1948
Dan Baris (FRM) writes, “Our class consisted mostly of veterans. My wife and I just had our 75th wedding anniversary, we met at Syracuse University. Still in good health. Enjoyed a career with Bureau of Indian Affairs and we are now living in a retirement facility.”
Willard Fichtel (WPE) writes, “I am enjoying the weather in Florida. I still golf several times a week. My best to all at ESF!”
1950
Duncan Harkin (FOR) writes, “In news from ESF I pay particular attention to the work of Dr. William Powell and his development of resistance to the chestnut blight. This is because of my early personal connection in learning about the blight. At age 14 a friend and I built a log cabin on his parents’ land in the mountains north of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and almost all of our logs were from pole-sized chestnuts killed by the blight. They were ideal for a log cabin. I loved working in the woods, and this later evolved into deciding to become a forester. Just out of high school in June of 1946, I was very fortunate to be admitted to the New York State College of Forestry, now SUNY ESF, along with the big surge of veterans of WW II. I have never regretted my decision to become a forester and have always considered myself very lucky in coming to ESF, and having as classmates all the vets from WW II.”
1952
Edward Kimball (FRM) writes, “Surviving at 94 with my wife of 71 years. We reside in assisted living in Bend, Oregon. I had a 20-year career with Georgia Pacific and then worked for 25 more years in real estate in Portland and Central Oregon. After fly fishing for 60 glorious years on the McKenzie River on the west side of the Cascades, I had to hang up my rod when I got a fish that pulled me into the river (I lost the fish). Still sing Broadway ballads and looking forward to performing at my favorite bar when I can get out of lockdown. My health is holding up pretty good, though I have retired four cancer doctors and counting!! I would love to hear from classmates that are still kickin’! 541-420-9337.”
1953
Roger Ryan (FRM) writes, “I worked for the U.S. Forest Service on biological control of larch casebearer and evaluation of the outcome of the 25-year project. The Agathis pumila turned out to give the best population control.”
1956
Jim Curley (LA) writes, “Still in our cottage at Collington CCRC in Bowie, Maryland. Glad we were here during the pandemic lockdown, with 125 acres
we were able to do some walking on wooded trails rather than being confined to the Stuyvesant Town apartment in NYC that we left in 2015 after 35 years and four kids. I am now concerned with promoting the idea of finding a consulting forester to provide silviculture advice for managing and improving Collington’s wooded areas. I am also doing some design for improving the central core of our cluster of 17 cottages. Still depending on Art Vertel’s Plant ID courses and remembering botanical names that, surprisingly, came back quickly. Some people here are putting in yucca, which reminds me of our Long Island field trip with Art. Our kids are scattered to the four winds in the U.S. and Canada. Our son, Michael Curley (’94, EFB/FRM), now works in Boston as an environmental lawyer for the EPA. It feels good now that we have received both shots of the Pfizer vaccine. I still keep in touch with Maurice Wrangell (’57, LA), who lives in Millbrook, Dutchess County, New York. We send photos of the birds at our feeders to Maurice, a long-time birder, for him to identify for us. Via photos, we also compare our individual plantings — Maurice’s are much more diverse than mine.”
1957
Ron Koenig (FRM) writes, “I just wore out another chainsaw cutting firewood and cleaning up after our Valentine’s Day storm. Last year’s Riverside fire traveled 17 miles overnight but the east winds quit within 1,000 feet of our home and Waldli (Swiss for little forest). Kriemhild has been my partner for 61 years and we’re both still active in our local Lutheran Church. Lucky to live 30 miles from the riots in Portland, near a community (Estacada) that believes in law and order! In Switzerland, we met a mountain guide hiking at age 100! When asked if he was afraid of dying he replied that no, that he always read the obituaries and hardly ever found anyone his age listed!”
David Noyes (WPE) writes, “Continue to enjoy our local Adirondack-like terrain and lifestyle. Remain in contact with alumni, Chuck Rohn (WPE),
Dick Schultz (FRM) and Orion Stevens (WPE). Milestones we approach include anniversaries in 2021: age 90th, military service 70th, marriage 66th, graduation 65th, relocation to Colorado 50th, retirement 20th. We continue to enjoy primarily family-centered activities with our current clan of 24. We indeed count our many blessings.”
1958
Clyde Hunt (FOR) retired in 1994 from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service after 30 years of service. The following day he began consulting for his Township
of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. Then, another retirement after 22 more years of planning and plantings, Tree City celebrations, and Arbor Day
awards (even occasional log sales for trees that required removal). Township employees realize values beyond beauty and shade. Due to the COVID-19 virus, fall foliage tours and spring maple sap and syrup demos were postponed at elementary and Montessori schools. He still volunteers with the local Tree Tenders and the Shade Tree Council. The mayor and tree crews still seek the best species and sites for all new plantings. The township also looks for the best varieties of nursery stock available. Clyde’s oldest son, Robin, is a Cincinnati City Forester and keeps him updated on the latest in urban forestry.
1959
Dale Travis (EFB) writes, “Looking forward to the end of this pandemic so I can see you all again. Sure hope you are all well!”
1960
Henry (Ike) Eichenhofer (WPE) is the chairman of the “Green Team” from Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church which participates in the New York State Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway Program. He and his team are pictured from their April 24 clean-up.
Dan Wojcik (LA) writes, “As a landscape architecture major, I was a member of the various class field trips to several very interesting places throughout the Northeast and Washington, DC. It was a great first-hand introduction and exposure to the current park, public and private housing and commercial developments. In addition to these unique experiences in our junior and senior years, we concluded our sophomore year with a three-week study of plant material (300 +/- species) on Long Island. Based in Farmingdale, we visited many sites that offered a variety of plants to add to our knowledge and provided a basis for our future use in the profession. Of course, as college students, the two dozen of our class would find ‘other’ activities to keep us interested after class.”
1962
Edwin White (FRM) writes, “Still standing and feeling good. I joined the ESF Alumni Board as a class representative and am still on the Ranger School Alumni Board, it is good to help out. With the Covid-19 pandemic, I spent a lot of time at our cabin in the St. Lawrence valley. Lost good friend and classmate Bill Burlingame (FRM) to Covid-19 this spring. Finally getting to grandson and granddaughter’s hockey and lacrosse games this spring.”
1964
Donald Wirth (LA) writes, “Our family was very pleased that we could make arrangements to contribute a historic Adirondack guide boat to the College, through the ESF College Foundation. We had owned that craft for many years and it was estimated to be about 150 years old. We gifted a portion of the appraised value (about $25K) and attended a ‘guide boat regatta’ at the College’s Adirondack Campus where we rowed that craft for the last time and said goodbye! We are now in our mid 80s but continue to spend summers at our North Woods camp in Maine. It gets harder every year and the medical ‘stuff’ doesn’t help, but we are doing the best we can. We don’t see many comments from ’64 LA classmates, so assume there may not be many left as we come upon 60 years out of ESF. A lot of water under the bridge for most folks!”
1967
Robert Kinstrey (PSE) writes, “Retirement is OK, not exactly what I was expecting due to COVID-19. But Pauline and I have been healthy and have had both shots. Still active with the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS), chairman of the local group, and I have just been elected Judge Advocate of my American Legion Post. I am still doing some consulting.”
Joseph Zicherman (WPE) writes, “I am some-what retired but have signed on as chairman of the board of the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council. We are doing good work — boots on the ground — different from my fire science activities as a consultant!”
1968
Fran Lapolla (EFB) and Abby Sterling (’06, EFB) recently realized they had been collaborating for several months on a project with their respective organizations, Savannah Coastal Ecotours and Manomet (a non-profit promoting science andnature where Sterling serves as a shorebird biologist), along with the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service and Georgia Department of Natural Resources, to offer a certification program in responsible ecotourism for coastal guides (CARE – Coastal Awareness and Responsible Ecotourism). Lapolla and his wife, Kathryn, also took the resultant course for certification. During a field trip observing shorebirds as a final part of the course, Lapolla wore his old ESF hat and met Sterling for the first time in person as opposed to virtual. She looked at his hat and said, “You know ESF?” and it went from there.
Peter Wallace (WPE) writes, “Working to ‘downsize’ to a house with no yard. We are restoring and converting a 1905, two-story brick, storefront building in downtown Morganton, North Carolina. The project has gone on for a year with more to go. Looking forward to enjoying it someday.”
1969
Walter Cook (FOR) writes, “I caught pneumonia in late February and was in the hospital March 21 – 25. I have been recovering (loafing) ever since so I wasn’t able to work on a trail for all of January through April, but was excited to restart in May. I have been enjoying the Georgia weather. As I write this it is the first day without the sun in a month. I celebrated my 90th birthday at the end of June.
1970
Dennis Parent (FRM) writes, “I am still working as a consulting forester in my ‘retirement’ years —should have started this 30 years ago. There is a big demand for consulting forester skills here in North Idaho. I am now in the process of passing the company on to a younger forester.”
1972
Roy Hopke (FRM) writes, “I am almost fully retired. Luann and I spent four months in North Florida (Gainesville). We were at various parks, forests and bike trails most every day. Not bad!”
Paul MacDonald (EFB) writes, “After living in the NYC metro area since 1975, we decided to move to the DC area where our son’s family lives. They have two girls; one is 25 months and the other is 1 month old. I am glad to be so close to them!”
1973
Anthony Harvish (FRM) writes, “Still a full-time forester and enjoying it. Hope all the Stumpies from the early ’70s are doing well. Stop by when in the area (Queensbury, New York), or send a text or email. When finally retired from full-time work, I hope to travel more and see some of the old Watson West crew and others. Lots of good memories.”
Tim Huss (EFB) writes, “After a very rewarding nearly 40-year career as an environmental conservation officer with NYSDEC, I retired as a major in
2017. Since then I have been working as a chief enforcement officer for the Central Pine Barrens Commission on Long Island. If you enjoy working with the public, applying your knowledge in environmental and resource protection and working outdoors, conservation law enforcement is still one of the most rewarding careers for students of environmental science, forestry or wildlife science.”
1974
Victor Anderson (EFB) writes, “I retired from DEC after 33 years as a senior forester in Region 9, Cattaraugus County, New York. Jane and I teach adaptive skiing at Holimont, ride bikes, paddle kayaks, hunt and go out with the Chautauqua County Corvette Club. We are on FB and I have a page for the Chautauqua County Corvette Club that you can check out.”
Roger Miller (WPE) writes, “I retired in April 2020 from a career in engineered wood products sales and engineering. Worked for Shelter Systems
(wood trusses), Coastal Forest Products, Trus Joist and Pacific Woodtech. I am now a full-time RVer and am currently in Everglades National Park.”
Robert Schrader (EFB) writes, “Karen and I have been enjoying retirement and our 12 grandchildren. During the last year, we had our number 12 born. We get her two days a week and it has been very enjoyable watching her grow. We have been very involved in our Athens Volunteer Fire Department where we completed Ice Rescue 1 & 2 and Ice Dive Rescue over the five coldest days this past winter. Looking forward to when we can return to campus for alumni events.”
Stanley Swierz (FRM) writes, “After 42 years in the forestry consulting business, I am winding things down as I head into retirement. Most of my work was in Ohio, and on occasion, an adjoining state. I plan to stay in Columbus, where I have resided for the last 34 years.”
1976
Donald Moore (EFB) writes, “Semi-retired in 2020, moved to Delaware. Hi to classmates (B.S. and grad!) everywhere. It’s great to be back on the East Coast, still working to save animals from extinction and making our cultural institutions better for future generations.”
1977
Roger Adams (ES) serves as the GIS coordinator for the City of Ventura, California and is eyeing retirement after 22 years there. When not working with data, maps, and people, he can be found outside hiking with his wife, Laurie, and their dogs, surfing competitively on his waveski, or enjoying their second home in Jackson, Wyoming.
1978
Robert Brown (ES) writes, “Hi to my classmates. Congratulations for living some 40 years since we left ESF. I would like to thank our school for its great education and for preparing me to succeed professionally. I retired in 2014 after selling my Norfolk, Virginia, lawn and landscape maintenance business to Chapel Valley. To those of you who remember Betsy, my remarkable wife of 47 years, mother of two children, and business partner, we
are still here and have retired to the Sandhills Area in North Carolina. The area, 70 miles below Raleigh, is remarkable for golf and retirement. Among the
many great rewards in my life has been my relationship with Martin Jarsky (LA). We met at ESF and I was fortunate to share my journey and have him in my life. Martin lives in Boynton Beach, Florida. A better man I never met. Betsy and I have three grandchildren, are in good health, and looking forward to many years of family involvement, and traveling the world!”
Stephen Fitzgerald (EFB) writes, “I’m still working as the director of the College of Forestry Research Forests at Oregon State University. I’m also the statewide extension silviculture specialist. I’ve been with Oregon State University for 37 years. Hello to all my fellow Stumpies out there!”
James Ziobro (EFB) writes, “I retired after 31 years with the Oregon Department of Forestry where I served as the state fire aviation officer. Living back in New York for the last 11 years with my beautiful wife.”
1979
Tom Maleike (PSE) writes, “After working for 33 years at Appleton Papers at two paper mills, then working at DuPont for another 7.5 years, I have ‘retired’ to working part-time at two bike shops as a bike mechanic and as a volunteer conservation caretaker at Five Rivers Metroparks in Dayton, Ohio.”
1981
Benoit De Lhoneux (ERE) writes, “A few updates so many years after graduation from ESF, wood products engineering lab: married and six children,
soon the first grandchild. Wife Diane is teaching ancient Latin in a Catholic seminary in Namur, Belgium. I am still active in R&D for Etex, a multinational company manufacturing building products on four continents, HQ near Brussels, Belgium. Greetings to all.”
Mark Somerville (EFB) writes, “I try to get out and hunt, fish and camp as much as possible or work around the home. I’m an active school board member, vice president of the local shooting club, chairman of the local Friends of NRA committee, and actively participate in many community initiatives. I am an instructor-trainer for National Archery in the Schools program and a bear safety shotgun instructor. It’s amazing what you can do when the kids are moved out and there is no more coaching hockey and other sports. I am still working for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game as the area management biologist for the Upper Copper/Upper Susitna Management Area. My office is in Glennallen. I manage the sport, personal use and subsistence fisheries over a 23,000 square mile area. We are finally out of the long winter dark and have sunlight nearly all 24 hours. What a great place to live!”
1982
Camille Hemlock (EFB) writes, “I have been living and working on the South Island of New Zealand since 2010. Still trying to get used to the reversed seasons — a warm December and a cold July!”
William Johnson (FRM) writes, “Wishing my friends and classmates continued success as we come ever closer to retirement. Some of us are already there. I have so many great memories of our years at ESF. Our family is excited to welcome two more grandsons this summer and this will ‘even the score’ with our two granddaughters.”
1983
After 34 years building homes in Rochester, New York, Stephen T. Schantz (CHE) retired last year and is spending winters in St. Augustine, Florida.
1985
Roger Wolfe (EFB) writes, “A shout-out to the class of ’85 alumni! I’m going on my 23rd year as the mosquito management coordinator and wetland restoration biologist for the Connecticut Wildlife Division. Pleased to come across so many ‘Stumpies’ working in the public and private sectors here in New England. So many colleagues are retiring or close to it — it definitely changes the working dynamic. Thinking more about retiring myself but got a few years yet. Love and peace to all. https://portal.ct.gov/mosquito”
1990
Daniel Reed (ES) writes, “I work for the Army Corps of Engineers Middle East District with headquarters in Winchester, Virginia. I spend about a third of my time throughout the Middle East, a third of my time in Virginia, and a third of my time at my home in northern Michigan. I have deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan. After working for three years in Japan, three years in Italy, and sometime in Nigeria, my family is looking forward to my retirement in the future.”
1991
David Suarez (LA) and his wife, Ellen, are thoroughly enjoying being new residents of Greenville, South Carolina! With the recent rescue of Lucy, a loving four-year-old pit, they are compelled to hike even more of the mountains that are so close by. David is enjoying working at the Greenville Zoo solving anything from animal enclosure challenges to improving the landscape and gardens in the 14-acre zoo for the public and keepers to enjoy!
1992
Pauline Burnes (LA) writes, “I retired from my position of regional landscape architect in July of 2018. Since that time, I have been actively involved with improving equestrian/multi-use trails here in Allegany County, New York. Last year I was appointed to the newly formed Trails & Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee (Allegany County Legislature) as equestrian representative. We anticipate completing a trail improvement project with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sponsored by the Cattaraugus/Chautauqua chapter of the New York State Horse Council, Inc. This project is funded by a generous grant received from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo.”
Scott LeRoy (ES) writes, “As of September 2020 I was hired as an epidemiologist for the PADOH to help combat the COVID-19 epidemic. This is a wonderful opportunity to help us all prevent COVID-19 in all facets of life. My family is home at school and teaching online. Also, I volunteer for Environmental Review, Inc., which provides students and recent graduates the opportunity to learn how to review environmental projects and become proficient in providing written documents and identifying environmental and public health issues with permitted projects. We can offer internships and volunteer opportunities, so feel free to contact me if interested: soilscientist@yahoo.com”
2006
Michael Chappell (FRM) writes, “Since graduating, I received a commission as an officer in the U.S. Army where I served 11 years, deploying to Afghanistan, and resigned my commission as a captain. I became a New York state forest ranger and enjoy working outdoors every day! My favorite aspect of the job is search and rescue. I married, had two children, and have since moved back to Syracuse to patrol Onondaga and Northern Cayuga counties.”
2019
Norman Button (CM) writes, “I am currently working for JWA Structures as a Construction Manager under C&S Companies on a Turner Construction Project. The project I am working on is the renovation of Corcoran High School here in Syracuse. My background in various types of construction in the last 30 years is helpful in this, but adding to that, the education I received as ESF, filled in the ‘holes.’ Learning the hierarchy of the construction industry helps me to negotiate through a fairly competitive environment. Having the professors and other alumni to bounce ideas off when dealing with new processes and situations is beneficial. Advice for anyone getting out into the workforce: stay in touch with those that helped you get through the coursework as those are the ones that can help you in the field.”