60 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN | CLASS NOTES over a dozen books, including “Sam Hears a Cow Say Meow!” which is also available in French as “Sam Entend une Vache Miauler!” Bob says, “The books are picture books for ages 4 to 8, not exactly classical literature, but I try to write wholesome, family-friendly books with fun stories that encourage kids to love reading.” Finally, in July Dennis Sprick participated in the quadrennial GALA Festival of LGBTQIA choruses in Minneapolis. Sprick and the 180 other members of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus performed a half-hour set for an audience of thousands. To see your name in this space, send me your news by snail mail, email or Facebook. Also, you can find our class Facebook group at facebook. com/groups/Lehigh1978. ’79 Lance M. Bell, 952 River Run Dr., Macedonia, OH 44056-2369. (216) 219-3729 (mobile); lanceb344@gmail.com Reunion 2024 provided great fun for the 49 classmates attending plus spouses, significant others and children. We’ve developed a reputation as a class that knows how to party and put on a good show! Festivities started on the Brown and White Night. Lori Southworth, Michael Silverman, Jim Esch, Jan Lewis, Amy (Wenhold) Silva, Jodi (Smith) Capps, Peg (Pfenninger) Dahme and Caesar Gorski supported Barry Glickman as he was honored with a well-deserved Alumni Award! Barry doffed his trademark Lehigh ball cap as he walked onto the stage. I appreciated being recognized along with other class correspondents celebrating milestone service anniversaries. At the Friday welcome lunch, Frank Vultaggio and Susan (Ernsky) Long swapped stories about how much damage they incurred during Hurricane Sandy. Susan and I talked about the challenges she faced while working in health care during the COVID pandemic. We snapped a photo of us with a cup of coffee to send to Warren Hall, who couldn’t attend. I’m sure he will post it on Facebook at the appropriate time. I asked Amy (Wenhold) Silva about the glass bead bracelet she was wearing. The bracelet included lettered beads spelling out inspirational messages. Amy said that she made the bracelet to create encouraging reminders. Dave Zuck, Scott Nicholas and I attended the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Alumni Reception on Friday afternoon. We snapped selfies and chatted with faculty and alumni. We each walked away with a swag bag that included a nice polo shirt with the department logo (which I’ve already worn while playing golf). At Friday night’s ReunionFest, John DeBottis shared that he is still running up and down lacrosse fields during retirement. I asked Ann (Sotzing) Byer if she thought that recent proposed changes in real estate commissions were going to wreck the business for agents. She seemed to think that folks will figure out that professional home-selling support is worth paying for. Christy (Davidson) Holland told me about following her passion of competitive rowing since 2004. If you search for the Endeavor Racing Alliance, you’ll learn more about the awards Christy has won and her quest for excellence in rowing. Saturday, we marched in the Historic Parade of Classes. While we relinquished the Petty Flag to the Class of 1974, we were the most colorful class present. We proved that we are “Still Crazy for Lehigh After 45 Years.” Parade photos are posted on the Lehigh University-Class of 1979 Facebook page for your viewing pleasure. If you’re on Facebook, join the 137 current members for more timely class news than I provide in this column. After the parade, we had a solid turnout for Rich Earl’s “Celebration of Spiritual Roots” presentation in Packer Chapel. We learned about the original vision and founding of Lehigh University. With Mike Newbern, Dave Zuck and Rich Earl in the building, there was an opportunity to share Lehigh wrestling memories after the talk. Our class dinner in Lamberton Hall was a lively event, with great conversations and dancing after dinner. Julie (Cassidy) Schiefer and Jeff Schiefer ’80 talked about a vacation they enjoyed exploring Australia and New Zealand. Liz King inspired me to take dance lessons before attending our next reunion. Our DJ went off script as Amy (Wenhold) Silva said several times, “Well, that’s not on my playlist!” Finally, I learned that Robert Rentler has retired as associate pastor at New Covenant Christian Community Church in Bethlehem, Pa. He is now serving as a part-time math teacher at Providence Hybrid Academy in Coopersburg, Pa ’80 Mark Hembarsky, Mhembarsky1980@gmail.com William “Nate” Herman, Psi Upsilon, provided his first-ever update. After graduating from Lehigh with a B.S. in metallurgical engineering and an M.S. in metallurgy and materials engineering in ’81, he served four years as an ordnance officer on active duty in the U.S. Army. Bill then returned to Lehigh and earned his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering in ’89, which launched a 35+ year career working for General Dynamics Land Systems in Michigan, building the Abrams tank and Stryker infantry vehicle for the Army and many allied countries around the world. Our thanks to Bill for his dedication and contributions in his service to the U.S. As he approaches his planned retirement in 2025, Bill is looking forward to getting back to Bethlehem for Lehigh-Lafayette weekends. His wife, Nancy, a registered nurse, is already retired and is providing an ever-increasing drumbeat for Bill to join her in traveling the world and golfing! His two daughters are doing great. One daughter is in Austin, Texas, working as a pharmacist for the VA. His other daughter is the collections manager at the U.S. Winter Olympic Museum in Lake Placid, N.Y.—Bill recommends that we visit the recently remodeled museum whenever we are in the Adirondacks. Congratulations to Robin (White) Holt on her recent appointment as associate dean for the College of Health at the University of Utah. Robin notes that it will be her last position before retiring in the next few years. She has kept in touch with a few best friends from freshman year. Robin has been living in Park City, Utah, for 20+ years and working in higher education health sciences after leaving the Fortune 500 corporate world. Jim Merrill reports that he is still at EY supporting third-party audits in various countries using audit standards of which he is part-author. He continues to ride his bike recreationally several hundred miles a month. He notes that while he does not ride at Tour de France speeds, his weight is what it was when he was on campus 44+ years ago—a world-class achievement! SAVE THE DATE! Our 45th reunion will be held on June 12-15, 2025, with the Parade of Classes scheduled for Saturday the 14th. Reunion committee organizer Doug Pitney has already had a kickoff conversation with the Alumni Office, and our input is desired as to what programming (what, where, and when) we’d like to have scheduled. Thursday night is reserved for
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