Class Notes
The 1950s and ’60s featured a Winter Weekend hosted by the junior class, which included all sorts of winter fun.
1959
Art Dionne lost his wife, Judy, in April after 60-plus years of marriage. After a successful career as a patent attorney, he retired to Rye, N.H. I counted four kids and six grandchildren.
Posted 2021-02-26
Ken Decker retired from the real estate business in Denver. Always an outdoorsman, he and his wife intend to remain in the Denver area.
Posted 2021-02-26
Engineering
It was great to hear from Fred Mosedale (B.E.E., LXA, Phalanx). After graduation, Fred left Troy for his first job as an EE with RCA in Massachusetts. He rented lodgings in Concord, which was a one-time home of Henry David Thoreau. Fred writes that he became fascinated with Thoreau’s thinking. All of this exploration launched Fred on a long-term interest in philosophy. When we were at RPI, there was no philosophy course, but Fred speculates that had there been one, he would probably have taken it and — maybe, just maybe — transferred to another school.
However, Fred stayed in the engineering world, with assignments in Alaska on a huge radar complex — and lots of spare time to read more philosophy. And, subsequently, he relocated to Germany to work on some sophisticated equipment — with more spare time. Somehow, Fred accumulated enough funds to finance a career change. He entered a doctoral philosophy program, and soon ended up teaching and writing philosophy. His moral is that “engineering is interesting, offers good-paying work, and can lead to unexpected fields.” Fred eventually became interested in the philosophy of language, which led him to think about computer languages. He landed a position as a technical writer with Intel in Oregon and, for the next 20 years, continued to publish philosophy on the side. Engineering and humanities can live well together, he observes.
Interesting to note our class has produced several poets, and at least one mystery writ- er, and a cookbook publisher. But Fred is, I think, our first professional philosopher. All of you are encouraged to share with us some of your wisdom acquired and experiences over the last 60 years or so.
Posted 2020-05-14
Heard from Dick Schult, ex-1959, Arch major and NROTC. Lived in B Dorm 201 with Clyde Hassett. Says he received a Navy regular scholarship but to another university.
He was last on campus for the 40th Reunion. Has had a varied career: Navy, 10 years active and 16 years Reserves, over 30 years in various phases of construction management, and now retired with his bride of just over a year.
On the family side, tally: three marriages, three kids, six step-kids, 15 grand-kids, and six great-grand-kids (so far).
Has lived in Norfolk, Va., for 51 years and is active in civic and church activities. He recently reconnected with his freshman NROTC instructor, then Lt. Mike Childress. Mike retired as a commander and had a second career in real estate. He lives in Virginia Beach and is 93 or 94. Mike says he hasn’t seen or heard of any other folks except in the alumni mag. Posted 2019-10-01
He was last on campus for the 40th Reunion. Has had a varied career: Navy, 10 years active and 16 years Reserves, over 30 years in various phases of construction management, and now retired with his bride of just over a year.
On the family side, tally: three marriages, three kids, six step-kids, 15 grand-kids, and six great-grand-kids (so far).
Has lived in Norfolk, Va., for 51 years and is active in civic and church activities. He recently reconnected with his freshman NROTC instructor, then Lt. Mike Childress. Mike retired as a commander and had a second career in real estate. He lives in Virginia Beach and is 93 or 94. Mike says he hasn’t seen or heard of any other folks except in the alumni mag. Posted 2019-10-01
Sadly, we report the passing of James F. Rappolt, Alpha Sigma Phi. His son, James F. Rappolt Jr., is a member of the Class of 1989.
Posted 2019-03-10
Herbert Grommeck reported that several alumni enjoyed the RPI-sponsored cruise to the Panama Canal and Costa Rica:
Sponsored by the Rensselaer Alumni Association, this cruise provided an interesting and fun adventure through the Panama Canal with excursions to the islands, beaches, and rain forests of Panama and Costa Rica. Also included were a visit to the Miraflores Locks Museum and the new Frank Gehry-designed Biodiversity Museum near Panama City. The last day was spent in San Jose, Costa Rica, with visits to the National Theater and the National Museum.
The tour also included several onboard lectures and guided tours by expert local guides. In addition to learning about the history, culture, nature, and wildlife of the area, connecting up with fellow RPI alumni and sharing common experiences made this journey an inspirational and rewarding experience.
Among the passengers aboard the Sea Breeze small cruise ship from Windstar Cruises were Cris and Douglas Lonnstrom, Ph.D. ’84, Ruth and Herbert Grommeck ’59, Cathie and Dennis Reardon ’62, and Karin Dunnigan ’72 and Roy Czernikowski, M.E.E ’66, Ph.D. ’68. Posted 2018-10-10
Sponsored by the Rensselaer Alumni Association, this cruise provided an interesting and fun adventure through the Panama Canal with excursions to the islands, beaches, and rain forests of Panama and Costa Rica. Also included were a visit to the Miraflores Locks Museum and the new Frank Gehry-designed Biodiversity Museum near Panama City. The last day was spent in San Jose, Costa Rica, with visits to the National Theater and the National Museum.
The tour also included several onboard lectures and guided tours by expert local guides. In addition to learning about the history, culture, nature, and wildlife of the area, connecting up with fellow RPI alumni and sharing common experiences made this journey an inspirational and rewarding experience.
Among the passengers aboard the Sea Breeze small cruise ship from Windstar Cruises were Cris and Douglas Lonnstrom, Ph.D. ’84, Ruth and Herbert Grommeck ’59, Cathie and Dennis Reardon ’62, and Karin Dunnigan ’72 and Roy Czernikowski, M.E.E ’66, Ph.D. ’68. Posted 2018-10-10
Leo Laskowski passed away in July 2016, several years after attending the Class' 55th Class Reunion in 2014.
Leo — who was an aeronautical engineering graduate, a proud brother of Chi Phi, and a member of the RPI Athletic Hall of Fame — went on to have three careers: 27 years at Xerox, 33 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring with the rank of captain, and 15 years as director of facilities with the Wegmans Ladies PGA tournament.
In addition to Jeri, his best friend and wife of 50 years, Leo was survived by two sons, two grandchildren, a sister, and a brother. Posted 2018-03-15
Leo — who was an aeronautical engineering graduate, a proud brother of Chi Phi, and a member of the RPI Athletic Hall of Fame — went on to have three careers: 27 years at Xerox, 33 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring with the rank of captain, and 15 years as director of facilities with the Wegmans Ladies PGA tournament.
In addition to Jeri, his best friend and wife of 50 years, Leo was survived by two sons, two grandchildren, a sister, and a brother. Posted 2018-03-15
