In an effort to remain fiscally responsible, the College is actively implementing cost-saving measures. As you may know, the ESF Magazine is available for online viewing and as such, we are asking any interested parties to take advantage of this option and forego a printed copy.
To elect this option and be sure you are notified when future issues are available online, please email alumni@esf.edu.
1952
Bill Gladstone (PSE) writes, “I will never forget having Thanksgiving dinner with Dean Illick. Mrs. Carruthers of the Bursar’s Office had a hand in that invitation!”
1960
Robert G. Torgersen (LA) writes, “I continue to work in the lower New York area, with my son doing the on-site leg work in New York, and I doing the drawings and the writing. Just moved to a lakefront house that we built on Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, and correspond via email to my clients in New York state.”
1975
George Weick (FRM) writes, “I retired in February of 2019 after a 40-year and two-month career with the USDA Forest Services. My last position was the forest silviculturist for the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. In March 2019, my wife and I moved to Midlothian, Texas to be close to our two children.”
1977
Philip Compte (FRM) writes, “After initially working in rural development/agroforestry in West Africa, I began working for the United Nations. I spent most
of my 25 years of service in Peacekeeping Missions performing mostly logistics and administrative duties in Croatia, Angola, Kosovo, Liberia, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The final few years have been at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland where I presently reside. I was able to come full circle as one of the areas I was responsible for was environmental management and sustainable development within the premises at U.N. Headquarters in Geneva. Now that I am retired, I expect to spend more time in Ecuador where I have been establishing an organically-managed farm combining protection of natural regeneration, restoration of indigenous species along with pasturing and agriculture. In an area accustomed to slash-and-burn and extensive ranching, it has not been easy. I am also now considering rejoining the Peace Corps to get active in environmental education and direct transfer of sustainable agroforestry skills. As we enter our retirement years, a time to refocus and rediscover. Greetings to all.”
1981
R. Douglas Petrie (CM/WPE) celebrated 40 years in construction with Petrie Construction! Successfully operating for more than 40 years, Doug and his sons Eric (’07, CM/WPE) and Adam (’04, CM/WPE) are constructing challenging fast-paced commercial and multi-family residential projects throughout most of the continental U.S. Something to be very proud of!
Ann M. Wood (EFB) writes, “I am still working for the U.S. Army (heading into 30 years!) and am the chief of a division of engineers and scientists. I’ve seen a lot of the world with the Army and still love my job. My three sons, their wives and five grandchildren are back east and doing great. A big hello to all the gals and guys of 116 Redfield and off Westcott and the Woodsmen team. Great memories! Reach out if you are in the San Antonio, Texas area at worldtraveler13@live.com. I know where good wineries, breweries and music can be found. P.S. I am up to five pairs of cowboy boots and can stumble through a two step now.”
1985
Chris Lincoln (EFB/FRM) and Tammara Van Ryn (FRM) send greetings from their new home in Saranac Lake, New York. Tammara left her position as the founding executive director of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission at the end of 2019 to become the manager of the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program at The Nature Conservancy in Keene Valley. Chris transitioned from operating his own certified organic vegetable farm to becoming an organic farm inspector. Just before their move and the COVID-19 shut down, Chris and Tammara traveled to Ecuador for a trek and 30-year reunion of their Peace Corps adventures there.
1996
Christopher Sears (LA) writes, “Activity for landscape architects in Atlanta is great! Would love to discuss offering employment to future grads looking to travel to the southeast United States for golden opportunities like I did back in 1996!”
2004
Jennifer (Conrad) Philipson (EFB) writes, “John Philipson (’02, ES) and I bought our first house and I transitioned to a new career in laboratory animal care for human medical research. We are enjoying making our new house into a home.”
2007
Beth Ulion (ES) has seen 100 bald eagles in 2020. She only saw 43 in 2019.
2013
Christina Bak (FRM) is a Stumpie turned RN! She works in the Family Birthing Center at Alaska Native Medical Center. Christina writes, “Most of our moms are flown in from rural villages around the state to give birth in Anchorage. Many of them are alone and are afraid. We are taking every precaution at the hospital to keep our moms, their newborns, and the entire staff healthy. Our goal is for everyone to return to their families and for our babies to grow up strong, healthy, and become stewards to our amazing Alaskan home!”
Amelia Marple (FEG) writes, “I’m living in Washington, D.C. supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs as a business analyst and agree with prior sentiment that my years at ESF studying environmental resources engineering definitely prepared me well! If anyone is ever in the D.C. area feel free to reach out! marplea@msn.com or on LinkedIn!”
Weddings and Celebrations
2012
ESF alumni gathered at the wedding of Meagan Pepper (ES) and Benjamin Estes (CHE ‘07, ‘12 G) last summer, September 2019, in Rhode Island where several ESF alumni live and work!
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