last seven decades. Our featured Trustee and author are also alumni and are pro- filed here as well. This was an interesting topic to research and write about; we hope you enjoy reading about these folks as much as we enjoyed putting this piece together. —JDMc Laurin H. Healy George H. Pfau, Jr. Bruce N. Oxley

Michael S. Milligan Stephen Van B. Griggs Paul Gavin

Molly T. Perry Mark A.T. Holman

Diana Garcia and Mary H. Everett John G. Lewis, Jr. David G. Lavender Proﬁle

Laurin H. Healy, CdeP ’31

Still the Perfect Place by Jane D. McCarthy

n some regards, it’s fortuitous that Laurin Club that worked on the Yoemans Trail run- Healy, CdeP ’31 ever came to Thacher. He ning between the S.D. Thacher Trail and the Igrew up in Chicago and Evanston, Illinois, foot of the Ingram, north of the athletic field and finished Evanston Township High School (now part of the Gymkhana area). Weekend in June 1930. He was only 16, but Williams camping trips to the Sespe Valley and horse- College had accepted him for the fall. His par- packing trips were especially enjoyable. Just ents worried that he was too young to start one disappointment arose during those days college and would benefit from a year of mat- at Thacher: few students were curious or in- uration before going away. Some family terested in identifying and studying the birds friends—the Hopkins of Evanston and the that they came across on their wilderness for- Morrissons of Chicago and Groton, Con- ays. [Fortunately, he found an outlet for this in- necticut—had sons, Larry and Reeves, respec- terest later in life.] tively, who were attending Thacher. Laurin had spent summers at his family farm in Western One of the fonder memories for both Laurin Massachusetts, hiking, riding horses, camping, and Reeves was listening to Sherman Day and doing farm chores. Thacher read Dickens and other classics in the Larry and Reeves sug- Parlor following dinner on Sunday evenings. gested that Laurin join As Reeves reminisces, “It’s still amazes me that them at Thacher where a school of boys would sit there quietly and they could enjoy these listen to half an hour of reading.” Neither Lau- outdoor activities—as rin, Bill Lisle, nor Reeves remember Mr. well as academics—be- Thacher being sick during their senior year; he fore heading off to continued playing baseball with the boys dur- Williams. Thus, in Sep- ing Recess and participated in most of the ac- tember 1930, Laurin tivities even though he was in his early sixties. arrived with his home- According to LeRoy Makepeace’s book, Sher- town friends for an man Thacher and His School, however, “Mr. extra year of high Thacher’s health was intermittently poor. Re- school. Thacher was peatedly he was required to spend a week or the perfect place. “It more resting in Santa Barbara, and during still is,” according to these periods the School was conducted by Mr. Laurin. William L. Thacher and Mr. Barnes.”

This was a wise deci- On June 12, 1931, 20 boys—including Lau- sion for both Thacher rin, Bill, Reeves, and Larry—received diplo- and Laurin. He thrived mas from S.D.T. during the Commencement at Thacher, a much smaller school than exercises held at the Outdoor Theatre. Mr. Evanston’s student body of 2,000. Larry, Mitch Thacher then announced that he and his Boyd, and Laurin roomed in a corner of the brother William would retire from active serv- Upper Upper School, where Laurin inherited ice at the School after 42 and 36 years, re- the nicknames “Shawn” or “O’Lealy” in spectively, would retain their homes at the honor of the Irish playwright Sean O’Casey. School, and would be available on an emeritus Mitch recalls, “For a fellow who was at the basis. The reins of the School were turned over School for only one year, he ﬁt in very well. to an executive committee of three (none of He was pleasant, tall, slender, and a great base- whom yet possessed all of the necessary qual- ball player.” Laurin made the First Teams in ifications, but when working together dis- baseball and soccer, the latter a sport he hadn’t played the academic, business, and personal even tried until he arrived at Thacher. Laurin prowess for the headmaster position). Supe- excelled academically as well: he loved study- rior authority was bestowed on Morgan ing Latin with Morgan Barnes, trigonometry Barnes who had taught at Thacher from 1903 from Joseph Lowery, and he received com- to 1910 and from 1917 until his appointment mendation for his work in French IV. He as Acting Headmaster, and had served as served on the Boards of “The Notes” and El Trustee and Secretary-Treasurer of the School Archivero; made the Committee of Ten; and since it was incorporated in 1924. Forest won the Honor Man distinction. Cooke was appointed Acting Associate Head- master, and Anson Thacher, CdeP ’23, was Not surprisingly, Laurin spent much of his free made Business Manager. It was stipulated that time outdoors. He joined The Bit and Spur any two could veto the decision of the other.

page 22 The Thacher News William fulfilled his intention of traveling and atre for two years. Patti stayed being peripherally involved with management busy with their two small chil- of the School; Sherman Day died six weeks fol- dren, Laurin Hall, Jr. and lowing Commencement. Deirdre, born in 1941 and 1942, respectively. During this Laurin, Reeves, and Larry all matriculated to time, Laurin wrote The Admi- Williams. Laurin majored in U.S. History and ral, the biography of George made the Varsity Soccer Team for three years. Dewey, hero of the Spanish- Various campus groups took advantage of American War. Laurin’s leadership and writing skills: he wrote for the weekly school newspaper, “The When Laurin returned from the Williams Record,” he served as Production War, the Daily News offered Manager of Cap and Bells (the College’s un- him the same job and salary, dergraduate extracurricular theater organiza- but he declined and opted to tion), and he was the Treasurer of the work for Encyclopedia Britan- Thompson Concert Committee, that brought nica in Public Relations. He concerts to Williams. When Ignace Paderewski also worked on advertising and (Polish pianist, composer, and statesman) promotion of educational films played at Williams, Laurin wrote the $3,000 produced by the Britannica Laurin with wife Patti check for him: “Quite a bit of money in those Films Company before starting days!” Laurin drove a better deal with the his own public relations and advertising Another benefit of this position was travel for Cleveland Orchestra: an entire orchestra for agency, Laurin Healy Co. His company grew; the Healys. Their first trip to Thailand was in the same three grand. “The Cleveland con- changed its name to Healy, Baker, and Bow- 1966 and they proceeded around the world cert,” Laurin recalls, “had to be delayed sev- den; and held accounts such as Johnson & from there. Once Laurin retired, he and Patti eral hours. It was three degrees below zero and Johnson and Litton Industries. He also served were able to travel even more. They’ve now the woodwind players couldn’t thaw out their as Executive Secretary of the National Artist been around the world three times and visited reeds in order to play.” Again, Laurin suc- Materials Trade Association. The Healys trav- every continent. Their favorite places to visit ceeded academically despite his intense in- eled to the organization’s quarterly Board are still Thailand, England, and Antarctica. volvement in the Williams community; he was meetings held in interesting places around the The British lifestyle, history, and culture are tapped for Gargoyle, the Senior Honorary So- country, which sparked their interest in travel. fascinating to Laurin, an interest that was ciety. piqued by T.C. Smith, quite a famous professor In 1964, Laurin received a call from the Am- of English history during Laurin’s college days When Laurin neared graduation, Mr. Barnes, bassador of Thailand at the Embassy in Wash- at Williams. Beyond the researching and study- who had now taken over the headship of ington, inviting him to serve as the Consul ing the history and culture of their travel des- Thacher, asked Laurin to teach at Thacher. General of Thailand in the Chicago area. Pres- tinations, Patti and Laurin enjoy bird Laurin agreed to try it for a year. He lived in ident Johnson and Secretary of State Dean watching. Some of their interesting sightings Middle School; taught Latin, U.S. History, Al- Rusk approved Laurin’s appointment, which were of Ground Hornbills in Senegal; Wan- gebra, and Current Events; and returned to the lasted for nearly two decades. As Consul Gen- dering Albatrosses in Antarctica; long-necked soccer and baseball fields, this time as coach of eral, Laurin helped Thai students studying in Anhingas in Florida; Dippers in the Wye River the Second Teams. “It was an extremely re- the Chicago area, introduced visiting Thai VIPs in Wales; Puffins and Great Skuas in Shetland warding and interesting year,” Laurin remem- and royalty to Chicago’s mayor and the gov- Island who dive-bombed Patti; and the Nene bers, “even though it required a lot of hard ernor of Illinois, and arranged for visas for geese of Hawaii, Sir Peter Scott’s favorite bird, work. Somehow I managed to stay at least a those who traveled to Thailand for more than which he rescued from extinction. “We have day ahead of the students in Algebra.” Even a few weeks. At the time, approximately seen them at the Slimbridge Wildfowl Center in though Laurin loved teaching at Thacher, he 10,000 Thai students and nurses were in the England on the Severn River and in Hawaii, thought that he would be a better teacher if he Chicago area; Laurin gave them advice and as well as in the Resplendent Quetzal in Costa knew more about the world that the students helped them navigate through American bu- Rica. would face when they had finished school. reaucracy. One nurse with a particularly com- Laurin left Thacher the second time, again, plicated name, Pissamai Indraruengsri, asked Unfortunately, Laurin won’t be returning to after spending only one year. He returned to Laurin to help her change her name. “Natu- this year’s Reunion in recognition of their Chicago to work as a reporter for the Chicago rally, I figured she’d choose a name that would graduation seven decades ago. Two years ago, Daily News. Upon his return to Illinois, Laurin be easy to spell and say. Was I wrong! She the Healys celebrated their sixtieth wedding rekindled his friendship with Thacher class- chose Vitaviroj.” anniversary in Santa Barbara and ren- mate, Jim Kellogg, CdeP ’31, who lived in sub- dezvoused with Sally and Bill Lisle at Thacher. urban Winnetka. Jim introduced Laurin to one The Thai community in Chicago gave parties “I think it is a great tribute to Thacher that it of his neighborhood friends, Patricia Kelly. several times each year and often asked Laurin has gone from a small school of 60 boys to its to speak. He would memorize a few sentences present size of 240 with such a fine and or- Patti and Laurin married in 1939 and moved in Thai and then give the balance of the speech derly expansion,” remarked Laurin after this to Springfield, Illinois, in 1940, where he set up in English. “The people were charming and last visit. “The new buildings fit in perfectly a state capital bureau for the Daily News. The appreciative that I at least tried to speak their with older ones and the character of the School publisher of the newspaper, Frank Knox, was language,” Laurin recalls. He met many influ- has scarcely changed in named Secretary of the Navy just before World ential people from Thailand when they came to spite of this increase. The War II broke out. He wrote a letter on Lau- visit. In fact, a former prime minister, Anand School has surely retained rin’s behalf that helped him receive a Naval Panyarachun, who is now in his nineties, its outstanding degree of commission. Laurin’s military training was a served as the Thai ambassador in Washington leadership and preeminence 30-day crash course at the Great Lakes Naval when Laurin met him back in the sixties. “I among secondary schools Station’s “Rabbit Hall.” Initially he was as- just saw an article that mentioned Anand. It’s in America.” e signed to Public Information work in Chicago, good to see that some of these bright, wise peo- but was then assigned to the European The- ple are still influential in Thailand.

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 23 Proﬁle

George H. Pfau, Jr., CdeP ’42

Three Stints at Thacher by J. Peter Baumgartner, CdeP ’51

ixty years is a long time to be associated in Trobadores, and was an aunt in the School’s one way or another with The Thacher production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. SSchool, unless, of course, you are a member Pinafore. of the Thacher family. Student, faculty member, Alumni Association President, Trustee, It was a lazy December Sunday in the Upper Thacher parent, fundraiser, and friend to scores School. The radio was tuned to a program of of CdeP Alumni, George Pfau maintains a popular music. The announcer’s voice inter- spirit of gentle optimism and congeniality for rupted with the news that the Japanese were which he was admired by his classmates in the attacking and bombing Pearl Harbor. George class of 1942. George’s first contact with the remembers that, “After the initial shock of the School occurred not in the Ojai, but in the announcement wore off, it didn’t take us long northern Sierra, where for two summers he to realize that this War was going to be fought worked at Silver Pines Camp, owned and op- by us!” (In the Class Ballot taken just before erated by Bob Hunter, CdeP ’23. George re- graduation, George was elected Best Draftee!) members that he was paid $25 for one month of work in the kitchen as At Yale in his freshman year, George tried to the cook’s helper. “The sign up for officer candidate programs in the good news was that I was Army and Navy but he couldn’t qualify be- able to bank the entire cause of his poor eyesight. With other Yale $25. The bad news was classmates with similar eyesight problems, he that I had to milk the signed up in the Enlisted Reserve Corps (ERC) cows, chop the wood, and was called to active duty at the end of his light the stove, and wash freshman year. The Yale ERC was sent for re- all the dishes for the cruit training to a base in Massachusetts. On campers. The experience arrival it was discovered that none of the Yale qualified me for extensive men had had physical examinations, a prereq- KP during my career in uisite to enlistment in the Army. No uniforms the Army.” were issued to them. George and friends were assigned to KP duty in the enlisted mess hall At Silver Pines George while the Army figured out what to do with met a number of Thacher them. There was much mirth among the other students and alumni who recruits when they were served the usual Army regaled him with tales of grub by George and his Yale classmates attired the Ojai, of camping in in their Brooks Brothers finest! the Ventura County wilderness, and of the In late 1944, the Army caught up with close knit community George’s health problem—asthma—and he which was and is The Thacher School. He de- was medically discharged. So much for his Best cided that if Thacher was such a great School Draftee rating by his Thacher classmates. But for them, why not for him. So it was that in the nothing has prevented George for very long fall of 1941, George arrived in the Ojai from from doing that which he was determined to his home in Milwaukee. His classmates wrote do. of him: “At Casa de Piedra only one year, George…stepped right into the lead of his class Just before year’s end, George joined the Amer- in athletics, scholarship, and official capacities ican Field Service as an ambulance driver and … (His) escapades with his spirited charger, was sent to Italy. There he was assigned to an Sabre, have been a great cause of amusement Italian division of the British Eighth Army. The of everyone except himself; at the beginning unit was stationed in Tuscany facing the Ger- of the year he suffered many bruised portions mans and the War was winding down. Neither of his anatomy before he got the little fellow the Italians nor the Germans wanted to fight under control.” but there was plenty of action for the Ambu- lance Corps. Then in 1945 the Germans “ran The 1942 El Archivero records that George out of gas” and the War in Italy was over. played soccer, basketball, tennis, and ran track. George remembers that “the local Italian resi- He was a member of the Ojai Tennis Tourna- dents opened the wine cellars in which they ment Committee and the El Archivero had hidden vast quantities of wine from the Board—quite a busy schedule for a one-year Germans. The countryside was awash with student. He sang in the Glee Club, El wine, and good wine at that.” What a party!

page 24 The Thacher News taught Chemistry and Physics. Most of what I and Elizabeth Sarachene. After that marriage knew of the course content I had learned in ended in divorce, George married Anne May- 1942 as a student of Mr. MacBride. Sadly, Mr. hew, who died last year after a long struggle MacBride suffered a heart attack and I had to with cancer. They had one son, George III, who take over the classes and guide the students was born in 1982, and is now graduating from through the College Boards. Somehow, I got University High School in San Francisco. the job done and the boys took to calling me Fightin’ Father Pfau.” George entered the third phase of his long term of service to the Thacher community in the six- As a Middle Schooler in those days, I remem- ties. He served the School as a member of its ber George as being the faculty leader in the re- Board of Trustees and President of its Alumni juvenation of Gymkhana at Thacher. The sport Association from 1969 through 1973. He had died during the War as all the other South- breathed new life into Association activities ern California schools eliminated their horse and the Annual Fund, especially in the San programs. George organized the Green and Francisco Bay Area. He continues to provide Orange intramural teams to restore competi- space in his office for regular Thacher tion. George also called upon Thacher students “phoneathons.” at Yale to provide prizes for gymkhana events. Thus was born the Yale-Thacher Gymkhana George’s love and enthusiasm for all things and the George Beckwith Gymkhana Trophy Thacher is undying. How fortunate for The (a great horseman classmate from both Thacher School that his parents decided to George with Beckwith Gymkhana Trophy Thacher and Yale whom George Pfau solicited send him to spend the summer at Silver Pine to ﬁnance the prize). I also remember George Camp in California over 62 years ago. e George remembers his reconnections to Casa as the most enthusiastic booster of camping. de Piedra: “Somehow I started writing Anson He taught me and many others how to pack a Thacher and we corresponded intermittently horse well, distributing the weight properly so until the War ended and when I returned to as to eliminate the need to repack along the Yale in the fall of 1945. We must have ex- trail before making camp in the evening. He changed dozens of letters during that time pe- was a most enjoyable companion on the trail. riod. I was very grateful for his wisdom and Through his eyes we came to see the Creator’s interest in me. wonders which lay all about us.

“My idealism was running rampant during this time in post-War Yale. As a result I was seriously considering going into the ministry. Al- though I was a confirmed Episcopalian, I seriously considered other religions such as Catholic, Islam, Buddhist, and other Protes- tant religions. Anson was a sympathetic and caring correspondent.

“As my confusion grew over what I wanted to do after graduation from Yale in the summer of 1948, Anson offered me a job teaching at The Thacher School, explaining that the School often hired young college grads to help out with faculty chores, giving some special help to lagging students, etc. It sounded good George with Anne and to me. And, in fact, Thacher’s was the only son George III offer I had, so I gratefully accepted. “I soon realized that I needed a lot more edu- “Thus it was that I arrived in my old car from cation in chemistry and physics to continue a New Haven in late August 1948. As I drove career in teaching,” George told me. “So I did through the Ojai I saw fire racing down the not renew my contract at year’s end. Instead I mountain from Topa Topa, headed directly gravitated into the financial advisory business towards the School. Navy Seabees were there in San Francisco—my father’s career, too— fighting the fire. Happily the wind changed in where I am today.” He is presently a senior the middle of the night and the School was vice president at UBS Paine Webber and is still saved. hard at work every day as a financial advisor. According to Peter Cahill, CdeP ’42, with “When the smoke and confusion had cleared, whom George still plays tennis and dominoes, I sought out Anson Thacher to report for my “George has loads of friends; he’s very con- teaching duties. To my astonishment, I was genial, outgoing, and involved in fundraising told that Anson had suffered a serious med- for local interests, especially the Republican ical problem and that Newt Chase was now party.” Headmaster. Anson had neglected to tell Newt about me! However, Newt took pity on me Personally, George married twice. He and his and welcomed me to the faculty. I was assigned first wife, Elizabeth Spencer, had three chil- to be an assistant to Mr. O.E. MacBride, who dren: Peter, CdeP ’73, Mary “Molly” Clopp,

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 25 Proﬁle

Bruce N. Oxley, CdeP ’54

Student and Teacher by William M. McNabb, Jr., CdeP ’54

any extraordinary teachers have left their someone else’s animals, Bruce and his wife, mark on Thacher and its students. Only Carol, bought a cow and calf operation in Ma few had been students themselves. One Scott Valley in far northern California. The who left a unique print was Bruce Oxley, who closest town, Etna, is so small that even native graduated from Thacher in 1954. Bruce Californians have no idea where it is. My wife brought back with him his close identification and I came for a visit. Bruce and Carol eagerly with the Thacher tradition of horses and camp- announced that we had arrived on the week- ing. He had often pondered what it would be end of the Etna Centennial, an event marked like to return as a teacher. His curiosity once chiefly by a parade down the main street (ac- even led him to apply as a science teacher. Alas, tually, the only street). Somewhere in the mid- it was not his area of expertise and he didn’t dle of this two-hour extravaganza, we began to get the job. He did finally come back in 1976 recognize participants who had been in an ear- as Director of Thacher’s Horse Program. lier part of the parade. It seems that after com- Horses were Bruce’s area of expertise and the pleting a lap, they were going around behind ensuing years became some of the most mem- the stores, changing clothes, wagons and orable of his life reliv- horses and reappearing for another round. ing his earlier years at This reappearance of the same people in dif- Thacher and using his ferent costumes did nothing to diminish any- considerable talents to one’s enthusiasm for the event as spectators, teach students the art many of whom were also frequent parade par- and science of horse- ticipants, clapped and cheered again and again manship. with wild enthusiasm.

Most Thacher students Bruce’s thoughts about returning to Thacher arrive on campus with- resurfaced when he was visiting the School for out knowing which end an event. At Pattons’ Cabin, Jack Huyler of a horse to feed and pulled him aside and said, “I know you are which end to clean up busy ranching, but would you ever consider after. They graduate coming back to Thacher to run the Horse Pro- clear about the latter. gram?” Huyler had a notion that the current This was not the case Director, Hal Johnson, was thinking about with Bruce, who ar- leaving. rived with his own horse, Bing, whom “The cattle business was not great at the time some referred to as and I was fortunate to have a neighbor who knot-headed, the cow- could take over my cow and calf business,” re- boy term for learning-impaired. But with pa- called Bruce. “When I got a letter from (Head- tience, a virtue that Bruce has in large master) Bill Wyman, the timing seemed right.” quantities, he taught Bing to do tricks and per- He took the job and returned to Thacher in form all of the gymkhana events with the speed 1976. “It was exciting, stimulating, reward- and precision that earned Bruce the captaincy ing, and just plain fun to be back on campus,” of the First Gymkhana Team and the status of Bruce stated. “Needless to say, life at Thacher High-Point Man his senior year. as a member of the faculty was different in many ways from life as a student. There were One of the tricks Bing learned was to main- similarities, however. I spent the vast majority tain a sitting position (not something any horse of my time involved with the horses and their will do willingly) and look over Bruce’s shoul- interaction with the students and other faculty der while Bruce sat in front of him reading a members. It was this same relationship with book (see photograph). This picture was a ploy horses, students, and faculty that made my to make Bruce’s classmates and faculty think four years as a student so enjoyable, memo- that Bing was smarter than he really was. The rable, and rewarding. Who would have truth is Bing couldn’t read a word. thought that 20 years or so later I would be imparting to a new generation of Thacher stu- Again, unlike most graduates, Bruce rode out dents the skills taught to me by Jesse Kahle on the same horse he came in on. He took Bing and Jack Huyler?” with him to Davis where the two of them majored in animal husbandry. Following a brief One of the things Bruce recalls as most re- stint practicing his newly learned craft on warding was his reunion with his mentors Jesse

page 26 The Thacher News and Jack. When Bruce returned to the School, started preparing more Jesse, who hadn’t spent much time at the than a year in advance. School since his retirement, became a regular The Grand Entry was a fixture at Thacher once again. He visited the huge success, starting at Jesse by Carol Oxley barns with the same enthusiasm of earlier years the Gymkhana Field, and always found a way to be helpful to Bruce snaking around the cam- and the students. pus, and ending at the He loved his horses, running track below The And they knew it. Bruce stayed at Thacher from 1976 to 1978 Pergola. Bruce also was during which time two of his and Carol’s chil- in charge of the Centen- This tall rawboned man who learned about horses dren were students. David graduated in 1979 nial Gymkhana. The reg- driving threshing teams in Oklahoma. and Jill the following year. ular Thacher Gymkhanas had been changed so that He took his knowledge and his love But Bruce missed the cattle business and de- competitors ran singly, and passed it on to horses and humans. cided to leave Thacher to work again at his racing against the clock. ranch in Scott Valley. Besides his cow and calf Bruce brought back “the His strong hands and gentle ways operation, Bruce became interested in beefalo, old time way of doing instilled confidence in horses. a cross between a buffalo and a cow. The meat it,” running the races in was leaner and high in protein and it seemed heats which had specta- His quiet manner of sharing knowledge like a promising product. Enthusiasm for tors on their feet cheer- gained the respect of humans. beefalo waned, however, and marketing efforts ing for their favorite failed in their appeals to consumers to try it. riders. For years he worked with horses After all who in America wants something sen- and made of them the best they could be. sible and good for them? Carol took on her share of duties at Thacher serv- For years he worked with young men and young women, In the meantime, David had graduated from ing as an advisor to stu- and they became better than they dreamed they could be. Cal Poly and was working at the ranch with dents. She also went back his parents. After five years away from to college at UCSB and And when aging knees and hips made riding difficult— Thacher, Bruce left David in charge of the received a degree in Eng- and then impossible, ranch and returned to reclaim what he loved to lish. She had her horse at he took a chair to the riding ring. do most: teach riding and horsemanship at the School and rode reg- And by his words his pupils became his hands and legs. Thacher. This time Bruce stayed for seven years ularly with Bruce and her until 1990 giving him and Carol the opportu- advisees. Carol also And the horses learned nity to see their daughter and youngest child, worked in the Alumni Rachel, graduate from Thacher in 1989. Office for a year and And the humans learned helped put the Alumni Bruce considers himself privileged to have been Directory together. And he loved them at Thacher for two momentous events: The Thacher Centennial and the admission of girls Summing up his experi- And they knew on a full-time basis. The latter came too late ences, Bruce reflected, “I for some of us, alas. Thacher had experi- feel really lucky that I They knew. mented with an exchange program where the was able to spend those girls from Emma Willard School came west for years there. I have many the spring semester and Thacher boys went fond memories of Thacher, but the Horse Pro- people together to learn life’s lessons of pa- east to Emma Willard. The success of the program, with all its challenges, adventures, and tience, communication, and understanding. gram prompted Thacher to become coed, and the life-long friendships of such teachers as with the girls came a big boost for the Horse Jesse Kahle and Jack Huyler, stands at the top Looking back at Thacher now, Bruce quips, Program. Girls are born animal lovers. They of the list. “It is not everyone who can spend 13 years in adored the horses and were strong advocates high school and enjoy it.” e for the Horse Program. “Even as times change, certain aspects of Thacher seem to stay the same—the emphasis “Working with the girls as opposed to the guys on horses and the outdoors as influences on was a little different,” Bruce recalled. “Proba- character and teachers of common sense and bly the Horse Program was a good synthesizer self-reliance; and the sense of a small—even for the integration of coeducation. The barn family atmosphere—and community. I would was a great equalizer. The School was careful submit that these aspects have much the same in their selection of girls, looking for ones who influence on students today as they did in the liked the outdoors. Like the boys, some girls past.” took to the horses right away and others were intimidated. But by Parents’ Weekend, around For Bruce, one of the great benefits of working Halloween, things were running pretty at Thacher was the wonderful relationships he smoothly.” The girls became a major asset to developed with certain kids, many of whom the Horse Program. still visit him and Carol at their ranch in Ash- land, Oregon. When they are not seeing plays The Horse Program was a very large part of in Ashland’s famous replica of Shakespeare’s the Centennial. With the experience of the Etna Globe Theater, or visiting their children and Centennial under his belt, Bruce was well- grandchildren, they spend time riding through versed in what was needed to produce a Grand some of the most beautiful country in the Entry of epic proportion. He and his minions world. Bruce still continues to bring horses and

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 27 Proﬁle

Michael S. Milligan, CdeP ’62

Teaching: An Exhilarating Experience by Marshall C. Milligan, CdeP ’69

all 1958. Eisenhower is President. His fa- students were hungry for education—for the vorite game—golf —and tracking satellites opportunity to rise from poverty and make Facross the night sky are the major new pop- their families proud. They were difficult to ular diversions of the day. Hair is short. At handle only in their impatience with anything Thacher, Formal Dinner—nightly—means not relevant to their educational and career as- white shirts and ties. Young faculty include pirations. To the two young Peace Corps vol- Huyler and Miller and Shagam. Newt Chase unteers, teaching this eager group was “like calmly presides in an era of American smug- writing on a clean slate.” Opening eyes to the ness. Life away from home begins for the 35 world beyond Nanyuki was an exhilarating smuts in the class of 1962. experience.

Michael Milligan’s dominant sensory memory Incredibly, a record collection and record of his four years at Thacher is of “dust every- player were among the Peace Corps baggage where!” Spice, and later Colorado, were the lugged to Kenya by the Milligans, intended for object of morning and evening rituals and the their own pleasure more than for educational source of much of that purposes. However, they soon learned that dust. Heat was a sea- Man of La Mancha was the first exposure of sonal phenomenon, ex- their students to orchestral music, to drama, cept for the warming even to poetry. It was all new! The thrill of de- fires in the Upper livering the riches of modern civilization to School sections in win- bright young people was extraordinarily—if ter. Three dances each also naively—gratifying. year—the source of much fantasy and un- Meanwhile, the anti-war movement, Eugene fulfilled longing—were McCarthy, Lyndon Johnson’s withdrawal from for Michael almost al- the election, the Chicago riots, the assassina- ways shortly preceded tions of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther by injuries that may King—all were far away and dimly observed. have been excuses not to dance or means of January 1969. Nixon takes office promising evoking sympathy. “It to wind down the Vietnam War and restore ci- was a time of scarcity. I vility at home. The economy is reeling from and everyone else fell the demand for both guns and butter. Cam- madly in love with puses are rocked by drugs and demonstrations. Peggy Chase and with Hair is defiantly long. Young Thacher fac- Michael and Carole Milligan whatever heroine ap- ulty—too numerous and short of tenure to re- peared in the all-male cast of the School play.” member—struggle with being part of “the establishment.” Newt Chase, in a reprise en- Thacher led to Stanford, where Michael be- gagement, struggles to maintain order among longed to Theta Xi and lapped up Stanford’s those who have summarily concluded that his groundbreaking creative writing program. Ide- sense of order is “irrelevant.” alism and optimism were the order of the day, issued by President Kennedy, who sent Peace Michael and Carole were home from the Peace Corps volunteers around the world and prom- Corps for Christmas 1968. He had been ac- ised to send men to the moon. President John- cepted to law school for the following year and son promised an even greater society at so they had six months to fill. Teaching had home—never mind the costs of a troubling lit- been a rewarding endeavor. Why not keep tle Asian conflict. doing it? Michael wrote to Newt Chase who, as it happened, was short an English teacher, Michael and his college sweetheart, Carole and a deal was quickly struck. They moved Lepper, were married right out of college in into the Carpenter house (where the Schryvers 1966. Over the objections of their parents, they now live) over the Christmas vacation, and heeded the call to do good and headed off for Michael’s presence surprised a full complement a two-year adventure in the Peace Corps in of freshman and sophomore English students Nanyuki, Kenya. They taught high school Eng- and juniors in creative writing when they relish and science to the sons of poor families turned after the new year. who had scraped to give their eldest or most favored child a chance of a better life. These The return from Nanyuki to Ojai was an enor-

page 28 The Thacher News mously traumatic transition. “In retrospect, it’s had regained its footing and settled down re- hard to say which experience—the two years in markably. Coeducation, while still new and Kenya or the six months at Thacher—was the imperfect, had increased the attractiveness of more other-worldly. We knew that the post- the School and, consequently, the academic colonial existence in Kenya was not typical, strength of the student body. College and ca- but we couldn’t believe that the Age of Aquar- reers were once again relevant considerations. ius was either!” Thacher, like schools across the nation, was in ferment. Rebellion against When on campus for Kim’s freshman Family authority and the alienation of generations Weekend, Michael noticed some constants in sharply eroded the sense of community that his Thacher experiences. “I was struck by an Michael recalled from his student years a overwhelming sense of place—of unchanging, decade earlier. He was stunned to find that the permanent place. I realized that many small acceptance and respect for his academic role corners of the campus, and the activities that in Kenya was peculiar to that time and place, go on there, are timeless, that to be there today not to be replicated in America in the late six- is no different than being there in 1958 or ties. “For the first time, I struggled to main- 1969. Those small corners evoke a sensory tain discipline in classes, especially with a memory that is very rich and, frankly, com- group of irrepressible sophomores (who shall forting.” But Michael quickly qualifies his nos- remain nameless).” talgia: “I’m wary of the deadening effect of nostalgia on the vitality of a place like Thacher. “The senior faculty and their spouses were We good old boys—the very fact that most of great about welcoming us and offering sup- us are boys—have to be content with the small port. It was definitely odd to return as a peer corners that remain unchanged while the among my former teachers—Fred Lamb, Bob School moves forward with the times. We Miller, Marvin Shagam, Jack Huyler—but we treasure our memories but appreciate what felt accepted and appreciated.” By spring, makes the School alive and vital today.” Michael’s role as teacher, assistant track coach, and “Ethos” advisor was well established. He Today, looking back on his experience as a fac- had survived the hazing of his students. He ulty member, Michael readily acknowledges had survived a freshman Extra-Day Trip that six months was too little time to become (though, to his acute embarrassment, one of established or make a difference. “I was like a their horses did not). He and Carole had sur- stone skipping across a pond—neither becom- vived the record flood of ’69 that had severed ing immersed nor having any lasting effect.” both the road and the water line from the However, his teaching career in Nanyuki and campus to their house just as their first child Ojai permanently changed his life. “Teaching was due. Kimberley was born April 12, achiev- was not highly valued in our home when I was ing brief hero status for her father in an era growing up, so I marched toward law school when the faculty was less procreative—and without a second thought. But I realize now School Holidays were consequently fewer and that teaching was my most satisfying profes- farther between—than today. Kim was the sional endeavor. Communicating with young youngest of three generations of Milligans at- people—really reaching them—in a way that in- tending graduation that year, including a creases their understanding and broadens their Trustee, a faculty member, two graduating sen- perspective was a great thrill. I probably should iors and their respective families. “In contrast have made a career of teaching.” He pauses to my discomfort at the outset, I felt a real sat- for just a moment. “Maybe I still will.” e isfaction with my short time on the faculty and the students I had come to know as I recited their commendations at graduation.”

Fall 1983. Reagan symbolizes a conservative resurgence in America and abroad. Inﬂation is rampant, and the discussion of the economy overshadows foreign affairs. Preppy clothes and lifestyles are in fashion. Most previously all-male and some all-female schools and colleges have become coeducational. Thacher’s seventh coeducational freshman class—no longer called Smuts—are greeted by young faculty including the Robinsons, the Johnstons, and the Meyers.

Michael Milligan, alumnus and former faculty member, was suddenly no longer an insider. He had become a consumer of the very service that he once rendered. “Carole and I were greeted warmly—as parents—and, as such, were kept at arm’s length.” It was, yet again, a new way to experience Thacher. In the years since he had served on the faculty, the School

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 29 Proﬁle

Stephen Van B. Griggs, CdeP ’63

Three Times and Counting by Joseph H. Hollow, CdeP ’63

teve Griggs and Sophie Hollow have got mune as they had for generations, without the me feeling a bit long in the tooth. Sophie distractions of traffic, electricity, or telephones. Splucked out her first tiny cuspid this week After Labor Day, a bit reluctantly, they would and then lamented that Grandmother Davis, pack up again, point the car west and return to who is no longer with us, will never see her Ojai for the new school year. One assumes that new smile. My mother has been gone for two- this arduous migration could have been and-a-half years, almost to the edge of Sophie’s avoided. Van Griggs was certainly able to find memory. Time flies. Stephen, who is the subject a teaching job in New England, but his love of this article, has been on my mind for several of Thacher was profound. The same power- days. While musing about him, I paused to ful, tidal-pull that carried the family east, car- tally the number of years that we have been ried them back to Thacher in the fall, both legs friends. It came to 43 (ouch), and, due to com- of the journey homeward bound. mon interests, our paths have crossed constantly over the years. I wish it would slow To cope with the drive, they made virtue of ne- down, but time does fly. cessity. They would treat the journey as a family project, a large semi-annual geography The Griggs family dis- lesson. They were determined to see and to ap- covered The Thacher preciate the country so they took their time. School when Anson Steve recalls the cities and road marks gradu- Thacher came calling. ally becoming familiar. He remembers the fa- Van Griggs, Steve’s favorite picnic stopping points, crossing the ther, was teaching at Mississippi River, and the awesome sweep of Yale University. Anson the ever-changing landscape. By the time Steve wanted Van to come was 30 he had crossed the country 45 times out to Thacher as a lan- by car, coming to know old Route 66 better guage teacher, but it than many truckers. Today, with his uniquely was a hard sell. Van positive outlook, he speaks fondly of having and Barbara were not lived “in the two most beautiful places in California dreamers. America” with a “bonus”: having all the rest Their New England of America in between for study. roots were deep. Fam- ily and friends were all Steve was born at Thacher, and shared the on the East Coast, and School, “that wonderful, magical, unique in those days coast-to- place,” with a lively platoon of fac-brats, who Steve with grandson coast travel was a chal- explored and exploited every nook and cranny Chance Baldwin lenge. But Anson of the campus. They were a happy and some- prevailed. In 1940 the Griggses arrived at what independent subset of the School, enjoy- CdeP, sight unseen. They were warmly wel- ing the busy, youthful environment without comed and rapidly absorbed into the Commu- the heavy academic duties. The roughhouse nity. It was a perfect fit. Van was an eastern was ground zero. Countless hours were spent scholar with a true love of teaching. He found chasing and fleeing, rope swinging, and the at Thacher the scholastic rigor of an eastern like. Steve describes an almost communal ex- prep school, but the warm, informal atmos- istence, where all of the children were seem- phere of a ranch. They promptly fell in love ingly shared and nurtured by the entire School. with the School and the Ojai Valley. From the During vacations, the pace of the School would beginning, Van was a popular teacher, an im- slow, and the kids would have their parents to portant faculty member, and Barbara was a themselves. Then, suddenly, the campus would lively community spirit. They loved the School, swell with busy students, one-hundred older and the School loved them back. Now, they brothers arriving overnight. had a dilemma. Their hearts were in two very distant places. Their solution was to embrace Steve’s early years were idyllic, but there were the best of both worlds. They would commute. clouds on the horizon. In his 20s, Van had suffered a bout with rheumatic fever. As the years Steve recalls that each summer, after the last passed, signs of heart disease accumulated. faculty meeting, they would pack up the car Family life went on, but there was a growing and drive east to the family homestead atop sense of how precious and how fragile the fam- Mt. Riga in the Northwest corner of Con- ily was. Eventually, Van became very sick. necticut. There, the family would quietly com- After 15 marvelous Thacher years, he died.

page 30 The Thacher News Steve was not quite nine years old and his sis- moving to San Diego. Once again the family was willing to make any sacrifice for the good ter, Curry, 11. The Thacher Community re- bond was broken. Once again the continent of the team, a lesson learned on the playing sponded to the crisis like a large family. They interposed, but painfully. Steve immediately set fields at Thacher. pulled together, lent support, and shared grief, about, in his diligent way, reorganizing his life. and there was a lot to share. During these They would spend the summer, as always, on Steve’s second tour of duty at CdeP was brief years, Van’s colleagues were particularly im- Mt. Riga. That took care of three months. I and serendipitous. In 1997, after 22 years of portant. They were positive role models and live in La Jolla, so he had a place to stay where coaching, Steve notified Yale that he did not they were surrogate parents. Many would later his kids were welcome. San Diego has a huge intend to renew his contract. Meticulous to the become his teachers, and then his own col- tennis tournament in March, and it became an end, Steve had his successor in place, and per- leagues. Barbara recognized how important annual tour for his team. Then, he concen- haps his best-ever recruiting class enrolled, the family bonds with the School were. Al- trated his recruiting here and worked to beef with three months left on his contract. Steve though she planned to settle eventually on the up the travel budget. When the Yale soccer job was looking at a paid holiday, but Head of East Coast, she decided to remain in Ojai so became available, he pounced. The seasons School Michael Mulligan came calling due to a that Steve could keep the support of his ex- dovetailed, and he could handle both jobs. The defection in the Spanish Department. Steve was tended family and, in time, attend the School. athletic director was getting two for the price on a jet the next day. His family stayed behind Barbara was not surprised when, as a student, of one. Steve was doubling his San Diego stops. to finish the school year, and he was free, for he chose to pursue the study of languages. He This was Steve at his best, methodically turn- the most part, to roam the School and the trails finished Thacher with four years of French, ing obstacles into opportunities, leveraging his and to reminisce. He found that there are ob- three of Latin, and two of Spanish, and went assets, building two great athletic programs, vious changes to the School, but what struck on to major in modern languages at Trinity. and methodically reinserting himself into the him were the things that have remained the lives of his children. same: the Honor System, the civility, the ca- Steve has twice been a member of the Thacher maraderie, the humor, the pepper trees, the faculty. He was first hired in 1970 by Ted San- While Steve was coaching at Yale, I was run- trails, the way Topa Topa looms, the view from ford to teach French and Spanish and to coach ning a soccer club that graduated Olympic and the Outdoor Chapel, the sage perfume in the soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. He was drawn National Team caliber players. Our program air. The list is long. back after seven years of attending college and became a feeder for Yale to the benefit of both teaching on the East Coast. A “disillusioning” sides. In my opinion, a coach’s character is Steve is presently employed as the Director of experience at Choate was the catalyst, but one most vividly revealed during the recruitment Athletics at the Newark Academy, where his suspects that he was fated to complete the fam- process, and over the years, Steve recruited sev- children Colin and Jessica are students. Trish ily cycle. Once again, at summer’s end, a eral of my players. These kids, typically, would helps out at the school, so the whole family Griggs family wagon would be loaded up and be in our system for years, and they and their commutes together. As soon as the school year headed west. parents would be my friends. It was a pleasure is over, the family heads for Mt. Riga, but Steve to pass them along to Steve. He conducted starts feeling the pull in March, feeling it, “Returning to Thacher for me was probably himself with decency and dignity, and he told smelling it. It is palpable, irresistible. No dis- a bit different than for other alumni, because the truth. He didn’t pander to players, or crit- cussion of Steve can be complete without Mt. for me it was not only my alma mater but also icize his coaching rivals; even the one’s who Riga. my home. I felt welcome there, and my former bent the rules. At some point along the way, I teachers accepted me warmly as a colleague.” had an insight regarding Steve: Here is a fellow From the time of the Revolutionary War to the who gets out of bed every morning and tries to mid-1800s, Mt. Riga was the site for a thriving Joining the faculty gave Steve new perspective. live his life according to the Thacher ground iron-forging enterprise due to the confluence On the one hand, he discovered how hectic the rules. Here is a fellow who grew up watching of iron ore and dense chestnut woods to fuel job of a boarding school teacher is. Highly mo- Newt Chase, and Bob Miller, and Marvin the fires. When the Bessemer Process ushered in tivated students demand and deserve your full Shagam, and decided; “that’s how I’m going the age of steel, the area died. In 1870, some attention. So does your family. The Thacher to treat people.” Kinda cool. wealthy businessmen bought 5,000 acres of life doesn’t happen by accident. It is the prod- woodland with two lakes in the hills above uct of a lot of hard work, much of which stu- Having touched on the issue of recruiting Salisbury, Connecticut. In New England, these dents don’t see and can’t imagine. It is a bit ethics, and in the interest of journalistic bal- kinds of hills are called mountains. The own- like having two full-time jobs, neither of them ance, I must reveal that there was indeed one ers incorporated to allow the land to remain in low maintenance. On the other hand, he was small scandal, but that was early in his career the hands of their successor generations, mem- reminded what a fascinating, bustling com- when the pressure was on. There was this slick bers of which have consistently voted to keep munity it was and is, full of talented and in- little midfield player down near Boston named the area primitive. teresting people, who share values and help Colin McEvoy, who had all the moves. He also each other. I visited the Griggs household dur- had the “boards and the grades” making him There is no telephone service, no paved roads, ing these years. Steve was busy, but happy, irresistible to the Ivy League coaching contin- no electricity, and motors are banned on the clearly in his element and fully engaged. gent. They were all, including Steve, making lakes. Approximately 30 cabins make up the Daughter Amie thrived as a fac-brat, and when goo-goo eyes, but Colin kept his cards close community. Like Steve’s, they are mostly Damon came along in May of 1971, a School to his chest. When Steve went down to Colin’s owner-built. Some are tree houses. Steve’s Holiday was declared. house to put on his little dog-and-pony show, grandfather was invited to spend summers Colin’s big sister Trish opened the door. Steve there in 1902, and the family has been there In 1975 Steve was offered the men’s tennis thought she looked pretty good, but she was since. The old Ironmaster’s House, named coaching job at Yale. Leaving the Thacher her brother’s keeper, had met a few recruiters, “Castinook,” is still re- community was a tough decision, but it was and she was in no mood for nonsense. He must ferred to as the Griggs an opportunity he couldn’t resist. New Haven’s have impressed. Nobody outside of the family House. Steve’s father and proximity to Mt. Riga was a factor, but Steve knows which McEvoy signed first, but, as the his brother spent their boy- was also keen to coach Division I athletics. English say, our boy “bagged the brace.” Both hood summers there and McEvoys, Colin and the new Mrs. Griggs, slept in their own small Shortly after settling in New Haven, Steve was went off to Yale together. Eyebrows went up, cabin. Eventually, Van built confronted with a bitter new reality. His mar- but, as far as I know, there was no formal in- riage was over, and Amie and Damon were vestigation. For me, it was just proof that Steve continued on page 44

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 31 Proﬁle

Paul Gavin, CdeP ’71

Dreams and Excellence Are Worth Pursuing by Stephen W. Scott, CdeP ’71

aul Gavin, CdeP ’71, is passionate—be it One artistic memory from his student days about his art, lacrosse, his Thacher expe- stands out and affected his teaching when he Priences, or any of the other things hap- returned to teach Art in 1984. While visiting pening in his life! He brought this passion back family ancestral stomping grounds before start- to Thacher, first as a lacrosse coach in 1982 ing his senior year, Paul saw a small carving and subsequently as an art teacher and lacrosse on a high school fountain that had been left coach in 1984 and 1985. by his grandfather on the night of his graduation many years before. This event left Paul Prior to Bob Miller hiring Paul to coach with an appreciation for the positive energy lacrosse, Paul was living one of those Southern that can be gained, even with small anonymous California “retro” beach artist existences. creations, and it stirred a desire to leave some- Using a Santa Ana loft studio as a base, he thing artistic behind when he left Thacher. traveled the area in a 1951 flathead V8 Ford Paul mentioned this to Ron, who apparently pickup (can’t you just agreed that artistic whimsy created a positive see the surfboard jut- and healing energy, and together they found ting out the back) an image that they decided should adorn the painting land, sea, and now dismantled large water tank up by the cityscapes. Paul was Sespe Dormitory. So one spring night in 1971, also playing club Ron and Paul set out into the darkness, and lacrosse at this time. It the following morning Cricket Twichell stared was as an incoming out her kitchen window with amused disbelief junior at Thacher in at Porky Pig in all his larger than life glory. (It 1969 that Paul was in- must be noted that it was just a happy coinci- troduced to the game dence that both Porky and the current head- that held his passion master sported bow ties. And Marty Sproul, long after he left Jamie Green, and faculty wife Helen Knight, Thacher, and ultimately who had assisted in purchasing the paint, de- offered the opportunity serve credit for their now declassified prepa- for his return to coach ration support.) in 1982. After graduating from Thacher, Paul spent two Art, on the other hand, years at Villanova University near Philadel- was something Paul phia, where he experienced the fanatical East had always enjoyed and done—except, oddly, Coast lacrosse culture and developed that true during his high school years. Lacrosse, riding, manic passion familiar to all lacrosse players. and social activities took precedence over the And the texture, history, and “soul” of the creative process. Although Paul didn’t take any Philadelphia area further spurred Paul’s cre- actual art classes at Thacher, he occasionally ative drive and he decided to major in art. fiddled about, and classmate Ronald Gee and art instructor Edgardo Catalan offered help In 1973, Paul attended U.C.S.B., where he and instruction when requested—or perhaps played lacrosse, refereed for the Condor when necessary! League, and coached the Cate J.V. Lacrosse Team. (Paul says his allegiance was always Nonetheless, Paul believes that his student ex- with Thacher and that he was simply going perience at Thacher played an important part underground at Cate so that one day he could in his development as an artist. At Thacher it debrief the Thacher teams on Cate tactics—or was emphasized that ideals are important and was it was simply a convenient place to learn that dreams and excellence are worth pursuing. coaching skills given that he had no car?) And even without art classes, the Thacher environment was culturally rich. The natural At about this time, Paul began to think that beauty combined with the extremely talented, maybe he should start to think ahead and con- creative, and sometimes outspoken student sider a serious career. So he focused on biology body and faculty during those musically, artis- for a while, but the interest just wasn’t there tically, politically, and socially explosive times and he finally left school to decide what would planted creative seeds that still bear strong and satisfy him. It was ultimately a career in art sometimes inexplicable inspirational fruits that eventually grabbed and held his passion. today. He graduated from University of California at page 32 The Thacher News Irvine in 1979 with a studio art degree, bound, artwork and merchandise for the largest air and determined to make a living as an artist on shows and some other events across the United his own terms. It was at this time that he was States. They have also been instrumental in re- asked to coach at Thacher. building Fleet Week San Francisco since it became a civilian event in 1996. And now, The first year of coaching was not too time because of the extensive travel and time re- consuming, but the addition of art classes the quired to accomplish the artwork and related following two teaching terms raised the bar. tasks, the Gavins transferred artwork to their Although he didn’t have advisees, nor any Dana Point framer’s gallery and closed their dorm duty, the energy required to inspire and retail location. motivate the best work from students was en- lightening. He learned that it requires signifi- Looking back, it is difficult for Paul to deter- cant work to be a good teacher. mine a fondest teaching memory among so many. It was a very rich experience, being im- Having a passion for lacrosse and having mersed in a natural environment with very in- played on college and club championship telligent and creative people—where, for at teams, Paul first coached as he had played— least a while, one can believe that anything is driven! However, while trying to transfer his possible. passion for the game to his players, he learned that coaching is different than playing—a But there is one very Thacher memory Paul re- player plays, a coach manages. They are two members of his teaching years. As he expressed different skills, and learning to coach properly it: “Every day as I drove up to my classroom, was a challenge. the Crandalls’ Springer Spaniel would come bounding down to give me the most rambunc- In his art classes, Paul tried to impart his belief tious greeting. I think he wasn’t supposed to that if someone really wants to draw, if the de- leave his yard. But he would be just so happy sire is strong enough, that with some guidance to see me—and as quickly as he arrived, he and, most importantly, diligent and consistent would turn and run back to his yard. That is work, it could be done. just so ‘Thacher.’” e

In both lacrosse and art, Paul wanted students to know that belief in one’s abilities and the focused effort to build one’s skills will bring gratifying results and allow them to accomplish their goals. He sought to impart important lessons from his own experiences to his players and students; work hard to follow a dream, seek excellence, be responsible for your decisions, and maintain your ideals. He also wanted to pass along the “spirit of Porky”: to add something positive to life, no matter how small, and do it quietly and without a need for recognition.

Paul is still proud of his lacrosse teams. They performed extraordinarily well, barely missing the championships against physically su- perior teams. And he believes the artwork produced by each of his students was professional quality and is something they will be proud of as long as they live. Some “Porky” elements were added to the campus—and since then the Porky water tank has been dismantled.

After teaching at Thacher, Paul continued to develop his art career. He has published many limited-edition prints of Southern California coastal scenes and opened two retail studio/gal- leries. His art has kept him extremely busy, and with a couple exceptions, he has lost touch with most of his students.

Single until 1993, he married Kimberleigh Webb, an artist he had met in 1981. They had dated brieﬂy then, and she visited him once in Ojai while he was coaching in 1982, but they went their separate ways until meeting again in 1991. Together they now sponsor and produce

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 33 Proﬁle

Molly Twichell Perry, CdeP ’85

Friendship Runs Deep by Sophie Brown Twichell, CdeP ’85

n the fall of 1981, I was a scared freshman re- Spending time with Molly, you realize what a luctantly being dropped off at The Thacher strong, smart, self-assured, reliable, hard-work- ISchool by my parents. Driving around ing individual she is (her homework was al- Perimeter Road in search of Casa de Piedra ways done on time!). These are complemented dorm, we passed Cricket and Terry Twichell’s by a wry humor and fierce loyalty. Molly’s gen- house. The house was marked with a sign say- erosity and thoughtfulness towards her friends, ing “Twichell,” as it still does today. I distinctly in addition to the intense bonding experience remember saying, “What kind of ridiculous of Thacher, has resulted in her remaining close name is Twichell?” All I could envision was to her Thacher friends—“my best friends are someone with an incurable, and most distract- still my best friends from Thacher.” Classmate ing, twitch. (Please note that fate repaid me Jen Nielsen deForest explained, “since age 15 for Twichell is now my last name, too!). she has been the first person I call when I need help or advice.” Another classmate, Anne Wal- Our first freshman class lace, told me, “Molly was and still is a great event, and my introduc- friend. I have fond memories of coming to tion to Molly Twichell, Thacher as a sophomore and Molly helped me was a barbecue at the fit right in. I felt very welcomed by her.” Coniferous Bosque. After suffering feelings As a result of my friendship with Molly, I got of anxiety and aban- to know her family quite well—so well that I donment earlier, I was married her brother Jon in 1992. At Thacher, eager to meet my class- I treasured my invitations to dinner at the mates and start having Twichells’. It was a welcome change from For- fun. I found myself in a mal Dinner, but more importantly, it was won- group that included derful to be included in a real family Molly. Today I have no setting—great food and amusing conversation. recollection of the other Molly’s father enjoyed teasing me (he had students because Molly plenty of ammunition as I had dropped his so dominates the mem- math class), and Molly’s older brother (Jon) ory. Trying to find our and cousin (Jake Cunningham), both juniors at bearing in this new en- Thacher, were our window to the world of up- vironment, we “Smuts” perclassmen. They knew the good stuff—who were pondering basic was caught doing what, what music was cool, questions such as, “Where are the horses?” or who was dating whom; however, they were “Why is this place called Coniferous Bosque?” a major risk for Molly. They harassed her with “How do we get back to our dorm?” Molly “Who are you dating? What a loser! Let’s go had the answer to every question. In fact, she wail on him!” Although I envied Molly’s pri- offered unsolicited information about the vate bathroom, her access to an oven (she School (such as, “but, it’s really easy to find made a mean Rice Krispies treat with melted the Outdoor Chapel”) while wearing a Ms. chocolate), and her easy access to her parents’ Know-It-All smirk. Regardless of her striking love and concern, I soon appreciated the dis- green eyes and strawberry blonde hair, I de- advantages of not being a boarder. She lacked cided I disliked her. Even after explaining that a different kind of privacy since her family she’d grown up at Thacher as the daughter of lived on-campus—and the presence of her fa- a math teacher, I wasn’t ready to give her a ther, brother, and a cousin deterred potential break. suitors.

One lesson I learned at Thacher is first im- While working on this story, I was amused to pressions are often wrong. In a short while find many of Molly’s favorite stories about her Molly and I were fast friends—as we still are 20 Thacher years were my fondest memories, too. years later. Our friendship started due to sched- For example, we took a pen-and-ink drawing uling—we shared many classes: Ancient History, class from Paul Gavin, CdeP ’71. His mantra, Math, Spanish I, Biology, Introduction to Music. “just draw what you see,” still haunts me—it When the time came to dissect fetal pigs in seemed impossible. Molly, a star pupil, felt the Mrs. Edward’s Biology class, we decided to be class “was frustrating, but I learned a ton partners. What could be more bonding? about drawing and had a great time—sitting page 34 The Thacher News back-to-back with my best friend, gossiping we shared a common reaction to Coach Fred alized Spanish wasn’t just a discipline, but for a double period while sketching.” Yes, we Coleman, our Varsity Soccer Coach. He’d had rather, a life skill that brought me to places thought we’d really gotten away with some- a career at West Point and enjoyed running where I could never have gained admittance thing by selecting different views from the 100-mile marathons—what kind of sadistic had I not had a working knowledge of the lan- same spot (so we could sit back-to-back) for man was this!? The whole Team groaned when guage.” This appreciation of her Thacher lan- our main drawing, which took weeks to com- he’d announce “We’re going to run today.” guage experience is ironic because although plete. We certainly caught up on a lot of gossip When he said, “Run,” it meant, “Run and run Molly excelled academically at Thacher, she while struggling with perspective and shading. and never stop.” I don’t think we were ever preferred art and history to “science of any va- more exhausted or in better shape than dur- riety, and … Spanish.” Another shared memory involves Bob Miller’s ing our endless runs up and down the hills of sense of humor and Spanish class. Mr. Miller the upper and lower soccer fields. After her experience in Peru, Molly majored was a tough, no-nonsense teacher. Thus, imag- in Comparative Literature—English and Span- ine our surprise one day when he arrived in Speaking of athletics, Molly had an impressive ish—while studying at Brown University. Al- class with a bag of green jelly beans. After we athletic career at Thacher. As her father enjoys ready having some exposure to South America, all took a handful, Mr. Miller explained that reminding Jake and Jon, even though they con- she studied in Madrid for a semester with the no one would be excused from class for a drink sidered themselves the family jocks, Molly ac- Institute for International Studies that whet of water. Then he casually mentioned these tually earned more Varsity Letters than either her appetite for more. After graduating from were jalapeño jelly beans. One eager classmate, of them. Besides Varsity Soccer, Molly played Brown and spending time in San Francisco, Rex Cook, already had swallowed his hand- on the Girls’ Volleyball and Softball Teams. Molly reacquainted herself with Madrid while ful and was starting to sweat. But, Mr. Miller Molly was a real asset to her teams. As Coach getting her Master’s degree in Spanish Litera- kept his word and Rex was not allowed to ex- Coleman told me, “I remember Molly as the ture and Culture from Middlebury College. tinguish the fire in his mouth. Poor Rex really starting left back on my first Varsity Girls’ Soc- Despite her travels, Molly couldn’t ignore the suffered! I wonder if Molly will pull this on cer Team. She was one of the smartest players call of her California boarding school roots. one of her Spanish classes? I’ve ever coached.” Molly’s smart, consistent She accepted a job teaching Spanish at the Cate performance also extended to softball. Ac- School in Carpinteria, near Santa Barbara. But How could one graduate from Thacher with- cording to Team Captain Jen Nielsen deFor- her love affair with Spain continued each sum- out a favorite camping story? Molly and I est, “Molly played first base, which I think mer as she led Cate students to Salamanca for signed up for a backpacking trip to Pattons’ reflects her personality—an anchor.” a month of study and travel. Cabin our junior year. The faculty member was Gerry Fleishaker—an excellent history teacher In addition to team sports, Molly demon- As much as Molly loves Spanish, romantic love with a heavy Czech accent—but not an expert strated perseverance by signing up for a life- drew her back to Thacher. In 1996 she began camper. Upon reaching the trailhead, we real- guarding course. This required early morning dating Derick Perry, CdeP ’83, a Thacher Eng- ized we had no map and didn’t know which workouts and endless laps. Although it pained lish teacher. Derick was no stranger to the forks in the trail to take. To make matters us to watch Molly train, she loved it. Anne Twichells; he’d known Molly since she was 13 worse, it had begun to rain. Gerry’s solution: Wallace recalled, “I was impressed when she because he was a classmate of Jake and Jon. ignore the trails and follow the river because decided to do the life-guarding class; I couldn’t Following Thacher, Derick attended Dart- we knew the river passed the Cabin. This was have dragged myself out of bed that early for mouth College and then worked as a retail not easy because we frequently had to rock those workouts, though she did get me to go manager for Robinsons-May in Los Angeles. hop across the river to access the side allowing do laps later on.” Lured back to Thacher in 1995, Derick divides easiest passage. On about our ninth crossing, his many talents among teaching, coaching Gerry slipped on a wet rock and broke his Molly was a Freshman Prefect in Lower School basketball and track, and assisting in the Ad- thick glasses. Although we were lost, wet, and her senior year. Although a day student, she mission and Development Offices. leading a blind man, we reached the Cabin—a was an excellent Prefect for boarders. “Senior miracle! But, I’m sure our route was five times year was great. The chance to be a Prefect with Although Molly received scant attention from the distance of the trail. the likes of Molly was wonderful,” recalled Derick while a student at Thacher, she has his Co-Prefect Anne Wallace. I, on the other hand, undivided attention now. According to Cricket, Molly’s freshman horse experience provides an recall Molly as the strictest and sternest of us “One of life’s surprises was Molly marrying example of her ability to laugh in the face of five Freshman Prefects; any girl tardy for Derick. As a classmate of Jake and Jon, and adversity. She was assigned a whitish, oddly check-in cowered if she had to report to Molly. as my advisee and Terry’s advisee, Derick had dappled Appaloosa named Poco Breeze. Poco However, Molly’s prefectee Liz Reynolds Ma- been in and out of our house a zillion times. He generally behaved, however, when Molly honey, CdeP ’88, recently told me, “Molly was was buddies with the boys and was always needed him to perform, he rebelled. I’ll never a fun Prefect—not too intimidating but just teasing Katie [Molly’s sister], but it seemed to forget one Gymkhana when I looked over at enough so we didn’t want to make her mad. me that Molly was the one person in our fam- the Barrel Race to see Molly struggling with She was always very fair and nice, and we all ily with whom he didn’t have a special rela- Poco, who had decided his only operational liked her.” tionship.” Just goes to show how gear was reverse; she did the entire race back- unpredictable love can be! Molly and Derick wards! Although frustrated, she took it in After graduating from Thacher, Molly’s wan- were wed in 1997 at a beautiful ceremony at stride. Her response might have been anger, derlust took over. She spent the summer with a the Outdoor Chapel with numerous Thacher but instead she smiled and challenged anyone family in Trujillo, Peru, with the American graduates and faculty in attendance. else to match her speed—her speed in reverse, Field Service (AFS). Molly recalled, “My fam- that is. As classmate Anne Wallace noted, ily was fabulous—and my placement with Even though Cricket and “Molly had a certain humor about the horse them was very much due to the high-quality Terry believed Molly the which kept us all grounded.” Spanish education I received at Thacher. They most likely of their three were the only family from my group who children to leave the Ojai Molly and I played on the same soccer team. wanted an exchange student—the rest had to and never return, she came Although we played different positions (she house someone because their child wanted to back to Thacher in 1997 as was fullback; I was wing) and had different go abroad with AFS. I spoke the best Spanish a Spanish teacher and running philosophies (I was a sprinter quickly in the group, so they gave me the ‘prize’ fam- exhausted, whereas she was slow but steady), ily and they were wonderful. It was then I re- continued on page 44

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 35 Proﬁle

Mark A.T. Holman, CdeP ’86

Thacher As a Retreat by Mark S. Klitgaard, CdeP ’85

he seeds for Mark’s return to Thacher were The Grand Inquisitor class served several sown before he had even left the School major roles in Mark’s life. First, it attracted Tupon graduation. At graduation, then him to the writings of Dostoevsky both in the Headmaster Bill Wyman pulled Mark aside original Russian and in English translation. and offered a standing invitation to return to Second, the passion with which the characters the School, and encouraged Mark to stay in seemed to interact in that essay convinced touch. They did, and early in his last semester Mark that if he undertook anything in life and at Harvard, Mark received what he describes considered himself committed to that venture, now as a “cryptic” post-card from Mr. Wyman then he would have to strive to undertake the asking Mark to call him about admissions and venture with the same zeal of either one of the teaching. major characters in that story. The unassuming zeal of Jesus or the overbearing zealousness of Much of Mark’s inclination to return to Thacher the Grand Inquisitor gave Mark a spectrum in stemmed from his fondness for the intellectu- which he could express his commitment to his al curiosity that the future endeavors. Third, Mark remembered School seemed to ef- how Marvin Shagam took an otherwise mun- fortlessly stoke in its dane class (the student reporting on the story Community. As a stu- seemed nonplussed by the significance of the dent, Mark had found parable) and, with the passion of a person who that learning at Thacher has just had a moment of epiphany, framed was never confined mere- the moment into a unique example of the dia- ly to the classroom or monds that Mark could find if he passionately study hall; inspiring dis- trained his intellectual curiosity on endeavors cussions about the day’s that offered important life lessons to himself topics were always close and those around him. In short, Mark saw that at hand, be they with class as his intellectual awakening at Thacher. teachers such as J.B. Close on English litera- Mark returned to Thacher in 1991 as a mem- ture or Fred Lamb, CdeP ber of the Admission staff. In addition to his ’40, on history, or with work in Admission, Mark coached track, tu- fellow students in the tored two students in Russian for their foreign dorms or out about language requirements, and informally taught campus. It was never in- Italian after Formal Dinner to seven or eight appropriate, never out of students. style, to continue the day’s dialog. Besides being a place to work, Mark remembers Thacher as being a vehicle for helping him In many respects, the ability of Thacher to draw profoundly affect students lives both in and out one’s imagination and thoughtfulness was outside of the School. Mark fondly remembers defined for Mark by a singular experience dur- helping Marcus Stokes, CdeP ’92, to hone his ing his junior year. At that time, Mr. Shagam hurdling technique. It was the hours of video- taught a philosophy class that included the study tape and one-on-one track workouts that of The Grand Inquisitor, Dostoevsky’s parable helped Stokes to become the first Thacher ath- of a fanciful encounter between the head of the lete to score points in the prestigious California Spanish Inquisition and a returned Jesus. Mr. State high school track meet; secure an athletic Shagam’s impassioned discussions of the book, scholarship to University of North Carolina; including the climatic kiss, created for Mark “the and become an All-American in track and field. most awe-inspiring class.” For Mark, that class Mark was also able to schedule his summer became the “gold standard” against which all vacation in the Admission Office so that he others were measured, and few, if any, hit the could lead a group of students on a three-week bar. Over time, Mark concluded that a signif- trip to Russia to study the language, history, icant part of what had made the impact of Mr. and environment. Shagam’s class possible was Thacher’s unique setting; its limited distractions allowed ample Part by design and part by happenstance, opportunities to think and to reflect about Mark learned a tremendous amount about what was being taught. Mark decided that if he himself during his second stint at Thacher. The could teach, Thacher provided the setting in which design part had been dictated in large part by he would want to do so. world events. Mark had majored in Soviet and

page 36 The Thacher News Russian studies while at Harvard, and had As an Admission officer, Mark found that the any other. Its charm, in many ways, is its abil- spent a year studying in Moscow. Mark spent opportunities afforded by Thacher transcended ity to capture, in a way, the idyllic. His return another year working in Moscow and the backgrounds, that the pitch of what made to teach served as a retreat during which he Crimea. Realizing that during the time he was Thacher special remained the same regardless had the opportunity to contemplate what was in Russia the U.S.S.R. had “fizzled,” Mark of the audience. Indeed, Thacher’s ability to really important to him, and he has carried sought to reassess where to direct his energies, completely integrate those in its Community those lessons since. In all, a tremendous expe- which the time at Thacher afforded him the led Mark to the surprising conclusion that the rience. e opportunity to do. ABC experience did not serve as significant common ground between himself and others The happenstance arose from his role as a who participated in the program. member of the Admission staff, where he routinely fielded questions from prospective stu- Mark’s profound sense of the backdrop dents and their parents about the impact Thacher afforded to think and reflect free from sending a child away to secondary school had many of the world’s distractions also led him to on family dynamics. In sharing his experiences pay close attention to the extent the current as a student at Thacher, Mark found that he students capitalized on that opportunity. To not only gained a better understanding of those his disappointment, he never had that “Grand experiences, but also of how the dynamics with Inquisitor” moment as a member of the fac- his mother had changed during his time at ulty. Instead, he found the current students had Thacher. Before arriving as a sophomore from become much more sensitive to the outside Los Angeles through the A Better Chance world. School seemed more of a grind, with (“ABC”) program, Mark had been particularly students having substantially less time avail- close to his mother. Like many of the prospec- able to reflect on what they were being taught. tive students’ families, Mark’s mother was so Where in the past high performance on stan- sure of the dividends a better education would dardized tests had seemed to be merely the by- pay for her son that she was willing to make product of studies well done, students now the necessary financial and emotional invest- seemed more geared towards achieving high ments. By his senior year at Thacher, however, scores. Similarly, much more of the student Mark and his mother had grown in separate body seemed to frequently depart for off-cam- ways, losing in part the closeness they had pus weekends, and knowledge of the latest TV shared before Thacher. In what he would later series seemed more prevalent. In general, Mark describe as a “leeching of my soul,” the intro- sensed that the frequency or importance of the spection caused by the questions raised by the shared experiences which had served as the prospective families helped Mark to define common denominator among the students dur- what was important to him and why it was ing Mark’s time as a student had eroded to a important. Mark continues to draw often from certain extent. those reflections to deal effectively with situations in the business world that would have Mark also came to realize that being a teacher him compromise his integrity. As Mark notes, at Thacher was a different ball of wax than there are few places in the world for such con- being a student. Part of the attraction of re- templation as the Outdoor Chapel. turning to Thacher for Mark had been the opportunity to re-connect with some of his Almost dying is also a good prod for self-as- former instructors, such as Fred Lamb, and be sessment, as Mark almost managed to do on able to have the type of intellectually-charged an Extra-Day Trip. Finding one picturesque discussions for which the additional years at glacial lake too inviting, Mark decided to swim college had prepared him. Life as a teacher and to the other side. Despite having lived in Rus- an administrator, however, was harried, with sia, Mark was not quite prepared for the ex- little room in the schedule to engage in the dis- treme drop in body temperature swimming in cussions Mark had found so famous. a glacial lake can induce, and before reaching the other side he started to succumb. With Mark left Thacher again in 1993 to partici- complete disregard for his own safety, Bo Man- pate as a Rotary International Ambassadorial son, a fellow teacher on the Trip, dove in and Scholar in Milan, Italy. Mark had been nomi- began to haul Mark back to shore; when he nated for participation in Rotary by long-time too started to tire, two students came to their Thacher Business Manager Bob Chesley, CdeP aid. Luckily, all survived without injury. ’50. Mark had met his future wife Cinzia, in Russia when they were both students in 1990. Mark’s experiences at Thacher also put his ex- It was in Milan that they solidified their rela- periences with the ABC program into a unique tionship and decided they would eventually perspective. The ABC program is a nation-wide marry. After a couple of years they returned program designed to facilitate access to higher to the United States and settled in Portland, education for children who may otherwise face Oregon, with their two-year-old son, Mark significant obstacles. As Mark discovered, first Anthony. Since returning, Mark has worked as a student at Harvard amongst other ABC in both the financial and information technol- participants, and subsequently with the Ad- ogy sectors, and earned his M.B.A. from Port- mission Office, the “Thacher experience” thor- land State University. oughly overwhelmed what was at most other secondary schools a defining experience in its For Mark, Thacher was always a place that own right, namely being an ABC participant. elicited reflection and personal discovery unlike

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 37 Proﬁle

Diana Garcia, CdeP ’95, and Mary H. Everett, CdeP ’94,

Friendship Blossoms Despite Roles by Laurel S. Braitman, CdeP ’96

n a community where how one looks in a their proximity and their love of the same lacrosse kilt is not supposed to matter, a com- sports and places. After three years of Thacher Imunity in which one’s skills (both scholarly friendship, of playing soccer, volleyball, and and athletic) are meant to shine a path through lacrosse together, and of living in the same sec- the tangled uncertainties of high school, Diana tion in Upper School (Mary was Diana’s pre- Garcia and Mary fect her junior year), both went to Colorado Everett, stand like light- College (Mary, after a year of UCLA that “was houses at the edge of an too big and impersonal”), played lacrosse on ocean of insecurity. the same team there, and lived together for two They are intelligent, years. According to Diana, coming back to bright young women Thacher was a much better experience because with great calf muscles, they had each other. athletes who speak multiple languages, ma- “I’m sure there are things about living with me neuver soccer and vol- that bug her, for example: leaving my shoes leyballs with the same everywhere. I tend to always have too many ease as algebraic for- pairs of shoes in the living room,” says Diana mulas or Spanish pro- “ but those are the little things, overall it’s very nouns, and whether good.” they know it or not— are sending not-so-coded messages to the stu- Both women share an apartment in the “Hand- dents around them that becoming a smart, at- ball Court,” have ﬁve sophomore girl advisees tractive, and powerful woman in 2001 is only each, and are dorm faculty on The Hill (Diana as hard as one chooses to make it. also works at Lower School).

As teachers of Spanish language and math (re- “Being younger makes it really easy to relate to spectively), coaches of soccer, lacrosse, and vol- the girls,” says Mary, “I can get into their leyball, Diana and Mary are two of the mindset. But this sometimes makes it harder youngest members of the Thacher faculty. for them to see you as someone experienced, Mary graduated from Thacher in 1994, Diana someone they need to take seriously.” in 1995. They were star athletes in high school, the kind of students that were continually “Controlling a big group of students is harder being honored at Assembly, captaining one, if they see you as a ‘friend,’ as someone close in two, or three varsity sports, getting crowned age. They have respect, it is just that it’s dif- “All American,” accepting graciously. They ferent than the type of respect they have for, were starters in every sense of the word, strong say, Mr. Robinson.” and spirited and ever-present. When I close my eyes and try to remember what it was like to be Being a young teacher has not posed much of on the same team as they were, I see them less a problem for Diana either. “I’m not an older in play than I do standing around the bag of man with a beard and gray hair,” she says, oranges at half time. They were tough, full of “They test my limits more than they would an inspirational (but spare) words in a huddle, older faculty member. The younger students and always blanketed in the driven and serious especially tend to test my authority.” But all cloak that world-class athletes seem to have to in all, she sees her age as a plus when dealing those of us who are busy concentrating on the with students, and her advisees in particular. oranges. “Sophomore year is hard. The girls need all Perhaps then, it is not surprising they both kinds of role models and they come around came back to Thacher. Of course they are in- our house a lot. There is a lot of respect while spiring in wholly different ways now, to new at the same time they talk about who they have people, but I don’t believe what they are doing crushes on. I feel that I can relate to their prob- now is altogether different than what they have lems in a way that would be harder for some- been doing for the past ten years. In fact, even one who went through high school a long time living with one another is continuing an al- ago. It also helps that I was a student here. I most four-year trend. Diana and Mary’s friend- can say, ‘I know it can seem hard, I’ve been ship has been long and rich, fostered by both there but I can say that it does get better.’” page 38 The Thacher News Both Diana and Mary have been able to relate dents. “The best, most wonderful aspect of to students in the classroom as well. This is coming back has been having an impact on my Mary’s second year of teaching Algebra II and teams and in the classroom. For me, it started Trigonometry to predominantly sophomores on the field and has extended into the dorms.” (last year she served as an intern with the Alumni Office, coached soccer, and taught one Sadly for Thacher and the countless young section of algebra and trig). She can look back men and women they have coached, counseled, on her first few weeks with a glossed comfort and inspired there, both Diana and Mary are of hindsight. leaving the valley this spring. Sra. Ortiz will return from sabbatical and take over the Span- “Basically, it was ‘trial by fire.’ I watched Mr. ish classes Diana has been teaching. Coleman teach for two weeks and then they gave me a Math II class. “Thacher is a wonderful place to return to. I feel lucky to have been able to come back,” “I like math,” she says. “I get it. When I was at says Diana. “As far as I know, teaching in the Thacher, I was in bottom-track math until sen- private school environment, where I can inter- ior year. But I went on to be a math major in act with students both inside and outside of college. It wasn’t because I was a genius. I had the classroom, is what I enjoy and what I plan to learn it just like they do. I like to tell my to do. I’ve continued to grow and learn at students that.” Thacher this year,” she says, “being taught by both the faculty and students. It has been a When I ask her what the most difficult aspect treat and I will miss it, but I know I’ll be back, of teaching has been she says, “Some days it if only to eat my Ruben’s burrito from the gets a little crazy and you want to yell, but I benches above the soccer field or to see my haven’t yelled yet. If I could go back to the be- classmates at reunion.” ginning though and do it over again, I would be more strict from the start. I would have laid Diana is currently looking for teaching posi- down the law in class and been tougher, and I tions throughout California, and at the time believe they would have respected me more for of this writing, was not yet sure where she was it later.” headed. Assuredly, if she brings with her the myriad of talents and depth of enthusiasm she Mary believes she’s reached her students. “I has brought to Thacher over the past year, her feel like I’ve given them some perspective. I’ve new students, advisees, and athletes will con- tried to make math fun. The best part is watch- sider themselves lucky beyond imagination. ing the kids who normally don’t enjoy math get into it. I’ve tried to show them that it’s not Mary will be leaving Ojai to follow her pro- bad to like math.” soccer dreams to Denver, Colorado, where she will play for the Mile-High Mustangs, a semi- Currently, Diana is teaching three sections of pro team of 26 athletes. The semi-pro league Spanish I (she was a romance language major serves as a staging ground for future players at CC, is fluent in Spanish, near fluent in in the professional women’s league, new this French, and knows some Italian). year and fielded primarily by U.S. national team players. Mary hopes to take her place in “My students are great. The freshmen are es- the pro-league by summer’s end. The competi- pecially enthusiastic and fun. They are just get- tion will be incredible and she knows she will ting over their self-consciousness with the miss the ease, camaraderie, and supportive language, and I try to run class entirely in closeness of the Thacher community. Spanish. They are less embarrassed to try things out than some of the older students, but “Never regret anything,” she says to me over it’s hard to keep the rest of the class from the phone. And I’m not sure if this is meant to laughing at their mistakes. Occasionally some- explain her departure from Thacher or to one will say something like “I want myself make me feel better about my own uncertain alone,” and then the whole class cracks up.” future, but suddenly it’s as if I’m back on the lacrosse field, gnawing on a plastic mouth- Both girls have found coaching to be just as guard at half time, and letting her raw confi- rewarding as teaching the Spanish past imper- dence and powerful example wash my own fect and the abstract wonders of pre-calculus. insecurities away. I hang up convinced that, “I really enjoy challenging the kids,” says Diana. tomorrow, I’ll go running. e “I value intensity, but you can’t play a sport well if you don’t enjoy it.” Perhaps her most valued moment came this year after one of the Girls’ Third Team Soccer games. One of the girl’s parents approached Diana after the game and said “My daughter has never considered herself an athlete…but now she thinks of herself as a soccer player. Thank you.”

For Mary, coaching has been the most obvi- ous way she has seen her inﬂuence on the stu-

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 39 Trustee Proﬁle

John G. Lewis, Jr., CdeP ’59

Holding Thacher As a Beacon by David G. Lavender, CdeP ’51

’m going to start these comments about John the beginning. His grandfather, A. Crawford Lewis on a personal note, for my introduc- Greene, was on the faculty in 1906 before serv- Ition to John, which could have been a bit ing as a Trustee for nearly 40 years, many as awkward, gave immediate evidence of his love president. His uncle, Jim Greene, CdeP ’32, of and loyalty to Thacher. also served a lengthy term as President of the Board. He has many cousins who are alumni, In the fall of 1972, my wife and I were living and his two godfathers are Allen Chickering, in Upstate New York, and our son was a fresh- CdeP ’25, also a Board President, and Bill Or- man at Thacher. Newt Chase called to tell me rick, CdeP ’32, another former Trustee. John’s he was leaving Thacher and to ask if I knew of youngest son, Barrett, graduated in 1989, the anyone who might consider taking his position School’s centennial year. Only the Livermore as Director of Development. For a variety of rea- Family has more Thacher alumni than does sons—not the least of which was that my wife the extended Greene-Lewis Family. and I missed our son and wanted to be nearer my father—I said I might be interested. I took “My four student years at Thacher were the the job in February 1973. best of my life,” John states emphatically. “Even now, it is where I am happiest.” While The point is this: John many other former students have likely said Lewis had come to the the same thing, John has kept the School an Development Office not important part of his life in a way that few, if much earlier and had any, others have. After attending Brown Uni- every reason to assume versity and working for eight years at Stan- that he would be Newt’s dard Oil of California, he came back in 1972 replacement. I can’t as an employee and has been around, in one imagine that he looked capacity or another, ever since. upon my arrival with enthusiasm, but he was At the Board’s directive, Newt Chase hired gracious when we met John to start a new planned-giving program and supportive to a fault (or “deferred giving,” as it was known in those throughout the time we days). In simplest terms, planned gifts offer a worked together. In his means for donors to transfer assets to a char- mind the good of the ity of choice but to retain the income from or School came above all the use of those assets for life, while obtaining else. This attitude has significant tax advantages. There was great in- permeated his life for terest nationally at the time in this innovative almost half a century. and exciting means of building philanthropy. Even though a capital campaign (the Ninth John Lewis was a member of the Class of Decade Fund) was underway, Thacher’s 1959, one of the strongest of that era. He par- Trustees felt that a strong effort to seek trusts ticipated in many of the usual activities; he and bequests was imperative to ensuring the played soccer, baseball, and tennis; he was ac- School’s fiscal stability. tive in Gymkhana, camping the Bit and Spur, and the Glee Club; and he was a member of John spent almost a full year learning the in- the only Thacher ring-spearing team ever to tricacies of planned giving. Regrettably, per- win the California State Championship. But haps, during the period 1973-1975 the he is remembered primarily as someone who Development Office was feeling mounting knew everything there was to know about the pressure to bring the Ninth Decade Fund to a inner workings of the campus. “John had a successful conclusion, and also to increase burning need to know everything,” my father alumni programming in an effort to boost the recalls, “and he succeeded in finding out every- Annual Fund. So planned giving was put on thing of consequence that was happening.” His hold for a time, and John and I began working page in El Archivero refers to the many times together on other aspects of the broad devel- Newt Chase sought his opinion on matters of opment program. However, the training he re- School policy and to his uncanny ability to pre- ceived, combined with his inherent ability to dict School Holidays. relate well and persuasively to prospective donors, would be of significant benefit to The oldest of three brothers to attend Thacher, Thacher—and to countless other schools John’s roots to the School go back almost to throughout the world—in years to come.

page 40 The Thacher News John was more fun to work with than any young people passing through their formative And Head of School Michael Mulligan adds: other colleague I’ve ever had. He was fun pri- years make me thrive in this environment. “John brings an insider’s knowledge to the marily because he was so very funny! We Also, it gives me opportunity to use Thacher as Board…His savvy, expertise, and knowledge laughed much of the time—during the evening, an example to which other schools should as- [are] essential in our efforts to bring Thacher to for example, when we literally carted a some- pire. I always hold Thacher up as a beacon— a new level of financial security. He has dedi- what inebriated alumnus home from a San as a goal towards which they should work. cated a good part of his life to making our Francisco Gathering in a wheelbarrow, and an- Recently I’ve been using Thacher’s strategic School stronger.” other time when we convinced a very naïve planning process as an example of the very secretary that she’d best go to the bathroom finest work a school can do to prepare for a With the likelihood of John’s involvement as a before her first airplane flight because if she major campaign.” Trustee for at least seven more years, chances stood up after takeoff, the plane would tip appear excellent that Thacher’s best years yet over. I could go on for pages. John’s stature in his chosen field has made his will come in the decade ahead. e services much in demand and has led to an ex- John’s tenure in Thacher’s Development Office hausting travel schedule. He has clients in all came to an abrupt end following a never-to- parts of the United States and makes at least be-forgotten evening at the Ojai Valley Inn, four trips a year to Australia to work with when the then Business Manager was asked to schools in Victoria and South Australia. He depart and John was named to succeed him. has clients in Canada, too, and soon will be He served in that position for two years, gain- working in England. He recently moved to ing a new perspective on independent school suburban Boston but maintains his home in administration. The combination of broad de- Vermont, so a trip from New England to Aus- velopment experience, planned-giving expert- tralia every three months can be exhausting. ise, and skills in financial management he Through it all, though, he has found time to re- obtained in five years at Thacher made him turn to Ojai for almost every Board meeting. unique among school administrators and, as it turned out, a rare and valuable commodity. “My work as a Trustee is tremendously rewarding,” John says. “My years as an em- John left Thacher in 1977 to become Director ployee provide a valuable perspective. I of Planned Giving at Brown University. He felt understand what it is like to be a student; I can it was time to begin doing the work he was relate to the faculty’s needs and desires. My trained to do, and he was pleased to have a lengthy association with the School gives me a chance to return to his other alma mater. He great deal of ‘institutional memory’ about continued to serve as 1959’s class agent (a post who’s related to whom, who likes and dislikes he held for 13 years). He first joined Thacher’s what, and so forth that is valuable in donor Board of Trustees in 1983 and served an 11- cultivation. Also, my planned-giving experi- year term, during which he was an active mem- ence can help Trustees and others devise ways ber of the Development Committee and Chair to do things they never thought possible—to of a new planned-giving program; at last he make a significant gift while helping themselves had the opportunity to implement the planned at the same time.” giving program that originally brought him back to the School as an employee. He also John’s contributions to the School are well rec- played a key role in bringing the Centennial ognized and greatly appreciated. “There are Campaign to a successful conclusion. only a handful of Thacher alumni willing to give as much of their time, energy, and expert- John stayed at Brown for 14 years and was a ise as John,” says former Board President part of three capital campaigns at the Univer- Randy Labbe, CdeP ’60. “Add a major league sity; during that time he outlasted four vice sense of humor and a ‘Huyler-league knowl- presidents for development and became recog- edge’ of Thacher lore, and you have the recipe nized as one of the nation’s outstanding for adding considerable strength to the Board.” planned-giving experts. That recognition led to an offer to join Marts & Lundy, a leading John left the Board in 1994, but as prepara- fundraising-consulting firm in 1991. He has tions for a major new campaign began to un- been with the firm ever since. fold, many of his colleagues felt it essential that he return. He did so in 1999, with a string at- John has worked with a variety of not-for- tached that the current President, Marshall profit institutions during his years at Marts & Milligan, CdeP ’69, describes: “Throughout Lundy, but his emphasis has been providing his first term on the Board, John occupied the counsel for development programs at inde- front corner position at the table, always with pendent schools, and today he is perhaps the his briefcase open and his consulting work best-known consultant in that specialty. (As an spread out before him. When I called to say aside, I can report that when I was doing the we wanted him again, he said he would come same sort of work myself, I heard his name back if he could have his old seat. I agreed but mentioned with respect and frequent awe by made him promise to keep the briefcase closed. development officers at all types of private But even if he opened it, he would be one of schools.) He likes the focus very much. “I get our best Trustees. He always comes across as a much more satisfaction working with schools proprietor. Thacher is his School…his finger- than with colleges or universities,” he says. prints are to be found everywhere at “My own background and my belief in the Thacher…He can recall the reasons for almost benefits of a private-school experience for everything of import that has happened here.”

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 41 Bookshelf

David G. Lavender, CdeP ’51

What’s in a Name? David W. Lavender, CdeP ’76

Big Tom, Little Tom, Tom middle-aged, and the other of whom (Martha, CdeP ’80), If we have another, we’ll put him in a cage! along with her husband, has taught at the Cate —Anonymous School for a number of years now—the double helix starts looking more like a Gordian knot. [Be forewarned that middle initials will figure prominently in this profile!] Nowhere, however, have these twin passions— for writing, on the one hand, and for private y father, my grandfather, my son, and I all secondary-school education on the other— share the same first and last names. And merged more seamlessly than in David G. Mthough to date three of us have tried to Lavender’s latest project, a comprehensive his- resist the temptations of the full patronymic tory of Fountain Valley School, They Wrote smorgasbord—we’ve not helped ourselves to Their Own Histories, published in June of last seconds, thirds, or fourths—fate seems deter- year. Though written in part as a celebration of mined to compound the very confusion that Fountain Valley’s first 70 years, the book tran- our tacit nod to individuality (different mid- scends this relatively narrow scope. Indeed, dle names for each link readers of this publication will find that his- in the chain) was in- toric parallels between Fountain Valley and tended to reduce. Call Thacher (and between most western boarding it the price one pays for schools) are many. For example, both Foun- hubris. Or call it blood, tain Valley and Thacher were established on and marvel at the way relatively isolated and rustic ranch settings in in which DNA can the belief that regular physical work cultivates sometimes persist less a healthy sense of self-reliance that carries over in physical attributes well into the classroom. Both schools made than in predilections. ample use of their dramatic environments and routinely offered students the opportunity to Clearly, we share more carry their education outdoors (on foot and than just a name. Con- on horseback) for extended outings that often sider, for example, our proved transformational. And, of course, both common relish for the schools had extensive horse programs. In an written word. My son early FVS Alumni Bulletin, the school’s riding (David B.—we call him master writes (in words that might just as eas- Brendan at my wife’s ily have been penned by Jesse Kahle): insistence) is half-way through the first draft Every boy has a problem, and every horse of his second novel (the has a problem. To wed these two so the boy first one was sci-fi, this latest one is pure fan- forgets his while patiently striving to ease tasy). About a month ago, when I gave a read- the horse into forgetting his is my problem. ing of my own work at a local bookstore, the If both are too phlegmatic, both may need bulk of the audience turned up hoping, I sus- the spur…Control is one of the marks of a pect, to hear my grandfather (David S., noted horseman. Observing horse and horseman historian and author) read from any one of his working together in harmony and trust is numerous books (which tend to be especially beauty to behold. popular here in Colorado). Then, too, there is our shared commitment to independent-school As some elder Thacher alums may remember, education. My grandfather balanced a very ac- the two schools even competed in gymkhanas tive writing career with almost 30 years of in the forties and fifties, though not face to teaching at Thacher. My father served as the face. Events were run simultaneously in Cali- School’s Director of Development for much of fornia and Colorado; results were transmitted the seventies and then went on to establish a back and forth by telegraph. very successful consulting firm, many of whose clients have been private secondary schools. Horses aside, the two schools share many For the past five years, I have headed up the other parallels—chief among them, the ongo- English Department at the Colorado Rocky ing challenge of “growing” a school in such a Mountain School. There seems to be a pattern way that embraces change without losing sight here that runs deeper than a mere name. And of one’s founding principles. In the case of FVS, when you add my sisters into the mix—one of this challenge is meticulously chronicled in whom (Sarah, CdeP ’86) is a freelance writer, They Wrote Their Own Histories, whose title

page 42 The Thacher News plays upon an early headmaster’s call to action few years to the sort of “drift” that is typically with Newt Chase, but I do know that they rap- in which he encouraged students to move be- the mark of early adulthood—a brief stint in idly progressed from the typical discussion yond a passive role and enjoined them instead the Army followed by a succession of unre- with a parent concerned about a child’s well to “write their own histories.” The book’s for- lated jobs. being into a felicitous solution—the suggestion mat is chronological and deals with each head- that my father join John Lewis who had re- master’s tenure in turn. It offers unique insight The pull of academia, of course, was always cently been hired by Newt for the Develop- into the struggles faced by any young, western there; and when my father finally settled into a ment Office. Thus, in the spring of my boarding school—the need to attract and re- career, it was in education—not as a teacher, freshman year (and in yet another example of tain a faculty capable of providing a first rate however, but as a development officer. Profes- the sort of endless overlap I addressed in my “eastern” education on one day, while leading sional fundraising for non-profits—especially opening), like my father before me, I began to students on an arduous outdoor trip on the for educational institutions—was, at the time, enjoy the dual role of student and faculty brat. next; the need to attract and retain suitable still a very new field. Most schools had tradi- students, the largest pools of which were still tionally managed to get by on tuition and a Though my father’s tenure at Thacher was a found back east (early admissions efforts en- few guardian angels. In the late fifties and early few years shy of a decade, the work he and tailed long, tedious train trips to and through sixties however, even as the demand for higher John Lewis performed has had a lasting and New England); and, of course, the need to nur- education rose dramatically, colleges and uni- positive impact on the School. Just as innova- ture the financial health of the school and to versities began to realize the importance in es- tion in pedagogy tends to trickle down from provide for its ever expanding physical plant tablishing an enduring financial health that was higher to secondary education, so too did my needs. These “local” concerns are everywhere independent of tuition. In order to fulfill an in- father bring with him to Thacher some of the addressed in the larger context of national creasing vital and sophisticated mission, it was latest thinking and practices in fundraising. To- events—the Great Depression, World War II, essential that they, in turn, invest their gether, he and John managed to lay the the coupling of a booming economy and the fundraising efforts with more vitality and so- groundwork for what is today one of the very Cold War that occurred in the 1950s, etc. Ad- phistication. When my father first began work- best development offices at any independent vancing decade by decade, the book offers a ing for Harvey Mudd College, these efforts school in the country (their efforts were ac- fascinating glimpse into how a school not un- were still largely inchoate (publications like the knowledged by receipt of the highly coveted like our own met with the challenges of, say, one you are reading, for example, if they ex- “Möbius Strip,” the CASE award for “sus- the student activism of the sixties (and the isted at all, were far less polished); and the tained excellence” in annual giving—an award ethos of sex, drugs, and rock and roll that challenge faced by him and others in those the School received several more times in sub- came with it), or how it negotiated the difficult early days was in determining not just how sequent years). After leaving Thacher, my fa- (at the time) decision to embrace coeducation. best to raise dollars, but—first and more im- ther established his own consulting firm which In short, even readers who have never heard of portantly—how to articulate the unique has provided valuable advice and support to Fountain Valley School will come away from strengths and merits of a particular institution’s a wide range of non-profits (including dozens the book with a fresh and enriching perspective mission. Not surprisingly, this is once again of secondary schools) throughout the nation. on Thacher’s own history and, indeed, on the work that drew upon those twin passions men- Though largely retired and dividing his time development of private boarding school edu- tioned earlier: writing and education. And it between homes in Ojai and in Telluride, Col- cation throughout the west. is work my father excelled at, first at Harvey orado, he and my mother, Val, continue to do Mudd, later at Carleton College, and finally extensive pro-bono work for local charities. Of course, David G. Lavender is uniquely well- at Colgate University, where he served as Vice- situated to offer such a perspective. Born in President for Development. With a book behind him (having, in short, done Colorado into a family with ranching roots, his part to add to the confusion of bibliographers that ranch’s failure during the Depression From a professional standpoint, my father’s everywhere), I’m frankly not sure what his prompted a move west to Ojai and, eventu- willingness to abandon a vice-presidency at a plans are now. Local readers who are curious ally, to the Thacher campus where Anson prestigious university in the east in order to can ask him directly. During the winter months, Thacher, struggling to fill the ranks of a faculty accept a development job at a small boarding when he returns to his Ojai home, my father can that had been depleted by the onset of war, of- school in the west must have struck many as an often be found, late in the afternoons, down on fered my grandfather (David S.) a job teaching odd career move. While I’d like to say that it Thacher’s lower field—an eager dog at his heels, English. Thus commenced, for my father, what was motivated by a desire to recapture some of a well-chewed Frisbee in hand, ready to toss an- was a thoroughly idyllic phase of his child- the idylls of his youth—to reconnect with the other one off toward the horizon. The “stamp hood. As a faculty brat, he was able to im- sensations Forest Cooke describes in his of the School,” indeed! e merse himself in an experience that for the “Thacher Litany ” (“the 10 pleasant smells, average student lasts four years at most: wag- the nine memorable sights,” etc.)—I know bet- ing kumquat wars in the old Rough House; at- ter. A longstanding belief in the importance of taching firecrackers to tennis balls and rolling Thacher’s Mission may have had something to them through the reverberant hallways of the do with my father’s decision, along with a de- Lower School; and roaming the trails above sire to be closer to his own father. In fact, how- campus on a succession of horses that culmi- ever, I know that the move was prompted by a nated in Papoose, the iron-legged steed on more specific concern—those nightly calls from which he (along with classmate Brooks Craw- the Pergola pay phones from a desperately ford and teacher Alvin Reiff) set a speed record homesick son. Though I’d visited Thacher for the Mutau Loop (a record that still stands throughout my childhood, and though I’d ea- if one discounts the faster time Jack Huyler gerly anticipated my own chance to matricu- achieved using a string of fresh mounts). Even- late there, when I arrived on campus in 1972 tually, my father moved out of faculty hous- the transition was a tough one. Like many ing and into the dorms and assumed a more Smuts, I found myself loving the program, but traditional student role (dorm prefect, “A” hating the distance from home. Like many par- camper, captain of the baseball team, editor- ents, my own valued a Thacher education in-chief of The Notes). After graduating from enough that they were willing to go to ex- Thacher in 1951 (and from Bowdoin College traordinary lengths to secure one for me. I was- four years later), my father succumbed for a n’t privy to the conversations my father had

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 43 page 44 Profiles Kinda cool. phones, nocomputers,justus.” evening, andgenerallybondingasafamily. No ing, playingcardsandboardgamesinthe building, doingmaintenance,swimming,hik- “On Mt.Rigawejustspendtimetogether, time-honored values. the popularculture,andregulatedbysimilar, Thacher’s model,issimilarlysequesteredfrom values andmuchthatheis.Yale, insomeways steeped intradition,preservesmuchthathe ion. Thacher, initsownwayatimecapsule, ing time,andtheantithesisofnoveltyfash- are special.Theytheenemiesofall-chang- the commongood,hasbeensimilar. Hisplaces his energy, todevotehisparticulardiligence Steve hasstoppedtoliveandwork,invest I divineacommonthread.Everyplacethat thing heneedsishere,andtimedoesnotmove. You areintheheartofGriggscountry. Every- family. Andsoccerballs,alwaysballs. and toysscatteredabout,evidenceofwork meadow isadriveway. Therearevarioustools cabin comesintoview, thatthenarrow tween sometreesandthenrealize,whenthe past thelake,climbingslightly, youturnbe- will benooffensiveroar, nomachine.Aways might seeacanoeorfleetofbirds,butthere then trees,isstillandquiet.Inthedistanceyou lake water, ringedwithblueberrybushesand trees, eventuallycrossinganearthendam.The rises andfallsgentlyasitwindsthroughthe cut byhorse-drawnwagonsnevertheblade, forge, onetravelsbackintime.Theroad,first stair-step seriesofwaterfalls,pasttheoldiron Salisbury, underthecanopyoftrees,beside When oneascendsthelittledirtroadoutof Reverend KellyClark,CdeP’44,presiding. was laidtorestin1954withformerstudent, records andfoundasingleunusedplot.He his desiretobeburiedthere,researchedthe plots weretaken.Someofhisfriends,aware the 1800s,anditwasthoughtthatallof buried there.Theothertombstonesdatefrom the cemetery. Van Griggswasthelastperson bunk. Hiscousinlivesdownthepath,beyond rate sleepingcabinwhereguestsorchildren comfortable. Hehasatreehouseandsepa- father’s boyhoodsleepingcabin.Itisrusticbut built hishousefromthechestnutlogsof and busyasabee,stillsummersthere.Steve the oldMt.Rigacemetery. Barbara,whois84 his ownfamilycabinabout100yardsfrom Griggs—continued frompage31 The Thacher News e Perry—continued frompage35 freshman year as successfulandfunpossi- She iscontinually involvedinmakingour derstanding person, andordersameanpizza. ’04, wrotelastyear: “Mrs.Perryisakind,un- agree. OneofMolly’s advisees,GrahamDouds thority. She’s great!”Apparentlythestudents ance ofkindnessandfunwith theneededau- is hersamecenteredselfandhas thesamebal- told methatMolly“islovedby thekids…She now aninstructorintheHorse Program.She Mahoney, anotherThachergraduatewhois loyalty.” ThissentimentwasechoedbyLiz embody thevaluesofSchool—honestyand Without beingtoomaudlin,Mollyreallydoes Academy, noted,“Mollyisaschoolperson! Nielsen deForest,herselfateacheratMarin Molly asamemberofthefaculty. AsJen Thacher isextraordinarilyfortunatetohave teacher.” Thacher graduatemadeheranevenbetter her classes…andyes,Ithinkthatbeinga I’m lookingforwardtobeinginanotheroneof teacher (senseofhumorisakeyfactor)and Dibblee ’04toldme,“Shewasanawesome ciate thisdistinction.SpanishstudentJames would benefitthekids.”Studentsalsoappre- discussing changesthatwe(thefaculty)feel on theothersideofcourtwhenwestart think—but itdoeshelpmealottohavebeen claim tounderstandhowcurrentstudents deal sincewewerestudentshere—soIcan’t sides. Granted,thingshavechangedagreat of seeingmany‘problematic’issuesfromboth student hereallowsmethedistinctadvantage to thefaculty. Mollynotesthat“havingbeena Molly andDerickbringadifferentperspective As aresultofhavingbeenstudentsatThacher, quality educationinasmallsetting.” ulty andfaculty. Thelevelofcommitmenttoa student andstudent,faculty, fac- on “thecloserelationshipsthatareestablished: Molly, hercommitmenttoThacherisbased what hasremainedunchanged.Accordingto parent everyday. Moreimportant,however, is members toldmetheyhearfromatleastone contact teachersandadvisors.Severalfaculty lations. Consequently, parentsaremoreaptto is centraltofaculty, student,andparentalre- valuable partoftheSchool.”Further, e-mail no longerpioneers;theyareanintegraland can thriveasopposedtosurvive.Women are plained Thachernow“isaplacewherewomen changes aremorefundamental.Derickex- ter foodandamorelandscapedcampus.Other were students.Obviouschangesincludebet- Without doubt,Thacherhaschangedsincewe here. Itseemslikesuchasmallworld.” casions whereIcan’t believethatI’mworking School. Evenafterfouryears,therearestilloc- had hereasastudentcontinuetoworkatthe especially giventhatsomanyoftheteachersI was veryoddtoreturnmychildhoodhome, her parents:“Asanalumnaeandafac-brat,it return surprisedherjustasmuchit Chair oftheLanguageDepartment.Molly’s experience together, too. maybe ifwe’relucky, they’llsharetheThacher and ourchildrenarecousins.Whoknows, to beentwinedaswearenowsisters-in-law the 2,000milesbetweenus,ourlivescontinue I treasuremyfriendshipwithMolly. Despite derful energizingdimensiontoourlives!” Theyhaveaddedawon- little girlssocloseby. how gratefulwearetohavethesetwoprecious grandchildren livingallovertheuniverse...and remarked, “Somanyofourfriendshave have grandparentsrightoncampus.AsCricket brat status.Howluckythoselittlegirlsareto February) areenjoyingsecond-generationfac- daughters, Jordan(two)andEvan(bornin to raiseafamily.” So,Molly’s twodarling values. AsMollynotes,“itisawonderfulplace ing environmentenrichedwithstrongfamily coaching, etc.),itisanintellectuallystimulat- encompassing (teaching,advisees,dormduty, lighted tobehere.AlthoughThacherlifeisall- Thacher isluckytohaveMolly, andsheisde- advisor.” I amveryfortunatetohavesuchanawesome are sonewtothislifewehaveatThacher. day isveryreassuringandcomfortingsincewe ble. Herinterestinhowweareeachandevery e Class Notesby Jane D. McCarthy

1948

Mary Ella and Cris Boyle spent August and Sep- tember in Turkey, January in the Panama Canal, and are now trying out the homefront.

1950

A beautiful Valentine’s card arrived from Cici and Tad Williamson along with their entire family: Emily, CdeP ’83, and Henry Hancock with their three children; Chandler, [CdeP ’81] Katie and Fred [CdeP ’79], with their three children; and Jonathan and Shannon Williamson with their three children. Actually, it’s hard to determine which one is Cici…she looks so young! Tad Williamson, CdeP ’50, and family Ben Hammett and his wife are the proud parents of Susan Hood who graduated from Northwest- ern University with a doctorate in neuroscience 1935 1943 last June. And, furthermore, she gave birth to her second child mid-December: Kieran Finley Finst- Bill Barkan wrote to say how greatly saddened he Jake Kittle is still on the boards of the Sonoran In- grom Hood. Now the Hammetts have four was to hear of the passing of the Class President stitute, The Empire Ranch Foundaiton, and the grandchildren. for ’35: Thayer Hopkins. Southeast Arizona Land Trust. In his spare time, he gardens, collects eggs from his chickens, and tries to deal with a border collie puppy. 1951 1936 Wilbur Cox’s wife of 25 years, Nan, died a year “I am donating copies of my 19th Century his- 1946 ago of cancer at the tender age of 62. Bill retired torical novel The Twaining of America (under the after spending 42 years as a Presbyterian pastor. pen name B.J. Fiske) to 200 schools and other li- Alexander Van Dyke wrote in December that he Now he’s sold his house—downsizing—and last braries in ten states so far,” writes John Barnard. was always amazed with the intellect and musical week became engaged to Ms. Sandra Danaher. “Send me names to contact and I’ll donate to ability of Nick Cunningham as described in Bells will be ringing in August. “Living is good,” schools in your area.” John’s book was featured “Heeding the Words of ‘The Banquet Song’” in he wrote. in the Book Shelf of this magazine two years ago. the last issue of The Thacher News. “Two pedia- tricians out of such a small class is unusual.” Alex Terry and Edward Hamilton retired from the real ﬁnally gave up the adrenaline high from work- estate business on November 1, 1998, and have 1940 ing as an Emergency Physician in a trauma center been enjoying the “good” life ever since. “We in Los Angeles after 22 years; instead he joined purchased a house in Mendocino and have been Bill Hufstader wrote recently, “A profound sense the Navy as an independent contractor at Oak spending the last year and a half upgrading it. It of gratitude to my parents and Thacher for pro- Harbor Naval Hospital, Whidbey Island, WA. “It has been an uplifting experience as well as a frus- viding me with the soil and tradition to begin hasn’t changed much from when I was on active trating one—dealing with the mañana philoso- forming roots.” For our part, you’re welcome, duty.” To compensate for the low acuity of on- phy of the laid-back lifestyle of the small Bill. shore duty, he joined Holland American Winstar California coastal towns. I see Jack Miller occa- Cruises as a Ship’s Physician so that in his spare sionally in the Safeway (he is now retired from time he can see the world with his wife: July is medicine) and I sadly ran into George Mont- 1941 Nice to Venice on the Windsurf, August is Wind- gomery at the funeral for Morris Noble, CdeP song Greece to Istanbul, and October is MS Sta- ’50. He said he was planning to come to our 50th David Bailey is “still working on windmills at tendam to Hawaii. If aboard, “drop by the Reunion, as am I, so maybe we will have a decent 80.” Medical Department. Will be fun to talk about turnout this time. Five guys is not an acceptable those great days at Thacher.” number!!

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 45 Alex Farrand, CdeP 1966 ’55, ﬁshes at Golden Trout Camp Between trips to Hong Kong, Lantau Island, Col- orado, and The Ojai, Bettie and Hill Hastings joined three generations of other Hastings to spend the lazy days of August on the Canal Cen- tral in southern Burgundy this past summer.

The Thacher clan: Jane and Peter, CdeP ’84, with son Jack; John, CdeP ’57, and Caroline; Shelly and Roland Htoon, CdeP ’55 Sherman; and Rosemary and Thomas, CdeP ’87

1955 1957 Roland Htoon is maintaining his youthful appearance in Burma. Thanks for the photo, Caroline and John Thacher have good reason to Roland! be happy; they’re grandparents to Jack Hollister Thacher, son of Jane and Peter Thacher, CdeP ’84. Three generations of Hastings on the Canal 1956 Central in southern Burgundy.

In December, Jerry Bishop wrote that he enjoyed 1958 reading about classmate and Thacher Pioneer, Mo and Nori Livermore spent a few weeks on Klaus Schubert, in The Thacher News. He sub- Our condolences go to John Sanger whose campus this winter rooting for the Girls’ Varsity sequently wrote a letter to Klaus and mentioned mother, Elizabeth S. Sanger of Rancho Santa Fe, Basketball Team, especially daughter Whitney ’04. that he and his wife, Janice, would be in Spain passed away in December 1999. After her estate during October and inquired whether he would was settled, he and his wife Randi moved into a be on Mallorca at that time. “Return correspon- new home in the Santa Ynez Valley with a view of dence resulted in an affirmative reply and a gra- the Santa Ynez Mountain range and rolling cious invitation to come visit…Klaus met us at foothills. the airport in Palma then drove us to the lovely ‘finca’ which he and Christiane own on the SE side of the island. It was a perfect visit—beautiful Nori, CdeP ’66; setting, good weather, wonderful meals, visits to Whitney ’04; and local sights, and an opportunity to reminisce Mo Livermore about our days at Thacher.” What a great reunion, even if these two fellows don’t make it to 1967 Thacher this June for their class’s 45th Reunion. After offering individual courses and non-degree certificates for a decade, John Lenczowski’s In- stitute of World Politics is now offering two MA Marian; Jim, CdeP ’61; Anna; Caroline; and Susan degree programs: Statecraft and World Politics, Acquistapace at Sam’s Grill in San Francisco. and Statecraft and National Security Affairs. Con- grats, John! 1963 A plaque honoring Lacrosse Captain Scott Mac- If you are interested in hearing an interview that Gregor and the West Coast First Lacrosse Game Jeff Mason did while serving as the leader of a now resides at the top of Upper Field. Dedica- philosophy delegation to China in October, tune tion will be in December. in to www.philosophers.co.uk and go to The Phi- losophy Café; click on “Mason’s Meditations.” If Ali and Bob Johnson have their hands full with you want to read more about Jeff’s philosophy, Matt and Nick who have yet to learn the mean- surf the net to: surfboard.surfside.net/jeff4. ing of “Walk, don’t run!” Klaus Schubert, CdeP ’63, with Jerry Bishop, CdeP ’63, in Son Mohasa, Mallorca 1965

Life is good for Joni and Ted Rhodes and their children, Rachel and Jesse, especially when they can romp Ali and Bob on the Carpin- Johnson, CdeP ’67, teria beach. Rachel, Jesse, and Tulana Rhodes with sons Matt and Nick

page 46 The Thacher News When visiting Yosemite, Kim- berleigh and Paul Gavin found that they prefer Red- wood’s Cabins in Wawona to the Ahwahnee, primarily because their pups, Claude and Chloe, can come along, too, for a real family Kimberleigh and Paul Gavin, vacation. CdeP ’71 Liz and Newlin Hastings, CdeP ’70; with Shannon, CdeP ’99; and Jamie ’02

Sharon and Philip Pillsbury, CdeP ’67, with Liz and Newlin Hastings took part in last sum- children Max, Molly, Finn, and Christian mer’s African trek, that included summiting the world’s highest free-standing mountain and one of the world’s largest volcanoes. Their children— Half of Mr. Shagam’s AP Latin Class—Phil Pills- Stephanie and Shannon, CdeP ’99, and Jamie ’02—joined them bury, Steve Kendrick, and Andy Kille (who is a Stephen Yates, CdeP up top for a congratulatory photo. Baptist Minister)—read the Aeneaid in both Latin ’71, with Stephen and and English at a recent Bohemian Club Epic Po- Jennifer etry Night. All those late nights of studying Latin At Christmas, the Rod Turner family were perfect seemed to stick with these fellows... stair steps when standing together. It’s unlikely Stephen (9) and Jennifer (11) keep their folks that Kathryn and Anne will stand for that much Stephanie and Stephen Yates hopping in Reno, NV. longer… 1969 1972 Besides serving as Chairman of the Board for Nauset Inc. (a Cape Cod organization serving When not chasing after his three sons, Bill Daw- adults with disabilities), John Milligan is a board son has “begun to tickle the ivories, making up Michele, good piano tunes in the name of ‘practice!’” His member and finance chair for the Center for Dis- Kathryn, covery (a New York State organization serving family had a grand time at Golden Trout until Anne, and hail struck at the base of Army Pass. children through adults with severe physical Rod Turner, handicaps) and owns and runs a hydroponic farm CdeP ’70 that grows tomatoes and 12 varieties of lettuce and herbs on eight acres. What do you do in your 1973 free time, John? Since Jenn, daughter of Rebecca and Dave Liver- In a recent mailing from Carney, Sandoe & As- more, can’t find any waves in Utah, they traveled to Arizona’s “The Wave” rock formation. Still sociates, they were “pleased to report the recent Julie and Phil appointment of Stuart Work, director of the Mid- can’t surf, but it makes for a great photo oppor- Angelides, CdeP ’70, tunity… dle School at National Cathedral School, as Head with daughters of Washington Episcopal School in Bethesda, Christina and Maryland” beginning in July. Congratulations, Arianna Stuart! This year’s Christmas photograph of Phil An- If that face on the cov- gelides and family didn’t include Megan, who is er of the December in Senegal with the Peace Corps. issue of Keyboard looked familiar, you’re right; it was none oth- 1971 er than James Newton Howard. And, inside Bill Volkmann is filming in exotic locales for the the magazine, Jim second series of “Sports Safaries,” his adventure shared his composing travel show that aired on USA Travel Channel tips and gear tricks and in about 30 other countries. His next stop is for MIDI Orchestra- Tahiti. Jenn Livermore at “The tion which has won Wave” in Arizona him credits on a string In his bid for Congress, Marty Sproul ran as a of blockbuster films Natural Law candidate to give a voice to a third Jim Howard, CdeP ’69, such as Pretty Woman, party. He was endorsed for his articulate, inter- on the cover of Keyboard. The Fugitive, and esting ideas; his plan was to reform the political more recently The process with a reduction in the size of govern- Sixth Sense and Disney’s Dinosaur. Thanks for tun- ment and the influence of big money on cam- Kailey, Trevor, and ing us in to this Ken Jacobs, CdeP ’68. paigns. Alas, the incumbent won, and Marty is Henry, children of back to practicing law full time. Kimberley and Mark Harmon, 1970 CdeP ’73

Tad Paul sent his Seasons Greetings with a photo of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Flush- ing, New York, one of his latest architectural creations. Most impressive.

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 47 1976 Renee and Brad Smith are having an East Coast adventure, now that they relocated to Marble- Bill Hockey is looking forward to seeing his class- head, MA, for work. They enjoy the diversity of mates at his class’s Silver Anniversary Reunion. seasons, “put kindly.” He recently visited Thacher He’ll be bringing his wife and two children for and jogged up to The Pines; “it was easier having the festivities. a horse along.”

“Still working for IBM out of my house and lov- Peter Downey was pleased to find that his Span- ing it,” reports Joshua Rosenblatt. His wife, Kate, ish came back to him when he sailed a 50-foot still loves working at Barnes and Noble. Their schooner up the Central American coast—from daughters Allison and Sarah start new schools in Gulfito, Costa Rica to Puerta Villarta—in No- the fall (the latter at Emma Willard!). Joshua is vember. As the “youngest on the crew (at 41, I Ned Banning, CdeP ’74, looking forward to his 25th Reunion this sum- was two standard deviations below the median with Terry Twichell mer. age) and one of two on the boat who knew how to sail, I was both reviled and revered. It was an adventure!” Now Peter is in Olympia fighting for 1977 transportation dollars with the state legislature, sailing whenever he can, eating tons of free oys- Michael Blatt writes: “I’m 5’ 8” tall, have brown ters, and knowing “more about transportation hair, and weigh 132 lbs. As far as I recall most of finance than anyone should.” my fellow alumni were somewhat taller. My family and I are living in South Pasadena temporar- ily while we build a house for ourselves in the 1978 Louise, Maggie, Mt. Washington area of Los Angeles. We have Annie, and Bryan spent the last six months putting in 100 cubic Grant Fletcher is proud of his three beautiful Beckham, CdeP ’74 yards of concrete. We will place another 40 yards daughters: Jamie (7), Kate (5), and Corie (2). He next Wednesday. So. Pasadena seems to be a cute sends his best to all of his classmates. but boring town where Bush/Cheney signs increase in size in proportion to the size of the house.” 1979 Catherine and Rachel, daughters of Lele Herron Galer and family picked up stakes Nancy and Robert from Mount Kisco, NY, and plonked them down Rex, CdeP ’74 in West Chester, PA. “It is very beautiful here, but much more rural than our home in NY.”

1975 Sam Orrick lives in Phoenix with his wonderful wife Beth and stepdaughter, Jessica. He reports According to his little brother, Peter, CdeP ’77, that “fellow compadres Nick Ault, Nick Harvey, Sean Downey has two little ones who remind the Eric Shirey, Rob Livermore, and Bill Wren are Downey brothers of their escapades when they still upstanding citizens.” were that age. Robert and Will, sons of Vickie and Carl Costigan, CdeP ’77

Steve Peletz recently joined Sun Microsystems Marketing Group for Software Systems. He and his wife, Kyra Minninger, have two children to keep them on their toes: Sara (6) and David (3).

Harry IV and Donald, sons of Brooke and Peter Conkey, CdeP ’79 Tom, Louisa, and Sam, children of Annie and Harry Hanson, CdeP ’75 1980

Sydney Robertson, George Pratt, and their daughter Carmen Mary Sue get away from SYA Rennes every now and again to see other parts of France and beyond. Just after Christmas, they went to Alexandra and Katherine, Bordeaux and Dordogne to thaw out their bones, daughters of Sophie and but were met with cloudy, cold weather. Kendric Foultz, CdeP ’77 Part of the new breed of designers and architects is Brian Chan who designs Charlie and from the inside to the out- Annie, children side, employing comfort- of Susan and able, functional space and Scott LeFevre, furnishings. Some of his CdeP ’75 latest designs were recently featured in Hong Kong Tatler magazine. Carmen Mary Sue, daughter of George Pratt and Sydney Robertson, CdeP ’80 Brian Chan, CdeP ’77 page 48 The Thacher News 1981 “Since the stork deliv- ered baby Robert (2), It looks as though Meghan and Michael Conway we’ve gone nuts with and their new baby girl Olivia are now permanent joy and confusion,” residents of the northeast. They live in Connecti- wrote Marian Hunting- cut and Michael works in Manhattan. “I look ton at Christmas. “The forward to being back in California for the Re- befuddlement has given union, where I’m sure we’ll see Heather, Richard, us a good “wake up” and Gideon—no excuses.” call about life, the im- Jarrett, Hayley, portance of friends and Lynn, and Tom family—and the value Kong, CdeP ’81 of a nice long nap. Tom Kong will skip his 15th reunion at Dart- Marian Huntington, Peace on Earth begins at mouth so he can attend his 20th at Thacher. CdeP ’82, with son home!” Robert 1982

No longer will you reach Portfolio Manager of International Equities John Davies when you call McKinley Capital in Anchorage, AK. The soli- tary, freezing existence during his second winter there took its toll. He can still be reached at 907- Kim and Bill Hoppin, CdeP ’81, with children 223-5080 or [email protected] until he moves to Erin, CdeP ’99, and Will the lower 48 or Europe, depending on the opportunities that arise in the securities world. Good luck, John, and keep in touch!

Stephen Westerhout has been spoken for by Trai Baptist on Christmas day. Details to follow. Rob Thomas; Leigh; Belinda Hanson, CdeP ’82; MacKenzie and and Katharine Jamie with parents Wendy and Butch Cliff, CdeP ’81

Walker and Natalie, children of Katie, CdeP Will, Katie, ’83, and Alex, Christopher, and Sandy CdeP ’81, Nicholson Watkins, Calhoun CdeP ’82 Brian Kopperl, Hunter Hollins, and Stanley Chiu, all CdeP ’82, launch the boats at Great Falls, Virginia: D.C. or Bust! 1983 Brian Kopperl, Hunter Hollins, and Stanley Chiu, all CdeP ’82, got together to kayak the Potomac “My wife Katie Ross whitewater October 13, 2000, from Great Falls to and I are living in San Georgetown, D.C. They’ve now run whitewater Francisco with our two- Hannah, Sara, and ?????, together in Minnesota; Pennsylvania; Maine; year-old son Wesley and children of Anthony and Massachusetts; Kern County, California; and Vir- our middle-aged dogs,” Mary Everett Bourke, ginia. “Lookin’ for more!” reports Geoff Yost. He’s CdeP ’81 still practicing environ- Michael Voevod- mental law, but finds Carol McConnell is looking forward to the big sky packed up that the best part of his 20th Reunion celebration this June!! “I hope his family and day is watching the an- everyone is able to attend.” moved to Tucson, tics of their son. where he joined a Paul Wesley Yost, son Roger Hooper gets away from his real estate pho- start-up in man- of Katie Ross and tography business by visiting waterfalls. Last ufacturing. “The Geoff Yost, CdeP ’83 May, he hiked eight miles over hill and dale to company pro- reach some gorgeous, out-of-the-way waterfalls duces large light- and to take note of the “very interesting geol- weight mirrors Mia, Paule, Therese, and Mike ogy.” for space-borne Voevodsky, CdeP ’82 optics, telescopes, Lloyd Gunther Dallett ﬁnally convinced her hus- and lasers. Therese is heading up Human Re- band (who works as a cinematographer around sources for the Southern Arizona United Way. the globe) to leave New York; they have happily Paule (6) and Mia (4) have become proficient Sparky poses with landed in sunny Santa Barbara. Nick Noyes, swimmers to deal with the summer heat. Please Charles, Sarah, and CdeP ’76, is designing a house remodel for them. come visit if you’re in town: 520-878-0306.” Eleanor, children of Henry and Emily Williamson Hancock, CdeP ’83

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 49 1985

Having finished her master’s degree in English Literature last summer at Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English, Sarah Peapples is a reading teacher with third, fourth, and ﬁfth graders at a public elementary school in Boulder, CO. She and Sarah Konrad, who presently resides in Camelia and Violet, Laramie, WY, see each other fairly often since daughters of Caroline and Sarah comes down to Colorado for bike and ski Bruce Somers, CdeP ’83 races.

Mary Elizabeth Shannon became a mother on May 28 with the arrival of Eli Stuart Zucker. She misses little Eli while lawyering at Wilson Son- sini Goodrich & Rosati, but it makes the time Gus, son of John VanNewkirk and Eve Stacey, with him even more special. She saw Mary CdeP ’83 Kuechler, CdeP ’84, and her daughter Elizabeth at a mothers’ group meeting not too long ago. Eve Stacey and John VanNewkirk are ﬁnding it hard to keep up with two-year-old Gus. “He loves Christine Kim and Ted Barassi have now been his preschool, though manages to bring home an married four years, but no children are on the injury a day.” horizon, yet… He is a partner in Phlair Inc (a Jack and Sam, sons of Weston, CdeP ’80; and dot.com business in New York) and “riding the Janie Carroll Richardson, CdeP ’83 waves.” 1984 Pancho Barassi has been working with SEMA out “Our beautiful daughter, Rosemary Sheridan of Miami since April 2000, and travelling exten- Grout, was born on October 23, 2000,” accord- sively to Latin America. He and his bride of six ing to Elizabeth Harrigan. She sent a photograph years, Anamaria Orellana (from Santiago, Chile) to prove it. “Motherhood is chaotic but wonder- have two boys: Sebastian (4) and Francis (2). Be- ful!” fore finding roots in Miami, this young family spent two years in Mexico City and three years in Nicholas, son of Santiago. Sibyll Carnochan and Rodrigo “I have moved,” wrote Annie Wallace-Maulding. Catalan, both She’s living in Park City, just ﬁve minutes from CdeP ’83 Olympic Park, where the ski jumps, bobsled, and luge are located. Her new e-mail is [email protected]. Rosemary Sheridan Grout, daughter of Elizabeth Harrigan, 1986 CdeP ’84 As of August 5, 2000, “Liam has a new brother!” Colin Poole Kirkpatrick weighed in at seven pounds, 14 ounces and measured 20.5 inches. The proud parents are Carolyn Reed and Doug Kirkpatrick.

Anna and Jack (left photo) and Max and Sam, children of Sue and Anthony Marguleas, CdeP ’83

Weighing in at 3 pounds, 6 ounces was Anna Liam and Margaret; and at one ounce lighter, is her brother Colin, sons of Jack Louis. These twins arrived on January 29, Carolyn Reed 2001, and soon joined Max and Sam to keep and Doug their folks, Sue and Anthony Marguleas on their Kirkpatrick, toes. Congratulations to all of you! Milena, Cassandra, Conrad, Luis, and Vicki E. both CdeP ’86 Nesbitt Palor, CdeP ’84 Sunny (16 months) “Hi all! Wow: 15 years? Have we ofﬁcially made and Carolyn (almost “Staying at home right now which is where I’m middle-age yet?” Dave Garman won’t be attend- four) keep their daddy, needed the most,” wrote Vicki E. Nesbitt Palor at ing the Reunion this June due to a conflicting Michael Drescher hop- the beginning of February. She sent along a photo wedding, but looks forward to the bash in 2006. ping. of her happy brood, too: Milena and Cassandra He sill lives near San Jose, enjoys married life, (3 years) and Conrad (almost 2). Vicki looks for- and works at a biotech company that has grown Sunny and Carolyn, ward to seeing everyone at the next Reunion. from ﬁve to 25 people since he joined them two daughters of Chrissie years ago. and Mike Drescher, Anu and Alexander Djordjevich are enjoying their CdeP ’83 new addition: son Milan was born on November 9, 2000, at Georgetown University Hospital.

page 50 The Thacher News During the summer of 2000, Adam Lazar moved back to France. He lives in Paris and helped start up a company in the wireless-telecom-infrastruc- ture sector: SpectraSite. Things should turn out well if everyone continues using their mobiles, which is likely since Adam’s found that most Europeans are addicted to them from a business standpoint. Lucas, Miki, On the social side, Adam is single again. He loves and Miguel the overall quality of Parisian life (“work mentality Hernandez, is so much more relaxed here than in the states”), CdeP ’88 and he anticipates staying there for the next few years. He’d love to play tour guide to anyone who 1989 comes through the area. Patrick Crawford Lewis gave Barrett Lewis a new The Bressie Family When David Lindsay and Connie Arbogast take a break from their very active sons (John, 5 and title on Friday, March 16: “Dad.” Arriving in the Nathan, 3) to work at the same school site. David wee hours and weighing in at 8 lbs., 5 oz., Patrick Paul Bressie is working on building his real-es- is doing his best to keep his folks up all night. tate-development firm, Boulevard Investments, teaches fifth grade and Connie teaches a split fifth/sixth-grade class. Connie participated in this The weather’s not helping matters: 171 inches of while his wife, Claudia, is studying Early Child- snow fell this year in Sunapee, NH, which re- hood Education at City College. past summer’s Teach The Teachers Collaborative at Thacher “and learned marvelous techniques sulted in a major case of cabin fever for Patrick, for my class!” Thanks for the kudos! Lisa, and Barrett. 1987 Justin Lombard and Dave and Connie Lindsay Tricia Valeski recently married Justin Stockton in were on hand to witness Tom Wang marry Car- London, and will be moving to Prague at the be- JP Manoux is “happily living my Hollywood ginning of May. Until recently, she was putting dream. Did my first shower scene recently. leigh West. The wedding was in Camarillo on January 27, 2001. her doctorate in Educational Psychology to good Learned how to stand confidently naked in front use in San Diego. of total strangers [during my] freshman year at Thacher. Thanks, CdeP!” You’re welcome! The Helena Law Firm of Jackson, Murdo, Grant & McFarland, P.C. has a new banking lawyer: After working for a small ad agency and waiting Valerie Thresher. tables in Manhattan for three years, Jason Im- Life is going well for Andrew Tidrick, in spite of prota moved back to Southern California with recovering from divorcing last April. His children his girlfriend, Missy. They moved to Camarillo are “five, five (twins), and six now, and begin- two years ago and Jason has been working as an ning to enjoy training for races with me and are art director at an advertising agency in Westlake generally coping well through a tough couple of Village. They don’t seem to be ready for “the years. I am getting my private practice in child burbs,” so they’re planning on moving to L.A. in and family psychotherapy off the ground that is June. An agency switch is in the works too, but exciting.” He returned to running triathlons and no word on that yet. plans to run his first marathon in February. Last year Andrew ran into Tom Konrad and Jay Carleigh West became Mrs. Timothy Wang on Cowles at the same marathon. “As always, it is January 27, 2001, in Camarillo, CA. Justin Lom- great to see JP [Manoux] and Noah [Wyle, CdeP Sophia, daughter of bard and Connie and David Lindsay were there. ’89] on TV on a regular basis.” Loretta Zang, CdeP ’89 The Wangs bought a house and moved to Simi Valley, CA, which is close to his job at Princess Cruises in Santa Clarita. Next time you want a 1988 Toby Blue is living with his dog, Casey, at a home he bought in Santa Monica. He spent 1.5 years in great deal on a cruise, Tim’s your man! dot-com glory (as a Founder of uMogul.com), Patrick Chu recently changed jobs and moved In October 2000, Jeff Menashe left the private from Pasadena, CA, to central New Jersey. He’s but has now settled in at Seiniger Advertising, a firm that designs movie posters and movie pre- investment bank where he’d worked for four looking forward to hearing from other alumni, years to help form The Food Group, the nation’s especially those on the East Coast. Update your views. He is running business development and is enjoying not having to constantly look for more preeminent investment banking firm focused on records: 1910 Knollwood Drive, Middletown NY food retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, food 07748; 732-275-1603; [email protected]. funding to keep the company going. After For- rest Gump, Casper, and City of Angels, Toby service companies, and agribusinesses. Check out their web site: www.thefoodpartners.com. Jeff’s Eric Anderson is close to finishing his doctorate in opted to leave film production and concentrate on marketing. role is to develop new business and to co-lead Washington. He plans to migrate south this sum- their merger-and-acquisition engagements. He’s mer, maybe to Berkeley for a post-doc next year. Marielle Warren’s biggest news is that she got still based in Seattle, but he travels three days married last October; married life is treating her each week. On the personal front, Jeff lives in Miguel Hernandez introduced his new family Madison Park (a short eight minutes east of with a photo and note: “Miki [his wife] is half well. She is the Human Resources Manager at San Jose/Evergreen Community College District, downtown Seattle), enjoys being single, and is Chinese, half Japanese, and speaks both lan- looking around for a waterski boat for this sum- guages as a native. Little Lucas (named after where she oversees the recruitment and hiring for faculty and staff. She also volunteers as the coach mer. “If anyone is in Seattle and is up for skiing or Lucas Black, CdeP ’90) is growing leaps and dinner, call me at work: 206-903-0600.” bounds and I have already received numerous as- for a girls’ volleyball 16-and-under club team. surances from my wife that she will let Lucas be Cathy Ruhl and her husband Jack are learning Joanne Hughes is graduating from vet school at a Toad if he has the privilege. These last two years UC Davis this June and will then head south to have been big transition years with my return first-hand about the Sacramento building code while remodeling their kitchen. The best part, begin a surgical internship in Santa Monica. She from Japan where I worked for 2.5 years, a new requests tutorials on fun things to do in L.A., family, and the inevitable ‘dot.com’ crash. Now I though, is drinking their morning coffee on the back porch while listening to the birds since the places to go, good restaurants, good places to am preparing to attend a two-year MBA program hike with her pooch, etc. Any ideas out there? either at UCLA or Kellogg (Chicago) in Septem- kitchen has been relocated to the garage out back. ber 2001.” April Taylor is just finishing up her doctorate at Shireen Rahnema is still practicing law in L.A. at UCLA. Latham & Watkins. She lives in Pasadena next door to Sally Duncan.

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 51 Leaving LA behind—but still visiting on a regular All of us can sleep bet- 1994 basis—is Geoffrey Dunkle. For the past two ter at night knowing years, he’s been living in Dallas, TX, and working that Brian Emme is We learned from William Henricks’ parents that for a marketing company called Field Source. He keeping watch over they will have a new daughter-in-law on June 16: still finds his way back to Glendale on a monthly the Navy. Brian re- Sonya Taylor. The happy couple met during his jun- basis since one of their biggest clients, Nestlé ceived his Gold Wings ior year at Pepperdine. Congratulations, William! USA, is based there. Although he’s currently doing and attained the rank well and remains energetic and strong, health has of Lt. J.G. this year. No wonder Hillary Clinton won a Senate seat in become a major part of Geoffrey’s life. He suf- Rest assured: Brian’s New York! Jennifer Kritz worked as Volunteer fered from a rare liver disease (PSC—the same on duty! Director for the Campaign, as well as Gore’s New disease Walter Payton died from), and needed and York campaign. She enjoyed it so much that she’s received a liver transplant a year-and-a-half ago. been working in Hillary’s New York office since Great doctors at one of the best facilities in the Chris and Lt. J.G. late January. Jen stopped by Thacher to tell us all country are keeping him in tip-top shape, but he’s Brian Emme, CdeP ’92 about her incredible experience last fall and how simplified his life and enjoys the small things, such much she misses being at Thacher. as a Golden Retriever pup named Payton (after “My recent visit to California was great,” writes Walter Payton). Sharon Dana Karlsberg. Eugene Goei, Liza Jo Rika Howe and Nathanial Toll married at Thacher’s Siebel, and the Johnstons were on hand to cele- Outdoor Chapel. Bridesmaids were Aspin Bow- Brian Greene if finishing up his MBA at Stanford brate Sharon’s engagement to Craig Sakowitz ers, Abby Ramsden, Jovi Young, Devon Brown, and then heading to L.A., where he’ll work as a (Dartmouth ’93). After 8.5 years of togetherness, and Felicity Howe, CdeP ’00. Other Toads in at- consultant with McKinsey and Company. they’ll be officially hitched on Sunday, June 3, tendance at this happy event were Chris Nichols, 2001, in Bethlehem, NH. They’re hoping to see Ysette Reynolds, Skye O’Conner, and Jen Kritz, Andrew Beebe is “trying to stay above water in lots of Thacher friends and family there in the along with faculty members Rae Ann Sines, Bo and the choppy waters of the dot-com ‘Perfect White Mountains! Julie Manson, Peter and Bonnie Robinson, Heather Storm.’” He’s getting married in July. Duncan, and Phyllis and David Johnston. Toad makes good: Tom Bray put his study skills instilled at Thacher to good use; he graduated 1990 from medical school this May. After taking a much deserved vacation in Italy for three weeks, According to Sharon Karlsberg, CdeP ’96, Win he’ll settle into a year-long internship at Har- Burleson is “doing wonderful, inventive work on bor/UCLA in general medicine before beginning a a Ph.D. at MIT’s Media Lab. He recently de- three-year residency at Johns Hopkins University scribed…his new interactive, reality-based game in Anesthesiology. to educate kids about rain-forest ecosystems— very cool stuff.” On May 20 at UCLA’s Peloff Quad, Liza Jo Siebel received her Juris Doctorate. She’s looking for- Nathanial Toll and Fiona Carter McLaughlin arrived at 8:35 p.m. on ward to her first stint as a staff attorney at a small Rika Howe, both Friday, February 16, 2001. Her ecstatic parents non-profit in L.A., called Break the Cycle, that CdeP ’94, share a are Christine Carter and Michael McLaughlin. does domestic violence work with teenagers. Con- kiss after exchanging All are adjusting well to family life. grats, Liza Jo! vows at Thacher’s Outdoor Chapel “All is well as an environmental consultant working on salmon issues in Washington, “ writes Julie 1993 Benjamin Foster Carter is working as a farmer Nelson. She’s marrying Stefan Hampden in July at and rancher, when he’s not hunting ducks. His Tahoe. Tim Carter wrote that he’s “living out in the folks say, “He’s still a great shot!” country in southern Spain…learning the olive business from the masters. I haven’t run into any Mary Everett left Thacher after teaching math 1991 fellow Toads yet, but I’m still having fun.” and coaching soccer for one-plus years. She’s now playing semi-pro soccer in Denver and plans to at- Morgan Ward can’t wait to see the rest of the Gerin River is currently teaching science, English, tend graduate school in the fall. class for the Big Tenth Reunion this June. He’s Spanish, and tidbits about their environment to really enjoying his classes at Marshall School of children in Panama. He came home for the holi- Usually reunions are for the students. Not so with Business and hoping for a “phenomenal intern- days, but returned to his southern post, where the parents of the Class of ’94. Their philoso- ship” this summer. he’ll be until April 2002. phy—why should our kids have all the fun?— brought together the Bennetts, Kurlinskis, Unfortunately, Jason Ruhl won’t be at the Re- “I am engaged and getting married in the fall,” Johnsons, Nichols, and the Phillips with the union because he’ll be on “the Moto Melee, a writes Brandon Salzer. “So sorry, ladies…” Twichells. spin-off of the California Melee, which is a satire of the California Mille. The Moto Melee is a Another Double-Toad marriage took place last three-day 500+ mile backroads adventure for mo- fall. Rosa Barkus and Jose Klein shared vows on torcycles that were made before 1970.” The rally October 15 at Tilden Park in Berkeley. They are will loop from San Francisco to Fort Bragg and now making their home at 1715 SE Salmon, Port- back on the best back roads Northern California land OR 97214, and can also be reached at has to offer. rosa_mariposa@hotmail or joseklein@hotmail. Our best wishes to you both! 1992

During the school year, Anne Berube Gard teaches second grade at Monica Ros in Ojai; dur- Rosa Barkus ing the summer, Anne returns to Thacher’s trails and Jose with Teach The Teachers participants in tow. Klein, both CdeP ’93, Linda Phillips, Merilee Bennett, Vicki Nichols, Another Toad-Toad marriage: Kate Munzig and married last Claire Kurlinski, Mindy Johnson, Ron Phillips, and Eric Dachs, CdeP ’94 tied the knot early in Au- October Cricket Twichell (back row); Bruce Bennett, Curli gust in Sun Valley, ID. Kurlinski, Jay Johnson, and Terry Twichell (front row) at the Twichells’ this winter page 52 The Thacher News Apparently Elizabeth Hieronymus couldn’t get “Didn’t have to wait in lines or get our luggage enough of Gambier, OH, where she graduated searched!” Amanda Johnson and her ﬁancé, Peter from Kenyon College in ’99; she returned this fall “PJ” Hradilek, spent the summer traveling with to become the Assistant Director of Alumni and diplomatic status (PJ’s father is an American Parent Relations as well as the Annual Funds. She Diplomat in Brazil): four weeks in Brasilia and a and her friend Jaime purchased a house over- week in Rio de Janeiro. Amanda will graduate looking the scenic Kokosing River and adopted a this fall with a B.S. in Communication and a beautiful black lab puppy mix “Sierra” (to re- minor in classics. mind them of California). “I’m very happy here, and the small town life reminds me of Ojai.” She can be reached at [email protected]. 1998

After spending the fall at the University of Chris, CdeP ’94, with Amy, Vicki, and Gary Nichols 1996 Barcelona with Phil Hoos and traveling in Turkey, Morocco, and Eastern Europe, NYU insists that From her parents, we learned that Erin Archer Bryson Brown stay in town to finish up his de- graduated cum laude from the University of gree! His folks will be glad to have him close to Chicago in June 2000, with a double concentra- home. tion: biology and law, letters and society. Erin’s working as a research analyst for Raymond According to Alexis MacDonald, “Every person James. should make it down to Australia at one part of their life—it is truly an amazing place. The peo- From another proud set of parents: Lindsay ple are incredible and hilarious!” She came back Medigovich graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stan- to the States for a few weeks this winter before re- ford, and is working for the P.R. firm Burson turning to Australia until July 2001. “I love Aus- Marsteller in San Francisco, at least until she re- tralia! I’m living in my own house with three turns to Stanford next fall to pursue a graduate Australian boys and a dog!” She traveled to India, degree in English Literature. Nepal, Japan, Singapore, and Bali in January and February. Sharon Dana Karlsberg will acquire another name when she marries her longtime beau, Craig Christina “Charley” Medigovich joined the ranks Eric, CdeP ’94, and Kate Munzig Dachs, CdeP J. Sakowitz, in June. They plan to marry at the of world traveler: she studied in Rome this past ’92, flanked by her family: Rachel; Peter, CdeP ’99; historic Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton fall and she will study in Brighton, England, this Judy; Tom; Elizabeth, CdeP ’96; and Charlie ’03 Woods, NH. winter; then she’s onto the University of Sussex for the spring term. She’s majoring in Media Stud- Paula Allen proudly reports that Alexia Allen ies. Elizabeth Gaydos-Massey (previously Elizabeth graduated from Hollins in January before spend- Zeigler) sent news from jolly ol’ England that ing a month in Chile and Patagonia. Unfortu- Since January, Kim Turner has been studying in they have a second daughter: Kaitlyn Louise nately she’ll miss Reunion because she’ll be Sevilla, Spain. “Southern Spain has very similar Massey. She arrived on January 11, 2001, to join backpacking and monitoring bird populations in weather to So. Cal, which makes me feel right at her five-year-old sister, Aurora Erin. Elizabeth the North Cascades National Park. Grad school home with the bright sun and blue skies. Life at plans to return to graduate school this fall with looms on the horizon and she hopes to teach at Brown has also been wonderful with my concen- hopes of ultimately completing a doctorate in be- Thacher after attaining her doctorate. This Feb- tration in Public Policy and lots of great camping havioural psychology. Her husband, Neil, is ruary she worked on a small farm in Maine, tu- with the BOLT leadership/outdoor experience working as a web developer in the design studio toring some home-schooled daughters. program.” at Coventry University. You can reach them at their new home: 104 Poole Road, Coundon, Josh Kurlinski and his entire family were on hand Ashley Wick is a starting defense player for Coventry CV6 1HW England as brother Ryan [’97] received his bachelor’s de- Duke’s Varsity Lacrosse Team. In the past, this gree from Williams. team was ranked number four in the nation. Rika Channing Howe Toll is a wealth of information. She sent in this newsy missive: “I will be Tim Moore has hit stride at Santa Barbara City attending the University of Georgia this fall to College. His mother, Carolyn, wrote to report pursue a master’s degree in Elementary Educa- that he is on the Student Senate, was inducted tion. So Nate [Toll] and I will be moving to the into the Phi Theta Kappa Society (the interna- other coast and living in Athens. Nate will con- tional honor society for two-year colleges), is tu- tinue to consult as a hydrogeologist for Earth- Josh, CdeP toring students in philosophy, and will be in the Tech. We have been raising a service dog for ’94; Ryan, mentoring program next semester. Tim was cast Canine Companions for Independence and en- CdeP ’97; in three plays during his freshman year and this joying our first year of marriage! Other Toads: Seth, CdeP spring he’s performing in “Beauty Queen of We have enjoyed spending time with Abby Rams- ’00; Kurli, and Leenane” and an English comedy “Taking Steps.” den who is working for the Princeton Review in Claire the Bay Area. Saw Sky O’Conner while she was Kurlinski Kelly Collier is at Fairhaven College (part of visiting family in California and she is preparing Western Washington University) in Bellingham, to go back to graduate school for a Journalism 1997 WA, and loves it. She’s studying the environmen- degree. She and her husband are trying to decide tal education of yoga. on what school to attend. Had drinks with Daniel Lancefield is majoring in economics at Amanda O’Shea who will be going to graduate Reed College. He’s spending this year in Madrid school for architecture and currently works for an as part of the school’s Junior Year Abroad pro- architecture firm in San Francisco.” gram.

Ysette Reynolds can now be found at 1521 Third After camping in the Sespe and visiting Thacher, Avenue #2D, New York, NY 10028; telephone Amy Purdie took off for Tanzania, where she is is 212-737-8360. living with a local family and studying Swahili.

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 53 1999 2000 In November, Jack Huyler led the Erin Hoppin played club soccer at Yale and was Even though “Central Texas is not as beautiful as community at As- recently elected Secretary of the Calhoun Council. Ojai,” Devon Tarasevic really enjoys college life. sembly in singing She spent last summer traveling in Mongolia with She’s a member of the Southwestern’s Varsity Div- “Happy Birthday” Where There Be Dragon, a travel company that ing Team and planned to pledge a sorority in Jan- to Jesse Kahle who specializes in Asia. She plans to spend this sum- uary. turned 93. Jesse mer in China brushing up on her Chinese. She is keeps young by also pre-law and considering a career in Interna- Brad Jordan became a jet-setter since his time at helping out at the tional Law focusing on Human Rights. She’s been Thacher. Last spring, he studied art and architec- barn with the mentoring some local high school girls through a ture in Florence, Italy; studied biological & En- freshmen riders program called Women and Youth Supporting vironmental Systems in Druidstone, Wales; and and chatting with Each Other, and works as a research assistant for completed an IBI year in Oxford, England. He alumni when they Jesse Kahle and Jack Huyler a political science professor. Whew! We’re tired participated in the Global Young Leaders Con- return to campus. just reading about her schedule… ference last June and served on the Executive He may not remember all of their names, but he Council for Global Summit at the U.N. Last fall, remembers their horses’ names… he studied political conflict in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and spent a week visiting Norway where Terry and Cricket Twichell keep up with Jenn, he endlessly defended the America’s historic pres- Samantha, and John Friborg whenever they travel idential election process. In January, he attended to Acton, MA. It’s a little easier to catch up with the Presidential Inauguration, Conference, and Mike and Geoff Bird. They’re just down the 101 Charlie ’02 and Ball. January. Whew! Don’t look for moss under Freeway in North Hollywood at Harvard West- Peter Munzig, Brad’s feet… lake. Mike is Dean of the Junior/Senior class; CdeP ’99, at Geoff is the Language Department Chair. 2001 Alumni “Yale is going wonderfully!” according to Lu- Lacrosse game cinda Brown. Some of you have heard, but for those who Judy and Tom Munzig (parents of Kate, CdeP haven’t… Wendy McCobb, R.N., who served as ’96; Peter Munzig, and Charlie ’02) couldn’t go Winner of last year’s Perpetual Sports Award, Thacher’s nurse and study skills counselor for wrong in routing for either team at this year’s Cheryl Lynn Horton, is playing offensive for over a decade, left last spring to take up residence Alumni Lacrosse game. Peter played with the Duke’s award-winning Varsity Lacrosse Team. in the Chama Valley in New Mexico. She is work- alumni and Charlie played for the Varsity Team. ing part-time for a worker-owned company named Tierra Wools, that is attempting to sus- tain the Churro sheep raising/weaving tradition alive. They wash the wool, spin it, dye it, and weave it into blankets, area rugs, apparel, and runners inspired by the Rio Grande traditional The Cahills: designs. When Wendy isn’t learning the weaving Christopher ’03; trade, she trailers her horse to local wilderness areas to ride in gorgeous areas. Edward; Kimberly, Lucy, CdeP ’00, CdeP ’99; and and Claire Kevin ’01 John Reimers finally took the plunge and married Milligan ’02, Sarah. John is teaching history at Brentwood with Maggie Rachel Wall recently School. You can send your best wishes to them at earned a varsity letter at P.O. Box 2873, Venice CA 90294; their e-mails are Principia College for her Former Faculty News [email protected], [email protected], and soccer prowess. She [email protected]; and, finally, their played in 15 of the Pan- When John Lin starts his five-minute walking phone number is 310-301-7973. ther’s 20 matches, scor- commute to his office at Fessenden, sons, Kai and ing four goals. When Noa, wave goodbye before challenging their Former Spanish she’s not kicking the mother, Marilee to fun and games at home or teacher Barbara ball, she is studying stu- around town. Life is good at 72 Fessenden Street, Marvin and her dio arts. Newtonville, MA, 02460. Keep in touch at: husband Roger [email protected] or (617) 916-5157. have two boys to chase: Samuel (3) and Jacob (1).

Rachel Wall, CdeP ’99 Roger and Barbara Kai and Noa, sons Catherine Jessop transferred from St. Andrew’s Marvin with sons of Marilee and John Samuel and Jacob to Colby this year. Lin Adrian Allen is making a name for himself as a Sebastian Piombo is all Not actually in the drummer for two rock bands, a volunteer fire- grins when his mother, Former Faculty cate- man, and a roller hockey player when he’s not Heather Piombo Dun- gory, but Cecilia Ortiz studying at Hampden-Sydney. He’s in his second can, picks up the camera. is enjoying a fabulous semester and enjoying his academic challenges. Heather is working at sabbatical year near University High School in Cadiz, Spain, with Brendan Bechtel declared his major as environ- San Francisco. She and her side trips to Egypt, Turkey, and Morocco. mental studies/geography, but spends most of his new husband, Michael e time ski patrolling at the local mountain, hunting, Folker, live in Fairfax, a ﬂy ﬁshing, and road bike racing in the collegiate suburb of San Rafael. circuit.

Sebastian Piombo, son of Cecila Ortiz on Heather Piombo Duncan sabbatical in Spain page 54 The Thacher News Annual Fund Report

The following names were inadvertently left 1957 76% $5,288 out of the 1999/2000 Annual Fund Report. Aldwyn Hewitt 3261 Bennett Drive ErrataLos Angeles, CA 90068-1701 1955 35% $8,050 Mitchell L. Lathrop Richard F. Loveton Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps 18680 Wildﬂower Drive 600 West Broadway, 26th Floor Penn Valley, CA 95946 San Diego, CA 92101 John C. Baldwin Alexander K. Farrand Jonathan D. Beck S. Allan Johnson George G. Bell Alan H. Kenison Michael S. Bolduan Eric L. Knudsen Roger D. Coates Samuel A. B. Lyons Malcolm K. Coffey Timothy T. A. Sodd Blair S. Edwards, M.D. James C. Taylor Richard A. Grant, Jr. K. C. Hayes 1956 89% $13,725 Paul H. Helms, III John Gordon Haverly, M.D. Aldwyn Hewitt 160 E. 38th Street, 34A Richard F. Loveton New York, NY 10016-2615 Henry T. Morrison, Jr. Leslie L. Roos, Jr. Dean V. Ambrose F. Michael Shore Jerome H. Bishop, III Philip L. Spalding Gordon B. Chamberlain John A. Stephenson Gerald De Santillana John H. Thacher Peter Farquhar Robert D. Voit Conrad D. Gage J. Jeffrey Green John Gordon Haverly, M.D. Lincoln S. Hollister John L. King. Jr. Henry N. Kuechler, III The Casa de Piedra Society Michael A. Lawrence Dr. Elizabeth Mofﬁtt Herr L. Leland Mothershead, III Toby Rosenblatt Klaus Schubert Dirk A. ten Grotenhuis John R. Wheaton We apologize to all concerned. e

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 55 Obituaries

George Milburn, CdeP Hopkins accounting firm in San Francisco ’24, died December 1, from 1965 until his retirement in 1990. 2000. He was preceded Obitsin death by his wife, Thayer was a founding trustee of the Grace Jean, who died in Feb- Cathedral School for Boys in San Francisco in ruary, 2000. 1957 and was the treasurer of its board for many years. He also served on the board for George hailed from the Edgewood Center for Children and Fami- Seattle when he arrived lies in San Francisco from 1957 until 1968; he at Thacher for his last was the board’s president in 1965-66. two years of high school. Known as “Mil- bank,” he was a good shot with both tennis Thayer is survived by three sons: Thayer Jr., racquets and guns. In his senior year, he was CdeP ’70, of San Francisco, Charles A. of Oak- particularly deadly to clay pigeons and one land, and David P. of Richmond; a sister, Con- turkey. He was one of the “inmost members stance Hellyer of Eatonville Washington; and of the Indoor Committee” and held his own one grandson, David Greer Hopkins of San on the dance floor. His agility spread to the Francisco. track field, where his fleet feet turned in fine performances in the 220, 100, and relay. He Walter Henry Sullivan, also served on the Committee of X, the Gun Jr., CdeP ’35, died on Board, the Glee Club, and Tennis Ten. Wednesday, December 6, 2000. He was 83. Upon his graduation from Thacher, George studied at Princeton, where he earned a bach- Walter made quite a elor’s degree in 1931. He became a geologist splash at Thacher during and miner and lived in British Columbia. the two years he was here and became known as Thayer Hopkins, CdeP “Sully.” In his junior ’35, died of pneumonia at year, he served as prefect as well as on the cab- the age of 84 at the Cali- inet, Second Gymkhana Team, Second Base- fornia Pacific Medical Cen- ball Team, Dramatics, and the Bit and Spur ter on December 21, 2000. Club. During his senior year, he was the Cap- Born in Evanston, Illinois, tain of the Second Gymkhana Team, the As- Thayer attended Thacher sistant Manager of the Big Tournament for four years. “Hop” committee, and was a member of the Second took advantage of every- Baseball Team and the Outdoor Committee. thing that Thacher offered According to the 1935 El Archivero, Sully was (Baseball, Cabinet, “Notes,” Gun Board, Soc- “one of those rare men, who have to (or ought cer Track, Tennis, the Pack and Saddle Club, to) shave every day—boy, o boy, what a man.” and the Indoor Committee) and held leadership From Thacher, he studied and graduated from positions in most: Chairman of Lower, Lower Stanford University where he graduated in Upper, and Upper Upper; Committee of Ten, Ed- 1939. He married Dagmar de Pins, and they itor-in-Chief of the “Notes,” and Prefect. When had four children: Paula, Walter III, Erica, and not totally engaged in school-oriented activities, Dagmar. Thayer crooned to the songs of Bing Crosby (and yearned to meet him someday). Philip H. Wootton, Jr., CdeP ’36, died on March Following Thacher, Thayer attended Williams 17, 2001; he suffered a and graduated in 1939. During War II, he stroke and had been served in the Eighth Army Air Corps and was struggling with Alzheim- shot down over Berlin. He was rescued by er’s disease. Although he members of the Dutch resistance and hidden was born in New York for six months before being liberated by Al- City, Phil grew up in lied troops. Following the War, Thayer re- Kobe, Japan, and then turned to San Francisco and earned a Master’s moved to China in the Degree in Business Administration from Stan- early 1920s to avoid anti-American riots. ford University in 1946. The same year, he married Carolyn Joy Perry, who died in 1986. When his family returned to the United States, Thayer was a partner at Davidson, Dreyer and Phil attended Ojai Valley School before arriv- page 56 The Thacher News ing at Thacher. While here, he was “known cere’s Lope (winner of the Riding Mileage time he graduated, he resided in a willowy six- for his serious moments and his lighter ones,” award), volleying a wicked tennis ball, or feet-one-inch frame, still raved about Portland, according to the 1935 El Archivero. “He was studying intently over a mathematics book. He and was still the wisest, funniest, cagiest guy in elected to the kingly position of chairman of also captained the Intramural Soccer Team, School. the Upper Upper and guided the School played First Team Baseball, and served as Pre- through a most successful year.” The “Notes” fect. Bill matriculated to Menlo, but graduated from benefited from his efforts as Editor, the Bit and Oregon State University, having earned both Spur Club was ably led by him, and his por- Charlie matriculated to Dartmouth College, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He originally trayal of “Burke” in Amaco was legendary. He and then served in the Army Air Corps during wanted to be a big-city sportswriter, until he also found time to manage the baseball team, World War II. He was a member of the 82nd visited Wallowa County, where he found offer support to the second soccer team, attain fighter group and was awarded three presi- “home.” The canyons, cougars, aspen groves, “A” camper status, and serve on the Indoor dential unit citations and other campaign rib- and alder slopes appealed to him; so did the and Outdoor Committees, as well as the Com- bons. fishing. According to Jonathan Nicholas, a mittee of X. columnist with The Oregonian, the only ex- Charlie worked in the family logging business cuse that Bill needed to drop everything and Phil matriculated to Yale, where he received at the Youngs Bay logging operation in War- grab a fly rod was the statement: “The fishing his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1940. He renton and Stebco in Vancouver, WA, before will be good.” On one of these “good days,” worked as a science reporter for Life maga- co-founding Flightcraft Inc., in Portland. He Bill brought in a 36-pound summer steelhead zine before heading the science department, also raised cattle for more than three decades. on a dry fly. Nicholas wrote soon after Bill’s specializing in military-industrial reporting death, “Bill smiled more than anybody I ever during World War II. In the mid-1950s, as as- Charlie was a long-time member of the Ar- knew. I never once saw him afraid of what sistant managing editor, Phil lead a team of lington Club, the Deschutes Club, the Flyfish- might come next…In a few days, the family Life editors and reporters who developed the ers Club, the Prineville Elks, and the Prineville will take his ashes up to the river, to be spread concept of special issues and serials that un- Golf & Country Club. His passions included in the flow. The air will be still. The water will derpinned the magazine’s growth in the port- flying, hunting, fishing, skiing, golf, travel, fine be fast. The fishing will be good.” war, pre-television years. His work led to the art, and the company of his family and friends. creation of the Time, Inc., Book Division. As executive editor from 1961 to 1963, he con- Charlie is survived by his wife of 54 years, tinued his responsibilities for special issues such Mary Jelliffe of Mitchell, Oregon; daughters, Thacher Community as the Life magazine special on the assassina- Cameron Kerr of Bend, Wendy Johnson of tion of President Kennedy. He moved to asso- Portland, Jessie Opel of Missoula, Montana; a Ida Hull Lloyd Crotty—wife of the late Homer ciate director of research and development, son, C. Edmund Miller of Bend; sisters, Laurie (a partner for leading Los Angeles law firm of contractual relationships with broadcast and Cummins of Santa Barbara, CA and Jessie Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, and president of television companies. Phil created and man- Tyndall of Penticton, B.C., Canada; nine the State Bar Association), and mother of aged Time-Life Records, which until the cre- grandchildren and one great grandson. Daniel, CdeP ’54, and three other children— ation of People magazine was the company’s died in September, 2000. She had lived in San most successful new product and largest source Frank H. Ewing (Hef), CdeP ’51, unexpect- Marino, California, and was very involved in for mail-order classical music. edly passed on quietly, peacefully, and instantly various cultural activities throughout the in the evening while at home, sitting next to his southland. Getting back to his Thacher pastimes, Phil spent wife, Heather, after spending a normal, happy weeks at T Cross Ranch in Wyoming, as a horse day together on April 20, 2001. Allan D. Lefevre, former member of Thacher’s wrangler and trail guide. In 1971, he purchased Board of Trustees, died peacefully at his home Singing River Ranch in Red Wing, Colorado. Edwin M. Johnson, CdeP ’53, passed away on on January 6, 2001. A lifelong resident of San He and his family ran the guest and cattle ranch November 9, 2000. Francisco, he was born into a pioneer family in for seven years until his retirement in 1977. 1909. For over 40 years, Allan was a lobbyist William Lloyd Forster, representing cities, districts, industries, profes- Phil is survived by his wife, Marie Core Duffy CdeP ’62, passed away sions, and the board of trustees of the Hastings Wootton of New Canaan, Connecticut; two after a long and difficult College of the Law. He was married to the late sons, Philip H. Wootton III and William R. battle with stomach can- Ann W. LeFevre; he is survived by his wife Wootton; two daughters, Constance Wootton cer on February 9, 2001. Eleanor LeFevre; his son Scott, CdeP ’75, his Nichols and Elizabeth Ann Core Wootton; and He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Susan LeFevre, and two eight grandchildren. wife, Sharon, and three grandchildren. e daughters. Charles Edmund Miller III, CdeP ’39, died of nat- Bill arrived at Thacher “a ural causes on October short, fat, little butterball rolled…two scars 27, 2000. He came to over his right eye and a baseball glove on his Thacher from Portland, left hand,” according the 1962 El Archivero. Oregon, where he’d “He was babbling about his home town of grown up. Portland, his home state of Oregon, the Port- land Beavers, Oregon State, the Columbia Charlie’s tall, blonde, River, and for some reason, the Detroit and handsome physique Tigers.” He was known on campus as Beaver earned him the moniker Maud here at Thacher, and became famous as the “wisest, funniest, as we was thought to be the answer to “maid- and cagiest Smut in the School.” He earned ens’ prayers,” as written in the 1939 El seven varsity letters in four different sports Archivero. “His Adonic appearance belies his (soccer, baseball, track, and basketball) and true character, for he is anything but a beach- became the finest athlete in the School. In base- boy.” During his two years at Thacher, he was ball, for example, he played second base, stole remembered for swinging rope to his horse Ci- 15 bases in 10 games, and batted .483. By the

Fall 2000 / Winter 2001 page 57

Calendar Thacher Gatherings and Events

Summer – Fall 2001

Saturday, June 2 Commencement

Friday-Sunday, June 8-10 Reunion Weekend

Sunday-Friday, July 15-August 3 Golden Trout Camp

Saturday, September 1 New Students Arrive

Sunday, September 2 Returning Students Arrive