A 50 th REUNION TO REMEMBER Q&A with Reunion Committee Member Rex Morgan ’73

By Megan Tady

Rex Morgan ’73 has never missed a Berkshire reunion. It’s fitting then, that he’s on the Reunion Committee, helping to organize the Class of 73’s 50th reunion this coming summer. Morgan’s classmates receive funny and well-written missives from him about the upcoming event; he has a background in both comedy and writing and was the editor of Berkshire’s “The Green and Gray.” His first communication to his classmates was a mock-up of the student newspaper, this one called “The Green and a Wee-Bit Grayer.”

Morgan recently retired from a 25year career as a pharmaceutical writer/ trainer for Bristol Myers Squibb and stints at other places, including writing for “The Cable Guide.” As a student at the University of Pennsylvania he joined a comedy theater group, Mask and Wig, and later formed a comedy group—The Mixed Nuts—with several of his fellow Penn alums. They performed in comedy clubs in the ’80s and ’90s, and then took their show on the road performing custom comedy shows for corporate events. These days he’s working on writing his father’s story. Rex Morgan Sr. was a local TV broadcaster and a large personality in Philadelphia, where Morgan lives with his wife, Patty. He says he’s having fun with his Reunion Committee members as they plan a 50th reunion for the record books. berkshireschool.org/ reunionweekend

What brought you to Berkshire?

A giant Lincoln Continental! [Laughs] My dad took a job in Brussels. I was going to school outside of Philadelphia, and not really doing great. A teacher recommended Berkshire, and so—sometime in the winter of 1969—my dad and I took a drive up to New England. Berkshire was the first school we visited. It was love at first sight. The director of admissions, Mr. Putnam, was very enthusiastic, and he did a great job selling the school. To this day I still get the same level of excitement driving up that driveway greeted by the beautiful trees. It’s always a great thrill to be on that campus for me.

What does this 50th reunion mean to you?

I’m very excited about this upcoming one. I think it’s going to be a last, big hurrah. We’re trying to make it really special. The School certainly has changed over the last 50 years. They’ve added neat things like the hockey rink and science center. But I always find myself on the Stewart Pitch gazing up at the shoulders of the Mountain … Those will be forever and always be the same. That is kind of poetic for me.

How did Berkshire impact your life?

It got me to focus a little better. I had some great teachers who really made you think: Mr. Russell, Mr. Chaffee, Mr. Tyler. By getting involved with the student newspaper, I honed my writing abilities, and that set the groundwork for my career as a writer. Performing in a couple of student plays and talent shows also sparked my lifelong interest in the bright lights and comedy.

Tell me about your comedy group, The Mixed Nuts.

We performed in comedy clubs for about 12 years, mostly up and down the East Coast. There was a comedy club in Philadelphia called the Comedy Works, and that became our home club. We opened for Jay Leno, Paul Reiser, Jerry Seinfeld, and Eddie Murphy—when all of those guys were still “nobodies.” It’s where I met my wife, Patty, who was doing standup. Our group did have one big shot out in California at the Comedy Store. It was a sliding-door moment. Were we going to stay out there and pursue it, or were we going to become doctors and dentists, etc.? We probably could have gone professional, and to this day there’s a little bit of regret, but I’m happy to say that we never had enough success to ruin our friendships!

[Laughs] We segued from the comedy clubs into doing corporate events about six or seven times a year—like our customized healthcare show: “You’re Testing My Patients!” Our last big show was about ten years ago. Nowadays we get together and find our laughs mostly on the golf course.

What motivated you to volunteer with Berkshire and to stay connected to the school?

I’m proud to say that this will be my 10th straight reunion. I always make it a priority because I really love going back to the School and being with my classmates. We’re trying to get as many people to the 50th as we can. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the alumni office and the advancement office so we can get a good gift together. It’s moving along quite well. We’re very excited.

Why is it important for alumni to donate during their reunion year?

A reunion gives classes a chance to reconnect with old friends and reminisce about their time at the school. Donating is a great way to celebrate their shared experiences, show their appreciation for the School, and make a positive impact on future generations of students. The Class of ’73 has always generously supported the School at past reunions. I expect more of the same for our 50th!

1981

Sue Ann Stanton sasroyale@yahoo.com

Tony Scheinman writes: “I celebrated both my 21st anniversary as a voiceover artist and my 10th as an audiobook narrator with a trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I completed my 19th audiobook recording, and have begun work on my 20th.”

1982

Andrew D. Champagne (802) 540-0717

James E. Demmert jamesdemmert@gmail.com

Rosemary G. Fitzgerald rose@spiderwebstudio.com

Jay K. Overbye jay@bhsusa.com

Gayle S. Saks gaylesaks@gmail.com

Anthony Addison writes: “A great crew of ’82 showed up at Reunion, and Jed Demmert was gracious in hosting many Bears at his house in Lakeville, CT.”

The Bears’ Den

Kelly Price Noble writes: “Seeing so many people in the news, I had to write. George Rioseco and I saw each other (a few years back) at Amherst College; our daughters were freshwomen! Then saw Johnny Harris and Mr. Bellas in the ‘Berkshire Bulletin.’ So, I simply could not help myself. Hello everyone! Small world.”

STAY CONNECTED AT berkshireschool.org/bearsden

“Blessed with Activity: A Mindfulness Journey,” a 2018 book by Kelly Price Noble

Alex Sumner writes: “Sorry we missed everyone at the Berkshire Reunion, but Andrew Champagne and I had a great mini-reunion after many years in NYC and will catch up for the 50th!”

1983 40th

Karen Schnurr Secrist karensecrist6@gmail.com

1984

Debra Drucker druckerdeb@yahoo.com

Will Ellis writes: “I’m finally empty nesting again—Molly working at Liberty Mutual, Corson working to get back into China for grad school, Simon at American in DC, and Sam at UVA.”

1985

Mary Brosnahan Wachter mtbwachter@gmail.com

Cathy FitzGerald writes: “I directed season one of HBO MAX’s ‘One Perfect

Shot,’ featuring directors Michael Mann, Aaron Sorkin, Malcolm Lee, Patty Jenkins, Kasi Lemmons, and Jon Chu. Created by Ava DuVernay, the show is a hybrid scripted and unscripted series using augmented reality to create a new mind-bending AR world for each episode. I had a blast working with the inspiring cast in the AR world.”

Carla Gómez Klein writes: “I moved to Santa Monica, CA, in August 2020, and I just became the K-12 human development chair at New Roads School.”

1986

Rhonda M. Bentley-Lewis rblewis81411@gmail.com

Anthony S. Clifford tclifford11@gmail.com

Lara Schefler McLanahan lara.mclanahan@berkshireschool.org

Ann C. Zimmerli-Haskel azh@me.com

Erik C. Zimmerman erikzimmerman46@gmail.com

Peter Alternative and Annie Zimmerli-Haskel write: “The Class of ’86 was well represented at our 36th reunion with more than 25 classmates traveling from near and far, including Europe and the West Coast. Classmates included: Peter Alternative, Rhonda Bentley-Lewis, Bebe Clark Bullock, Tony Clifford, Sabina Curti, EV Day, Jena DelPrete, Tara Dudley, Deb Lapin Fasciana, Jim Haskel, Steve Hord, Jeff Horton, Susan Tiemeyer Horton, Dirk Johns, Jen Hayes Johns, Gabrielle Kardon, Lara Schefler McLanahan, Drew Scofield, Lori Fanning Smith, Max Squire, Veit Wasserfuhr, Annie Zimmerli-Haskel, and Erik Zimmerman. (Hopefully we didn’t miss anyone!) We enjoyed getting caught up not only with our classmates but also with members from ’85 and ’87. A unique opportunity! Highlights included a remarkable sunset under the Mountain, a nature hike, Bebe Clark Bullock’s history lesson about Berkshire’s founder, Seaver Buck, and the memorial service for our classmates no longer with us, Charles Beyer, Jim Noyes, Andrew Flamm, and John Maheras. It turned into a wonderful celebration of their lives. We heard moving tributes from friends and classmates both present and from afar. They were wonderful reminders of how profoundly they all touched our lives and those far beyond Buck Valley. The event also featured curated artistic works from all four classmates. In their honor, our class created a scholarship fund to be given to a deserving Berkshire artist. It was an awesome weekend, so start planning for our 40th in 2026. Hope to see you there or sooner.”

1987

Janna Klyver Cord jannacord@aol.com

Angela Lange Meredith-Jones ameredithjones@gmail.com

Sharon Yarom Gucker writes: “During the pandemic lockdown I picked up a new hobby, nature photography. Recently, I set up a website to promote and sell my images. Please check it out at www.sygphotography.com and follow me on social media. Hope you like it!”

Larry Rodman writes: “As a USSA Level 200 ski coach, I occasionally run into Berkshire skiers, and I always enjoy reminiscing with them about my days as a student there. My twin boys are off to college this fall, Clarkson and Champlain. I recently returned from my 13th year volunteering at Experience Camps, where children who have lost a parent, sibling, or caregiver get to spend a week sharing their grief, and having an amazing week as campers. I also got engaged to my partner, Meggie, while skiing at Sugarloaf in April.”

Christopher Ruggles writes: “Moved the family to Boulder, CO, for a better life, and we’re loving it!”

1988 35th

James D. Watt, Jr. jdwattjr@gmail.com

1989

Andrew D. Allen andrewdrexelallen@gmail.com

Deb Cook Wall writes: “On July 3, 2022, I got married to classmate Dave Dufault on Curtis Canyon Overlook in Jackson, WY. Two weeks later, we celebrated again on Mt. Washington, MA. Several of our Berkshire classmates attended one or both incredible events: Christie Dufault, Chris Kunin, Jenna Pollock, Jon Grant, Dolly Adams Higgins ’88, Steve Altman ’88, Chris Romaine ’90, and Alex Romaine ’91

1990

Natalie Bradley Clarke ninabclarke@gmail.com

Katharine Cutler Coughlin katecoughlin1@gmail.com

Natalie Dillon natdillon28@gmail.com

Brian Luts writes: “I was out visiting Jon Nicolazzo in Oregon this past summer and did some fly fishing. I’m not sure it counts as fishing if you don’t catch anything, but it was still a great time. On a different note, I’m very excited for my daughter, Bailey Luts ’25, who started her Berkshire experience last fall. I’m just not sure she is as excited as I am that we will share our reunion weekends together.”

Dee McGaffey Schwein writes: “It’s been a year for change! Chad and I bought a fabulous house and my sister, Margaret, and I took an epic road trip bringing the cats across country—no straight lines for us. We went from Reno to the Bonneville Salt Flats, then to Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and across Michigan’s UP and south to Fort Wayne, IN, to the new house. We’re now close enough to Chicago that we were able to meet up with Drew Nicholson ’89 for a tiny reunion, and have hopes of catching up with Melissa Harrison-DiCicco ’90 The pandemic keeps me working from home, and I’m happy that’s an option. If any Bears find themselves in the Chicago/Detroit/Cleveland area, drop me a line.”

1991

John K. Fretz jfretz@outlook.com

Danielle Paquette Gibbons writes: “My husband, Jim, and I celebrated our 50th birthdays in California over the summer. We traveled up the coast and enjoyed a few days in Napa, CA. We visited Roy Chapin’s vineyard, 4 Winds Winery. He gave us a tour of his

1992

Abram W. Duryee III bduryee@hotmail.com

Sam DiSantis writes: “I’ve dabbled in many careers (a bonus of working at Amazon), but recently came back to what I think I was meant to do: books. I’m back working with publishers, which was my first job at Amazon, and I love it. Bought a house during the pandemic in 2020 with two guest rooms. Officially open for any Berkshire alum to shack up if you’re in Seattle, WA. Get in touch!” beautiful vineyard and we enjoyed his Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the Stags Leap area. Thank you, Roy—what a beautiful place!”

Josh Isenberg writes: “My family and I are happily living in Ardsley, NY, just north of NYC. My daughter, Abigail, just began her senior year of high school and my son, Caleb, just started middle school. My wife, Stacey, and I recently celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary. I hope to have enough time in the near future to visit Berkshire. It has been far too long.”

1993 30th

Hilary Ivey Mueller hilary@schoolsuitessoftware.com

Tenley E. Reed tenley@mac.com

John Forbes writes: “I am currently working in development at Colgate University. I am living in Clinton, NY, with my wife, Allie, and two kids, Wyatt (15) and Delilah (12). I am in touch with Chris McMahon, who lives in the next town over. He is a teacher in Camden, NY. He is doing well and has twin 15-year-old girls who keep him very busy. An occasional text with Chris Bruyere, or even running into Matt

Skinner at work events in the past. I also see Lindsey Pizzica Rotolo every so often when she comes to town for Hamilton College. I had the privilege of hanging out at both Berkshire and Hamilton with Lindsey. Catching up with her is always fun! Really miss everyone. My best to the Class of ’93!”

Kevin Natapow writes: “I just celebrated two years of marriage. I have an 11-year-old daughter and now a 10-year-old step-daughter.”

1994

Joan H. Frantz jfrantz8888@gmail.com

Noah Fischel writes: “After relocating to sunny Merida, Mexico, I wake up most mornings thinking, ‘Is this all there is? Where did all the time go, and does Botox really work on jowls?’ I recall fondly my days as a Berkshire Bear, the welcome privilege of those hallowed halls, and autumn under the Mountain. Although stressed about the current state of the world, I keep calm and carry on. Looking forward to a big reunion year in 2024!”

Chris Lee writes: “I teamed up with Jen Harvey and my friend, Jason Cross, at the 46th Annual Josh Billings Run Aground here in the Berkshires. Fourth in our category of old farts!”