Class Notes

Winter 2023-2024 Highlights

A Message From Meghan Lenihan Moulder '10

In Memoriam

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Two alumns pose under giant polar bear ice sculpture

The 1950s and ’60s featured a Winter Weekend hosted by the junior class, which included all sorts of winter fun.

1976

John Hill and Jim Barber
John Hill and Jim Barber ’76, while biking the Erie Canal this summer, thought it would be great to have a reunion of all the alums who lived in the E-Dorms in the mid-’70s. If you are interested in an E-Dorm re­union, send John or Jim a note at johnbhill1789@gmail.com or jjbarber@alum.mit.edu. Posted 2024-01-17
Ken Schmalz started right out of RPI with Kimberly-Clark Corp. The first third of his career was in engineering roles, the middle third in plant manager/operations roles, and the final third in supply chain and logistics roles. He retired in May 2015 after 39 years with the same company. He then bridged into his encore career as an instructor/consultant in Lean Leadership/Manufacturing techniques for the local technical college. He did that for three years before retiring completely in June 2018. He and his wife were married in 1984. Their daughter graduated college and is now married and working in Minnesota. “Raising a family and career took us through Connecticut, Texas, South Carolina, and Wisconsin (three times) before ending up just a few miles south of the hallowed, frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Go Packers! We’ve settled into a place overlooking a local lake for some peace and tranquility for a while anyway. Our address is W5473 Meilke Rd., Menasha, WI 54952.” Posted 2024-01-17
Robert Eisenstat
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has recognized Robert D. Eisenstat ’76, FAIA, and Paul D. Mankins, FAIA, with the 2022 AIA Award for Excellence in Public Architecture, honoring both as “individuals who design distinguished public facilities and advocate for design excellence.” Robert’s early career included 15 years of private practice in the U.S. and Brazil. In 1990, he joined the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, helping enhance the New York City region’s public realm. In 2013, he became the chief architect of Port Authority, overseeing projects aimed at transforming the area’s public transportation and neighborhoods. In his tenure, Robert has served on the LaGuardia Airport Redevelopment Program selection committee, a $3.6 billion effort to modernize one of the country’s busiest airports, and supervised expansive projects, including a $10 billion master plan to revamp the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he also led transportation planning for downtown Manhattan and spearheaded the reintroduction of the city’s PATH commuter rail service at the World Trade Center. From 2007 onward, Eisenstat has co-chaired AIA New York’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, championing well-designed infrastructure and fostering connections between design leaders and technical experts. Posted 2023-03-30
Gary S. Silverstein, M.D., retired July 1, 2021 after 39 years as a diagnostic radiologist. He and his wife, Lori, plan on splitting their time between their homes in Upper Holland, Pennsylvania, and Naples, Florida. Posted 2023-02-27
Beth Montelone, a highly experienced researcher and administrator, was named Kansas State University’s interim vice president for research. Previously, she was the university’s senior associate vice president for research. Posted 2021-09-29
Eldridge Mount III, an independent consultant with more than 40 years of industrial experience, was inducted into the Association of International Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators Hall of Fame (AIMCAL), for “playing a vital role in AIMCAL’s growth and expanded range of offerings to members and the industry.” Posted 2021-09-29
Engineering Francis "Bud" Offermann was featured in The Buffalo News in September for keeping alive a great family tradition: throwing out the first pitch on opening day for the Buffalo Bisons. His grandfather formerly owned the Bisons and was among Buffalo’s most famous citizens. Bud is an indoor air quality scientist who runs his own company and often testifies as an expert witness in complex court cases. Posted 2020-05-14
Nelson Gomm writes: “Although I have gone into semi-retirement, I decided to write a novel, Overhead Assets. It’s a military techno-thriller based on a mix of my experiences on a black program I was working and my classified mission in Vietnam. I’ve written lots of technical documents but this was much more difficult — but fun to write. It is available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. My second novel should be out in 2020.”  Posted 2019-10-01
Robert Saia, M.S. ’76, was named senior vice president, business development, at Cadence Aerospace, a provider of highly complex aerospace components and assemblies to manufacturers of commercial and defense aircraft and aeroequipment. Posted 2018-10-10
John McManus was promoted to senior vice president, environmental services, at American Electric Power in March. He is responsible for directing the development of environmental policy for AEP, assuring compliance and overseeing environmental support services for AEP’s generation and energy delivery facilities. Posted 2018-10-10
After 20 years as an avionics consultant in support of USAF surveillance aircraft (E-3 AWACS and E-8 JSTARS), Nelson Gomm, M.S. ’76, retired last August. Now living on Cape Cod with his wife, Laurie, he has resumed a hobby he had ignored for over 50 years—ham radio. “RPI and NCE gave me the education, tools, and confidence to become an independent contractor.” He can now spend more time with family and boating in the summer. Posted 2018-10-10
Gary Neal was elected for a three-year term as treasurer general of the General Society of the War of 1812. Posted 2018-03-15