Inside: Remembering ’s ‘67 STUYVESANT The Alumni Spectator - Fall 2017 Class of ‘72 Celebrates their 45th Year Reunion and Honors the First Class of Stuyvesant Women

(l to r): ’72 classmates Rich Legum, Danny Marcus, Bobby Chin, Howie Feinberg, Robert Shpuntoff, Phil Lehman, Andy Hordes, Charlie Frankston, Mike Watkins, Eliot Ostrow, Matt Futterman, Rich Braun, Eve Berman, Rich Stark, Andrew Nosal, Kathy Parks, Eric Platt, Sarantos Soumakis, Henk Rogers, Evelyn Horn, Ed Meehan, Eric Hirschfeld, Abby Scheck, Judy Levy, Peter Peart, Laren Herman Lynn, Arnold Anthony Schmidt, Anne Berman ‘73

Michael Hartig’s (’72 Class Marshal) events and good times memorialized with our classmates as we enjoyed the Recount of his Reunion Weekend: by photos and videos. It kicked off on delicious dinner and drinks. Later on, Over the beautiful, un-seasonally Friday with a tour of New Stuyvesant, many of us headed to Terra Blues in warm weekend of October 20-22nd, including a visit to the nostalgic Greenwich Village for some amazing more than 100 Stuyvesant Class of ’72 Stefanacci room, and hosted by current jazz at the recommendation of Henk alumni and their spouses celebrated Principal Eric Contreras P’16, who Rogers. their 45-year reunion with a weekend shared his vision of Stuyvesant and On Sunday morning, we headed that was filled with a wide selection of dazzled us with countless examples to the Old Stuyvesant building for attesting to the continuing greatness tours, brunch, class photos and of this institution 45 years after we left Skype videochat sessions with our its hallowed halls. remote classmates Michael Cooper In This Issue For those longing to return to the Old in England, Danny Chertoff in Stuyvesant neighborhood on Saturday Israel and Brian Tokar in Vermont.

v Message from the Principal afternoon, Ben Wagenberg led many We capped off the weekend by of us on his renowned walking tour of heading up to Lincoln Center for the

v Alumni Association News the neighborhood’s landmarks, parks, wonderful and well-attended event restaurants, haunts and quaint stores. that was conceived and organized

v Meet Dr. Neal Flomenbaum The heart of the reunion weekend by Hal Diamond ’78, honoring was the Saturday evening gala at Stuyvesant’s first class of women.

v Remembering Walter Becker Manhattan Proper in the Financial The reunion committee (Michael of Steely Dan District, which featured nostalgic Hartig, Eve Berman, Abby Scheck, music from our school days, trivia games, and the joy of reconnecting continued on page 5

The Alumni Spectator 1

Message from the Principal

Dear Stuyvesant Alumni, Every October, 3.5 million maintained its leadership in this juniors around the country take key category. And without your the National Merit Scholarship support and generosity, many of Qualifying Test (also known as our students would not even have PSAT). Of those, less than 0.5% the opportunity to qualify as a of test takers go on to become National Merit Semifinalist. National Merit Semifinalists. The This is just one of the few number of students who qualify instances where alumni have for Semifinalists is a source of supported our kids. Each year, pride and friendly competition dozens of our students qualify Principal Eric Contreras P ‘16 for many top high schools in the and place for state and national nation. Stuyvesant has always competitions in History, Robotics, performed very well. However, Music, Speech & Debate, and The Stuyvesant High School last year when the Department numerous other categories. But Alumni Association is a of Education stopped paying behind the glory of achievement for student registration cost, are usually a lot of worries 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Our EIN is 13-3509279. “Together, let us make sure that all of our brilliant and hardworking kids have the opportunities to pursue their talents and passions. Your generosity makes a The Alumni Spectator big difference in the lives of our students.”

Editor-in-Chief Edward Balaban ‘69 many of Stuyvesant’s best and about how to pay for the travel brightest would not have been and lodging costs to these Staff able to take the test due to lack competitions. Almost half of our Rachael A. Biscocho ‘12 of economic resources. But two students are on free and reduced YanJie Hou ‘06 generous alumni stepped in and lunch and can’t afford the high Sarita Prakash paid for registration fees for the monetary cost of achievement. entire junior class. Stuyvesant Together, let us make sure that all ended up doing very well and had of our brilliant and hardworking 103 Semifinalists, second in the kids who make our school what it nation behind Thomas Jefferson is have the opportunities to pursue The Alumni Spectator who had 119. In comparison, our their talents and passions. Your local competitors, Hunter and generosity makes a big difference is funded entirely Bronx Science, only had 46 and 21 in the lives of our students. Semifinalists, respectively. through This October, that same alum Thank you for all paid for the registration fees of the entire junior class again. This year, your support, Alumni membership dues and we came in first in the nation Association. with 165 Semifinalistsfor the alumni giving. Class of 2018, a 60% increase over last year’s numbers! Our closest Sincerely, Thank you for your competitor, Thomas Jefferson came in at 145 while Hunter and continued support! Bronx Science had 53 and 32, respectively. So thank you Alumni Association – without you, Stuyvesant might not have Eric

2 stuyalumni.org Alumni Association News

The Alumni Association hires two New Chiefs of Operations, Internal and External The SHSAA Board of The SHSAA Board Directors is pleased of Directors is to introduce a new pleased to welcome addition to the YanJie Hou ’06 to Alumni Association our staff as Chief staff, Sarita Prakash. of Operations – Sarita joins us with External. YanJie first five and a half years became involved of experience in with the Alumni education non- Association as a profits at Success volunteer in 2013. Sarita Prakash Academy Charter She created the YanJie Hou ‘06 School where she was Director of Operations and Alumni Mentoring managing the day-to-day running of school facilities at Program in 2014 and was later elected to the Board of 15 locations. Sarita will work hand-in-hand with YanJie Directors in 2015. YanJie was serving as a SHSAA Board Hou, our Chief of Operations – External. She will focus Member when the Chief of Operations position was on revamping our internal systems to achieve better posted. She subsequently applied for the position and efficiency and increased performance. Below is a short was appointed following an intensive selection process. letter of introduction from Sarita. To find out more In her professional life before the Alumni Association, information about various Alumni Association programs YanJie started as an investment banking analyst after or to get more involved with our alumni community, graduating from NYU Stern in 2010 and later transitioned please take a look around our website for various events into a corporate finance role at HBO. She completed her and volunteer opportunities. MBA at the Wharton School in 2017. Below is her letter of introduction.

Letter from Sarita Prakash, COO - Internal Letter from YanJie Hou, COO - External

Dear Stuyvesant Community, Dear Stuyvesant Community, As a first-generation American, I’ve always known Stuyvesant has been a huge part of my life for that a good education and strong community can be the the last 15 years. One of my proudest accomplishments is difference between success and failure. I’m very excited creating the Alumni Mentoring Program which connects to join an organization with alumni from a prestigious students to alumni mentors to foster a more supportive school that cultivates students to achieve. The stories I and connected sense of community. have heard about experiences at Stuyvesant High School This year, I am excited to devote even more of shaping the lives of many as adults have only increased my time and passion to this community by joining the my desire to support continuing to make this possible for Alumni Association as its COO – External. The Association our students. Before joining the educational movement has already undergone so much transformation since in New York, I came from a math and science-driven when I first got involved in 2013. I am proud of all background, which makes me feel even more connected the progress we have made but I want to take this to the mission of Stuyvesant and its population. With organization to even greater heights. Sarita and I have the numerous changes that have been made in the many ambitious ideas and plans for how the Association Alumni Association, I’m excited to be a member of a team can better serve our students, the school, and the alumni seeking more progress, greater results, and a better- community. Fulfilling these strategic visions will be a connected community. process that might take years. But I know we can and will accomplish that much more when we all work together for the betterment of our beloved community. The Alumni Spectator 3 Reunion Photos 1972 Reunion Celebration

Panel of the First Class of Stuyvesant Girls (from l to r): Suzanne Rose Shapiro ’73, Kathy Parks ’72, Paula Marcus, MD ’72, Laren Herman Lynn ’72, Evelyn Horn, MD ’72, Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman ’75 (Moderator), Alice de Rivera Haines, MD ’13 (honorary Stuyvesant diploma), Risa Saperstein Beckley, Eve Berman ’72, Betsy Cantwell, Ruth Haber ’72

“Thank you, Alumni Association, for your great support throughout the planning and execution of all of our events this weekend”

Above: On tour walking around the Old Stuyvesant are (I to r): ’72 classmates Rich Legum, Andy Nosal, Rich Stark, Alice de Rivera Haines ’13 (honorary), Gene Peterson, Eve Berman, Josh (Old Stuy custodian), Nancy Spickofsky Peterson, Michael Hartig

“The reunion committee (Michael Hartig, Eve Berman, Abby Scheck, Above: Peter Peart ’72 and Henk Rogers ’72 toasting Stuyvesant Bobby Chin, Paul Geoghan and Hal Diamond ‘78) is deeply grateful to all of our amazing classmates, many who traveled from all over the world, in order to make this 45-year reunion”

Left: In front of the Old Stuy are (l to r): ’72 classmates Jeff Tauscher, Bobby Chin, Eliot Ostrow, Rich Stark, Michael Hartig, Larry Hammer, Rich Legum, Eric Platt, Henk Rogers, Howard Greenberg, Brian King, Andy Nosal, Howie Feinberg, Jon Jacobs, Gene Peterson, Bert Black, David Mitchell, Jim Vasquez, Arnold Anthony Schmidt

4 stuyalumni.org Class of ‘72 Celebrates their 45th Year Reunion and Honors the First Class of Stuyvesant Women

continued from page 1 who traveled from all over the world, support throughout the planning and in order to make this 45-year reunion execution of all of our events, and to Bobby Chin, Paul Geoghan and Hal one that we will all remember fondly thank our photographer Eric Paez for Diamond ‘78) is deeply grateful to for a long time. We would also like shooting our photos and recording all of our amazing classmates, many to thank the SHSAA for their great these memories.

Help Rebuild our Science Program! Regeneron at Stuyvesant The nationwide Science Talent Stuyvesant only had two semi- Westinghouse Science Talent Search Search (Formerly known as finalists each year and no finalists. In Competition, on ways you can help. Westinghouse and Intel, now the 1990s, Stuyvesant averaged 19 known as Regeneron) has been an semi-finalists and 2 finalists a year. Help Support Stuyvesant’s important institution at Stuyvesant One of the major drivers behind this Research Programs today since its inception in the 1940s. decrease is the difficulty Stuyvesant by giving to the General Over the last few years, the number students have in finding labs and Fund or participate on of National Science Competition institutions to do their research. our Speaker Panel about Semi-Finalists and Finalists from Below is a letter from Vanessa Liu why Scientific Research is Stuyvesant High School has ‘92, an Alumni Association Board important to you and more! dwindled. In 2016 and 2017, Member and finalist of the 1992

Letter from Vanessa Liu ‘92 Stuyvesant High School Alumni Association Board Member 1992 Westinghouse (Intel / Regeneron) Science Talent Search Finalist Dear Alumni Association, The school year has begun and professors. For the lucky ones that we are already in full swing with the do get a match, their research time Regeneron Research program! The is compressed because matches are returning seniors had a wonderfully happening too late, often only in late productive experience doing their spring of their junior year. research this summer and are now We are hoping fellow Stuyvesant hard at work with writing their alumni can help. If you are a scientist scientific papers. or researcher in the tri-state area in We are now looking to help our biology, chemistry, physics, computer juniors who would like to embark science, economics, math, or social on research find opportunities to do sciences, and have the ability to take so, across a variety of disciplines - on a high potential Stuyvesant junior biology, chemistry, physics, computer as an intern researcher starting this science, economics, math, and social fall, please contact me at vanessa_ sciences. What we have found is that [email protected]. If funding is an the more time our juniors have to issue, we may be able to help on that do their research, the more robust, front as well. Vanessa Liu ‘92 rewarding and successful their Together, we can give all Sincerely, experience is. However, over the Stuyvesant students the opportunity last few years, we have been having to experience research. Thank you in a tough time getting our students advance for your consideration. matched with laboratories and Vanessa

The Alumni Spectator 5 Stuyvesant News

Message to Students and Alumni in Tribeca Student Ziqi Guo ‘18 Places 16th about WTC Health Program in Nationals for Track & Field Those of you who attended provides free medical monitoring Stuyvesant during 2001 – 2002 as well as health care for certified endured the heartbreak and illnesses, if you have no other terror of the attacks on the World insurance coverage. If your Trade Center in a very personal illness is certified by the WTC way. Some of you, unfortunately Health Program, you may then may also have become seriously be eligible for money from the ill because of your exposure to Victim Compensation Fund. VCF the toxic dust that remained in claimants must provide proof of the air for months afterwards. exposure in a sworn affidavit. You In 2015, Congress reauthorized may choose to contact one of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health the many law firms handling this and Compensation Act. The law work, including Barasch McGarry mandates assistance to students, Salzman & Penson, which has Ziqi Guo at the 2017 Outdoor Nationals teachers, office workers, residents handled claims for teachers and first responders who lived, as well as other New Yorkers. Ziqi Guo ‘18, current senior, represented worked or attended school Congress has capped legal fees Stuyvesant’s Track team at the 2017 Nationals south of Canal Street. Therefore, at 10 percent. in June and placed 16th in the race-walking if you’ve been diagnosed with Please spread the word to event. Ziqi also qualified for the Nationals in any of the 68 cancers or serious your former classmates about 2016. Before Ziqi, Stuyvesant has never sent respiratory illnesses linked to that the rights and benefits available a representative to Nationals from the Girls’ toxic dust, you may be eligible to Stuyvesant alumni as well as Track team. The Alumni Association sponsored for free health care as well as anyone you know who might be Ziqi’s registration and travel expenses. compensation. These diseases eligible for these programs. We include cancers affecting the shared a terrible time together. skin, prostate, thyroid, lung and Let’s share the help that’s Dozens of our students qualify for State breasts as well as rhinosinusitis, available as well. and National competitions for sports, chess, gastroesophageal reflux disease, music, and Speech & Debate every year but asthma, and sleep apnea, the Sincerely, many cannot afford to go. most common non-cancerous Ellie Engler Donate to our General Fund illnesses. Department of Education so that we can continue to I urge you to register with the sponsor our talented students! WTC Health Program, which

Stuyvesant Faculty Changes include Assistant Principal of Organization This summer, Randi Damesek, was born in Dallas but grew up the Assistant Principal of in Houston and participated in Organization, who has worked Speech & Debate while in school. at Stuyvesant for over ten years, He studied Biology and Psychology accepted a new position at Eleanor at the University of Texas at Austin, Roosevelt High School in Queens. and began his career as a biology Ms. Damesek was known for her teacher in the NYC Department dedication to Stuyvesant and her of Education. He comes to us work ethic. Principal Contreras from Bronx Leadership Academy has hired Assistant Principal II High School, previously serving Jeremy Rynders to replace her. as their Assistant Principal for Mr. Rynders, hailing from Texas, Organization. Stuy’s new AP of Organization, Jeremy Rynders

6 stuyalumni.org Stuyvesant News

Hundreds Attend the Fall Stuyvesant Open House for Prospective Students Diversity Open House The general Stuyvesant Open More than 500 people attended House took place on the evenings the eighth annual Fall Diversity Open of October 10th and 11th. School House on September 20th. The event faculty and hundreds of student was organized by the Stuyvesant High volunteers worked tirelessly to School Black Alumni Diversity Initiative show off the school to the 5,000+ (SHSBADI) and the SHSAA Diversity attendees that visited the school Committee. Students of all ethnicities from all five boroughs. Many of the in grades 4–8 were taken on a tour of visitors are excited and nervous 8th the building led by members of ASPIRA, graders who have taken the SHSAT Black Students League, Muslim Students on Oct 21/Oct 22. We hope we’ll be Association, and the Red Cross Club. seeing many of them again very The co–presidents of the Black Students Lobby of Stuyvesant at the Oct 12th Open House soon! League did a presentation and the families were given SHSAT exam taking 2017 Siemens Semi-Finalists tips. Stuyvesant SU Questions raised during the Q&A Congratulations to Jenny Gao ‘18 and President featured session indicated that many in the Alexander Lu ‘18 who are both semifinalists by NY Times audience were unaware of the specialized in the 2017 Siemens’ Competition. Jenny’s Senior Tahseen Chowdhury high school application process and project is on “Quantifying the impact of had no idea the opportunities that ‘18, President of the Student nitrogen use on photosynthetic rates by Union, continues his pursuit of Stuyvesant offers that makes it one of living imaging” and Alexander’s project is on the top schools in the nation. the State Senate seat for the “Artemisinin and Halofuginone as balanced 2018 Elections. He was recently Stuy Math Team regulators of oncogenic signaling pathway featured in the Sep 28 New York Represents at PUMaC for potential colorectal cancer treatment.” Times article, “Too Young to Please refer to page 5 for more ways Vote but Asking for Yours.” The NYC Math Team will compete that you can help out the school and our at the annual Princeton University students with their science research. Mathematics Competition (PUMaC) on Nov 18. PUMaC is one of the premier high school mathematics competitions in the Stuy Sophomore Named to Staten Islander of the Week country. The NYC Math Team is coached Julia Hart ‘20 was named as Staten Islander of the Week by NY1 in by Mr. Stan Kats from Stuyvesant and half September! Julia is part of Stuyvesant’s Environmental Club. She volunteers of the 24 members of the NYC team will at a community garden helping to create an irrigation system based on her be from our school! original design involving rain water barrels, hoses and their compost system.

A Second Term of StuyPrep Completed! On Saturday October 14th, the Alumni Association wrapped up its second term of StuyPrep, an initiative started by SHSAA Board Members Kent Kim ’05 and Christina Alfonso ’01 to help students from underrepresented neighborhoods of NYC gain admissions to specialized high schools. This year, we more than doubled the size of participants to 75 eighth-graders from Brooklyn and Queens and provided them each with 75 hours of programming including practice tests, formal classes taught by Kaplan, and mentoring sessions with current Stuy students (“StuyPrep Coaches”).

Please donate to our General Fund so that we can support even more students with more programming for StuyPrep next year! A current student and StuyPrep coach tutoring StuyPrep participants over lunch

The Alumni Spectator 7 Student FEATURE

This November, the Alumni Mentoring Program will be starting the first sessions of its fifth semester. The Program, led by Eleonora Srugo ‘04, connects current students with alumni mentors who give them advice about Stuyvesant, college, and beyond and also help students with professional skills such as resume writing and interviews. Below is a brief feature on Irene Lam ‘18, a current Stuyvesant senior who first participated in the Program as a sophomore mentee and has now returned to the Program as a Student Leader who helps organize program logistics and facilitate discussions in her cohort. Student Leader for the Mentoring Program, Irene Lam ‘18

group, I was able to secure a judicial internship at the New York Supreme “The professional skills that the Mentoring Program Court and later on, an internship taught me were indispensable in helping me take my at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, one of the largest first steps towards acquiring a law internship… no other international law firms based in NYC. clubs or classes at Stuyvesant helps students develop The professional skills the Mentoring these skills” to the same extent that Mentoring does Program teaches are crucial and always relevant and despite Stuyvesant’s diverse offerings, there adults in a professional setting, and are no other clubs or classes that Can you speak about your was exposed to many career fields help students develop these skills experience in Mentoring? that I’ve never thought of.” to the same extent that the Alumni “I first participated in the Alumni Mentoring Program does. “ Mentoring Program in the Fall What made you want to return to of 2015. Having no precedence the Program as a Student Leader? Anything else? and expectations, I was slightly “I wanted to provide current “I would not be where I am intimidated as I headed into my participants with the same without the Alumni Mentoring first session at BlackRock, wearing support and encouragement my Program. I look forward to sharing jeans and carrying a bulky backpack Student Leaders once gave me my experiences in the professional while entering such a refined and to contribute to this close-knit world in my cohort this term so that establishment. However those first community of alumni and alumni-to- other students can learn from the introductions soon became laughter be’s. I am also feel very grateful to the guidance I received. But more than and soon it felt like I knew the ins and Program because of the professional anything, I am excited to give back outs of everyone in my cohort. This skills it taught me which were to Stuyvesant as part of this united sense of community grew on me as indispensable in helping me take my community, knowing that we each I became comfortable conversing first steps towards acquiring a law have invaluable expertise and also with my mentor and Student Leaders internship. Even with my parents’ each other’s backs!” on anything, from their interview advice and the online resources, my answers to “what is your greatest resume and interview skills would Help us support this flaw?” response to their life’s biggest still have been subpar at best. But semester’s mentors and regrets. I learned about how to owing to the assistance I received mentees by donating to structure my resume and prepare for from my mentors, my Student our General Fund! interviews, how to email and talk to Leaders, and my entire cohort 8 stuyalumni.org Alumni Profile

“extraordinary career in emergency Women’s Health Emergencies. medicine and many contributions Since 2006, Dr Flomenbaum has to the health and welfare of also served as editor-in-chief of underserved communities and Emergency Medicine, the oldest and all populations in New York City” one of the most widely read journals according to the introduction by for the specialty. Dean Allen M. Spiegel, MD. He gives back to the Stuyvesant Dr. Flomenbaum has dedicated his community as well, providing life to ensuring the highest quality several Stuyvesant students with the of emergency care for patients, from opportunity to work at Weill Cornell educating and training residents throughout the year. When asked and attending physicians to helping about how Stuyvesant influenced establish the specialty of emergency him, he responded, “In addition to medicine. After Stuyvesant, he providing me with an appreciation attended Columbia College and of the humanities, the classics, and obtained his medical degree from music and art, Stuyvesant opened Albert Einstein as an Alpha Omega my eyes to the world of scientific Alpha member of the class of 1973. knowledge and scientific inquiry”. Neal Flomenbaum, MD ’65 Dr. Flomenbaum completed an He acknowledges Stuyvesant’s internal medicine residency at strong influence on his career as Dr. Neal Flomenbaum ’65, Weill Einstein/Jacobi Medical Center in well: “My experiences at Stuy clearly Cornell Professor of Clinical Medicine, the Bronx. His accomplishments started me on the path towards my Emergency Physician-in-Chief (1996- include co-authoring and co-editing future career in emergency medicine, 2016) and current Physician-in-Chief eight editions of the leading medical partly by providing me with the of Emergency Medical Services at toxicology textbook, two editions opportunity to study and interact NewYork Presbyterian Hospital, of a text on diagnostic testing, and with some really bright students who really loves Stuyvesant. It is not more than 150 research papers, became lifelong friends. Though in just because his brother Mark ’67 book chapters, and editorials. He the early 1960’s, Emergency Medicine and son David ’13 also attended, has served as a senior examiner for was decades away from becoming or because he works directly with the American Board of Emergency a recognized medical specialty, two at least twelve faculty members Medicine and is the founding chair of classmates - Joel Gernsheimer who are also Stuyvesant alums. He the New York Academy of Medicine ‘65 and Art Sanders ‘65 - have has a great love and respect for the Section on Emergency Medicine. also become nationally recognized institution and feels that he owes At Weill Cornell, he helped start the leaders in academic emergency much of his professional success emergency medicine residency and medicine. I have to believe that the to Stuyvesant. He was never one to afterwards created the nation’s first education, experiences, and values draw attention to himself, but two fellowship and division of Geriatric we learned at Stuy had much to institutions felt otherwise earlier Emergency Medicine. He also created do with preparing us to become this year. On May 25, 2016, he was divisions of Medical Toxicology, ‘pioneering’ contributors to this honored at two medical school Emergency Medicine/Critical Care, vitally important medical specialty”. graduations on the same day. Global Emergency Medicine, and At Weill Cornell Medical College’s commencement exercises, Dr. Flomenbaum helped present its “My experiences at Stuy clearly started me on the path second annual “Neal Flomenbaum, towards my future career in emergency medicine...” MD, Prize for Excellence in Emergency Medicine.” A few “I have to believe that the education, experiences, and hours later, at the commencement values we learned at Stuy had much to do with exercises of his alma mater, Dr preparing us to become ‘pioneering’ contributors Flomenbaum received the “Albert Einstein College of Medicine 2016 to this vitally important medical specialty”. Lifetime Achievement Award,” for his

The Alumni Spectator 9 CLASS NOTES

1940: John Shipley, PhD will be 94 vertible, the last year of the Big Fins. businessman. Don is a graduate of the on his next birthday! John is a retired NYU School of Law and holds an MBA Professor of English at the University 1949: Maurice A. Mufson, MD, from The Wharton School. He waited of Illinois-Chicago. MACP was appointed founding to begin writing until he had retired Chair of the Department of Internal from most but not all of his varied Medicine at the Marshall University business activities. School of Medicine (now the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School 1956: Leon J. Hoffman, PhD con- of Medicine) in Huntington, West tinues to enjoy his practice of psy- Virginia. The first faculty member in chology in Chicago. He specializes the Department, he recruited faculty in individualized, couple and group members and established the Inter- psychotherapy and supervises and nal Medicine Residency. He retired in provides consultation to individuals June 2002 and became Emeritus Pro- and organizations. He maintains his fessor of Medicine and Emeritus Chair lifelong connection to being a cham- of Medicine. He continues to produce ber-music cellist. Leon is a frequent research and mentor students and writer on diverse topics in lay and pro- faculty. fessional publications. Please feel free His research concerns the epidemi- to look them up under his name, Leon ology and clinical features of Strepto- J. Hoffman, PhD. Leon is eager to hear coccus pneumonia infection, mainly from Stuyvesant colleagues, students pneumonia, and the molecular biolo- and staff. gy of some proteins of Streptococcus Louis D’Errico ‘41 standing by the pneumonia, which resulted in a num- 1960: Robert W. Powitz, MPH, minature house he built in Stuyvesant ber of recent publications by my col- PhD, RS, DLAAS of Old Saybrook, CT 80 years ago leagues and me. He attended his 64th received the 2017 Walter S. Mangold reunion in April 2014 with twenty two Award from the National Environ- 1941: Dr. Louis D’Errico built this other classmates and found it “enjoy- mental Health Association (NEHA). house (pictured above) as a fresh- able and inspiring”. The award recognizes individuals man in Stuyvesant circa 1937. He has for outstanding contributions to the kept it all these years along with fond 1951:: Dr. Richard Louis Miller advancement of the environmental memories of his Stuyvesant experi- wrote, “My book, Psychedelic Science, health professionals. Two of Dr. Pow- ence. Amazing how the things stu- will be published this fall by InnerTra- itz’ proudest career accomplisments dents learn and create at Stuyvesant ditions/Bear&Co. My radio program, is that helping to establish a Mas- can still stay with them 80 years later! Mind Body Health & Politics, airs on ter’s program in hazardous material National Public Radio affiliate, KZYX. management as well as building the 1946: Rev. Robert Carlson writes My health Sanctuary, Wilbur Hot environmental health and safety de- “My wife and I are living in The Foun- Springs, established 1865, celebrated partment at Wayne State University in tains in Millbrook, NY and would love its 150th anniversary though I have Detroit, Michigan. to hear from other members of the only been associated with it for the Class of 1946.” past 45 years.” 1969: Eric Holder Jr., 82nd Attor- ney General of the United States, was 1947: Raymond Zapata currently 1952: Donald Roth published The honored by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & currently resides at Freedom PTE Re- Girl from Guantanomo in May 2017. Defenders’ (GLAD) at its annual Spirit tirement Community in Lady Lake, FL. Don was commissioned as an officer of Justice dinner on October 27 for his His son, Rich, comes to visit him and in the U.S. Navy on the day he grad- instrumental role in advancing LGBTQ drives him around the villages and to uated from New York’s Columbia Col- justice and his leadership on voting antique car shows. Ray’s last classic lege. He has been a Navy officer, cor- rights, criminal justice reform and ex- car was a 1960 Plymouth Fury con- porate attorney and entrepreneurial amining racial bias in policing.

10 stuyalumni.org CLASS NOTES

1973: which operates Tribeca Grill, Nobu Mary Shelley’s classic novel. Eric is a New York, Nobu London, Bâtard and composer and playwright, as well as multiple other restaurants across the an established and highly published country and the world. research scientist, with a PhD in Phys- ics from Harvard. His previous musical Keith Rafal MD, MPH is the found- Your Name On My Lips played at The- er of an international patient sto- ater for the New City in March 2017. ries project supported by Our Heart Speaks, Inc., a non-profit. The focus of 1977: Helen Rothberg, PhD wrote a the initiative is to give voice to those book titled, The Perfect Mix: Everything living with a new/acquired disability I Know About Leadership I Learned as a who have been successful in finding Bartender. Helen is a professor of man- Paul Reiser ‘73 in Netflix’s new season both meaning and purpose in their agement at Marist College. of Stranger Things lives. Keith is the Chief of Rehabilita- tion and Restorative Care at Memorial 1988: Django Martel is a veternari- Paul Reiser plays Dr. Owens in Net- Hospital of Rhode Island, full time clin- an working at the 62nd Street Animal flix’s new season of Stranger Things. ical faculty/Clinical Assistant Professor Hospital, specializing in dentistry. He Paul is best known for the TV series at Brown University, and adjunct As- was recently taking care of a few ani- “Mad About You”, a NBC sitcom that sistant Professor at Tufts University in mals at the Bronx Zoo. he co-created, produced and starred the Department of Physical Medicine in for seven seasons. and Rehabilitation. 1993: Gene Jarrett, PhD was ap- pointed as Dean of NYU’s College of Arts and Science in June 2017. Prior to this position, Gene was the Associate Dean of the Faculty (Humanities Divi- sion) at Boston University.

1998: Isaac Lubow just returned to the US after spending the last six years in Indonesia. He is currently a web developer for Output, Inc., a mu- sic production company.

2001: Phoebe Maltz Bovy pub- lished a book, The Perils of “Privilege” with St. Martin’s Press.

2005: Adeeba Shahid Talukder’s Eric Sirota ‘76 standing next to the manuscript was selected as the 2017 Drew Nieporent ‘73 standing on the TKTS board in Times Square. His new Kundiman Poetry Prize Winner, and it patio of his restaurant, Tribeca Grill musical, Frankenstein, has just been will be published by Tupelo Press in listed on there late 2018 or early 2019. Adeeba is cur- Drew Nieporent was featured in rently a 2017 Emerging Poets Fellow an extensive article by the New York 1976: Eric Sirota, PhD wrote a new at Poet House and has a chapbook Times (“Drew Nieporent May Be the musical, Frankenstein, that opened at coming out soon. Last Old-School Restaurateur Stand- St. Luke’s Theatre, Off-Broadway, on ing”) on September 12. Drew is the October 9. Frankenstein is a roman- owner of Myriad Restaurant Group tic musical about the human need for love and companionship, based on

The Alumni Spectator 11 In Rememberance

Walter Becker 1967 Mr. Becker enjoyed a long career with multiple albums Guitarist, Songwriter and Co-Founder of Steely Dan and songs that were catchy and demonstrated the ability to permeate 1970s pop radio. “That’s sort of what we When Walter Becker ‘67 graduated from Stuyvesant wanted to do, conquer from the margins,” Mr. Becker told High School, the world was going through a period of Time Out New York in 2011. “Find our place in the middle rapid and profound change. Scientific achievements based on the fact that we were creatures of the margin during that time included the first human-to-human and of alienation.” heart transplant and the invention of cryogenic freezing. Popular Steely Dan songs included, “Reelin’ in the Politically, the world was experiencing the Civil Rights Years”, “”, “”, “Rikki Don’t Movement and the Vietnam War. Lose that Number” and “Peg”. Their discography includes A self-taught musician, Mr. Becker played the eleven albums and in 2000, they released the album saxophone and was an “”, which accomplished guitarist won four Grammy Awards, and songwriter. He including Album of the Year. continued his musical The following year, they were pursuits at Bard College. inducted into the Rock & Roll “I learned music from a Hall of Fame. book on piano theory. The band toured well into I was only interested in 2017, but Mr. Becker was unable knowing about chords. to join Steely Dan’s Classic East From that, and from and West tour. According to the Harvard Dictionary an interview with Billboard, of Music, I learned Mr. Fagen reported that Mr. everything I wanted to Becker was recovering from a know.” It was at college procedure. where he met fellow Mr. Becker passed away student on Sunday, September 3rd in who he soon partnered his home in Maui, Hawaii at up with to begin their the age of 67. In Mr. Fagen’s career as a songwriting duo. In 1971, Mr. Becker and Mr. remembrance of Mr. Becker, he writes of “[his] friend, his Fagen moved to LA and formed Steely Dan with guitarists writing partner, and his bandmate since 1967 that Mr. and , drummer and Becker was “smart as a whip, an excellent guitarist, and vocalist David Palmer. Throughout the years, the band a great songwriter. He was cynical about human nature, would routinely rotate musicians but Mr. Becker and Mr. including his own, and hysterically funny.” Mr. Fagen also Fagen remained the group’s core members. writes “I Intend to keep the music we created together alive as long as I can with the Steely Dan band.”

Memorials

Gail Greenbaum passed away on 1942: Harper Puziss, Northern Cal- 1943: William Frank Hutar of San October 16. She taught English at ifornia , passed away on March 2. He Juan Capistrano, CA passed away Stuyvesant for over 20 years and was was a Navy veteran and went on to on July 4 at the age of 91. He was a known for her calm, warm presence become a public health officer and chemical engineer at Chemical Plant and her alternating nostril breathing later a health and science teacher at Design. exercises. Lowell High School in San Francisco (a.k.a. ‘Stuy West’). He called his ad- 1946: Aaron Ganz, MD of Boca Ra- Kurt Rittermann, long-time Stuyve- mission to Stuyvesant ‘the luckiest ton Florida passed away at the age of sant math teacher, passed away on break of my life’. “ Sunday, August 27. continued on page 13

12 stuyalumni.org The Alumni Association has per Union, and a Masters Memorials received the following notices. from C.C.N.Y. He served in 1940 - Alvin Winegard, Sept, 06, 2017 the military and worked as 1964, he continued his education at 1941 - Theodore Kaufman project engineer at Airborne Brooklyn College and graduated with 1943 - Irving Joffe, April 28, 2016. Instruments Lab (AIL) until his a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1951 - Arthur Maclaire, April 20, 2014 retirement. His daughter Lisa 1968. He served in the Army Reserves. 1955 - Albert Holtzberg, July 30, 2017. shared, “He treasured his alma Peter was an accountant and advisor maters, Stuyvesant and Coo- to Wall Street since the day he was a per Union. He was extremely junior accountant at Oppenheim, Ap- continued from page 13 passionate about the value of a pub- pel, Dixon till his passing as a Partner 89 of complications from Parkinson’s. lic education and keenly aware of the at EisnerAmper. He was a recognized After graduating from Stuyvesant, transformative impact these free insti- industry leader, many jokingly calling Aaron matriculated to NYU as a biol- tutions had on his life.” him “the legend”. More than anything ogy major followed by Cornell Univer- else, all who worked with him for over sity Medical School. Upon graduating 1950: John Holotko, Crestwood, 40 years, would call him mentor and from Cornell in June 1953, he under- NY, passed away on May 30. Original- to colleagues, his influence will always went two years of residency training ly from the Bronx with a long career be remembered. He enjoyed watching before serving as a Captain in the at Con Edison at the Van Ness Plant, his NY Giants and Jets football teams, United States Army Medical Corps in John was proud to have graduated entertaining family and friends at his Munchweiler, Germany. When Aaron from Stuyvesant. famous BBQ’s and spending time with returned to New York, he completed his beloved grandchildren. two additional years of training at 1952: Laurence Friedman, MD of Long Island Jewish Hospital following Marin County, CA passed away in ear- 1967: Walter Becker passed away which he founded South Shore Inter- ly 2017 at the age of 81. He practiced on September 3. He was one of the nal Medical Associates in Lynbrook, for over 45 years in Marin County and co-founders of jazz rock band, Steely Long Island. His love of nature led to was at one time the Chief of Medicine Dan. the breeding of a new orchid species at Marin General Hospital. in his own designed greenhouse. He 1972: Alfred Sims passed away on also had a passion for painting and 1957: Ira Lubell, MD passed away August 24. He worked for a time at the sculpture. on June 12 at home in San Francisco. United Nations, was a musician and healer, and wrote one unpublished 1948: Michael I. Green, passed 1962: Arthur Jerome Heyder- book. He was single, had no children, away July 18, only weeks after his man passed away in Spring 2017. He and is survived by two brothers from wife Sue after fifty-eight years of mar- earned the Vietnam Cross of Gallant- his immediate family. riage. He attended U. of Alabama be- ry and the Bronze Star Medal. He was fore moving to Palo Alto. He earned named to the Honorary Order of St. 1973: Michael Ebe, Northport NY, his PhD in Physics from Wayne State Barbara, United States Army Field Ar- passed away on April 12 at the age of University in Michigan, and worked tillery Association. He was the recip- 61. He received his BA from Queens at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. ient of the Civilian of the Year Award College and his Master’s from NYU, He flew sailplanes well into his 80’s, Fifth Region Association of the Unit- and was recently retired after 37 years spending thousands of hours soaring ed States Army (1988). He is also the of teaching. above California and Nevada using recipient of the 2001-2003 National signature call sign Mighty Gorilla (MG), President’s Award from the Women 1985: Ahamed Mohaideen, MD, as well as competing in cross-country in Defense. He served on the nation- Palm Beach County, FL passed away contests nationwide. Mike is survived al board of directors for the Ameri- on October 16. Dr. Mohaideen was a by children Debbie Wiesenthal (Steve) can Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) since fellowship-trained pediatric orthope- and Bill Green (Marnie Jubelirer), 1998 and on the board of directors, dic surgeon. Dr. Mohaideen received grandsons Ethan & Jason Green and Quad Cities chapter, of the National his BS in Biology from Rensselaer Poly- Zach & Miles Wiesenthal, sister Betty Association for the Advancement of technic Institute in Troy, NY. After col- Appleton and many cousins in Chica- Colored People (NAACP) from 1996- lege, Dr. Mohaideen attended medical go and New York. “ 2001. school at SUNY Downstate Health Sci- ence Center at Brooklyn, NY. He com- 1949: Paul Heller, Dix Hills, NY, 1964: Peter William Testaverde, pleted his general surgery internship passed away on August 13 at the age Jr., Franklin Lakes, NJ, passed away on and orthopedic surgery residency at of 85. Paul received his BS degree in June 13 surrounded by his loved ones. Maimonides Medical Center in Brook- Mechanical Engineering from Coo- After graduating from Stuyvesant in lyn. The Alumni Spectator 13 thank you for reading!

If you would like to alert us of any changes or have a Class Note for our next Newsletter, email us at [email protected]!

#

Make A 100% Tax Deductible Gift Today! Mail Your Check To: Stuyvesant High School Alumni Association  Stuyvesant’s Most Needed Priorities, the General Fund P.O. Box 3531  $10,000  $5,000  $2,500  $1,000 New York, NY 10008-3531  $500  $250  $100  Other: $______ Name a Chair in the Theater (for $1,000)  Tweet a Chair (for $2,000)  The Endowment  $10,000  $5,000  $2,500  $1,000 My gift is  In Honor of  In Memory of ______I need to pay my membership dues!  $50 for Membership Dues  $25 for students/senior citizens Note: All gifts to the Annual Fund and Membership Dues are applied towards your Class Totals. Please check one:  Check Enclosed  Credit Card Credit/Debit card number ______Exp. Date. ______Sec. Code______Email for transaction confirmation: ______Donations: $______+ Membership Dues: $______= Total Gift: $______

14 stuyalumni.org