AAUS Winter 2018 Newsletter

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY SCHOOL LATE WINTER 2018 NEWSLETTER MEMBERSHIP…

*Ruth Chidester Kramer, ’51 *Paul Gayer, ’52 brother of Keith Gayer,‘54 *Jack Hock, ‘55

Our membership drive for 2018 is going very well. So far we have had 26 yearly renewals, 1 Life, and 5 new yearly memberships. Thank you all for your support and welcome new members!

We are again having problems with mail delivery so please check your membership designation on your return address labels making sure it agrees with your records. If you find a 17 plus the years of your affiliation after your name it means you are a 2017 member. If your label says 17 then please renew, since that membership expired in Dec. If you are renewing, please send your dues to AAUS, 587 Fox Lane, Worthington, OH 43085; $15 for snail mail, $10 for e-mail. For those of you on the email list, please e-mail me for your current status if you have questions.

SALUTE… We would just like to take this opportunity to salute 3 special people from the classes of the 1930sa: Walter Page, ’35, Warren Mathews, ‘38 and Bill Bohannan, ‘39 who have been loyal AAUS members since the beginning of our Alumni Association in 1989. We are so happy you are still a part of our Alumni family and for your trailblazing experiences in the University School experiment for those of us who followed.

THE HISTORICAL PLAQUE… In the Fall newsletter we expressed the wish to place an OSU historical marker at the entrance to University School. You all never fail in positive responses to our requests.

We quickly received a donation from Paul C. Caley ’58 and an anonymous donor who picked up the rest of the $3600 estimate.

Our anonymous donor said “I have an almost religious belief that one gives not to be admired or thanked but because one is stirred to do so.” Well, AAUS sincerely thanks and admires these two individuals who have made the plaque possible. It has been ordered and hopefully can be installed and ready to unveil at the Annual Meeting, June, 23rd.

FAREWELLS… We are saddened by the farewells which continue to reduce our University School family. We extend our deepest sympathies to all the family and friends of the following, ever growing list of friends now gone. *Helen Helfrick Ish, fac *Rosemary Huling Rumberger, ’41 *Mary Rhea Dulles Walker, ’44 *Phyllis Casto Friel, ’44 *John F. Havens, ‘45 *Forrest G. Allen, ’47 *Mary Ellen Umpelby Jones,’48 *Rachel Buchanan Timmons, ‘48 *Carolyn Anderson Overs, ’49

We asked AAUS historian Bob Butche ’54 to write the inscription for the plaque and he sent in an eloquent, beautiful inscription.

Here it is:

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Light In The Darkness of Ignorance

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL

In 1931 the Ohio General Assembly ordered construction of a world-class laboratory school at Ohio Field – the birthplace of Ohio State University Football. The building designed by Stadium architect Howard Dwight Smith remains today, but the light once shed from the tower atop this building no longer radiates philosophy-driven teaching theory and practice to schools at home, and abroad.

University School, a K-12 teaching laboratory, opened in 1932. Time Magazine called it America’s Most Famous School.

Designed by Stadium architect Howard Dwight Smith, University School was organized around the progressive theories of John Dewey.

The school became America’s premier exponent of student-directed education. As a result of the political climate, it was closed at the end of the 1967 academic year.

By order of the Board of Trustees, The Ohio State University School, a K-12 teaching laboratory, opened in this building in September, 1932 – the year Time Magazine called it America’s Most Famous school.

Presented by the Alumni Association of University School., We will never forget the school whose concept and faculty forever shaped so many lives.

Ohio State’s University School was organized around the pedagogical and philosophical foundations conceived by Columbia University’s progressive theoretician John Dewey, Cal Berkeley’s teacher training exponent, Rudolph Lindquist, and Ohio State’s citizenship and democracy methodist, Boyd Bode.

ELECTRONIC REUNION… Last year Elyse Evans Fiebert ’45 proposed that she organize and contact the remaining members of her class for an electronic reunion. She made all the contacts and then forwarded the responses to me. She included several quotes which I think are precious and relevant to us all. Here are parts of her missive: “I thought that growing old would take longer.”

Dear distinguished member of the Class of 1945. This is the year that the members of the Class of 1945 reach the age of 90 and a celebration is in order. With your help we will create a special Winter 2018 edition of the AAUS newsletter.

Please give us your story in two or three paragraphs…what is going on in your world at this time; your many lives including your profession, your family, your avocations, interests, travels…all that makes you unique and outstanding at 90.

“We age not by years but by stories.” Anon.

Under the leadership of Harold Alberty, Laura Zirbes, and Dean Donald Cottrell, the school rose to become the brightest light in American education – America’s premier exponent of student-directed education.

Until that light was extinguished, as a result of 1960 era political instability, nationally, and at the university, at the end of the 1967 academic year.

Unfortunately, all of this wouldn’t fit on the plaque and the wording had to be reduced down to 60 words or so. The essence is still there, but lacks the eloquence. The “presented by” refers to who sponsored the plaque. Here it is:

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Thank you very much, Elyse, we appreciate it. Great idea! Here are the responses:

Columbus; Louiville, KY; Indianapolis, IN; Cleveland, OH; Pittsburg, PA. Retired from Chrysler and moved to Venice, FL. Lived there for 17 years on a golf course. My wife thought it time to move back to Columbus but never made it back then. Purchased a home on a golf course in Tennessee living there for 3 years. Came back to Columbus, purchased a condo in Dublin. My wife passed away at age 84, after being married 64 years. After her death, sold the condo and moved into a retirement resort in Hilliard, OH. Have been retired for 33 years, Chrysler furnishes me a new car every 2 years. Lee Iacocca attended my retirement party in Detroit. I forgot to mention that we had 6 children. Sorry this is so jumbled up, but as you remember this is me. By the way, I am 90 plus years.”

RUTH SPENCER BENNETT… “I couldn’t believe that I was hearing from you. I live in northern Michigan just 30 miles south of the straits of Mackinac on a beautiful lake called Mullet Lake. The cottage belonged to my grandmother back in 1921. After Jim died, my children and I had it torn down and we rebuilt a four bedroom home. Later since I owned 5 acres of woods behind us we built another cottage.

So many of us now and everyone wants to be up here in the summer. I have 3 children, 7 grand children and 13 great grandchildren.

I moved up here from Columbus in 2000 and have loved it. Winters are long but beautiful. When I moved up I also built on to the cottage on the lake a grow-old apartment. I took my bedroom and made it much larger. It is a kind of living room, bedroom & bath. I’ve been lucky, life is good and I have very little in the way of medical problems, but who knows what is coming. I am not on my computer any more but good luck to everyone. I often think about those school days. A lot of good memories!”

ELYSE EVANS FIEBERT… “I guess that it is now my turn. My 90th birthday is approaching. And looking back to my high school years and all that University School had to offer me, I am right where I should be…with appreciation to Dr. Weideman, Mr. Salt and even Miss Willis. Dr. Weideman was an extraordinary math teacher in the early 40s. My journey is a rich one. During my married years we lived in Ohio, Massachusetts, and Missouri and finally settled in the Philadelphia area in the early 60s. I got my Master’s Degree in Library Science at Drexel University and found a magnificent job as head librarian at Radnor High School.

The 70s and 80s were hugely stimulating.

By the time of the 1776 Bicentennial celebration I had moved to the Parkway (with a view of the Art Museum) and was celebrating my own independence. I was taking courses at the University of Pennsylvania, traveling a good deal including a sabbatical in Mexico City. I began taking pottery courses and by the mid-80s had bought a charming row house in Phoenixville (near Valley Forge) and established my own pottery studio.

In 2006 I signed on for an Elder Hostel trip to the Grand Canyon and unexpectedly met

ROBERT S. STONECIPHER… “Born in Caryle Ill. 3/9/27 living with grandparents until I was 13 years old.

Moved to Columbus, Ohio and living with mother. Attended University High School graduating early so I could join the Navy.

Was elected Vice-President of Class of 1945. Was also active in sports, lettering in football, basketball and baseball. Captain of basketball and baseball teams. Was active in the Navy/Marine Corp. for 21 months, serving in the South Pacific (Iwo Jima).

Discharged and attended OSU 1946-48. Met my wife Jean and married 1948. Graduated from OSU, worked 33 years for Chrysler Corp. Detroit, MI in sales and marketing.

Purchased a summer home at Chautaqua Lake in New York. Owned it for 18 years.

Chrysler kept moving me and family and lived in the following cities besides

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a most interesting native Coloradan, Bruce Schwartz. He is a retired civil engineer and worked for 40 years as a cartographer for the US Geological Survey. He is the only person I know who worked in Antarctica. Within a year I moved to Colorado – one of my very best moves. We are life partners and recently sold our house and moved into a nearby retirement community where we fit right in.

A bit about my family. My son and his family live in suburban Philadelphia and has been a professional puppeteer for almost 30 years. He is also active in a theater company near by. He has two adult children one of whom is teaching kindergarten and the other is working on a Master’s degree in teaching in Texas. Bruce and I are at an incredibly fine point in our lives…good health, stimulating friends and neighbors, and I have a loving and supportive family at hand…thanks to email. Miss Willis reported that I “did not reach my full potential” and she was correct. I never did do a thesis for her. But, University School opened the door to unlimited possibilities and I walked through.”

of blood & bone marrow cells, receiving awards for both my teaching and research.

Nearing retirement I rekindled my interest in stamp collecting and with work and research became well known for Russian aviation postal history. For a fellow who never liked to write, I have published extensively in both my professional and non-professional life. As you may remember from long ago I remain a real social butterfly.”

TOM THATCHER… Tom begins with …”Here it is – should redo it but I have so much trouble using the computer. If I had my old electronic typewriter not such a problem. Had much longer, too long, several pages. Would like to have done more about Viet Nam and my three boat friends, and the two coffee shops in Saigon and the time in the Navy. Oh well…1941 I began University School. Art program began my interest in pottery and the social program introduced me to American youth hostels.

Joined the Navy in Feb. 1945 and discharged July 1946 after serving 12 months aboard the USS Monitor, an LSV. Sailed in the Pacific and Atlantic. In 1946 began studying Ceramic Art in the College of Education OSU. Graduated June 1950.

Left the next day for Martha’s Vineyard Mass. 2017 I am still here. The island has grown. West Tisbury’s population has grown from 285 when I moved here to nearly 4,000 and has become internationally known. Until 1964 I had my pottery shop, but a bad back prevented full time potting.

In 1962 I began teaching at Perkins School for the Blind in Water Town, Mass. Taught for 5 years when increased business interest on Martha’s Vineyard (I had taken over the Manter Memorial Youth Hostel and had other Island real estate holdings) prevented further teaching. I made my last pot in 1973 on a small beautiful island off southern Japan called Yaku Shima.

In Aug. 1975 I sponsored and lived with three young Vietnamese boat people. They moved to Boston in Feb. but we have remained friends and I visited two of their families in Vietnam. I was in Bangkok when

G.ADOLPH ACKERMAN… “Now in my twilight years I like to sit out on my deck with my pussy cat. I soak up the sunshine, daydream, read and watch the birdies and squirrelies sing and romp. The surrounding flowers and bushes provide another treat. Of course winter is another matter. My lovely wife Ellen (of 61 years, a former physical therapist from Louisville) takes great care of me as she has done over the years. Ellen takes care of the household chores. I take care of the flower gardens. We have a son and daughter and four young adult grandkids.

I received my M.D. and Ph.D.(Anatomy) degrees from OSU in 1954. I interned in Salt Lake City and entered the Army Medical Corp. (1956-57) and was stationed in El Paso. I became part of the Anatomy Dept. at OSU from 1957-1996 when I retired as Professor Emeritus. I taught microscopic anatomy and did well-recognized research on histochemistry and electron microscopy

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Clinton lifted the travel embargo. My first visit to Vietnam was in 1994 for 3 weeks.

Since then I have made numerous visits and have lived and enjoyed working with the Vietnamese. Around 2000 I was helping with an English class that was held in a facility for homeless boys. I met Thang and at age 16 they must leave. I helped Thang through schooling and barber shop. Now he has a large modern shop.

In 2009 I returned to the Vineyard and now have an apartment, just minutes by walking to the shops, the bank and the ferry. Health overall is excellent, Had by-pass surgery, described as “urgent” in 2011. Walking is my only exercise. Forever grateful to University School and the teachers.”

effects, props- all of it was a joy to him. The highlight of it all would be when the Church Choir from our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Mandeville (LA) went to sing for the Pope in Rome. In their later years, Chuck and Mary worked with Vista and the People Program, where he continued to enjoy & share all his talents as they both taught and participated in many classes.

Chuck spent his life, with Mary by his side for 60+ years. From fostered teens to ailing elders, being errand runner & Mr. Fixit for the infirmed, to passing out food for second Harvesters to the homebound and local priests, he was one of God’s foot soldiers for sure, with far too many examples to be listed here.

Unfortunately, 2005 proved to be a tough year. He was diagnosed with brain cancer which he fought valiantly, then came Katrina! Everyone escaped to Arkansas where we were divinely cared for by the mayor of Hampton, AK and her husband, the town doctor. Such a blessing! He returned home, celebrated the holidays with Mary, most of the kids, his 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, then succumbed to the cancer in Jan. of 2006.”

CHARLES DICARLO… Elyse received this from Charles’ daughter.

“Chuck has passed away. Mom was very touched and honored that you asked. It would mean a lot to her to include it anyway. We tried to hit the high points of dad’s life which was hard. There was so much more to him….After college Charles or Chuck, married the love of his life, Mary.

They moved to New Orleans to be near family. Several years later, he was drafted for the Korean War and sent to Japan where he was stationed in Tokyo for a year.

Following his release from the Army, they settled again in New Orleans where Chuck worked for the LP Gas industry. He and Mary had 4 children. The family moved to Beatrice, NE to work for International Harvesters and then to Peoria, IL with Hart Carter. From there to the suburbs of Chicago to be an engineer at Campbell Soup Co. and later at Scot Forge. Went back home to New Orleans when his mom became ill, Chuck continued his career in engineering at the Downtown Hilton Hotel, then at the N.O. International Airport and finishing up at a USDA facility before retiring and moving to the Northshore to care for his uncle.

No matter where he worked or lived, Chuck always found a church choir or a community choir to sing with and often a theater group or church fair to work with. He loved to do it all, from performing to lights, sound

NOTE: AAUS was unaware of Chuck’s passing and really appreciate receiving this letter from the family. Our deepest sympathies on their loss. Also, we are including parts of the obituary for John (Jack) F. Havens, who died in Dec. 2017.

JOHN F. HAVENS… Jack was raised in Columbus and Marietta. He contracted polio at the age of three and at 12 years old, a new surgery enabled him to walk again. As a boy, he loved scouting and was proud to become an Eagle Scout. He graduated from University High School in 1945.

After a brief enlistment in the U.S. Coast Guard, Jack enrolled at Ohio State University and graduated with a B.S in Business in 1949, earning a Varsity "O" in track. He met his wife Sally &

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married in June 1950. After college, Jack joined his father and quickly learned the ins and outs of the real estate business.

He founded the Equitable Investment Corporation, his first real estate development company operating throughout the US. He later sold the company to Trans-Continental Investment Corporation, listed on the NYSE. His real estate experience lead him into the world of finance, his true passion. In 1959, Jack co-founded Union Financial Corporation and he also purchased a number of savings and loans that he expanded and later sold. In 1966, he became a principal investor in Homewood Corporation, a real estate development company operating in the Midwest. In 1972, he was asked to join the board of W.W. Williams Company.

He served in this capacity for 34 years.

In 1975, he was asked to assume the chairmanship duties of Muirfield Village to support Jack Nicklaus' real estate development in Dublin, Ohio. Jack sincerely felt very fortunate that he was asked to serve with many exceptional individuals on a number of boards during his life, including Cardinal Health, Worthington Industries, Midland Life Insurance Company, Big Bear Company, Advanced Drainage and Cornerstone International. In 1980, John G. McCoy offered Jack the chairmanship of Banc One Corporation, where he served proudly and well until 1986. Jack always maintained his relationship with OSU. He served on both the Board of Trustees and the Ohio State University Hospitals boards. Working with an outstanding group of Columbus leaders, he helped launch the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital. Jack always said his major accomplishment was "valet parking"! Jack was personally thankful to Drs. Manuel Tzagournis and Hagop

Mekhjian and OSU hospitals for the care he received throughout his life. Jack's father and brother played on the OSU football team. In 1986, Jack, along with his children, established the Franklin Foundation, a non-profit family organization that provides affordable housing for seniors throughout the state of Ohio. The Franklin Foundation built 18 communities providing homes to offer a real sense of safety and warmth for its residents.

For a number of years during the winter season, Jack and Sally resided in Naples, FL. They were surrounded by a group of friends whom they deeply valued. At dusk, they often would meet at the beach patio and watch the sun go down, waiting for the elusive "green flash".

Born with an optimistic, "never quit" attitude and blessed with the support of his wife, Jack believed anyone could tackle just about anything. He will always be remembered for his extraordinary abilities that guided him so well throughout his life. He was a smart, kind-hearted, honest man that just had a knack of always getting to the core of the matter and finding successful solutions. He had a keen sense of humor and always carried a pack of Beechnut chewing tobacco with him wherever he went. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sally, 4 children, 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren.

Let’s have some more electronic reunions! Anyone else from the class of ’45? If any one from any class would like to share – please do so! We would love to hear from you. Snail –mail…587 Fox Lane, Worthington, OH 43085 or e-mail – jswhaueisen@yahoo.com.

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